The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: Chapters 1–5

by L. Frank Baum
During a cyclone, Dorothy Gale and her dog are transported from Kansas to a strange land where she seeks a wizard to help them get home. Read the full text here.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–5, Chapters 6–10, Chapters 11–15, Chapters 16–24

For more of our lists about the adventures in Oz, click your mouse once here.
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. garret
    floor consisting of open space at the top of a house
    There was no garret at all, and no cellar — except a small hole dug in the ground, called a cyclone cellar, where the family could go in case one of those great whirlwinds arose, mighty enough to crush any building in its path.
  2. gaunt
    very thin, especially from disease or hunger or cold
    She was thin and gaunt, and never smiled now.
  3. stately
    impressive in appearance
    There were lovely patches of greensward all about, with stately trees bearing rich and luscious fruits.
  4. plumage
    the covering of feathers on a bird
    Banks of gorgeous flowers were on every hand, and birds with rare and brilliant plumage sang and fluttered in the trees and bushes.
  5. pleat
    a fold in a garment or piece of fabric
    The hats of the men were blue; the little woman’s hat was white, and she wore a white gown that hung in pleats from her shoulders.
  6. bondage
    the state of being under the control of another person
    “You are welcome, most noble Sorceress, to the land of the Munchkins. We are so grateful to you for having killed the Wicked Witch of the East, and for setting our people free from bondage.”
  7. evidently
    in a manner that is obvious or unmistakable
    But the little woman evidently expected her to answer; so Dorothy said, with hesitation, “You are very kind, but there must be some mistake. I have not killed anything.”
  8. gingham
    a woven cotton fabric, typically with a checked pattern
    Dorothy had only one other dress, but that happened to be clean and was hanging on a peg beside her bed. It was gingham, with checks of white and blue; and although the blue was somewhat faded with many washings, it was still a pretty frock.
  9. soberly
    in a serious or subdued manner
    And so, with Toto trotting along soberly behind her, she started on her journey.
  10. hearty
    providing abundant nourishment
    Dorothy ate a hearty supper and was waited upon by the rich Munchkin himself, whose name was Boq.
    Another definition of "hearty" is "showing warm and sincere friendliness"—this describes the mood surrounding the supper, because the Munchkins are all happy and thankful to Dorothy for freeing them from the Wicked Witch.
  11. settee
    a small sofa
    Then she sat upon a settee and watched the people dance.
  12. tedious
    so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness
    "I'm not feeling well," said the Scarecrow, with a smile, "for it is very tedious being perched up here night and day to scare away crows."
  13. oblige
    cause to be indebted
    “Can’t you get down?” asked Dorothy.
    “No, for this pole is stuck up my back. If you will please take away the pole I shall be greatly obliged to you.”
  14. mishap
    an unpredictable outcome that is unfortunate
    As for the Scarecrow, having no brains, he walked straight ahead, and so stepped into the holes and fell at full length on the hard bricks. It never hurt him, however, and Dorothy would pick him up and set him upon his feet again, while he joined her in laughing merrily at his own mishap.
  15. daunt
    cause to lose courage
    After this the enchanted axe cut off my arms, one after the other; but, nothing daunted, I had them replaced with tin ones.
Created on Tue May 21 17:13:44 EDT 2013 (updated Wed Aug 06 13:24:36 EDT 2025)

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