The Golden Goblet: Chapters 3–4

by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
An orphan living in ancient Egypt, twelve-year-old Ranofer dreams of becoming a master goldsmith — but instead he must work at menial jobs for his cruel half-brother. When Ranofer discovers a stolen goblet in his brother's possession, he believes he may have a chance at a new life.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapters 3–4, Chapters 5–6, Chapters 7–9, Chapters 10–13, Chapters 14–16
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. dingy
    thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot
    He stole across the courtyard, which was dingier than ever in the cool morning light.
  2. buoyant
    characterized by liveliness and lightheartedness
    Buoyant with hope, he turned into the Street of the Goldsmiths.
  3. tentative
    hesitant or lacking confidence; unsettled in mind or opinion
    The two exchanged tentative glances, then Heqet’s snub-nosed face broke into a smile.
  4. droll
    comical in an odd or whimsical manner
    This Heqet must be the drollest fellow in Egypt.
  5. solder
    an alloy used when melted to join two metal surfaces
    The scribe made a mark on his tablet and read the next instruction. “One-half measure to Geryt, together with one-twentieth measure of copper and of silver, for preparing solder.”
  6. coax
    influence or persuade by gentle and persistent urging
    Ranofer, flushing hot as he coaxed the flame, could only fume at his own bungling.
  7. bungle
    make a mess of, destroy, or ruin
    Ranofer, flushing hot as he coaxed the flame, could only fume at his own bungling.
  8. dullard
    a person who is not very bright or interesting
    Rekh would think him a dullard, unfit to learn the goldsmith’s trade.
  9. hither
    to this place
    Glancing into it guiltily, he snatched up a basket and plunged out into the sunny courtyard before anyone else could cry, “Ranofer! Come hither!”
  10. obeisance
    bending the head or body in reverence or submission
    With a grin and a mock obeisance, Heqet began to arrange logs in the firing box, and Ranofer used his moment of leisure to watch the work going on around him.
  11. misgiving
    uneasiness about the fitness of an action
    Finally, with some misgivings, he touched the apprentice’s elbow.
  12. disposition
    your usual mood
    Goldworking did not come easy to him, and it was obvious his poor results with the bowl had ruined his usual even disposition.
  13. mollify
    cause to be more favorably inclined
    Mollified by the courteous tone, Meryra shrugged his big shoulders.
  14. mar
    cause to become imperfect
    “Perhaps it will, perhaps not. If I strike it sharply will it not mar the surface even more? See the hammer marks there already.”
  15. ferment
    a state of agitation or turbulent change or development
    He turned and limped away, leaving Ranofer staring after him in a ferment of joy.
  16. chide
    scold or reprimand severely or angrily
    To work, stupid one, Ranofer chided himself. Dreaming will fashion no works of art. Cease gawking at the gold, and use it.
  17. rapt
    feeling great delight and interest
    Even back at his old chores of washing the sweep and pouring molds, Ranofer’s rapt face and hurrying small body radiated such joyful hope that a contagion of laughter and joking swept over the whole courtyard.
  18. abashed
    feeling or caused to feel uneasy and self-conscious
    They walked on in sudden silence, each a little abashed by his own sincerity.
  19. frivolity
    acting like a clown or buffoon
    “Behold, the Great Palace of the Downtrodden approaches. Is it not a monument fit for the gods themselves? Aii, what a life we lead there! Dancing, parties, mad frivolity. Well, friend, I fear I must leave you now, as the hare remarked to the hunter. Farewell, and may Nuit guard your sleep.”
  20. urchin
    a poor and often mischievous city child
    He dodged in and out among the homebound workers, shouting greetings to Kai the baker’s boy and a few other urchins he knew.
  21. bulwark
    a protective structure of stone or concrete
    It grew stronger the nearer he drew to the Street of the Crooked Dog, but the stronger it grew the faster he ran, refusing to let it in, shoring up the bulwarks of his mind against it.
  22. atone
    make amends for
    “I am ready to instruct you further, if need be. You will bring the wineskin tomorrow, to atone for your empty hands tonight. You’ll bring it next time also, and the next, and the next. Do you hear? Do you understand?”
  23. insolent
    marked by casual disrespect
    “By Amon, I’ll wager you’d hop fast enough if you were under my eye all day. You’ve grown lazy and insolent, playing about with gold, doing as you pleased. How would you like it, Spawn of Crocodiles, if you were never to walk through Rekh’s doorway again?”
  24. scanty
    lacking in extent or quantity
    On it was a plate containing two bread loaves, half an onion, and the scanty remnants of a salted fish, the leavings from Gebu’s breakfast.
  25. scrupulously
    with careful attention and effort to do something correctly
    Scrupulously he divided the food in half, taking pains even with the crumbs.
  26. alcove
    a small recess opening off a large room or garden
    It was no more than a shallow alcove hewn into the face of the cliff, with an offering table against one wall and a small stone statue of Thutra opposite.
  27. irascible
    characterized by anger
    Pointing irascibly straight up, Sata stalked away.
  28. delicacy
    something considered choice to eat
    Many times, too, Father bade me take delicacies to the master’s table, to see if I would tuck a honey cake into my own sash, or eat just one grape.
  29. glib
    artfully persuasive in speech
    “We have only begun. I fear my mind is not on my work, as the—the donkey said when the—the—”
    “As the worm said when the lark bit its head off,” Heqet supplied glibly.
  30. peremptory
    not allowing contradiction or refusal
    Before Ranofer had time to wonder what he meant he beckoned peremptorily.
    "Well, well, come here, messenger, make your delivery, and receive your reward.”
Created on Tue Oct 09 14:23:55 EDT 2018 (updated Wed Oct 10 08:39:56 EDT 2018)

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