The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Spring: List 4

by Betty G. Birney
Young Eben, who lives in a small farming community, longs to experience the wonders of the world. But can he discover seven "wonders" in his own hometown, Sassafras Springs?

This list covers vocabulary from "Day Five: Into the Woods."

Here are links to our lists for the book: List 1, List 2, List 3, List 4, List 5
15 words 30 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. reverend
    a male religious leader, especially a Christian one
    Suddenly Reverend Carson grabbed hold of me. (Folks liked to call him Parson Carson, but only behind his back.)
  2. hankering
    a yearning for something or to do something
    “I’ve got a hankering for your good fried chicken,” I told my aunt.
  3. humdinger
    something or someone of remarkable excellence
    “You want a Wonder or not? I might decide to go home if you’re not interested.”
    “You’d better listen,” said Albert. “He’s got a humdinger for you.”
  4. as the crow flies
    by the shortest and most direct route
    Anyway, Gladiola is a good five hundred miles from Sassafras Springs as the crow flies.
  5. scalawag
    a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel
    See, there was a bunch of scalawags around Gladiola — family by the name of Pitt. They gave Pa a terrible time at school.
  6. culprit
    someone or something responsible for harm or wrongdoing
    It was a two-seater with a window, so if there was mischief, Grandpappy could look out and see who the culprits were.
  7. bronco
    an unbroken or imperfectly broken mustang
    As he was pondering that thought, the outhouse started bumping and bouncing like a bucking bronco.
  8. rickety
    inclined to shake as from weakness or defect
    I realized I’d been had about one second before that rickety, rackety, falling-down outhouse tipped on its side.
  9. upstanding
    meriting respect or esteem
    “I know some upstanding people who’ve lived down worse than that. I’m not going to tell you which ones, though.”
  10. darn
    repair a garment by weaving thread across a hole
    When we got to the porch, Aunt Pretty was sitting in her rocker, but for once,
    instead of crocheting, she was sewing with a needle and thread, and she wasn’t darning socks, either.
  11. tatter
    a small shred of cloth or paper
    “Well, a boy can’t travel on a train in rags and tatters, can he? I’m making Eben a new shirt. And I’m going to take Grandpa’s old trousers out of the trunk in the attic and cut them down too.”
  12. vexed
    troubled persistently especially with petty annoyances
    I was feeling confused. “Aunt Pretty, I thought you didn’t approve of me going.”
    “At first I was vexed, I admit. Sometimes folks go away and don’t come back. But I’m pleased for you to take a trip, Eben. I just have my concerns...."
  13. raggedy
    showing signs of wear and tear
    Standing in the doorway was trouble herself: RaeEllen Hubbell, carrying a raggedy old burlap bag.
  14. wit
    mental ability
    The sailors were scared out of their wits, especially Uncle Dutch!
  15. eternity
    time without end
    This ship is doomed. And you are doomed to remain on board for all eternity!” Uncle Dutch says that means forever and ever.
Created on Sun Aug 31 21:03:24 EDT 2025 (updated Tue Oct 14 12:29:49 EDT 2025)

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