“THE PEOPLE COULD FLY” VOCABULARY

1. Captured  Context: The fugitive slave was captured in the North and taken back down South to his owner.  What does it mean  What gives it away?  Definition: to be caught

2. Misery  Context: Many people say that misery loves company, but when my grandfather died I just wanted to be alone.  What does it mean?  What gives it away?  Definition: sadness; feeling bad

3. Trembled  Context: The slave trembled as the master drew the whip back getting ready to slash into the slave’s back.  What does it mean?  What gives it away?  Definition: to shake with fright; To shake when afraid

4. Labored  Context: Slaves were forced to labor from sun up until sun down.  What does it mean?  What gives it away?  Definition: worked

5. Soothe  Context: I tried to soothe his burn by putting some aloe on it to alleviate the pain.  What does it mean?  What gives it away?  Definition: to comfort

6. Croon  Context: The mother crooned to her crying baby in an effort to calm him down.  What does it mean?  What gives it away?  Definition: to sing softly

7. Pity  Context: Many abolitionists felt great pity for the slaves that were beat, over worked, and under fed.  What does it mean?  What gives it away?  Definition: to feel sorrow for

8. Shed  Context: The slave shed his clothing so fast in order to get the hounds off of his scent.  What does it mean?  What gives it away?  Definition: to get rid of; to let go of

9. Scorned  Context: The man scorned by his brother vowed to get revenge in anyway possible.  What does it mean?  What gives it away?  Definition: to be humiliated

10. Bawling  Context: The mother could not stop her child from bawling no matter how many times she tried to shush him.  What does it mean?  What gives it away?  Definition: to cry

11. Glinty  Context: The glinty end of the sword flashed as the sunlight hit its surface.  What does it mean?  What gives it away?  Definition: shiny; flashy