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Adventures of Don Quixote: Chapters 11–16

Don Alonzo, who was an old man living in Spain during the Middle Ages, thought he was the heroic knight Don Quixote de la Mancha. He convinced a neighbor, Sancho Panza, to be his squire, and the two "sallied forth" to right the wrongs of the world. Their misadventures with the likes of windmills, castles, and "giants" made them humorously infamous!

Here are links to our lists for the book: Chapters 1–4, Chapters 5–10, Chapters 11–16, Chapters 17–20
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Full list of words from this list:

  1. monumental
    of outstanding significance
    "They're not real Moors, they're just puppets!" Master Peter cried. "You're ruining my show! You're ruining me!" The confusion was monumental.
  2. corridor
    an enclosed passageway
    Then the corridors filled with servants chanting, "Welcome to the flower and cream of knighthood!"
  3. brocade
    thick expensive material with a raised pattern
    In a big hall decorated with silk and brocade, six ladies helped him take off his armor.
  4. clergyman
    a male religious leader, especially a Christian one
    There was a solemn-looking clergyman with the Duke and Duchess in the dining room. Don Quixote was asked to sit at the head of the table. The clergyman sat opposite him, with the Duke on one side and the Duchess on the other.
  5. laughingstock
    an object of mockery or ridicule
    "Go back to your home, take care of your children and spouse, and of your affairs. Stop roaming around, being everybody's laughingstock!"
  6. governess
    a woman who cares for and instructs a child in a household
    She said she was Countess Trifaldi, governess of Princess Antonomasia, from the kingdom of Candaya.
  7. bellows
    a mechanical device that blows a strong current of air
    "Master, I feel so much air, it feels like bellows."
    Sancho was right; the pranksters were blowing air from bellows to make the riders believe they were flying.
  8. renowned
    widely known and esteemed
    The renowned Don Quixote de La Mancha ended the adventure of Countess Trifaldi on the first try.
  9. virtue
    the quality of doing what is right
    "Material things are acquired, and virtue is more valuable than material things...."
  10. compassionate
    showing or having sympathy for another's suffering
    "When you must apply the law, do not impose all the weight of it on the convict. It is better to be compassionate than too stern...."
  11. merciful
    showing or giving forgiveness
    "Above all, Sancho, be devout and merciful. God likes mercy."
  12. unkempt
    not properly maintained or cared for
    "The first thing you must remember is to be clean and clip your fingernails. Don't be sloppy. People will think you're disorganized if they see you unkempt...."
  13. alderman
    a member of a city or town government
    "We hereby declare you, Honorable Sancho Panza, Governor for Life of Barataria Island," said a man who called himself an alderman.
  14. escort
    accompany
    He was greeted by four pages, who escorted him to the dining room.
  15. precaution
    a measure taken in advance to ward off impending danger
    Take precautions; pay attention to those who come to talk to you.
Created on Sun Mar 22 21:19:26 EDT 2026 (updated Wed Apr 01 16:43:04 EDT 2026)

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