Vocabulary Chapters 1-8

Lurched – a sudden leaning or roll to one side The bus lurched when the driver put on the brakes suddenly.

Kimono – a loose garment held in place by a sash worn by Japanese men and women Sai Fong brought a silk kimono to Mario to wear at the Chinese dinner party.

Leery – suspicious or wary The police was leery of the burglary suspect’s story and did not believe him.

Sheen – brightness, luster The musician polished his trumpet until it had a bright golden sheen.

Wistfully – Longing, yearning The woman wistfully looked at the hamburger that was NOT on her diet.

Soot – a black substance in the smoke from burning coal, oil, word, etc. After cleaning the fireplace, the boy had soot all over his hands.

Peril – chance of harm or danger The swimmer knew he was in great peril when he saw the shark’s fin in the water.

Thrum- play on a stringed instrument by plucking the strings The boy carefully thrummed out the pleasing tune on his violin.

Section 2 Ch 1-8 (continued) Pivot Unsavory Gilded Subside Amidst Haunches Scornfully

Pivot – a point, shaft or pin that something turns on The fan’s blades turned on a central pivot pin.

Unsavory – unpleasant in taste or smell The skunk left an unsavory smell behind.

Gilded – Cover with a thin layer of gold The winner of the race received a gilded trophy.

Subside – grow less, die down, become less active After the hurricane passed, the winds subsided, and everything was calm and still.

Amidst – in the middle of, among The bunny hid amidst the grass and flowers in the garden.

Haunches – the hindquarters of an animal The squirrel sat still on his haunches.

Scornfully – showing contempt: mocking; full of scorn The home team looked scornfully at their opponents because they knew they would win.