The Odyssey Vocabulary 5-8

Council

A group or meeting assembled to discuss, advise, or make decisions.

Makeshift

A crude, temporary substitute or solution.

Plunder

Goods or valuables taken by force, theft, or fraud; loot.

Brine

Salty water, especially seawater or a strong salt solution.

Indigo

A deep blue dye or color, traditionally obtained from the indigo plant.

Suffuse

To spread through or over something, like light or fluid filling space.

Flourish

To thrive, prosper, or grow strongly.

Incline

To influence or persuade someone toward an action or opinion.

Rouse

To stir up, excite, or awaken from rest.

Surge

To rise or move suddenly with force, like a wave or rush.

Chaste

Pure in behavior or modest in style.

Furrow

A long, narrow trench in the ground, or a deep wrinkle or crease.

Barren

Unable to produce life or results; empty or unproductive.

Scalawag

A mischievous or dishonest person; a rascal.

Glut

To oversupply or flood something beyond demand.

Pine

To long deeply for someone or something, often with sadness.

Nimble

Quick, agile, or clever in movement or thought.

Hull

The main body of a ship, or the outer covering of a seed or fruit.

Goad

To provoke, urge, or drive someone into action.

Torrent

A strong, fast-moving stream or a sudden violent outpouring.

Hostility

Unfriendly or aggressive behavior; acts of opposition or warfare.

Ordeal

A severe trial, test, or difficult experience.

Radiance

Bright, glowing light or brilliance.

Strapping

Strong, sturdy, and robust in build.

Yoke

A wooden harness for animals, or by extension a symbol of burden or servitude.

Rustic

Simple, rough, or unsophisticated; relating to the countryside.

Eddy

A circular current of water, air, or smoke against the main flow.

Craggy

Rugged, steep, or rough, especially describing cliffs or mountains.

Impel

To drive or urge someone to act, often by necessity or moral force.

Flattery

Insincere or excessive praise to gain favor.

Hearth

The floor of a fireplace, symbolizing the home and family life.

Ample

More than enough; plentiful or spacious.

Forge

(n.) A place where metal is shaped by heating; (v.) To shape, create, or build with effort.

Scoundrel

A dishonest or wicked person.

Constraint

A restriction or limitation that holds someone back.

Citadel

A strong fortress, often on high ground, protecting a city.

Embark

To begin a journey, especially by boarding a ship.

Rugged

Rough, uneven, or tough in surface, appearance, or character.

Unfurl

To spread out or open something that was rolled or folded.

Aggressor

A person or group that initiates an attack or hostile action.

Grove

A small group of trees.

Wrought

Carefully made or shaped, often with effort or skill.

Siphon

To draw off or transfer liquid (or resources) using a tube or by means of suction.

Wean

To gradually detach from dependence on something (originally from a mother’s milk).

Threshold

The entry or starting point of something; the strip at the bottom of a doorway.

Deceit

Dishonesty or trickery intended to mislead.

Entrails

The internal organs, especially intestines.

Scheme

A plan, often secret or underhanded.

Spew

To forcefully expel or pour out something, like liquid, smoke, or words.

Tempter

One who entices or lures someone into doing wrong.

Wiles

Clever tricks or strategies used to deceive or persuade.

Taunt

To mock, insult, or provoke with scornful remarks.

Mutilate

To severely damage or disfigure something, especially the body.

Endow

To provide or equip with a quality, ability, or gift.