The Fighting Ground: List 4

by Avi
In this historical novel, thirteen-year-old Jonathan defies his father's wishes and joins the fight for American independence.

This list covers April 3, 1778: 6:00–8:45.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: List 1, List 2, List 3, List 4, List 5

Here are links to our lists for other works by Avi: Crispin: The Cross of Lead, Nothing but the Truth
35 words 40 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. implement
    a piece of equipment or a tool used for a specific purpose
    A window, no more than a hole under the eaves, let in enough light for him to see that the shed contained only a few implements, a pile of straw, and in a corner a wooden bucket.
  2. impulsive
    without forethought
    Impulsively, as if to see if he was real, Jonathan reached out to touch him again.
  3. ajar
    slightly open
    Snatching up the bucket, he slipped out of the shed, carefully leaving the doors just slightly ajar.
  4. acute
    extremely sharp or intense
    Acutely aware that the young soldier was now observing him, and wondering if he suspected anything, Jonathan went to the cow.
  5. flank
    the side between ribs and hipbone
    He placed the bucket under the cow’s udder, then quickly knelt, pressing his face against the warm flanks.
  6. frothy
    emitting or filled with bubbles
    The milk came in hard streams, foaming white and frothy.
  7. avert
    turn away or aside
    The young soldier, watching, mumbled his approval. Jonathan guiltily averted his eyes.
  8. rouse
    cause to become awake or conscious
    When the tall one roused himself for his portion, the young one went to the hearth and attempted to get a fire started.
  9. persist
    refuse to stop
    The soldiers ignored it until, when it persisted, the young one stood up and waved Jonathan toward the bucket and the door.
  10. casual
    marked by a lack of concern
    Casually, the young soldier stood and lumbered after.
  11. docile
    easily handled or managed
    The cow went docilely, without complaint.
  12. sidle
    move sideways
    Jonathan sidled in, angling the door so that if one of the soldiers came out on the porch, he would not be able to see in, yet leaving enough of an opening to allow some light.
  13. tremulous
    quivering as from weakness or fear
    The boy’s eyes were tired, his mouth a soft, tremulous frown.
  14. dreary
    causing dejection
    His dreary sadness made Jonathan uneasy.
  15. reclaim
    reassert one's right or title to
    It was an area where the woods had started to reclaim the land.
  16. disarray
    untidiness, especially of clothing and appearance
    The three Hessians approached, carrying their guns. Their uniforms were in disarray.
  17. encroach
    impinge or infringe upon
    Jonathan looked about the area in which they were standing, the encroaching trees, the field beyond.
  18. dismay
    the feeling of despair in the face of obstacles
    With growing dismay, Jonathan gazed at the bodies, at the boy, at the remaining soldier, the old one.
  19. dread
    fearful expectation or anticipation
    “I need to know,” demanded Jonathan, feeling the dread of coming upon an awful truth.
  20. fend
    withstand the force of something
    The tall soldier was sitting near the fire, which he had managed to light, his head nodding as he tried to fend off sleep.
  21. callousness
    a lack of sympathy or regard for others
    The soldiers’ callousness gave more and more strength to his conviction that they had been party to the killing.
  22. conviction
    an unshakable belief in something without need for proof
    The soldiers’ callousness gave more and more strength to his conviction that they had been party to the killing.
  23. rebuff
    a deliberate discourteous act
    Hurt by the rebuff, Jonathan turned around.
  24. vague
    lacking clarity or distinctness
    Behind the smoke the expression on his face seemed lost, vague, absent.
  25. seethe
    be in an agitated emotional state
    Seething, Jonathan turned abruptly and grabbed the shovel that was by the door.
  26. indifferent
    marked by a lack of interest
    For a moment the old soldier’s eyes looked up, but then became indifferent again.
  27. conspire
    engage in plotting, swear together
    The thickly knotted roots and the dull shovel blade conspired against him.
  28. brusquely
    in a blunt direct manner
    “I need some help,” Jonathan said brusquely.
  29. grope
    feel about uncertainly or blindly
    Sullenly, the young soldier swung about, groped for his boots, and pulled them on.
  30. feeble
    pathetically lacking in force or effectiveness
    It wasn’t a bright flame, only a feeble, orange light, fussing and spitting in the damp air.
  31. sallow
    unhealthy looking
    Her mouth was open, her eyes closed, her sallow face smeared with dirt.
  32. cadence
    a recurrent rhythmical series
    Then, standing a little straighter, the soldier began to speak. Because of the singsong cadence, Jonathan sensed it was a prayer and wished he knew its meaning.
  33. deliberately
    with intention; in an intentional manner
    He seemed to deliberately avoid looking at Jonathan or the boy.
  34. beckon
    summon with a wave, nod, or some other gesture
    The Hessian beckoned to him.
  35. agape
    with the mouth wide open as in wonder or awe
    The old soldier’s head was now bent back against the wall, his chest moving with the deep rhythm of sleep. His mouth was slightly agape.
Created on Sun Jan 20 17:21:57 EST 2019 (updated Tue Feb 12 11:15:49 EST 2019)

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