Rump: Chapters 7–13

by Liesl Shurtliff
What's in a name? Young "Rump" embarks on an heroic quest — full of magic and perils — to discover his full name, its meaning, and ultimately his destiny in life.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Chapters 1–6, Chapters 7–13, Chapters 14–17, Chapters 18–22, Chapter 23–Epilogue
15 words 21 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. subdued
    restrained in style or quality
    The pixies were more subdued, and they began building nests for their winter sleep.
  2. billow
    rise up as if in waves
    I opened the sack just outside the cottage and a thick, dusty powder billowed out.
  3. brandish
    move or swing back and forth
    A woman swung open the door, brandishing a wooden spoon.
  4. girth
    the distance around something, especially a person's body
    Opal shrank back in the doorway, and Oswald the miller filled it up with his huge girth. He was almost as wide as he was tall. His belt strained on the last notch.
  5. befall
    happen or be the case in the course of events or by chance
    “Such a sad time for you,” he said with false sympathy, “but it seems that good fortune has befallen you in other ways.”
  6. gild
    decorate with, or as if with, gold leaf or liquid gold
    If I had just looked at his royal costume, I suppose I could have been impressed, though gold wasn’t so impressive to me anymore. King Barf wore a gold crown on his head, gold chains around his neck, gold armor on his chest, gold rings on all his fingers. His saddle was gilded gold. His boots had gold buckles. I imagined if I could see beneath his horse’s hooves, the horseshoes would be gold. Gold, gold, gleaming gold.
  7. sustain
    supply with necessities and support
    “For several years now, I have received little gold for your tax. I am a generous king and I have sustained you, yet lo and behold, I find this gold...”
  8. spare
    save or relieve from an experience or action
    “Give me the gold and I will spare your life,” said the king, his nasal voice now quiet and dangerous.
  9. appraise
    estimate the nature, quality, ability or significance of
    King Barf finally looked at Opal and appraised her. Opal stood frozen and pale, not even her tongue flicked out.
  10. blather
    talk foolishly
    The miller blathered. “Oh no, Your Majesty…Yes, Your Majesty…Of course, no…Yes, not to worry. We mean no deception. We are humble, honest subjects. We live only to serve. My daughter has just discovered this gift...."
  11. reprimand
    censure severely or angrily
    A pixie fluttered up to me, shaking her fists and squealing as if she were reprimanding me.
  12. materialize
    come into being; become reality
    Then finally, as if it had just materialized before me, we saw a cottage, nestled in the trees, smoke rising from the chimney.
  13. beckon
    summon with a wave, nod, or some other gesture
    The witch, or Red’s granny (I didn’t know how to think of her now), beckoned me over to the fire.
  14. come full circle
    return to a starting point after many changes or new experiences
    “Spinning gold? Bargaining with the miller? Great mountains, boy, where did you ever get such an idea? What would your mother say? Oh, how things come full circle!”
  15. surly
    unfriendly and inclined toward anger or irritation
    I was starting to feel surly. I hadn’t come here to be teased. “What do you know about my mother?”
Created on Sat Nov 29 14:09:07 EST 2025 (updated Mon Jan 05 11:17:39 EST 2026)

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