The Door in the Wall: List 4

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 76–108 in the 1990 Yearling edition.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: List 1, List 2, List 3, List 4
35 words 66 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. keen
    demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
    Robin nodded slowly, then said hopefully, “Peter the bowman says I have a good arm for the bow and a keen eye for the mark. I can put an arrow up quite well for a beginner, he says.”
  2. billow
    rise and move, as in waves
    When it cleared, raw winds swept down from the north, whistling through corridors and hall, sending up whirls of dust in the courtyard, billowing the tapestries that hung on the wall.
  3. tapestry
    a wall hanging of heavy fabric with pictorial designs
    When it cleared, raw winds swept down from the north, whistling through corridors and hall, sending up whirls of dust in the courtyard, billowing the tapestries that hung on the wall.
  4. turret
    a small tower extending above a building
    Robin was now quite strong, although he could not straighten. He was able to go about easily from keep to tower, from hall to chapel, from turret to dungeon.
  5. taper
    give a point to
    He showed him how they were drawn tightly to the upper arm of the harp by wooden keys which just fitted the tapered holes tightly enough so they stayed whichever way they were turned.
  6. portcullis
    an iron or wooden grating hanging in the entry to a castle
    “’Tis I, Robin,” came the answer, as Robin crossed the moat and passed under the portcullis.
  7. frippery
    something of little value or significance
    “Yes, my husband,” Lady Constance said obediently, rising and gathering the children to her, while her ladies hastily collected embroidery frames, cloaks, and fripperies.
  8. trestle
    a supporting tower used to support a bridge
    The two pages, Denis and Lionel, carried the food from the table, then took the table boards from the trestles and transferred everything to the hall of the keep.
  9. breach
    make an opening or gap in
    Before morning the walls of the town had been breached, and before the day was out the town was taken.
  10. bastion
    projecting part of a rampart or other fortification
    Sir Peter had stood all of one night on the bastion directing and encouraging the men.
  11. larder
    a small storeroom for storing foods or wines
    The food in the larder dwindled, and there were many people to be fed.
  12. garrison
    the troops who maintain and guard a fortified place
    Besides the garrison and the household there were the yeomen from the town and those who had sought refuge when the portcullis was raised.
  13. meager
    deficient in amount or quality or extent
    Usually there was a good supply of salt fish kept in barrels, but fish had not been plentiful the past summer, so now the supply was meager.
  14. ewer
    an open vessel with a handle and a spout for pouring
    “There is scarce a foot of water in the well,” he whispered. “Just now as I drew it to fill this ewer the cook told me.”
  15. query
    pose a question
    “Fear you not the soldiery?” queried Denis anxiously.
  16. forge
    a workplace where metal is worked by heating and hammering
    He would probably be with his father at the forge, repairing pikes and lances and heating oil for pouring onto the enemy in case they should pierce the outer castle wall.
  17. pike
    weapon consisting of a spearhead attached to a long pole
    He would probably be with his father at the forge, repairing pikes and lances and heating oil for pouring onto the enemy in case they should pierce the outer castle wall.
  18. sentry
    a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
    “Who goes there?” demanded the sentry at the door, but seeing Robin and the friar, he allowed them to pass, thinking they were bent on some holy errand.
  19. clod
    a compact mass
    Now began the dangerous descent. Carefully Robin tested each clod of earth, each bit of stone, before trusting his weight to the crutches, praying the while that the fog would hold.
  20. haunch
    the upper thigh and back of the hip in human beings
    Sometimes he slid on his haunches, sometimes seedling trees held him till he was able to find sure footing.
  21. grope
    feel about uncertainly or blindly
    It seemed hours to Robin that he was sliding, groping, laboring down the treacherous cliff, but it was only a few moments, for the light of morning had scarcely changed when he reached the bottom and found himself at the edge of the river.
  22. meek
    evidencing little spirit or courage
    “’Tis but I, Robin,” he answered in a meek voice, and the chill that ran down his spine was not all from the dampness of his clothing.
  23. amiss
    away from the correct or expected course
    “Master Robin!” he exclaimed. “What’s amiss? How came thou here?”
  24. siege
    an action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified place
    "...It hath been agreed that we shall give the signal from the bell tower of the church. There are no better bowmen in England. The siege will be lifted. Thou’lt see!”
  25. deliverance
    recovery or preservation from loss or danger
    While they waited for the rest of the hour to pass, John pointed out the familiar turrets of the castle, the north tower where they had stood that day, and the tower of the keep where the household waited for deliverance.
  26. hail
    many objects thrown forcefully through the air
    A hail of arrows that were like dark rain sped from oncoming yeomen, dropping the sentries on the bridge and picking off men of the guard manning the wall of the town.
  27. peal
    a deep prolonged sound
    Then, setting Robin on his feet again, he said, “Stay thou here, and watch how the Welsh are marched out of the town whilst I go below. Thou’lt hear such a peal of bells as shall nigh wake the dead lying below.”
  28. fare
    proceed, get along, or succeed
    “Much hath happened in this one day,” said Brother Luke. “I should like to hear how thy journey went. By thy look, thou hast fared well, except for needing a good wash and a sleep. Off with thy borrowed clothes and once more I shall care for thee.”
  29. tumult
    a state of commotion and noise and confusion
    There was no time for greeting or waving. The tumult of horse and weapon made too much noise for voices to have been heard.
  30. misshapen
    so badly formed or distorted as to be ugly
    Sir John embraced his son warmly. Nothing was said of crutches or of misshapen legs, or of ill fortune or of good.
  31. sconce
    a decorative wall bracket for holding candles or lights
    The yule log burned on the hearth and flaming torches filled the sconces.
  32. dais
    a platform raised above the surrounding level
    The King and Queen sat enthroned in the great chairs on the dais.
  33. doublet
    a man's close-fitting jacket, worn during the Renaissance
    He wore a black velvet doublet and carried the Saxon harp on his back.
  34. medallion
    a round piece of metal given as an award or commemoration
    At last he reached the dais. The King rose and stood over Robin, lifting from his own shoulders a chain of gold set with medallions of fine workmanship, then he spoke.
  35. workmanship
    skill in an occupation or trade
    At last he reached the dais. The King rose and stood over Robin, lifting from his own shoulders a chain of gold set with medallions of fine workmanship, then he spoke.
Created on Thu Oct 10 17:01:18 EDT 2019 (updated Fri Oct 11 09:05:33 EDT 2019)

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