The Door in the Wall: List 2

by Marguerite de Angeli
In 14th-century England, a knight-in-training named Robin suffers an injury to his legs — but learns that there are many ways to be a hero.

This list covers pages 26–52 in the 1990 Yearling edition.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: List 1, List 2, List 3, List 4
30 words 122 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. abate
    become less in amount or intensity
    As the days grew warmer, the plague abated somewhat.
  2. refectory
    a communal dining-hall, usually in a monastery
    He carried Robin in and out of halls and chambers, kitchen and parlor, cloisters and outer court; through refectory and almonry, stopping, as always, in the chapel to say a prayer.
  3. acrid
    strong and sharp, as a taste or smell
    He loved the smell of the wood he was whittling, even the acrid smell of the oak that Brother Matthew was working.
  4. homely
    cozy and comfortable
    For a long time only these homely sounds were heard in the garden close, for the monks did not talk at their work.
  5. tonsure
    shave the head of a newly inducted monk
    The two heads bent over the parchment together, Brother Luke’s tonsured, Robin’s dark and thickly thatched.
  6. mince
    make less severe or harsh
    “Yes,” agreed Brother Luke, “but when it is read to thee, ’twill not sound like poetry, I’ll vow. Thou hast not minced words in thy letter.”
  7. hovel
    small crude shelter used as a dwelling
    “Although it is yet too soon for thee to carve figures for choir stalls or for bosses for chapel, a child’s puppet could be made more easily. Why not make one for that poor girl child who hung to my skirts that day? She dwelleth by Houndsditch in a poor hovel where I go on my errands.”
  8. crusader
    someone who pushes to improve something by changing it
    He told Robin, too, of far countries: the Holy Land where crusaders had fought for the tomb of our Lord, and of Greece and Rome, whose ancient languages were the beginnings of many other tongues.
  9. legion
    a large military unit
    He told of Roman legions who had come to Britain centuries before, and of Saxon and Danish kings who in turn had ruled their land.
  10. urchin
    a poor and often mischievous city child
    Suddenly the quiet was burst with the shout of boys’ voices. Six or seven urchins ran over the green, stripping off clothing as they came.
  11. lectern
    desk or stand with a slanted top used to hold a text
    At the lectern during rehearsals he turned the pages of the missal, a book of music notes large enough for all the Brothers to see as they stood in the chantry.
  12. stave
    one of the slats of wood forming sides of a barrel or bucket
    They were to be simple, straight staves with crosspieces at the top to fit under Robin’s arms.
  13. vise
    a holding device attached to a workbench
    When the first piece of wood was put into the vise and Brother Matthew began to draw the spoke shave down the length of it, Robin thought it time to tell his secret, for he wanted very much to have a hand in making the crutches with which he hoped to walk.
  14. fervently
    with strong emotion or zeal
    “Now praise our Lord’s mercy!” said Brother Luke fervently, at the same time putting forth a high stool for Robin to sit on.
  15. gaiety
    a festive merry feeling
    “There should be padding and leather on the crosspieces,” said Brother Luke. “Let us go into the city to the Pouchmakers’ Guild. I have errands for the Prior as well. Besides, it is Midsummer Eve! We shall see the gaiety.”
  16. cassock
    a black garment reaching down to the ankles
    Standing by the lectern to turn the pages of the missal was Robin in scarlet cassock and white linen cotta.
  17. befall
    become of; happen to
    Some evil befell him surely, for he was an honorable servant.
  18. pilgrimage
    a journey to a sacred place
    They went toward the Oxford Road, then turned westward through Holborn, stopping a moment to pray at each wayside cross, just as if they had been on a pilgrimage.
  19. goodly
    large in size, amount, or degree
    “We’ve come a goodly way since early morning,” said John.
  20. spire
    a tall tower that forms the superstructure of a building
    Over the treetops the spire of the village church could be seen, and thatched cottages began to appear at the road’s edge.
  21. thatch
    cover with roofing material made of plant stalks
    Over the treetops the spire of the village church could be seen, and thatched cottages began to appear at the road’s edge.
  22. abreast
    alongside each other, facing in the same direction
    He drew rein and waited for Brother Luke to come abreast of him.
  23. cowl
    a loose hood or hooded robe
    Brother Luke drew his cowl over his head and unfolded a furred robe from the pack to put around Robin.
  24. plod
    walk heavily and firmly, as when weary, or through mud
    For several miles they plodded on without speaking.
  25. scud
    run or move very quickly or hastily
    The rain held off, but dark clouds scudded low, and the wind was searching.
  26. nigh
    near in time or place or relationship
    “We must have taken the wrong fork,” he said. “I see no inn, and night is nigh. Ahead lies a dark forest, and see ’tis raining now. Shall we seek shelter here by the road?”
  27. lark
    any carefree episode
    “Shall we sleep on the ground?” asked Robin. “What a lark! I have never yet in my life slept out of doors, though it may as well have been out of doors when the east wind blew through the wind hole.”
  28. gall
    become or make sore by or as if by rubbing
    “An ancient tree trunk fallen from age and hollowed with dry rot. It hath stood enough years to make it both wide and deep. We shall not be ill-found after all. Come, young master, let me help thee, for I know thou’rt galled by the saddle, be it ever so soft.”
  29. brocade
    weave a design into
    Even though he might never be a knight in armor and go to battle to defend England, he would know what it was like to make his bed on God’s earth, feel the prick of rain in his face, and instead of brocaded bed curtains, see dark clouds making a canopy over him.
  30. yoke
    stable gear that joins two draft animals at the neck
    Farther down the sloping meadow he found a ruined ox yoke left by a careless peasant which would burn long and well.
Created on Thu Oct 03 16:25:49 EDT 2019 (updated Fri Oct 11 11:08:02 EDT 2019)

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