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Ivanhoe: Chapters 1–8

Returning from the crusades, a medieval knight seeks his birthright—as well as the hand of Lady Rowena—in England. Read the full text here.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–8, Chapters 9–17, Chapters 18–27, Chapters 28–36, Chapters 37–44
15 words 375 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

  1. exorbitant
    greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation
    The nobles, whose power had become exorbitant during the reign of Stephen, and whom the prudence of Henry the Second had scarce reduced to some degree of subjection to the crown, had now resumed their ancient license in its utmost extent
  2. extirpate
    destroy completely, as if down to the roots
    The whole race of Saxon princes and nobles had been extirpated or disinherited, with few or no exceptions; nor were the numbers great who possessed land in the country of their fathers, even as proprietors of the second, or of yet inferior classes.
  3. retinue
    the group following and attending to some important person
    The whole appearance of this warrior and his retinue was wild and outlandish; the dress of his squires was gorgeous, and his Eastern attendants wore silver collars round their throats, and bracelets of the same metal upon their swarthy arms and legs, of which the former were naked from the elbow, and the latter from mid-leg to ankle.
  4. ennui
    the feeling of being bored by something tedious
    The ladies, in particular, were not disposed to scan too nicely the morals of a man...who possessed many means of dispelling the ennui which was too apt to intrude upon the halls and bowers of an ancient feudal castle.
  5. venerable
    profoundly honored
    “In truth, venerable father,” answered the Jester, “the Saracen head of your right reverend companion has frightened out of mine the way home — I am not sure I shall get there tonight myself.”
  6. chastise
    scold or criticize severely
    “What mean these fellows by their capricious insolence?” said the Templar to the Benedictine, “and why did you prevent me from chastising it?”
  7. choleric
    quickly aroused to anger
    It appeared, indeed, from the countenance of this proprietor, that he was of a frank, but hasty and choleric temper.
  8. ecclesiastical
    of or associated with a church
    Besides the massive golden signet ring, which marked his ecclesiastical dignity, his fingers, though contrary to the canon, were loaded with precious gems; his sandals were of the finest leather which was imported from Spain; his beard trimmed to as small dimensions as his order would possibly permit, and his shaven crown concealed by a scarlet cap richly embroidered.
  9. betoken
    be a signal for or a symptom of
    Having dispelled the cold, he turned eagerly to the smoking mess which was placed before him, and ate with a haste and an apparent relish, that seemed to betoken long abstinence from food.
  10. guerdon
    a reward or payment
    “That will I do blithely,” replied the Pilgrim, “and without guerdon; my oath, for a time, prohibits me from touching gold.”
  11. extort
    obtain by coercion or intimidation
    It is a well-known story of King John, that he confined a wealthy Jew in one of the royal castles, and daily caused one of his teeth to be torn out, until, when the jaw of the unhappy Israelite was half disfurnished, he consented to pay a large sum, which it was the tyrant’s object to extort from him.
  12. palisade
    a strong fence made of stakes driven into the ground
    It was strongly secured by a palisade on each side, as was the esplanade in front of the pavilions, and the whole was guarded by men-at-arms.
  13. libertine
    unrestrained by convention or morality
    Such an expression is often mistaken for manly frankness, when in truth it arises from the reckless indifference of a libertine disposition, conscious of superiority of birth, of wealth, or of some other adventitious advantage, totally unconnected with personal merit.
  14. mercenary
    a person hired to fight for another country than their own
    “The Saxon porker,” he said, “is either asleep or minds me not — Prick him with your lance, De Bracy,” speaking to a knight who rode near him, the leader of a band of Free Companions, or Condottieri; that is, of mercenaries belonging to no particular nation, but attached for the time to any prince by whom they were paid.
  15. largesse
    a gift or money given, usually ostentatiously
    The heralds finished their proclamation with their usual cry of “Largesse, largesse, gallant knights!” and gold and silver pieces were showered on them from the galleries, it being a high point of chivalry to exhibit liberality towards those whom the age accounted at once the secretaries and the historians of honour.
Created on Thu Dec 29 16:28:41 EST 2016 (updated Thu Jul 31 15:50:48 EDT 2025)

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