Ella Enchanted: Chapters 1–6

by Gail Carson Levine
In this reimagining of the Cinderella story, Ella tries to escape a curse that prevents her from disobeying orders.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–6, Chapters 7–13, Chapters 14–20, Chapters 21–24, Chapter 25–Epilogue
15 words 442 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. docile
    easily handled or managed
    Instead of making me docile, Lucinda’s curse made a rebel of me.
  2. stately
    refined or imposing in manner or appearance
    “We have to be dignified,” she would whisper then, stepping down the stairs in an especially stately way.
  3. steadfast
    firm and dependable especially in loyalty
    At least, the words “Lady Eleanor” were spoken often, but the person they described—dutiful parent, loyal citizen, steadfast spouse—sounded more like the high chancellor than like my mother.
  4. swarthy
    naturally having skin of a dark color
    They each had tawny curls and swarthy skin.
  5. frock
    a one-piece garment for a woman; has skirt and bodice
    Although I suspected Father wanted me to wear another mourning gown, I put on the frock Mother liked best.
  6. delicacy
    something considered choice to eat
    “Quail eggs are such a delicacy. Ten brass KJs apiece. Olive, there are fifty at least.”
  7. trifle
    a pudding made of layers of cake spread with fruit or jelly
    Olive ate even more: Gooseberry tarts and currant bread and cream trifle and plum pudding and chocolate bonbons and spice cake—all dribbled over with butter rum sauce and apricot sauce and peppermint sauce.
  8. tarry
    stay longer than you should
    “Best not tarry, little mistress,” Bertha said.
  9. gossamer
    characterized by unusual lightness and delicacy
    Strung between a window in each of two towers was a gossamer thread of china from which hung—laundry! A man’s hose, a robe, a baby’s pinafore, all thin as a spider’s web.
  10. pinafore
    a sleeveless dress resembling an apron
    Strung between a window in each of two towers was a gossamer thread of china from which hung—laundry! A man’s hose, a robe, a baby’s pinafore, all thin as a spider’s web.
  11. loathsome
    highly offensive; arousing aversion or disgust
    It made me want to say something nice about the loathsome Hattie and Olive.
  12. oaf
    an awkward, foolish person
    “I’ve let you grow up an oaf.”
  13. hapless
    unfortunate and deserving pity
    When the spring was released, the fist shot out at a hapless puppet.
  14. menagerie
    a collection of live animals for study or display
    After I apologized, and after I delivered Father’s message to Mandy, and after she made me sit down and eat breakfast on a plate, I started for the royal menagerie just outside the walls of the king’s palace.
  15. mirth
    great merriment
    Tears of mirth streaked down his cheeks, leaving trails on his filthy face.
Created on Thu May 31 15:08:53 EDT 2018 (updated Tue Jul 29 15:08:45 EDT 2025)

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