The Jumbies: Chapters 28–44

by Tracey Baptiste
Corinne fights to protect her father and her home from the jumbies, mysterious creatures that live in the woods.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–4, Chapters 5–13, Chapters 14–22, Chapters 23–27, Chapters 28–44
20 words 25 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. mercifully
    in a compassionate or fortunate manner
    The four left the swamp and made their way along the coast, away from the witch’s shack. The river had mercifully washed most of the swamp stench from their clothes and hair, and the sun was beginning to dry them off.
  2. exasperated
    greatly annoyed; out of patience
    “What would you like me to tell her, brother?” Bouki said, sounding exasperated. “She wants to go it alone. It’s not like I can force her to let us help.”
  3. whittle
    cut small bits or pare shavings from
    Bouki whittled dry coconut husks into sandals with backward feet.
  4. reluctantly
    with a certain degree of unwillingness
    Corinne left reluctantly and made her way toward the sea.
  5. brine
    water containing salts
    The tide was in, and the waves pushed foamy brine around her, tugging at her hands and feet, trying in vain to pull her into the sea.
  6. ingenuity
    the power of creative imagination
    Dru gasped. “How did you do this?”
    “My ingenuity,” Bouki said proudly.
  7. dislodge
    remove or force from a position previously occupied
    She grabbed some matches and quietly dislodged the two wide floorboards near her mat that she often used to stash things she did not want her siblings to tease her about.
  8. moor
    secure with cables or ropes
    With the boats moored, the fishermen moved toward their houses.
  9. nettle
    plant having stinging hairs that cause skin irritation
    She pressed back as far as she could go before she realized that she was caught in the branches of a stinging nettle.
  10. turbulent
    agitated vigorously
    Corinne stopped rowing and allowed the boat to be pushed by the turbulent surf.
  11. nook
    a secluded place, corner, or recessed area
    Water ran down the rocks, revealing crumbled barnacles in a nook. It made just enough space for her hand.
  12. eddy
    a miniature whirlpool or whirlwind
    Just as she left the boat, the wave crashed down, smashing it. The boat’s yellow planks were sucked into an eddy.
  13. agony
    intense feelings of suffering; acute mental or physical pain
    Now the creature was completely covered in flames, and it howled in agony.
  14. transfixed
    having your attention fixated as though witchcraft
    Corinne tried to get her papa’s attention, but he was Severine’s beast now and kept his eyes transfixed on his mistress.
  15. flail
    thrash about
    Severine flailed and managed to grab on to the rock face, but her green cloth snagged in the branches of the tree.
  16. coincidence
    an accidental event that seems to have been arranged
    “He’s been taking care of you for years,” Corinne said. "Every night you find food in his bakery for your dinner. Did you think it was a coincidence?”
  17. sheepish
    showing a sense of shame
    Bouki and Malik took a sheepish glance over at Hugo. The big man grinned and shifted from one leg to the other like someone caught in a small lie.
  18. scowl
    a facial expression of dislike or displeasure
    It was Laurent’s father. Laurent stood beside him with a fierce scowl, as if he was determined to fight.
  19. furrow
    make or become wrinkled or creased
    “This isn’t going to stop them,” she said. Her face was furrowed with worry.
  20. disperse
    cause to separate and go in different directions
    The crowd mumbled to themselves and began to disperse, most with some oranges clutched to their chests.
Created on Sat Nov 13 21:12:48 EST 2021 (updated Fri Nov 19 09:54:29 EST 2021)

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