Heir: Chapters 10-17

by Sabaa Tahir
In this romantic fantasy novel, the lives of three young people intersect: Aiz, a poor orphan languishing in prison; Sirsha, an outcast banished from her tribe; and Quil, a crown prince.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Chapters 1-9, Chapters 10-17, Chapters 18-26, Chapters 27-36, Chapters 37-50
15 words 12 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. frieze
    an ornament consisting of a horizontal sculptured band
    Aiz couldn’t make out her features, but that silhouette was familiar from statues, friezes, and coins.
  2. torpor
    inactivity resulting from lethargy and lack of energy
    Aiz tried to shake away the torpor that weighed down her bones.
  3. mettle
    the courage to carry on
    Mother Div’s first true test of my mettle.
  4. atrophied
    diminished in size or strength from disease or injury
    Her muscles were weak and atrophied from lack of movement.
  5. manacle
    shackle that can be locked around the wrist
    She stumbled into the closet, which was crowded with manacles and chains.
  6. obscure
    make undecipherable or imperceptible by concealing
    His dark hair fell across his cheekbones, almost obscuring the yellow of his eyes, the thick black lashes.
  7. bandy
    discuss lightly
    Quil couldn’t imagine one would take kindly to having her name bandied about as a shield.
  8. insouciant
    marked by unconcern
    His very body, beautiful and hard and graceful, seemed to issue Sirsha a direct, insouciant challenge.
  9. untoward
    not in keeping with accepted standards of what is proper
    “I hope you aren’t accusing me of something untoward. Just because your bracelet is precious to you doesn’t mean I give a fig about it.”
  10. empyrean
    surface on which celestial bodies appear to be projected
    “In dreams, the seers delve beyond what the human eye can perceive and into the empyrean. There, constellations beyond our sky emerge.”
  11. orison
    reverent petition to a deity
    “Holy Seer, it is time for the sunset orison.”
  12. covet
    wish, long, or crave for
    Aiz nearly took out the book to show them, but some instinct within quailed against it. She could not risk them coveting it and taking it from her.
  13. askance
    with suspicion or disapproval
    “You going to say anything, or just stand around looking murderous?” Sufiyan eyed him askance, and Quil realized that he was stock-still, white-knuckling the hilt of his scim.
  14. melodious
    having a musical sound; especially a pleasing tune
    But her countenance was cold, her lips thin. Her voice was low and melodious, like Sirsha’s, but something unpleasant seethed beneath.
  15. adorned
    decorated or dressed up to be more beautiful or distinct
    The coin was linked to a half dozen chains on either side, each adorned with thin gold triangles that looked like teeth.
Created on Wed Jul 09 08:32:34 EDT 2025 (updated Tue Aug 12 14:19:36 EDT 2025)

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