The Promised One

by David Alric

  exquisite adj. particularly beautiful; attractive with delicate, refined qualities

  exterminate v. to destroy completely; to wipe out; to annihilate

  extraction n. taking out; removal; withdrawal

  faculty n. an ability or power

  fading adj. slowly disappearing; diminishing

  fauna n. all the animals living at a particular time, or in a particular place

  feline n. (or felid) any member of the cat family, Felidae

  fend v. to look after; to support; to defend. In Chapter 16 fend for themselves means look after themselves; manage on their own

  fervent adj. intense; heartfelt; ardent

  fib n. a harmless lie

  fitful adj. occurring in irregular spells. A fitful sleep (Chapter 6) is broken and restless

  flank n. the lower part of the side of an animal or person

  flaw n. a defect or imperfection

  flexible adj. bendy; pliable

  flit v. to move quickly and lightly; to dart about

  flora n. all the plant life living in a particular place or at a particular time

  focus v. to fix one’s gaze or attention on something; to concentrate

  foliage n. the leaves of plants

  forage v. to search for food

  forensics pl. n. in Chapter 11 this is short for the forensic technicians or scientists who gather clues (often microscopic) from a crime scene

  forequarter n. part of the front portion of a carcass including an arm (or foreleg) with its attached shoulder and adjacent parts

  formidable adj. awesome; impressive; threatening; something inspiring fear or dread because of its size, strength or ability

  forth adv. out. In Chapter 16 come forth means come out of hiding

  forthright adj. direct; frank; outspoken

  fracture n. a break or crack, often, as in Chapter 13, of a bone

  fragment n. a portion of something larger; a broken-off piece

  fragrant adj. sweet-smelling

  frantic adj. very excited; distraught with emotion; displaying frenzied behaviour

  French window n. a long window, reaching to the floor, that opens like a door

  frenzied adj. wild; frantically excited

  frisk v. to feel or pat to check for concealed weapons

  frivolous adj. not serious; silly; unimportant

  frond n. the leaf of a palm or fern

  fulfil v. to achieve; to complete a task; to attain an ambition; to carry out a promise

  fumble v. to feel or grope, especially clumsily or blindly

  furrow n. a groove; a wrinkle; a trench. In Chapter 11 his brow furrowed means his forehead wrinkled

  furtive adj. sly; secretive

  fuselage n. the main body of an aircraft

  gaff v. to land a fish using a hooked pole

  garbled adj. mixed up; jumbled; distorted so as to render unintelligible

  gargantuan adj. giant; enormous

  gelignite n. (gelly) an explosive – a type of dynamite

  Geneva Convention n. an international agreement to do with the treatment of prisoners of war

  gesticulate v. to send a message or signal by using body movements (usually of the hands or head)

  gesture n. something done or said to make a point or emphasize something

  ghastly adj. horrifying; terrifying; hideous

  gingerly adv. gently; cautiously; timidly

  git n. (slang) an unpleasant or contemptible person, often rather foolish

  glisten v. to shine or gleam in the light

  glumly adv. sadly; gloomily; dispiritedly

  gnaw v. to chew or bite persistently, so as to wear away

  gossamer n. a cobweb or any material having a very fine, filmy texture

  GPS n. global positioning system. A worldwide location and navigation system based upon satellite signals

  grapple v. to struggle in close combat; to come to grips with someone or something

  grievous adj. serious; severe

  grille n. In Chapter 1 it is the grating of metal bars on the front of a car that lets in air to cool the engine

  grimace n. a twisted or contorted facial expression

  gritted adj. in Chapter 21 the expression gritted teeth means the Prime Minister had his teeth clenched in anger

  ground cover n. low level plants and shrubs that cover the surface of the ground

  gruelling adj. extremely tiring; punishing; exhausting

  gruesome adj. horrible; ghastly; repugnant

  gullet n. the oesophagus or food pipe, leading from the throat to the stomach

  gushing adj. over-effusive. In Chapter 7 her most gushing voice means she spoke in an affected, over-sentimental way

  halo n. a circle or disc of bright light around the head of a saint

  hammock n. a bed of canvas or netting, slung between ropes

  harness n. an arrangement of straps that fits around the body and to which things can be attached

  henceforth adv. from now on

  henchman n. a supporter; an attendant or servant

  hindrance n. an obstruction; an impediment

  hippidiform n. a horse-like creature

  hither and thither adv. here and there; this way and that

  hitherto adv. until now; up to this point

  hobble v. to walk in a lame, awkward way; to limp

  homage n. an act or display of respect or allegiance to one of superior status

  hostile adj. very unfriendly; antagonistic; inimical

  hove v. the past tense of the verb ‘to heave’. Hove into view (Chapter 16) is a nautical (sailing) expression meaning ‘came into sight’

  huddle v. to gather or nestle closely to one another

  hue n. a colour or a shade of colour

  humidity n. the amount of moisture in the air

  humility n. humbleness; the quality of not being proud or arrogant

  hysterical adj. in a highly emotional or excited state

  ill-gotten adj. obtained illegally or dishonestly

  immemorial adj. very ancient; from a time too long ago to be remembered

  immobilize v. to make it impossible for someone or something to move, or be moved

  impassable adj. not possible to cross or traverse

  impenetrable adj. not possible to get through

  imperceptible adj. too slight or subtle to be noticed

  implement v. to carry out a task or job; to make something happen

  implications pl. n. effects or results that might not at first be obvious

  import n. meaning; significance

  inadvertent adj. unintentional; not deliberate

  incalculable adj. incapable of being determined; beyond calculation

  incessant adj. never stopping; continual

  incessantly adv. without stopping; unceasingly; continually

  incoherent adj. not making sense; unclear; distorted

  incomprehensible adj. unintelligible; incapable of being understood

  incongruous adj. an unexpected or inappropriate mixture; unusual; bizarre; ill-matched; having disparate elements

  inconspicuous adj. not easy to see; unlikely to be noticed

  indescribable adj. too extreme for words; beyond description

  ineffectually adv. without success or effect

  inert adj. not moving; still

  inevitable adj. certain to happen; unavoidable

  inexplicable adj. not possible to explain

  inextricable adj. not able to be disentangled

  infallible adj. never wrong; incapable of making an error

  inflammation n. redness, heat and swelling, usually painful, in an injured or infected part of the body. In Chapter 14 Helen’s foot is inflamed

  inkling n. a suspicion; a suggestion; a hint

  inmate n. a person in an institution such as a home, hospital or prison

  inordinately adv. more than usual; excessively

  insatiable adj. incapable of being satisfied; continually hung
ry

  insect repellent n. a substance that drives insects away

  insignia n. an emblem or badge indicating rank, status or membership of a group

  insistent adj. determined; persistent in a demand

  integral adj. being an essential part of something

  interchange n. an exchange of information

  interjection n. a word or phrase used to interrupt or interpose

  interminable adj. unending

  intermingle v. to mix

  Interpol n. abbreviation for International Criminal Police Organization

  interrogation n. asking somebody questions

  intersperse v. to scatter between

  intrepid adj. fearless; bold; daring

  intriguing adj. interesting; arousing curiosity

  intuitively adv. instinctively

  invalid n. one who is ill

  invaluable adj. priceless; having a value that is too great to calculate

  iridescent adj. having colours that shine and flash and change with movement

  ironic adj. in Chapter 2 this word means surprising in a slightly amusing way; unexpected

  irrefutable adj. undeniable; impossible to prove wrong

  irretrievable adj. incapable of being recovered or repaired

  isolated adj. cut off; set apart

  IT n. abbreviation for information technology

  jockey v. to try to gain an advantage in a struggle by changing position or manoeuvring

  jolt n. a sudden bump; a jarring blow

  jostle v. to push or bump into

  jovial adj. jolly; good-humoured

  juddering adj. shuddering; vibrating; shaking

  justification n. a reason for doing something; a proof; a vindication

  ken n. range of knowledge

  kip n. (slang) sleep

  knobkerrie n. a South African weapon consisting of a stick with a large knob on the end

  laboriously adv. with great effort

  lamentable adj. very bad; deplorable; pitiable

  languid adj. inactive; lacking energy

  languorous adj. inducing a state of dreamy relaxation

  league n. an old unit of distance equal to 3 miles (4.8 kilometres)

  leer n. an unpleasant, suggestive look or smile

  legion n. a very large number or group

  leprosy n. a chronic (long-lasting) skin disease; Hansen’s disease

  lest conj. in case; for fear that

  lethal adj. deadly

  leviathan n. a huge, powerful monster

  liaison officer n. one who communicates between groups or units

  liana n. a tropical climbing plant; a woody vine

  limpet n. a shellfish renowned for its ability to cling to rocks

  linger v. to persist; to continue; to remain longer than expected or desired

  link n. a connection

  lithe adj. flexible; supple

  livid adj. intensely discoloured

  loathsome adj. disgusting; abhorrent

  locks pl. n. (poetic) hair

  logical adj. based upon clear or valid reasoning

  logo n. a company emblem or trademark

  lucrative adj. profitable; financially rewarding

  lumber n. Chapter 2: sawn timber;wood for construction and carpentry

  v. Chapters 12, 15: to move in an awkward or ungainly fashion

  lumbering adj. moving in an awkward or ungainly fashion

  lumberjack n. one who cuts down trees

  lurk v. to move or lie in wait in a concealed way, usually for an evil purpose

  luxuriant adj. fertile; lush; abundant

  luxuriate (in) v. to take intense pleasure in; to revel in

  luxury n. in Chapter 8 a life of luxury means that Nandita enjoyed an extravagant and sumptuous life full of costly possessions and expensive clothes, in beautiful surroundings

  mace n. a medieval weapon consisting of a spiked club

  maelstrom n. an area of whirling confusion and turbulence

  magistrate n. a public official who administers the law

  makeshift adj. something found or put together to use when a proper tool is unavailable

  malevolent adj. wishing evil on others, or appearing to do so

  malignant adj. causing harm or evil

  mandolin n. a stringed instrument similar to a lute

  manoeuvre v. to move into a suitable position

  maroon v. to abandon; to leave isolated

  massacre n. the indiscriminate killing of a large number of people

  matchless adj. incomparable; without equal; peerless

  materialize v. to take shape; to appear; to happen

  meander v. to wander; to follow a winding course

  medley n. an assortment; a mixture

  melanistic adj. black

  melodious adj. pleasant to hear; tuneful; sweet-sounding

  memento n. a souvenir; an object that brings back memories

  memo n. short for memorandum meaning a written note or communication

  menagerie n. a zoo

  mess hut n. a dining hut (usually for soldiers etc.)

  minder n. (slang) bodyguard or protector, especially of a criminal

  minimize v. to make as small as possible

  mishap n. an unfortunate accident

  misinterpret v. to misread; to misunderstand

  mob v. to surround or attack as a group

  momentum n. the force of a moving body (in physics: the product of a body’s mass and its velocity)

  monitor v. to check on; to observe; to record

  morale n. the level of confidence or optimism in an individual or group

  multitude n. a very large number

  muse v. to think; to ponder

  muster v. to call together into a group; to assemble a party

  myriad adj. very many; innumerable

  mystified adj. puzzled; bewildered; confused

  naught n. (archaic or poetic) nothing

  nausea n. a sick feeling; the sensation preceding vomiting

  nautical adj. relating to ships and sailors

  neologism n. a new word

  nerve-racking adj. intensely worrying; distressing; harrowing

  nick v. Chapter 10: (slang) to steal

  n. Chapter 16: in the nick of time means just in time; at the last possible moment

  nonchalant adj. casual; unconcerned

  obeisance n. homage; deference. In Chapter 1 the animals paid obeisance to Lucy which means that they treated her as their queen

  oblivious adj. unaware; taking no notice

  observation n. Chapters 2, 3: a fact learnt as a result of watching or observing

  Chapter 18: a remark or comment

  obstacle n. something in the way; a blockage

  oddity n. someone or something unusual

  onslaught n. a fierce attack

  open-and-shut adj. easily solved; obvious

  opulence n. riches; wealth; luxury; affluence

  ordeal n. a stressful experience

  ordure n. dung; droppings; excrement; poo (slang)

  organic litter n. the scattered remnants of vegetable and animal matter covering the ground

  ornithological adj. to do with the study of birds

  outrageous adj. shocking; grossly offensive

  outsmart v. to outwit; to get the better of

  PA n. abbreviation for personal assistant

  packet n. in Chapter 9 make a packet (slang) means make a lot of money

  pageant n. a parade; an elaborate procession

  painstakingly adv. paying great attention to fine detail

  pallor n. a very pale colour; whiteness of the skin

  pampas n. the grassy plains of South America

  pang n. a sudden, sharp, brief sensation, usually unpleasant (such as of pain or hunger)

  panoply n. a complete display or array; a collection of different items or elements

  Pantanal n. a vast area of wetlands in South America, famous for its flora and wi
ldlife

  paucity n. smallness in number; dearth; fewness; scarcity

  peddler n. one who deals in illegal drugs

  penetrate v. to enter; to pierce; to find a way into or through something

  pensive adj. deeply thoughtful, with an element of sadness

  perilous adj. very dangerous; extremely hazardous

  perpendicular adj. upright; vertical

  perplex v. to puzzle; to confuse; to bewilder

  perspex n. transparent, tough plastic made from acrylic resin

  pervade v. to spread throughout; to permeate.

  petiole n. a leaf stalk

  petrify v. to terrify into immobility; to stun with fear

  phenomenon n. an unusual or remarkable occurrence

  philanderer n. one who flirts with women

  phobia n. an intense and irrational fear

  piping n. a thin strip of covered cord, used to edge cushions, seats, etc.

  plateau n. a flat area on raised land

  Pleistocene epoch n. the first epoch of the Quaternary period. It lasted from 1.8 million years ago to 10,000 years ago

  Pliocene epoch n. the last epoch of the Tertiary period. It lasted from 5 to 1.8 million years ago, the start of the Pleistocene epoch

  plonk v. to drop on; to place upon; to burden with

  pluck n. courage; bravery

  plumage n. the feathers of a bird

  poetic justice n. an appropriate outcome in which someone gets what they deserve; fitting retribution; just deserts

  poignant adj. emotionally distressing or painful

  polling hook n. a long-handled tool for cutting high branches on trees

  ponder v. to think thoroughly and deeply about something; to give careful consideration to something

  pong n. (slang) a strong, offensive smell; a stink or stench

  pore over v. to study something intently; to read or examine something very carefully

  potential adj. possible

  precipice n. a sheer, steep cliff face

  precipitous adj. very steep

  predator n. a carnivorous (meat-eating) animal; a hunter-killer

  predicament n. a difficult situation

  prehensile adj. adapted for grasping

  presentiment n. a premonition; a sense about something that is going to happen

  prevail v. to win; to prove superior; to overcome

  prick up v. to start to listen with great interest. In Chapter 8 Lucy pricked up her ears which means she listened very intently

  prime v. to prepare an explosive charge for detonation

  primitive adj. early; crude; undeveloped

  prise v. to lever or force open

  prodigious adj. very great; vast

  proffer v. to offer; to present