The Marvellers: List 1

by Dhonielle Clayton
In this first book of The Conjureverse series, eleven-year-old Ella Durand is admitted into the Arcanum Training Institute for Marvelous and Uncanny Endeavors, where she must prove to the magical sky-dwellers that her earthly background and Underworld abilities can be trusted.

This list covers "Salutations and Greetings"–Chapter 4 in Part I: A Brand-New World.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: List 1, List 2, List 3, List 4, List 5
40 words 72 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. uncanny
    suggesting the operation of supernatural influences
    We are thrilled to inform you that you’ve been accepted into the Arcanum Training Institute for Marvelous and Uncanny Endeavors.
  2. infuse
    fill, as with a certain quality
    Their silk linings glowed as a good-fortune spell infused itself into her belongings.
  3. cameo
    engraving or carving in low relief on a stone
    “The conjure- cameo?” her papa asked.
    “Yes, Papa.” She patted her chest, the carved medallion of her parents' faces tucked just beneath her shirt.
  4. endeavor
    earnest and conscientious activity intended to do something
    That sparked their eighty millionth argument about Ella attending the Arcanum Training Institute for Marvelous and Uncanny Endeavors.
  5. conjure
    summon into action or bring into existence
    Mama and Gran wanted her to stay home and continue to attend Madame Collette's Conjure École.
  6. incessant
    uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
    Ella was amazed by the wiggling coupons and their incessant battles.
  7. astrolabe
    instrument used to calculate positions of celestial bodies
    Sandhya's Splendiferous Sundry now boasted the most affordable astrolabes, and the prices from Woodfolk's Wonderous Wares flickered angrily.
  8. griot
    a storyteller in West Africa
    Ella glanced at her satchel spilling over with all the research she'd done this summer at the Griotary, listening to all the books and pestering all the griots to tell her all the things they knew about Marvellers and their Training Institute.
  9. intricate
    having many complexly arranged elements; elaborate
    Intricate tangles of roots and writhing flowers grew in inky, raised lines along both Gran's and Mama's bodies.
  10. dais
    a platform raised above the surrounding level
    The crowd headed toward a turbaned brown man on a dais.
  11. ornate
    marked by complexity and richness of detail
    His ornate turban changed colors, the folds cycling through peacock blues and sherbet oranges and butter yellows, while its tiny diamonds caught the moonlight.
  12. paragon
    model of excellence or perfection of a kind
    “And I am Masterji Thakur, a Paragon of Taste with a spice marvel.”
  13. scuttle
    move about or proceed hurriedly
    Mama turned to say hello, and Ella began to explain, but the kids scuttled away.
  14. gilded
    made from or covered with gold
    Engines blazed bright with stars spinning in their gilded spheres.
  15. spire
    a tall tower that forms the superstructure of a building
    The whole place held wonders: starfruit trees and moonflowers, a vertical maze of wires lifting cable cars and trolleys to gilded docks, balloons dropping fireworks, and the gates of the Arcanum Training Institute for Marvelous and Uncanny Endeavors shining like sunrays fashioned into iron spindles and copper spires.
  16. turret
    a small tower extending above a building
    The wild metals writhed, moving towers and turrets around like musical chairs.
  17. edict
    a formal or authoritative proclamation
    THE CONJURE EDICT
    The League of United Marvellers hereby proclaims that the Conjure folk of the world are granted citizenship to the Marvellian community. Amendments to the Constitution will end the Conjure Codes and ensure equality for all within Marvellian cities and Institutes.
  18. encompass
    include in scope
    The term Conjure folk encompasses all congregations in the United Conjure Congress, including but not limited to delegations from North America, Central America, South America, Cuba, Cape Verde, and so forth.
  19. ruddy
    inclined to a healthy reddish color
    She hid under a mop of tangled hair, and her ruddy white cheeks made her look flustered.
  20. trundle
    move slowly or heavily
    The fu dog trundled about, preening and showing off.
  21. haughty
    having or showing arrogant superiority
    “What are your marvels?” Lian said in a haughty tone.
  22. valise
    a small overnight bag for short trips
    Ella stared back and forth from her juju-trunks to their marvel- valises, and she couldn’t wait to visit a Marvellian shop and buy hers.
  23. bureau
    furniture with drawers for keeping clothes
    She shrugged, then helped Mama fill the bureau, hang five white Marvellian mantles in her private closet, and place a pot of conjure-roses on her bedside table.
  24. atelier
    a studio especially for an artist or designer
    “Wish I could be there tonight. I’ll come see you soon. Still putting the finishing touches on my Conjure Atelier. I hope you’ll love it.”
  25. cistern
    an artificial reservoir for storing liquids
    Ella sighed with relief as she took out the supply list to double-check that she had everything: her satchel ready to be filled, an astrolabe, the glass weather cistern, a spice dubba, the mortar and pestle, her trusty Paragon chart to remember all five groups, the new peacock stylus Gran had given her.
  26. mortar
    a vessel in which substances can be ground with a pestle
    Ella sighed with relief as she took out the supply list to double-check that she had everything: her satchel ready to be filled, an astrolabe, the glass weather cistern, a spice dubba, the mortar and pestle, her trusty Paragon chart to remember all five groups, the new peacock stylus Gran had given her.
  27. incense
    a substance that produces a fragrant odor when burned
    “It's to sweep out bad spirits. A must-have for a new space. Much like how Lian is lighting incense on her new altar.”
  28. tenet
    a basic principle or belief that is accepted as true
    THE TENETS OF MARVELLERS:
    Integrity—Honor the elders, the marvels, and one’s ancestors.
    Self-Control—Positively control one’s feelings and behaviors.
    Perseverance—Show effort and persistence to walk a noble path.
    Goodness—Only channel the light.
  29. covet
    wish, long, or crave for
    I shall never covet or desire another’s marvel.
  30. skulk
    move stealthily
    Ella stood in the Ursa Minor lounge soaking up everything around her: a marble fireplace carved in the shape of a bear's mouth sparked with blue fire, star-lanterns released glitter showers, and the little bear constellation skulked across the ceiling.
  31. eccentric
    conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual
    That blush-pink mansion in the Garden District with its wildflower bushes, wraparound galleries, and eccentric bedrooms had felt like the whole world...until now.
  32. orientation
    a course introducing a new situation or environment
    “All right, time for translation crystals before orientation, little stars.”
  33. reverie
    absentminded dreaming while awake
    We have reverie marvels. They hatch dreams. Sometimes wishes. But I've been getting some nightmares too.
  34. placard
    a sign posted in a public place
    The five Paragon symbols winked along their sides, and placards advertised their destinations: THE PARAGON TOWERS, THE LIBRARY, THE GRAND ASSEMBLY ROOM, THE SUPPLY STORE, THE INFIRMARY, THE DINING HALL, THE ARCANUM DOCKS, and more.
  35. forge
    come up with after a mental effort
    “I'm here for all your questions as you learn the great Marvellian way, and how, really, to forge your own path here as a new trainee.”
  36. neophyte
    a participant with no experience with an activity
    “Cheers, my budding Marvellians, my little neophytes,” Headmarveller Rivera's voice thundered.
  37. revel
    take delight in
    “We are fallen stars. Each one of us containing the elements that make up the beautiful canvas above. Those blinking balls of light gave each of you your unique and precious marvels. And it's why we make our home here, so far up, and away from the rest of the world. To always remember. To revel in the endless light.”
  38. initiate
    set in motion, start an event or prepare the way for
    “To honor that, we always begin with this tradition initiated by one of our great Institute founders, Indira Patel the Brave. We send our wishes up to the stars in hopes that they will be granted.”
  39. stylus
    a pointed tool for writing, drawing, or engraving
    They toted baskets full of tiny lanterns, slips of parchment paper, and brass styluses.
  40. menagerie
    a collection of live animals for study or display
    “It's for Betelmore to come closer to the Arcanum this year. They've got Marchand's Mischievous Menagerie now. It's the best animal—”
Created on Mon Nov 06 09:03:06 EST 2023 (updated Tue Nov 07 08:20:48 EST 2023)

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