Language Arts > Vocabulary for Beric the Briton, by G. A. Henty

piecemeal

in a fragmentary or unsystematic manner

rapacity

given to taking by force or plundering

malediction

curse

tenacious

stubborn

raiment

clothing

decurion

a Roman officer in charge of ten men

evincing

demonstrating

dogged

persistent

oratory

rhetoric, or public speaking

laudations

praises

villa

an ancient Roman upper-class house in the country

atrium

the inner courtyard of a Roman house, open to the sky

aperture

a small opening through which light is admitted

impluvium

an ornamental rain water basin

vestibule

a large reception room or entrance

tablinum

the Master's study or office in a Roman house

peristylium

a garden surrounded by columns

triclinium

the dining room in an upper-class Roman house

oecus

a room in a Roman house that could be used occasionally for banquets

treatise

a formal exposition, or written discourse

consuls

the highest elected political officers of the Roman Republic

mead

a wine made with honey

coracles

a small rounded boat made of hides and pitch, stretched over a wicker frame

cordon

a chain of sentinels enclosing or guarding some place or thing

inroads

an advance into enemy territory, or an attack

scourge

a source of trouble or affliction

dais

a raised platform

tribute

a tax imposed by one nation on another

bard

a poet

vice

an immoral or wicked habit

effeminate

possessing qualities considered unsuitably feminine

ludicrous

absurd or laughable

vehemently

strongly or passionately

apace

quickly

alacrity

enthusiasm

overborne

dominated

redress

compensation

baulked

hindered

twoscore

forty

panoply

an impressive array of ceremonial attire

baldric

a wide belt used to carry a sword

odious

hateful

dauntless

fearless

auguries

an omen or a foreboding

incessantly

without stopping

mien

bearing or expression

fillet

a narrow band

conch

a trumpetlike instrument made from a seashell

maxim

a saying or phrase accepted to be true on its own merit

effusion

outpouring

combustibles

materials that are easily set on fire

vellum

a fine parchment

meritorious

deserving of merit or praise

hew

to chop or cut away at

mar

to damage or spoil

dispirit

to discourage

colonnade

a structure supported by rows of columns

tumultuously

in a noisy and disorderly manner

compensate

to make up for

javelin

a light spear designed for throwing

consternation

alarm or dismay

palisade

a fortified wall

fickle

changeable

spoil

loot or plunder

knoll

a small hill

promontory

a natural elevation of land that extends out into a body of water

isthmus

a narrow strip of land with water on both sides

bivouac

to camp

imprecations

curses

asylum

a refuge or shelter

sorties

a sudden attack from a defensive place

causeway

a main road

lament

to express sorrow, or grieve

formidable

inspiring fear or dread

swarthy

dark-skinned

denoting

indicating

morass

a marsh or mire

contrive

to plan or invent

tenanted

inhabited

score

twenty

convey

carry or transport

abbatis

a defensive line formed by felled trees with sharpened ends facing the enemy

embark

to set out

in concert

in unison

orifice

a hole, or an opening

resin

a very sticky tree sap

withy

a strong flexible willow stem

sore straits

great need

retard

to delay or hold back

enticed

tempted

check

hinder

impetus

force

derisive

mocking

denude

to uncover, or make bare

Flotilla

A fleet of small boats

Pattens

Shoes with raised soles that raise the wearer's feet above wet or muddy ground

Allay

To relieve or put at rest

Extirpation

To destroy or exterminate

Ruse

A trick

Aggrieved

Feeling angry or resentful because of unjust treatment

Repining

Fretting or complaining

Colloquy

A conversation

Leech

A doctor or healer

Tractable

Easily led or managed