In preparation for the school year, I've been trying to read through some of the books my kids will be reading this year. One of those books they will be reading for history is the Newberry Honor book The Golden Goblet, by Eloise Jarvis McGraw. The book is historical fiction about Egypt, and I really enjoyed the story. It was quite well-written so it's little wonder that the book can be found on many reading lists for history (such as TruthQuest History, which we're using for history this year).
Although The Golden Goblet is written on an upper elementary reading level (R5 to be exact), I discovered that it does use a number of more advanced vocabulary words. To make it easier for my kids to read, and hopefully to help them actually learn some of the tougher words, I thought having a glossary for the book would come in handy when the kids read through it. Unfortunately I wasn't able to find an adequate vocabulary list for the book online, so I decided to make my own list as I read through the book.
Thankfully we own a copy of the book, so as I read I simply circled in pencil any words I felt might need some further explanation. (Circling the words directly in the book also makes it easier for my children to distinguish which words I put in the glossary.) Then I recorded the vocabulary words on a piece of paper and used Dictionary.com to find good definitions. The whole process was actually much easier than I had anticipated so I expect I will do this for more of their books in the future.
I've included the list below in text-form, but you can also download a formatted pdf version of the glossary here. The pdf can be printed out double-sided on a single sheet of paper ease of use.
Glossary for The Golden Goblet
Chapter 1
- crucible a vessel made of material that does not melt easily; used for high temperature chemical reactions (a melting pot)
- ingot a mass of metal cast in a convenient form for shaping
- amulet an object worn, especially around the neck, as a charm against evil or injury
- annealing to make less brittle by heating then cooling (as with glass or steel)
- tempered hardened
- ingratiatingly in a flattering manner
- sibilant of, characterized by, or producing a hissing sound like that of /s/ or /sh/
- servile abjectly submissive; slavish; of or suitable to a slave or servant
- sidle to move sideways
- frond the leaf of a fern
- scribe A public clerk or secretary, especially in ancient times
- bosses knob-like ornaments; studs
- diffident lacking confidence
- fowler a bird catcher; someone who hunts wild birds for food
- surly rude, unfriendly disposition
- brusquely roughly; in an abrupt manner
- graven sculpted
Chapter 2
- aspects appearances
- jocular playful, jesting
- irresolute uncertain
- meander to follow a winding and turning course
- thicket a dense growth of shrubs or underbrush
- papyrus a tall, aquatic, Mediterranean plant
- crag a steep rugged cliff or rock
- spasmodically relating to abnormal muscular contractions
- extricate to release or free from entanglement
- temerity boldness; presumptuous daring
- unprepossessing not creating a favorable impression
- negligently carelessly
- contemptuous full of disdain or scorn
- bewildered confused
- fishmonger one who sells fish for food
- ingrate ungrateful person
- invariable constant, not changing
- vindictively intended for revenge; vicious
- reproachful with an expression of disapproval
- deigning [ DANE • ing ] condescending; lowering oneself
- mourner a person who is feeling grief (as grieving over someone who has died)
- funerary of or suitable for a funeral or burial.
Chapter 3
- jubilant expressing joy
- buoyant cheering or invigorating; lighthearted
- droll having a humorous or odd quality
- dullard a stupid person
- idle inactive; avoiding work or employment; lazy
- obeisance [ o • BEY • sunts ] homage; a bow to show respect
- mollified soothed in temper; appeased
- ferment agitation
- rapt carried away with emotion
- abashed embarrassed
- flippant lacking seriousness
- bulwarks a wall-like defensive structure
- dike a low wall of earth and rock built to prevent floods
- insolent rude; disrespectful
Chapter 4
- scrupulously painstakingly, with great care
- irascible [ ih • RASS • ih • bull ] hot tempered
- glibly with careless ease
- peremptorily as a command
Chapter 5
- complacently in a satisfied manner
- furtive stealthy; sly
- obsequious [ uhb • SEE • kwee • us ] fawning; sycophantic
Chapter 6
- sarcophagus a stone coffin, often inscribed or decorated with sculpture
- akimbo hands on hips and elbows turned outward
- interminable [ in • TER • muh • nih • bull ] endless
- monotony boredom; lacking in variety
- malevolent wishing harm to others
- elusive tending to avoid capture
- nocturnal occurring in the night
- recede to move back or away from
Chapter 7
- scythe a long, curved single-edged blade with a long bent handle, used for mowing or reaping
- desiccated dried up
- respite [ RES • piht ] temporary delay
- menial humble; servile
- belligerent eager to fight; hostile or aggressive
- bower shelter of boughs or vines
- voluminous large; having great volume
Chapter 8
- austere stern; severe; strict
- self-recrimination the act of blaming oneself
Chapter 9
- exhilarating stimulating; invigorating
Chapter 10
- stealth secret procedure
- enigmatic perplexing; mysterious
- truncated shortened as if by having a part cut off
- audacious extremely bold or daring
- barque a sailing ship
Chapter 11
- laconically using few words; expressing much in few words
- morosely gloomily or sullenly ill-humored, as a person or mood
- abstracted lost or deep in thought; preoccupied
- rogue a dishonest, knavish person; scoundrel
- malice ill intent; desire to inflict injury, harm, or suffering on another, either because of a hostile impulse or out of deep-seated meanness
Chapter 12
- tactfully with consideration; with a keen sense of what is appropriate or tasteful
- chortle a gleeful chuckle
- ludicrously so as to arouse or deserve laughter
Chapter 13
- hillock a small hill
- restive restless; uneasy
Chapter 14
- futile incapable of producing any result; ineffective; useless; not successful
- citadel any strongly fortified place; stronghold.
- vengeance desire for revenge
Chapter 15
- blemish a defect or flaw; something that detracts from the appearance
- scandalized shocked or horrified by something considered immoral or improper
Chapter 16
- profound intense; complete
- antechamber a chamber or room that serves as a waiting room and entrance to a larger room or an apartment
- incredulous disinclined to believe; skeptical
- tremulously characterized by trembling, as from fear, nervousness, or weakness.
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