Out of Darkness: Chapters 1–4

by Russell Freedman
In this biography, Russell Freedman explores the life of Louis Braille, who developed a system of writing for blind people.

In this biography, Russell Freedman explores the life of Louis Braille, who developed a system of writing for blind people.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Chapters 1–4, Chapters 5–8
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. deliberately
    in a careful unhurried manner
    Working slowly, deliberately, he punched tiny holes across the page with the sharp point of a stylus.
  2. stylus
    a pointed tool for writing, drawing, or engraving
    Working slowly, deliberately, he punched tiny holes across the page with the sharp point of a stylus.
  3. tinge
    color lightly
    His eyes, tinged with purple, stared blankly from above prominent cheekbones.
  4. prominent
    conspicuous in position or importance
    His eyes, tinged with purple, stared blankly from above prominent cheekbones.
  5. devise
    come up with after a mental effort
    As it was, blind people could not hope to read or write. The best method yet devised for them was almost useless.
  6. awl
    a pointed tool for marking surfaces or for punching holes
    All the tools were there before him—the fat wooden mallets, the sharply pointed awls, the knives as keen as razors.
  7. keen
    having a sharp cutting edge or point
    All the tools were there before him—the fat wooden mallets, the sharply pointed awls, the knives as keen as razors.
  8. solemnly
    in a serious and dignified manner
    Solemnly, he bent his head forward a bit more and brought the awl down with all his might.
  9. garret
    floor consisting of open space at the top of a house
    He was put to bed in the garret room that he shared with his older brother and two older sisters.
  10. unwitting
    not aware or knowing
    As he rubbed his injured eye to ease the irritation, he unwittingly spread the infection with his hands to his other eye.
  11. oculist
    a person skilled in testing for defects of vision
    They took Louis by horse and carriage to the hospital in Meaux, the nearest big town, where they consulted an oculist.
  12. daunting
    discouraging through fear
    Like any child who loses his sight, Louis faced a daunting task: he had to rediscover the world around him.
  13. nook
    a secluded place, corner, or recessed area
    He memorized every nook and corner of the house until he could walk about freely without tripping or banging into things.
  14. excursion
    a journey taken for pleasure
    After that, he was allowed to make cautious excursions into the outside world.
  15. venture
    proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers
    Then he ventured to the stone bridge a bit farther on.
  16. solitary
    lacking companions or companionship
    Sooner or later, the children would drift away to some new interest, leaving Louis behind to invent his own games and imagine private playmates to populate his dark, solitary world.
  17. disposition
    your usual mood
    He lived in darkness, but he seemed to have a sunny disposition.
  18. primer
    an introductory textbook
    When the other pupils took out their primers and writing slates, he would sit quietly alone, listening to the scratching of chalk and the rustle of pages being turned.
  19. adaptable
    capable of fitting a particular situation or use
    They knew that no matter how bright or adaptable their son might be, he could never take his place in the life of the village.
  20. scald
    heat to the boiling point
    Soon afterward, a rapid tapping of canes advanced down the stairs and along the hallways to the school’s dining room, where the students sat down to quick breakfasts of buttered rolls and steaming coffee mixed with scalded milk.
  21. legible
    capable of being read or deciphered
    The letters had to be widely spaced and tall enough to be legible to the touch.
  22. botanical
    of or relating to plants
    Every Thursday, the students were led through the streets of Paris to the Botanical Gardens.
  23. procession
    the action of a group moving ahead in regular formation
    Passersby would turn to stare at the long procession of blind boys.
  24. intently
    with strained or eager attention
    He would practice for hours, bent intently over the keyboard, swaying with the music, aware of nothing but the notes dancing around him, piercing his darkness.
  25. grope
    feel about uncertainly or blindly
    In this world, there was no stumbling, no hesitation, no groping with his cane.
Created on Thu Nov 12 21:33:47 EST 2020 (updated Mon Nov 16 10:00:59 EST 2020)

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