The Golden Goblet: Chapters 14–16

by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
An orphan living in ancient Egypt, twelve-year-old Ranofer dreams of becoming a master goldsmith — but instead he must work at menial jobs for his cruel half-brother. When Ranofer discovers a stolen goblet in his brother's possession, he believes he may have a chance at a new life.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapters 3–4, Chapters 5–6, Chapters 7–9, Chapters 10–13, Chapters 14–16
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. citadel
    a stronghold for shelter during a battle
    Worse, every inch he moved forward took him nearer to an even more terrible place, the citadel of death itself, the dwelling of the outraged Departed One whose mere sentries these other creatures were.
  2. sentry
    a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
    Worse, every inch he moved forward took him nearer to an even more terrible place, the citadel of death itself, the dwelling of the outraged Departed One whose mere sentries these other creatures were.
  3. jamb
    a vertical side piece of a door or window frame
    Not one had shown a sign of having been disturbed or even visited in years, and the few actual doors they had glimpsed after careful peering between the rocks had revealed the necropolis priest’s seal unbroken upon the jamb.
  4. gilt
    having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
    It was the statue of a slim and lovely servant girl, wearing a painted white dress and a painted gilt necklace, steadying a box on one shoulder and carrying a painted wooden duck by its feet in her other hand.
  5. callous
    emotionally hardened
    It was like seeing some innocent, happy creature lying murdered, victim of Gebu’s callous greed.
  6. homage
    respectful deference
    Shocked to his very toes, Ranofer scrambled up and retreated a few respectful steps, involuntarily stretching out his hands toward the coffins in the gesture of homage.
  7. pillage
    steal goods; take as spoils
    Worse, at any moment those thieves would be in here to wreck and pillage, to tear the gold trim from chairs and chests, to snatch the jewel boxes, to break open the beautiful coffins and even strip the wrappings from the royal mummies themselves in search of golden amulets.
  8. headlong
    excessively quick
    He had reached the bottom of the entrance shaft much sooner than he had expected, for his headlong flight back had consumed far less time than his first cautious, crawling journey.
  9. bedeck
    decorate
    There were three chariots glittering with gold, and a dozen grooms who were bedecking horses with plumes and flowers for the coming procession.
  10. plume
    a feather or cluster of feathers worn as an ornament
    There were three chariots glittering with gold, and a dozen grooms who were bedecking horses with plumes and flowers for the coming procession.
  11. arbor
    a framework that supports climbing plants
    As his pursuers burst through a gate behind him he fled up a red graveled path between rows of onions and beans, into a grape arbor and presently out the other end.
  12. brandish
    exhibit aggressively
    The soldier arrived, brandishing his curved sword at all three of them.
  13. patter
    make light, rapid and repeated sounds
    Then a curious, piping voice behind him called, “Captain! Wait!” and the dwarf in the silver headcloth came pattering up on his stubby legs.
  14. gaudy
    marked by conspicuous display
    He smiled like a cat with a particularly tasty mouse, strutted up and down a time or two to make his earrings sway gaudily, then waved an arrogant and much-bejeweled hand.
  15. minutely
    in painstaking detail
    He examined Ranofer’s face minutely for a moment, then turned and started along the graveled path, pulling Ranofer after him with surprising strength.
  16. timbre
    the distinctive property of a complex sound
    As he did so he heard the queen's voice, abrupt and husky, with a peculiar timbre, like a young boy’s.
  17. antechamber
    an outer room or waiting area that leads into another room
    The dwarf jerked his head toward the antechamber, and Ranofer went with him hastily, turning hot with embarassment at his own presence, a blemish of rags and dirt and unsightly scratches, in this beautiful, shining room.
  18. impassive
    having or revealing little emotion or sensibility
    His manner was impassive and assured, his bearing a noble’s; but his eyes were warm and intent.
  19. imperiously
    in a manner showing arrogant superiority
    The sky was flaming when the door of the room behind him opened and Qa-nefer beckoned him imperiously.
  20. veritable
    being truly so called; real or genuine
    And at his side walked a veritable pharaoh of a donkey—long-eared, strong, beautiful, and in the prime of life.
Created on Tue Oct 09 14:30:29 EDT 2018 (updated Tue Oct 09 15:09:13 EDT 2018)

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