Island of the Blue Dolphins Vocabulary By Donna Herrema

ravine A long deep hollow in the earth’s surface, worn by the action of a stream.

league Unit Definition (league) The league became a common unit of measurement throughout western Europe, although its length varied greatly from region to region. It was originally intended to represent the distance a person could walk in an hour. In many cases it was equal to 3 miles, (note that the definition of a mile also varied from region to region). At sea, the league was often equal to 3 nautical miles, which is 1/20 degree or 5556 meters (metres). In the USA and Great Britain, the league is defined to be 3 statute miles (~4828.03 meters) on land, or 3 nautical miles at sea.

pelts The skin of a fur- bearing animal after it has been stripped from the carcass.

Brown seaweed belonging to the brown algae family. kelp Brown seaweed belonging to the brown algae family.

The dead body of an animal. The worthless remains of something. carcasses The dead body of an animal. The worthless remains of something.

surged A large mass of moving water; wave, swell. A sudden strong increase of energy.

To push with sudden force; shove thrust To push with sudden force; shove

ponder

Having a high regard for one’s self, looks, possessions; ability vain Having a high regard for one’s self, looks, possessions; ability

sinew An animal tendon.

A resting place of a wild animal; den Lair A resting place of a wild animal; den