The Fighting Ground: List 2

by Avi
In this historical novel, thirteen-year-old Jonathan defies his father's wishes and joins the fight for American independence.

This list covers April 3, 1778: 1:00–3:47.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: List 1, List 2, List 3, List 4, List 5

Here are links to our lists for other works by Avi: Crispin: The Cross of Lead, Nothing but the Truth
35 words 78 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. swivel
    turn on a pivot
    Marching made Jonathan feel better. He started to whistle. But someone in front swiveled around and gave him an angry look.
  2. quarry
    a surface excavation for extracting stone or slate
    He puzzled over the name “Rocktown.” He saw no rocks. He wondered if there was a nearby quarry.
  3. agitated
    troubled emotionally and usually deeply
    The woman grew agitated under the scrutiny of the men.
  4. scrutiny
    the act of examining something closely, as for mistakes
    The woman grew agitated under the scrutiny of the men.
  5. sullenly
    in a manner showing a brooding ill humor
    Sullenly, all the laughter gone, the men went too.
  6. palisade
    a strong fence made of stakes driven into the ground
    Trees to either side rose up like palisades.
  7. monotonous
    sounded or spoken in a tone unvarying in pitch
    It was then that Jonathan first heard the distant tapping of the drum. As the others caught the sound, they lifted their heads. Steadily, monotonously, the tapping came.
  8. fife
    a small high-pitched flute similar to a piccolo
    To it was added the high, piercing squeal of a fife.
  9. sly
    marked by skill in deception
    Then slyly, the fife music slid into a playful tune, poking, plucking at their brittle senses.
  10. brittle
    lacking warmth and generosity of spirit
    Then slyly, the fife music slid into a playful tune, poking, plucking at their brittle senses.
  11. nape
    the back side of the neck
    A tightness ran up and down Jonathan’s spine, into the nape of his neck.
  12. grotesque
    distorted and unnatural in shape or size
    One man pressed an open hand to his jaw, drawing his fingers across, pulling at his lips, making them grotesque.
  13. frenzy
    state of violent mental agitation
    The men began to run forward and back in a frenzy.
  14. bridle
    headgear for a horse
    The Corporal, holding to his horse’s bridle, tried to keep the beast calm, all the while shouting directions.
  15. gawk
    look with amazement
    The Corporal attempted to mount his horse, only to slip and fall to the ground. The men gawked, but made no move to help.
  16. relentless
    never-ceasing
    Jonathan could hear the breathing of the men all about, quick and agitated. Beyond that, he heard the tap-tapping of the drum, the nagging, relentless curl of the fife.
  17. daft
    foolish or mentally irregular
    “You, boy!” came a cry. “Do your loading! Are you daft! Load your gun!”
  18. muzzle
    the open circular discharging end of a gun
    With one hand he held the muzzle, with the other he tried to open the cartridge pouch.
  19. rigid
    fixed and unmoving
    Guns ready, faces rigid, the men were staring down the road.
  20. bayonet
    a knife fixed to the end of a rifle and used as a weapon
    Each had a bayonet at his waist, a crossed white sash around his chest.
  21. sash
    a band of material worn around the waist or across the chest
    Each had a bayonet at his waist, a crossed white sash around his chest.
  22. canter
    ride at a smooth three-beat gait
    On his horse, the Hessian officer cantered forward, looking up the hill at the Americans.
  23. heft
    lift or elevate
    Jonathan hefted his gun a little higher.
  24. reedy
    thin and high-pitched in tone
    The fife played high, reedy notes.
  25. unison
    the state of corresponding exactly
    The Hessians, their red-and-white legs moving in high-stepping, winking unison, had begun once more to advance.
  26. lurch
    move abruptly
    The gun lurched up, down, right and left.
  27. hysteria
    state of violent mental agitation
    A wave of hysteria welled up inside Jonathan.
  28. din
    a loud, harsh, or strident noise
    Through it all, Jonathan heard the Corporal’s voice raging above the din: “In line! In line! In order, idiots! Damn all, in order!”
  29. bewildered
    extremely confused and uncertain what to do
    Drawing back the lock, he looked about, prepared to fire. But there he paused, bewildered, not sure which way to shoot.
  30. transfixed
    having your attention fixated as though witchcraft
    He stood transfixed, feeling lost, incapable of deciding which way to go.
  31. plume
    anything that resembles a feather in shape or lightness
    One of the soldiers stopped, lifted his gun, and fired. Jonathan saw the plume of flame, and heard the hard report.
  32. linchpin
    a central cohesive source of support and stability
    Several times the heavy gun almost slipped, from his hands. He clutched at it frantically, grabbing it back when it started to fall as if it were the linchpin that held what was left of him together.
  33. buckle
    fold or collapse
    He tried to move, to stand. When his weakened legs buckled, he reached for a tree.
  34. intently
    with strained or eager attention
    Jonathan watched intently from behind a bush, certain the soldier was looking for him.
  35. rivet
    hold someone's attention
    He knew that he had to do something, but he remained where he was, his gaze riveted by the Hessian’s height, his bright uniform, the pale face beneath the high, golden cap.
Created on Sun Jan 20 16:59:11 EST 2019 (updated Tue Feb 12 10:18:49 EST 2019)

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