Literature Mandler Odyssey Vocab

Drove (n)

a large number of animals, especially cattle moving in the same direction, e.g. when being driven to a new grazing area.

Distaff (n)

work or other matters regarded as the concern of women (literary)

Overweening (adj)

intolerably arrogant or conceited.

Insolent (adj)

showing an aggressive lack of respect in speech or behavior.

Carouse (v)

to drink or become noisy, especially in a group (literary).

Seagirt (adj)

encircled by the sea (literary).

Burnished (adj)

polished until shiny.

Raiment (n)

same as clothing (archaic or literary).

Harangue (v)

to address somebody loudly and forcefully; to criticize or question somebody or try to persuade somebody to do something in a forceful angry way.

Thwart (v)

to prevent somebody or somebody’s plan from being successful.

Dodder (v)

to tremble or shake slightly as a result of age.

Portent (n)

omen; an indication that something, often something unpleasant, is going to happen.

Guile (n)

a cunning, deceitful, or treacherous quality.

Pernicious (adj)

causing great harm, destruction, or death.

Brute (n)

somebody regarded as crude or barbaric.

Codger (n)

a man, especially a man of advanced years who is seen as slightly eccentric or amusing (informal insult).

Halyard (n)

a rope used to raise or lower something such as a sail or flag.

Wile (n)

a trick or cunning ruse.

Redolent (adj)

with a strong pleasant aroma (literary).

Balk (v)

to hesitate over something or be willing to do something, usually because of moral scruples or a natural aversion.

Colonnade (n)

a row of columns, usually supporting a roof or arches.

Innards (n pl)

the internal organs of the body, especially the intestines.

Contingent (n)

a group of people representing a particular organization or belief, or from a particular region or country, and forming part of a larger group.

Apt (adj)

very appropriate; especially suited to the circumstances.

Staunch (adj)

showing loyalty, dependability, and enthusiasm.

Sheathe (v)

to enclose something in a covering or case.

Sumptuous (adj)

splendid; magnificent or grand in appearance.

Blazon (adj)

describing the creation or description of a coat of arms using the traditional symbols.

Heifer (n)

a young cow, especially one that has never had a calf.

Pauper (n)

an impoverished person.

Circumspect (adj)

prudent; taking into consideration all possible circumstances and consequences before acting.

Grisly (adj)

repugnant or horrible; gruesomely unpleasant, or creating a sense of horror.

Craven (adj)

cowardly; so lacking in courage as to be worthy of contempt.

Staid (adj)

sober and steady; sedate and settled in habits or temperament, sometimes to the point of dullness.

Tether (v)

to tie something, especially an animal, with a rope or chain in order to restrict its movement.

Teem (v)

to be full of; to have an extremely large number of people, animals, or things in a place.

Seething (adj)

full of anger, especially pent-up anger.

Ewe (n)

a female sheep, especially when full grown.

Vaunt (v)

to boast or act boastfully about something such as achievements or possessions.

Ravine (n)

a deep narrow valley, especially one formed by running water.

Stave (n)

a long thin piece of wood, one of several sealed together to make the hull of a boat or the body of a container such as a barrel.

Boisterous (adj)

full of noisy enthusiasm and energy, and often roughness or wildness.

Lustrous (adj)

with a soft shine or gloss.

Brine (n)

the salt water of the sea (literary).

Quarry (n)

somebody or something, especially an animal or a bird, that is chased or hunted by another.

Brocade (v)

to weave a fabric with a raised design.

Groundswell (n)

a deep wide up-and-down movement of the sea, often caused by a far-off storm or an earthquake.

Comber (n)

a long high wave that crashes onto a beach.

Billow (v)

to fill with air, or cause something made of fabric to fill with air, and swell outward.

Roil (v)

to anger or annoy somebody.

Trundle (v)

to move slowly and heavily, especially on wheels or rollers, or move something in this way.

Sodden (adj)

extremely wet and heavy with retained moisture.

Hamper (n)

a large basket with a cover that is used for holding soiled laundry.

Beguile (v)

to charm somebody; to win and hold somebody’s attention, interest, or devotion.

Retinue (n)

a group of people who travel with and attend an important person.

Brackish (adj)

somewhat salty, especially from being a mixture of fresh and salt water.

Rapt (adj)

completely engrossed; involved in, fascinated by, or concentrating on something to the exclusion of everything else.

Lithe (adj)

flexible and supple; able to move or bend the body lightly and gracefully.

Scour (v)

to clean or brighten something by rubbing it with an abrasive substance or material.

Convoy (n)

a protective escort for a group of vehicles or ships.

Resplendent (adj)

having a dazzling impressive appearance.

Frieze (n)

a band of decoration running along the wall of a room, usually just belong a ceiling.

Lapis (n)

also lapis lazuli, a deep blue semiprecious stone containing lazurite, used for jewelry.

Unstinting (adj)

given or giving generously.

Impelled (adj)

forced to do something or feeling the need to do something.

Brusquely (adv)

in an abrupt, blunt, or curt manner.

Succulent (adj)

juicy and pleasant to the taste.

Throng (v)

to crowd into or fill a place.

Raucous (adj)

characterized by loud noise, shouting, and ribald laughter.

Zeal (n)

energetic and unflagging enthusiasm, especially for a cause or idea.

Rapturous (adj)

in a euphoric transcendent state in which somebody is overwhelmed by happiness or delight and unaware of anything else.

Languish (v)

to undergo hardship as a result of being deprived of something, typically attention, independence, or freedom.

Gossamer (n)

a delicate, sheer fabric or gauze.

Anoint (v)

to rub oil or ointment on a part of somebody’s body, usually the head or feat, as a part of a religious ceremony, e.g. in a Christian baptism.

Vie (v)

to contend; to strive for superiority or compete with somebody or something.

Ignominious (adj)

shameful; involving a total loss of dignity and self-respect, and making somebody or something appear shamefully weak and ineffective.

Winnow (v)

to separate grain from its husk’s chaff by tossing it in the air and blowing air through it.

Stalwart (adj)

dependable and loyal.

Contrive (v)

to accomplish something by being clever and creative.

Intrepid (adj)

fearless; courageous and bold.

Confide (v)

to tell somebody something that is to remain secret or private.

Cortege (n)

a procession, especially a funeral procession.

Wraith (n)

the supposed ghost of a dead person, or any ghostly and insubstantial apparition.