Literary Circles - Vocabuary Enricher

Gemma Thornley
A Pickpockets Tale
Until next time - READ UNTIL PAGE 88 OF FEVER
job - connector

For my literature circles job this week, I found 13 words through my reading, which were either unfamiliar or words I thought were interesting or challenging and I did not know the exact meaning of. I will share these words and their meanings, as well as write original sentences using these words.

1. PG 148, pg 1 – mewling

I have heard the term meowing before, but I was unaware of the word mewling, even though it sounded quite similar. I thought they may have similar meanings, which is true. 

to mewl means – to cry feebly, or querulously; whimper ((especially relating to babies))

My original sentence – After a loud thud rang through the house, the kitten let out an apprehensive mewl. 

2. PG 150 pg 2 - Paptist

The term Paptist was unfamiliar to me. In the book it was used to represent a religion, and was viewed as a sort of joke among the Jewish family, so I was unsure of the meaning. 

the word Paptist means - a slur pertaining to Roman Catholics

3. PG 157 pg 4 - maltreating

I know the word to mistreat, and the word seemed quite similar, although it does have a different prefix. I wanted to see if there was much difference. The main difference is that maltreat suggests more of a violent treatment of someone, whereas with mistreatment simply means to treat someone in a bad or unfair manner. 

((definition mistreat - to treat (a person or animal) badly or unfairly.))

to mistreat means - treat (a person or animal) cruelly or in a violent manner

My original sentence- The man was called upon by Social Services as they feared he had maltreated his daughter. 

4. PG 149 pg 4 - posset

posset was a word entirely unfamiliar to me

a posset means - a cold dessert made from thickened cream

My original sentence - My mother makes the best posset in the world!

5. PG 159 pg 4 - tankard

the word tankard is one that I have heard before, but never really known the meaning of.

a tankard is - a tall beer jug

\6. PG 167 pg 5 - mortgage

The word mortgage is one I have a heard a lot before, in my own home as well as on the news. 

the word mortgage means - a legal agreement by which a bank, building society, etc. lends money at interest in exchange for taking title of the debtor's property, with the condition that the conveyance of title becomes void upon the payment of the debt.

My original sentence - I took out the mortgage that I would use toward buying our new house.

7.  PG 172 pg 2 - seawant

The word seawant is used throughout the book to represent currency, but I wasn't completely sure what Seawant actually was. 

seawant is - shell beads used as currency

8. PG75 pg 4 - lancet. 

I am unfamiliar with the word lancet. 

a lancet it -  a small broad edge knife with a sharp point

My original sentence - The boy stood rigid with fear as he was threatened by his neighbour who was brandishing a lancet.

9. PG 187 pg 3 - loom

I know the word loom from the noun sense, as an object which helps weaving, but I was unsure of its alternate meaning. 

Loom means - to appear or stand over someone threateningly 

10. PG 189 pg 6 - tumbler

I wasn't entirely sure on the meaning of tumbler, but I am familiar with the website of which has a similar name. 

A tumbler is - a drinking glass with no handles, and straight sides

My original sentence - When we have guests, my mum always makes sure that we use the fancy tumblers. 

11. PG 175 pg 3 - filch

I wasn't totally sure what filch meant in the situation presented, when the protagonist suggesting 'fliching'  an object. 

to filch is -  to steal or pilfer casually

12. PG 191 pg 4 - flank

The word flank was referenced as a part of the body, but I was unsure what this area was. 

The flank is - the part of the body between the rib and hip 

My original sentence - After tripping over the log, my flank was bruised. 

13. PG 201, pg 4 - perceptible 

I am aware of the word perceptible and its meaning, but I thought that it was a more challenging word, so I decided to include it in my list. 

to be perceptible is to - be able to be seen and or noticed 

Thank you for reading :)