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The Black Cauldron: Chapters 9–14

In the second book in the Chronicles of Prydain series, Taran continues his quest to destroy the Black Cauldron that can bring the dead back to life.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–2, Chapters 3–4, Chapters 5–8, Chapters 9–14, Chapters 15–20
35 words 5 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

  1. abate
    become less in amount or intensity
    When their grief abated a little, the companions hollowed out a grave, lining it with flat stones.
  2. dismay
    the feeling of despair in the face of obstacles
    Like his spirit, Taran’s dreams were confused, filled with dismay and fear. In them, he saw the mournful faces of the companions, the calm face of Adaon.
  3. turbulent
    agitated vigorously
    He saw, too, a turbulent stream with a great boulder in the midst of it. On the boulder lay Fflewddur’s harp, which played of itself as the wind stirred the strings.
  4. rend
    tear or be torn violently
    Taran was running, then, through a trackless marsh. A bear and two wolves set upon him and made to rend him with their fangs.
  5. tousle
    disarrange or rumple; dishevel
    Eilonwy was now awake and Gurgi was poking a tousled, twig-covered head from the folds of his cloak.
  6. oppressed
    burdened psychologically or mentally
    Taran did not reply, for he was still anxious and oppressed, although the disturbing dreams had already begun to fade.
  7. haggard
    showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
    The bard leaped up and splashed across to greet the companions. Though haggard and worn, he appeared unwounded.
  8. briny
    slightly salty
    “The wind has shifted,” Taran said. “It comes from the sea now. It’s restless, with a briny taste. There’s a smell of grass and weeds, too, which makes me think we aren’t far from Morva. If all goes well, we may reach the Marshes by tomorrow.”
  9. moor
    open land with peaty soil covered with heather and moss
    Although drenched and chilled to the bone, the companions had made good progress by the time Taran allowed them to rest again. Here, gray and cheerless moors spread before them.
  10. grueling
    characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion
    He was less weary than he had expected, despite the grueling ride.
  11. meager
    deficient in amount or quality or extent
    From there, the Marshes of Morva stretched westward to the horizon. Here, huge growths of thorny furze rose up. At the far side, Taran distinguished meager clumps of wasted trees.
  12. stagnant
    not circulating or flowing
    Under the gray sky, pools of stagnant water flickered among dead grasses and broken reeds.
  13. founder
    stumble and nearly fall
    Heaving and plunging, the stallion labored through the mire. With a great shout, the Huntsmen raced after him. Once, Melynlas nearly foundered in a deep pool.
  14. clad
    wearing or provided with clothing
    One of the men clad in wolfskin had stumbled and pitched forward, screaming as the black bog seized and sucked him down.
  15. bog
    wet spongy ground of decomposing vegetation
    One of the men clad in wolfskin had stumbled and pitched forward, screaming as the black bog seized and sucked him down.
  16. scrabble
    grope, scratch, or feel searchingly
    The Huntsman in bearskin flung out his arms and scrabbled at the weeds, growling in rage; the last warrior trampled the sinking man, vainly seeking a foothold to escape the deadly bog.
  17. brackish
    slightly salty
    Brackish water spurted at his hooves, but Taran guided the powerful stallion along what seemed a chain of submerged islands, never stopping even when he reached the far side of the swamp.
  18. crockery
    ceramic dishes used for serving food
    Broken crockery covered a small table. Rusted and broken weapons were piled about.
  19. writhe
    move in a twisting or contorted motion
    Taran spun around and raised his sword. Suddenly in his hand writhed a cold serpent, hissing and twisting to strike.
  20. cajole
    influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
    “You’re a pretty little duck,” said the enchantress in a kind, cajoling voice.
  21. revulsion
    intense aversion
    He turned his head in fear and revulsion as the enchantress gave him a kindly pat on the cheek.
  22. crone
    an ugly, evil-looking old woman
    “You are a greedy creature,” said Orddu, with a tolerant smile at the hooded crone.
  23. vex
    disturb, especially by minor irritations
    “Of course they did, my poor goslings,” said Orddu with sympathy. “They’re always attacking everybody. That’s one of the advantages of being toads; you needn’t worry about such things any more. It will be all romps in the forest and lovely wet mornings. The Huntsmen won’t vex you any more. True, you shall have to keep an eye out for herons, kingfishers, and serpents. But apart from that, you won’t have a care in the world.”
  24. foreboding
    a feeling of evil to come
    Despite the sudden warmth of their welcome, Taran glanced at the enchantresses with uneasiness. The chamber itself filled him with odd forebodings he could not name, which eluded him like shadows.
  25. elude
    escape, either physically or mentally
    Despite the sudden warmth of their welcome, Taran glanced at the enchantresses with uneasiness. The chamber itself filled him with odd forebodings he could not name, which eluded him like shadows.
  26. leer
    a facial expression of contempt or scorn
    “Stay, by all means,” croaked Orgoch with a leer.
  27. bilious
    relating to a digestive juice secreted by the liver
    “Are you sure you wouldn’t prefer one of the others?” asked Orwen. “They’re much more attractive than that old thing. And much more practical. What use have you for Cauldron-Born? They would only be a nuisance. We can give you a kettle to brew the most marvelous sleeping potions, or one you can sprinkle on daffodils to take away that bilious yellow.”
  28. fervently
    with strong emotion or zeal
    “No, oh, no!” Gurgi cried fervently. “Gurgi, too, wants to stay as he is—bold and clever!”
  29. dilapidated
    in a state of decay, ruin, or deterioration
    The companions led their horses to the side of the hill where a low, dilapidated building tottered shakily on the turf.
  30. dubiously
    in a doubtful manner
    While Gurgi went off again to fetch another load, Taran looked dubiously at the straggly pile.
  31. humble
    marked by meekness or modesty; not arrogant or prideful
    “Crafty Gurgi found it!” he cried. “Oh, yes! He always finds what is lost! He has found piggies, and now he finds a great cauldron of wicked doings and brewings! Kind master will honor humble Gurgi!”
  32. headstrong
    habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition
    “What have they gone and done? We tried to warn them about the nasty Crochan, but the headstrong little goslings wouldn’t listen! My, oh my,” she clucked sorrowfully, “now they’ve got their little fingers caught!”
  33. defiantly
    in a rebellious manner
    Taran struggled desperately to free himself. Despite his terror, he flung back his head and glared defiantly at Orddu.
  34. brandish
    move or swing back and forth
    “No, no!” Gurgi cried, thrusting his way toward the enchantress and brandishing his wallet. “Take Gurgi’s own great treasure! Take bag of crunchings and munchings!”
  35. wistfully
    in a pensively sad manner
    “Oh, it is nice!” Orwen murmured wistfully. “And think of the songs we could sing to keep ourselves company.”
Created on Sun May 30 20:54:20 EDT 2021 (updated Mon Jun 07 13:24:55 EDT 2021)

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