The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, Vocabulary List Chapters 47-52

to think of (something that will or might happen in the future) : expect

"Oh, all of this is much better than I anticipated."

to do something to make up for a wrong

But her father, to atone for what he had done, treated her like one for the rest of his days.

to fear or dislike greatly

Despereaux saw the dark shape of a rat, that thing that he had feared and dreaded for so long, finally step out of the gloom and come to greet him.

to make go away

"But my actions will help to dispel this terrible myth of evil that seems to surround rats everywhere."

with sincerity or enthusiasm

"And I heartily doubt that you do."

to go further than is right or fair to another : ENCROACH

"Do not infringe on my discovery."

causing people to want to do or create something or to lead better lives

"How inspiring," said Botticelli.

a story often describing the adventures of beings with more than human powers that attempts to explain mysterious events (as the changing of the seasons) or that explains a religious belief or practice

"But my actions will help to dispel this terrible myth of evil that seems to surround rats everywhere."

to be successful in getting around, through, or over

"Ha-ha, exaclty!" Botticelli laughed as he negotiated the twists and turns.

to give up after a struggle

"I surrender."

to stop from happening or succeeding

And at the end of it all, how tasty the mouse would be... seasoned with hope and tears and flour and oil and thwarted love!

to shake without control (as from fear or cold) : SHIVER

Despereaux held the trembling needle against Roscuro's heart.

astonishingly large, strong, or great

"You will be doing me a tremendous favor."

a small bunch of feathers, hairs, grass, etc., that grow close together

He saw that the floor of the dungeon was littered with tufts of fur.

feeling or showing a desire to harm someone who has harmed you : feeling or showing a desire for vengeance

Rats, a happy, hungry, vengeful parade of rats, their noses up in the air. sniffing, sniffing.