Justin Morgan Had a Horse: Chapters 5–8

by Marguerite Henry
After Justin Morgan brings home a small colt named Little Bubb, his student Joel Goss trains the horse to become a world-famous breeding stallion.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–4, Chapters 5–8, Chapters 9–13, Chapters 14–18
40 words 7 learners

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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
    Then tiredly he started up the ladder to his room in the garret.
  2. fatigue
    temporary loss of strength and energy from hard work
    “The fatigues of the journey have overcome me,” he said over his shoulder. “Slumber is the best cure.”
  3. lark
    play boisterously
    They’ll lark off to school and leave me to muck out and do their work.
  4. dander
    a feeling of anger and animosity
    “Now don’t get your dander up, Pa,” soothed Mistress Goss, wondering if a piece of her fresh pumpkin pie would calm him.
  5. wheedle
    influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
    He stopped bellowing and now his voice wheedled, trying to persuade his wife.
  6. mull
    reflect deeply on a subject
    Why, we got all the rest of the day to be mulling on it.
  7. tankard
    a large drinking vessel with one handle
    And now, Ma, I can do with a piece of that pie and a tankard of buttermilk.
  8. tallow
    a hard substance used for making soap and candles
    Justin Morgan snuffed out his own tallow candle, and then Joel’s.
  9. gable
    the triangular wall between the sloping ends of a roof
    He threw wide the shutters and drew the boy to the gable window.
  10. dispatch
    the property of being prompt and efficient
    Mister Goss clumped in then, and breakfast became a business to be finished with dispatch.
  11. stout
    having rugged physical strength
    With a sawmill and an inn to tend, you need a stout lad to help.
  12. stave
    one of the slats of wood forming sides of a barrel or bucket
    Only this morning he had received a big order for barrel staves and hoops from the West Indies.
  13. hedge
    avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing
    “Hmmmm,” he said, hedging for time.
  14. earnestly
    in a sincere and serious manner
    He put down his pen and looked earnestly at Joel.
  15. fleeting
    lasting for a markedly brief time
    Below the dial the pendulum was hidden in a glass case painted with flying white doves, and the words, “Time is fleeting.”
  16. flounce
    a strip of pleated material used as a decoration or a trim
    To the man’s amazement, his wife nodded vigorously, and the white flounces on her cap went up and down like waves billowing.
  17. doleful
    filled with or evoking sadness
    Its tick was loud and doleful as it tolled the seconds.
  18. implore
    beg or request earnestly and urgently
    Again Joel turned to his father, eyes imploring: “Do I have to, Pa?”
  19. cipher
    make a mathematical calculation or computation
    He was free then to go to evening school, where he read and wrote, and ciphered and sang.
  20. ecstasy
    a state of elated bliss
    Suddenly all the tiredness washed out of the boy, and a sharp ecstasy filled him.
  21. ornery
    having a difficult and contrary disposition
    “And then you’ve got to be so smart and willing that even an ornery man won’t have reason to whop ye. I couldn’t abide that!” he added in dread.
  22. wane
    decrease in phase
    The moon waned and became full again.
  23. addled
    confused and vague; used especially of thinking
    “Why, he sprung forward like a cat outen a bag. And that idiot hound was too addled to go home. He streaked down the road with Bub after him.”
  24. gaunt
    very thin, especially from disease or hunger or cold
    A tall, gaunt man entered and sat down on the splint-bottomed chair which the schoolmaster offered.
  25. wax
    write or speak in a specified manner
    “But I, my good man,” and now the voice waxed strong again, “stand ready to pay fifteen dollars a year, and the animal’s keep, of course.”
  26. nicker
    make a soft sound characteristic of a horse
    He might have called out, “Hi, Little Bub!” and felt the hot pride of having him nicker in reply.
  27. precariously
    in a manner affording no ease or reassurance
    Precariously his fingers clung to the bricks like a bird. If he made the least noise or if his bare feet slid into view, the talk might stop or take a new tack altogether.
  28. idleness
    the state of not working or having employment
    “Why, work don’t hurt horses,” Mister Chase said reassuringly. “It’s t’other way around. Idleness is what really hurts ’em. Their muscles git soft and their lungs git so small they can’t even run without wheezing.”
  29. dappled
    having spots or patches of color
    A big dappled mare stood waiting to have the chains hooked to her harness.
  30. astride
    with one leg on each side
    “Wait!” called the big man astride the little horse.
  31. scorn
    lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
    A smile, half scorn, half amusement, crossed Nathan Nye’s face.
  32. wager
    stake on the outcome of an issue
    I’m wagering a barrel o’ cider that my horse can move the pine log.
  33. nettle
    plant having stinging hairs that cause skin irritation
    “A nettle hain’t half as pesky as you,” he growled.
  34. clout
    strike hard, especially with the fist
    “Out of my way or I’ll clout you!”
  35. galvanize
    stimulate to action
    The sharp word of command galvanized the little horse into action.
  36. ominous
    threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
    A hush closed around the gathering. It hung heavy and ominous.
  37. sober
    become or cause to become more serious
    The stout man aboard laughed hysterically, then sobered, trying to balance himself, clutching onto the others.
  38. lather
    exude foam resulting from excessive sweating
    Sweat broke out on his body, lathering at the collar and traces.
  39. yoke
    join with stable gear, as two draft animals
    He was struggling, straining, panting as if he were yoked alongside Little Bub.
  40. torrent
    an overwhelming number or amount
    Then as if a dike had opened, there was a torrent of noise. Everyone began shouting at once.
Created on Fri Apr 29 11:47:18 EDT 2022 (updated Fri May 06 15:46:29 EDT 2022)

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