4th Grade Word List in Literature

prattle

v. speak about unimportant matters rapidly
n. idle or foolish and irrelevant talk

pitcher

n. a large container, typically earthenware, glass, or plastic, with a handle and a lip

shoot

n. a young branch or sucker springing from the main stock of a tree or other plant

glitter

v. be shiny, as if wet
n. the occurrence of a small flash or spark

comely

a. very pleasing to the eye

tremble

v. shake involuntarily, typically as a result of anxiety or excitement

lop

v. cut off from a whole

swallow

n. a migratory swift-flying songbird

stork

n. a tall long-legged wading bird with a long heavy bill and typically with white and black plumage

musing

n. period of reflection or thought;
a. characterized by reflection or deep thought;

hither

ad. to this place, especially toward the speaker

gild

v. decorate with, or as if with, gold leaf or liquid gold

fain

ad. with pleasure; gladly

pith

n. the most essential or most vital part of some idea or something

pang

n. mental pain or distress

swoon

n. a partial or total loss of consciousness

livery

n. the special uniform worn by a servant or official

porcelain

n. a white vitrified translucent ceramic

crown

n. a British coin with a face value of five shillings or 25 pence

cask

n. a cylindrical container that holds liquids

taper

n. a gradual narrowing
n. a convex shape that narrows toward a point

foliage

n. leaf-like architectural ornament

tinsel

n. a form of decoration consisting of thin strips of shiny metal foil

sheer

a. nothing other than; unmitigated, used for emphasis

plunder

v. destroy and strip of its possession

tumble

v. suffer a sudden downfall, overthrow, or defeat
v. fall suddenly and sharply

bawl

v. shout loudly and without restraint

morrow

n. the next day

loft

n. a room or space directly under the roof of a house or other building

reverie

n. a state of being pleasantly lost in one's thoughts; a daydream

shelter

n. temporary housing for homeless or displaced persons

snuff

v. sniff or smell inquiringly

rustle

v. make a soft and crackling sound like that caused by the movement of dry leaves or paper

larder

n. a small storeroom for storing foods or wines

tallow

n. a hard fatty substance made from rendered animal fat, used in making candles and soap

lean

a. thin, especially healthily so; having no superfluous fat

portly

a. euphemisms for fat

sleek

a. having a smooth, gleaming surface reflecting light

balustrade

n. a railing at the side of a staircase or balcony to prevent people from falling

exulting

a. being extremely joyful

nettle

n. any of numerous plants having stinging hairs that cause skin irritation on contact

behold

v. see with attention