MRS. CONTI ENGLISH 9 & 10 Paul Revere’s Ride Vocabulary
Aloft and Belfry “Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry arch”
Aloft in the air
Belfry a tower or part of a tower where a bell or set of bells hang
Moorings “Where swinging wide at her moorings lay”
Moorings the anchors, ropes, and cables that are used to hold a boat or ship in place
Muster and Barrack “The muster of men at the barrack door,”
Muster a formal military gathering to examine or test soldiers
Barrack a building or set of buildings used especially for lodging soldiers
Tread and Grenadier “And the measured tread of the grenadiers ”
Tread to walk
Grenadier a specially selected foot soldier in certain elite units
Rafters “On the somber rafters, that round him made”
Rafters parallel beams that support a roof
Stealthy “By the wooden stairs, with stealthy tread,”
Stealthy quiet and secret in order to avoid being noticed
Impetuous “Then, impetuous, stamped the earth,”
Impetuous acting or done quickly and without thought : controlled by emotion rather than thought
Girth “And turned and tightened his saddle girth;”
Girth the size of someone or something measured around the middle
Spectral “Lonely and spectral and somber and still.”
Spectral of, relating to, or suggesting a ghost
Somber very sad and serious
Bridle “He springs to the saddle, the bridle he turns,”
Bridle a device that fits on a horse's head and that is used for guiding and controlling the horse
Steed and Fleet “Struck out by a steed flying fearless and fleet:”
Steed a horse that a person rides
Fleet something that moves swiftly
Tranquil “And beneath him, tranquil and broad and deep,”
Tranquil free from disturbance or turmoil
Alder “And under the alders that skirt its edge,”
Alder a type of tree or shrub that grows in wet ground in some northern countries
Aghast struck with terror, amazement, or horror
Peril “In the hour of darkness and peril and need,”
Peril something that is likely to cause injury, pain, harm, or loss