Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson, Vocabulary List Chapters 7-9

very old : having lived or existed for a very long time

First they ripped out the boards that covered the ancient fireplace, coming upon the rusty bricks like prospectors upon the mother lode.

an agreement in which people or groups say they will do or give something in exchange for something else

In the end everyone got something new except Jess and his dad, neither of whom cared, but Jess got the idea it might give him a little bargaining power with his mother.

to hurt (someone who trusts you, such as a friend or relative) by not giving help or by doing something morally wrong

It didn't matter if their own fathers were in the state hospital or the federal prison, they hadn't betrayed theirs, and Janice had.

a small job that is done regularly

"I got plenty of chores needs doing around here this morning," his mother announced as they were finishing the grits and red gravy.

to climb or crawl in an awkward way

Jess tickled her to get her giggling again, so that when the four of them clambered down over the tail gate, they were flushed-faced and happy once more.

satisfied with how things are and not wanting to change them

Jess was glad to escape to the shed and the complacent company of Miss Bessie.

to understand (something, such as a difficult or complex subject)

The guardian of the realm raced about in happy puppy circles, too young as yet to comprehend the danger that surrounded them all.

to defeat (someone or something) through the use of force

"Conquering the hostile savages on our northern border," she answered.

showing a desire to cause trouble but in a way that is not serious

She got a devilish delight out of sitting smack down on his rump when he was stretched out working.

to fight with someone using weapons (such as guns or swords) while other people watch

Leslie whirled and began to duel the imaginary foe.

an enemy

They owned the world and no enemy, Gary Fulcher, Wanda Kay Moore, Janice Avery, Jess's own fears and insufficiencies, nor any of the foes whom Leslie imagined attacking Terabithia, could ever really defeat them.

not friendly : having or showing unfriendly feelings

"Conquering the hostile savages on our northern borders," she answered.

lacking knowledge or information

When parents were poor and ignorant or mean, or even just didn't believe in having a TV set, it was up to their kids to protect them.

wanting to do something or likely to do something

For all his smartness with politics and music, Mr. Burke was inclined to be absent-minded.

a person, thing, or situation that is annoying or that causes trouble or problems

Jess found he was really useful to him, not a nuisance to be tolerated or set out on the porch.

an area of activity, interest, or knowledge

The guardian of the realm raced about in happy puppy circles, too young as yet to comprehend the danger that surrounded them all.

confident and energetic

How could he trust everything that mattered to him to a sassy six-year-old?

to smile in an unpleasant way because you are pleased with yourself, glad about someone else's trouble, etc.

Leslie smirked clear through the afternoon and right on to the bus where Janice Avery gave her a little crooked smile on the way to the back seat...

something that attracts attention because it is very unusual or very shocking

"...It would make you throw up to see how those girls make a spectacle of themselves in church."

happening often but not regularly : not constant or steady

The rain continued sporadically, so that by Wednesday the creek had swollen to the trunk of the crab apple and they were running through ankle-deep water to make their flight into Terabithia.

to defeat (someone) completely in a war, battle, etc.

In the dim light he could see Leslie's face freeze into its most queenly pose- the kind of expression she usually reserved for vanquished enemies.

very bad or unpleasant

“And those two—two—” She looked for a word vile enough to describe Janice Avery’s friends and found none. “Those two girls blabbed it all over the seventh grade.”

to talk in a loud way often for a long time

Half the time they were supposed to be working they were just yakking away.

to bark in high, quick sounds

She couldn't seem to get used to the yipping and snapping.