A Clash of Kings: Chapters 56–69

by George R.R. Martin
In the second volume of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire, six rival houses continue to battle to rule the kingdom of Westeros.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Prologue–Chapter 13, Chapters 14–27, Chapters 28–41, Chapters 42–55, Chapters 56–69

Here are links to our lists for other volumes in A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin: A Game of Thrones, A Storm of Swords, A Dance with Dragons
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. disheveled
    in disarray; extremely disorderly
    He could not let Asha see him disheveled and soaked with sweat.
  2. languish
    become feeble
    She wanted him dead, so she could steal his place as their father's heir. That was why she had let him languish here, ignoring the urgent commands he had sent her.
    Compare this verb with the adjective "languid" in the list for Chapters 14-27. Although the words both connect to weakness, in the example sentence about Lord Petyr, his languidness emphasizes his wealth and ease, while here, Theon is upset that his sister had let him languish at Winterfell, where his men were dying around him and his hold on the castle was weakening every day.
  3. fray
    a noisy fight
    Gentle Mother, strength of women, help our daughters through this fray,
    soothe the wrath and tame the fury, teach us all a kinder way.
  4. dearth
    an insufficient quantity or number
    All you know of life you learned from singers, and there's such a dearth of good sacking songs.
  5. mirth
    great merriment
    The first two lines would sweep up the river to engage and destroy Joffrey's little fleet, or "the boy's toys" as Ser Imry dubbed them, to the mirth of his lordly captains.
  6. founder
    sink below the surface
    One of the Myrish galleys had foundered in the Straits of Tarth, and a storm had overtaken them as they were entering the Gullet, scattering the fleet across half the narrow sea.
  7. contingent
    a gathering of persons representative of some larger group
    Behind Davos and his sons came another line of hundreds commanded by knights and lordly captains, and then the smaller, slower Myrish contingent, none dipping more than eighty oars.
    "Contingent" also means "a temporary military unit"--both definitions fit, because 1) as this and the previous example sentences suggest, the Myrish galleys are better suited for trade than war; 2) the Myrish galleys are part of the larger fleet that Stannis had gathered for his attack on King's Landing.
  8. flamboyant
    tending to attract attention; marked by ostentatious display
    The flamboyant Lyseni princeling had not been pleased to be assigned the rear guard, but it was clear that Ser Imry trusted him no more than Stannis did.
    Compare this adjective with the verb "flaunt" in the list for Chapters 14-27. Both words connect to ostentation ("pretentious or showy or vulgar display"): Renly flaunts his power without wanting to actually fight, while the Lysene princeling is flamboyant in the way he dresses, but he wants to fight and is upset that his assignment to the rear guard won't allow him to fight and gain glory.
  9. obscure
    make unclear or less visible
    The galleys of the first line of battle obscured his vision, so Davos paced the deck searching for a better view.
  10. ensnarl
    entangle or catch in (or as if in) a mesh
    The lines of battle were hopelessly ensnarled, he saw.
    Compare with "ensnare" in the list for Chapters 28-41. The verbs are nearly synonymous and can be switched in the two example sentences. Summer was actually entangled in a mesh (ensnarled) that Meera had trapped him in (ensnared). The lines of battles were confused because there were ferries, barges, rowboats, and driftwood all getting in the way (ensnarled), and the warships had fallen into the trap that Tyrion had set (ensnared).
  11. unscathed
    not injured
    The main channel was all aflame, but a good many of the Myrmen had made for the south bank and looked to escape unscathed, and at least eight ships had landed under the city walls.
  12. disperse
    cause to separate and go in different directions
    "They've taken a ram to the gate, you can hear them, we need to disperse them—"
  13. behoove
    be appropriate or necessary
    So it behooves me to give their women my protection.
  14. infirm
    lacking bodily or muscular strength or vitality
    Pretty things like that serving wench of Lady Tanda's could be in for a lively night, but don't imagine the old and the infirm and the ugly will be spared.
  15. beguile
    attract; cause to be enamored
    "Were it anyone else outside the gates, I might hope to beguile him. But this is Stannis Baratheon. I'd have a better chance of seducing his horse."
  16. fastidious
    giving careful attention to detail
    Her father had always cleaned the blade in the godswood after he took a man's head, Sansa recalled, but Ser Ilyn was not so fastidious.
  17. intact
    undamaged in any way
    His sword sheared off limbs, cracked heads, broke shields asunder—though few enough of the enemy had made it across the river with shields intact.
    Compare with "unscathed" in this list. Although "unscathed" usually applies to people while "intact" applies to objects, the adjectives are nearly synonymous and could be switched in the example sentences.
  18. garish
    tastelessly showy
    The sky was red and orange and garish green.
    Compare with "flamboyant" in this list. The adjectives are synonymous, but they are used in very different descriptions. The tasteless showiness of the Lysene princeling is more laughable than harmful, but the showy green color of the sky is tasteless because it reflects the wildfire that is burning the river, ships, and men.
  19. raiment
    especially fine or decorative clothing
    She had no dragon with her, and her raiment was hardly queenly.
  20. denizen
    a person who inhabits a particular place
    The denizens of Joffrey's court had striven to outdo each other today.
  21. boon
    something that is desirable, favorable, or beneficial
    "If there is any boon you would ask of me, ask and it shall be yours."
  22. distraught
    deeply agitated especially from emotion
    The queen had warned her; no matter what she felt inside, the face she showed the world must look distraught.
  23. dodder
    walk unsteadily
    Theon did not fear a doddering old man, but those watching archers and that line of knights were a different matter.
  24. acrid
    strong and sharp, as a taste or smell
    The air was full of acrid smoke.
  25. leach
    use a liquid to dissolve out or remove a substance
    All the bright dyes had leached out from the surcoats of the slain; they were garbed in shades of white and grey, and their blood was black and crusty.
  26. subside
    descend into or as if into some soft substance or place
    Pushing back the blankets, he tried to sit, but the pain was too much and he soon subsided, breathing raggedly.
  27. mortification
    the localized death of living cells
    It showed signs of mortification, and for a time I feared you might lose the limb, but we treated it with boiling wine and maggots, and now it seems to be healing clean...
    "Mortification" also means "strong feelings of embarrassment" and "an instance in which you are caused to lose your prestige"--neither definition fits the example sentence, since the maester is telling Tyrion about his wounds. But the first definition could describe Tyrion's feelings at discovering that he has lost his nose, and the second definition could describe Tyrion's political fall after he had fallen in battle.
  28. obliging
    showing a cheerful willingness to do favors for others
    Cersei would have me sleep forever, but I won’t be so obliging.
  29. balk
    refuse to proceed or comply
    You must not balk, whatever is asked of you.
  30. folly
    foolish or senseless behavior
    "White Harbor...the Umbers...I do not know...war everywhere...each man against his neighbor, and winter coming...such folly, such black mad folly..."
Created on Sat Jan 11 21:25:28 EST 2014 (updated Mon Oct 01 16:59:42 EDT 2018)

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