Rowan of Rin: Chapters 5–6

by Emily Rodda
When the river that supports the village of Rin suddenly runs dry, the villagers' survival is threatened. Rowan, a timid boy, joins a small band of villagers to courageously face their dangerous Mountain and its terrifying Dragon to restore their life-giving water source.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Chapters 1–2, Chapters 3–4, Chapters 5–6, Chapters 7–9, Chapters 10–13
15 words 11 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. stocky
    having a short and solid form or stature
    Behind Val, a head shorter but stocky and determined, tramped Bronden.
  2. jaunt
    a journey taken for pleasure
    Marlie came next, smiling occasionally at Allun, who was swinging along beside her, whistling and singing as if he was on a country jaunt.
  3. resentment
    a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will
    Remembering this, Rowan felt a flash of resentment.
  4. prophecy
    knowledge of the future, as from a divine source
    If that part of the prophecy had come true, what of all the rest?
  5. clamber
    climb awkwardly, as if by scrambling
    Bronden clambered down into the empty pool and walked busily around in it, kicking at the soft mud.
  6. gallivant
    wander aimlessly in search of pleasure
    The mill must keep working, Bronden. We cannot close it down to gallivant whenever we please.
  7. revive
    be brought back to life, consciousness, or strength
    "Well, if Allun can be revived from his terror, I think we should begin,"
    Marlie said, pulling a thick rope from her pack.
  8. gallantly
    in a heroic or brave manner
    "He is awake now," he said bluntly. "And weakling or not, he fought that cliff gallantly, Val the miller. He fought it to exhaustion."
  9. retort
    answer back
    "No one has touched the map, Val," retorted Marlie.
  10. straggling
    spreading out in different directions
    As they trudged deeper into the forest, the trees around them became bigger and closer together, tangled with vines and surrounded by straggling bushes.
  11. deafening
    loud enough to cause temporary hearing loss
    The cheeping sound was deafening now.
  12. incredulously
    in a disbelieving manner
    Jonn, Rowan, Marlie, and Allun turned incredulously. Beyond Val's worried face they could see the massive form of Ellis, his clenched fists crossed over his chest.
  13. abide
    put up with something or somebody unpleasant
    "Spiders," breathed his sister. "He cannot abide them. From a child he could not...."
  14. swathe
    wrap in or as if in strips of cloth
    Rowan crept along behind Marlie, breathing in shallow gasps, making himself as thin and small as possible. Trying not to look from side to side. Trying not to think of the sticky white curtains that swathed the trees, the huge, crawling spiders and their million eyes so close.
  15. desperately
    with great urgency
    "We must drive them back!" Strong Jonn looked around desperately.
Created on Fri Oct 17 20:00:20 EDT 2025 (updated Tue Dec 23 12:21:09 EST 2025)

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