Two Stories about Flying and Poems Vocabulary

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, literary definitions, and phrasal expressions from the text.

Ledge

A narrow horizontal shelf projecting from a wall or a cliff.

Herring

A soft-finned sea fish.

Skim

To move lightly just above a surface.

Upbraiding

Scolding.

Whet

To sharpen.

Derisively

In a manner showing someone that she or he is stupid.

Preening

Making an effort to maintain feathers.

Dizzy

An uncomfortable feeling of spinning around and losing one's balance.

Curveting

Leaping like a horse.

Banking

Flying with one wing higher than the other.

Fly a flag

Display a flag on a long pole.

Fly into rage

Become suddenly very angry.

Fly along

Move quickly or suddenly.

Fly high

Be successful.

Fly the coop

Escape from a place.

Ground

Background.

Discern

Make out; identify.

Hide

Animal skin.

Peppered

Covered with spots.

Caress

A gentle, loving touch.

Novice

Someone new to a job.

Nonplussed

Puzzled, confused, or surprised.

Shaking grief

Sadness which greatly affects the boy.

Rigid

Stiff.

Intrude on

To enter a situation where one is not welcome.

A dime

Ten cents (U.S.).

Desperate

Hopeless.

Epistemology

The study of the nature of knowledge itself, derived from the Greek word episteme.

Epistemology of loss

Understanding the nature of loss, or what it means to lose something.