Vocabulary and Contextual Definitions
Vocabulary Set One: Military and Literary Terms
- wicked: very bad.
- Evelyn Waugh: (1903–1966) pen name of Arthur St John, a British writer.
- Noël Coward: (1899–1973) British writer of satirical plays.
- Roald Dahl: (1916–1990) British writer.
- private: an ordinary soldier.
- officer's commission: a document signed by the King which gave someone the position of officer in the army.
- trenches: deep passages cut into the ground as protection for soldiers.
- bloody: an expression used to show anger or annoyance.
- wondered: thought or asked oneself.
- confident: sure of oneself.
- French window: two large windows that are also used as doors.
- lawn: an area of short grass around a house or in a garden.
- bog: very wet and soft earth.
- bound: (here) to run or leap.
- snipe: any of various similar related birds, such as certain sandpipers and curlews.
- make a mess of everything: to leave things in a disorganised way.
- avoid: to stay away from.
- yawned: opened one's mouth and breathed deeply, typically done when bored or tired.
- mud: soft, wet earth.
- shivered: trembled from fear or coldness.
- apologising: saying that one was sorry.
- wild: describing animals that live in their natural environment.
- rifle: a long gun.
Vocabulary Set Two: Domestic and Figurative Language
- dug grave: a prepared hole in the ground for a dead body.
- growled and snarled: made angry and menacing sounds.
- penance: penitence, something you do to show that you are sorry.
- coop: a place where chickens are kept.
- feathers: the plumage of a bird.
- staring: looking intensely.
- pigsties: a place where pigs are kept.
- shiny wrappers: bright coverings for pieces of chocolate.
- greedy: desiring something excessively.
- Un-Beast: (Children's invention) meaning "You are not a beast."
- eated: Ate (Past tense of eat). (A mistake made by the child who wrote the note).
- nursemaid: a servant who looks after very young children.
- dahlia: any herbaceous perennial plant of the Mexican genus Dahlia, having showy flowers and tuberous roots.
- nodded: moved one's head up and down to indicate agreement (yes).
- sweet peas: Lathyrus odoratus. Ornamental vine of the legume family, known for its fragrant flowers.
- go-cart: a light vehicle with wheels used in the garden.
- muck: animal excrement or dirt.
- slippery: difficult to stand on without falling.
- snik: to go down (in water or some other liquid).
- ladder: a portable framework consisting of two long parallel members connected by several parallel rungs or steps, used for climbing up or down.
