Sir Gawain and the Green Knight 12 Advanced Literature

strike (v.) hit forcibly and deliberately with one’s hand or a weapon

plunge (v.) jump or dive quickly and energetically

thicket (n.) a close- packed group of bushes or trees

rugged (adj.) rough, uneven, bumpy, rocky

squinted (v.) narrow one’s eyes

dismount (v.) get off/down Text

deserted (v.) empty, unoccupied

lance (n.) a spear, javelin, harpoon

cleave (v.) split open, cut up, chop up

scythe (n.) a tool used for cutting crops with a long curved blade at the end of a long pole attached to which are one or two short handles

sever/severed (v.) divide by cutting or slicing, especially suddenly and forcibly

flinch (v.) make a quick, nervous movement of the face or body as a reaction to surprise, fear or pain

ogre (n.) a man- eating giant

nape (n.) the back of a person’s neck

efficacious (adj.) effective or useful

dawdle (v.) waste time; be slow

whetting (v.) sharpening a blade on a stone made for the purpose

heave (v.) to lift or haul (a heavy thing) with great effort

daunted (v.) made to lose courage

covetousness (n.) desire for what belongs to others