The Explorer Chapters 5-6

Food (Almost) p50 – 57Fire (p58-65)

Word Definition (Collins COBUILD) Synonymsflimsily(p.50)

A flimsy object is weak because it is made of a weak material, or it is badly made.

weak, fragile, shaky

flare (p.52)

If a fire flares, the flames suddenly become larger. widen, spread, broaden, dilate

pronounced(p.53)

To pronounce a word means to say it using particular sounds. say, speak, voice, stress, articulate, enunciate

sarcastic(p. 53)

Someone who is sarcastic says or does the opposite of what they really mean in order to mock or insult someone.

ironic, satirical, cutting, sharp, mocking, taunting

expelled(p. 53)

If someone is expelled from a school or organisation, they are officially told to leave because they have behaved badly.

exclude, ban, throw out, bar, dismiss

improvised(p. 55)

If you improvise, you make or do something using whatever you have or without having planned it in advance.

devise, make do, wing it (informal), concoct

grub(p.55)

A grub is a young insect which has just come out of an egg and looks like a short, fat worm.

pulsating(p.55)

If something pulsates, it beats, moves in and out, or shakes with strong, regular movements.

throb, pound, beat, pulse, vibrate, palpitate

braced(p.55)

If you brace yourself for something unpleasant or difficult, you prepare yourself for it.

prepare, fortify

shudder(p.55)

If you shudder, you shake with fear, horror or disgust, or because you are cold.

shiver, shake, tremble, convulse

sceptical(p.56)

If you are sceptical about something, you have doubts about it. doubtful, cynical, dubious

register(p.56)

If a piece of emotion does not register or if you do not register it, you do not really pay attention to it and so you do not remember it or react to it.

sink in (informal)

writhing(p.56)

If you writhe, your body twists and turns violently backwards and forwards, usually because you are in great pain or discomfort.

squirm, struggle, thrash, jerk

plumpest(p.56)

You can describe someone or something as plump to indicate that they are fat or rounded.

chubby, fat, stout, portly, dumpy

optimistic(p.58)

Someone who is optimistic is hopeful about the future or the success of something in particular.

hopeful, positive, confident, idealistic

temperament(p.58)

Your temperament is your basic nature, especially as it is shown in the way that you react to situations or to other people.

nature, character, personality, spirit, temper

kindling(p.58)

Kindling is small pieces of dry wood and other materials that you use to start a fire.

engraved(p.60)

If you engrave something with a design or words, or if you engrave a design or words on it, you cut the design or words

carve, cut, etch, inscribe

The Explorer Chapters 5-6

Food (Almost) p50 – 57Fire (p58-65)

into its surface.sympathy(p.60)

If you have sympathy for someone who is in a bad situation, you are sorry for them, and show this in the way you behave towards them.

compassion, understanding, compassion, empathy

grit(p.60)

If someone has grit, they have the determination and courage to continue doing something even though it is very difficult.

determination, nerve, fortitude, courage

unaccountable(p.60)

Something that is unaccountable does not seem to have any sensible explanation.

inexplicable, odd, mysterious, baffling, peculiar, incomprehensible, unfathomable

absurd(p.60)

If you say that something is absurd, you are criticising it because you think that it is ridiculous or that it does not make sense.

ridiculous, outrageous, foolish, ludicrous, preposterous

longing(p.60)

If you feel longing or a longing for something, you have a rather sad feeling because you want it very much,

desire, hope, wish burning, yearning

surreptitiously(p.61)

A surreptitious action is done secretly. secretly, clandestine, furtively, sneakily

furrowed (p.61)

If someone furrows their brow or forehead or if it furrows, deep folds appear in it because the person is annoyed, unhappy or confused.

fumbled(p.61)

If you fumble for something or fumble with something, you try and reach for it or hold it in a clumsy way.

grope, scrabble

bone-dry(p.62)

If you say something is bone-dry, you are emphasising that it is very dry indeed.

proprietorial(p.63)

If your behaviour is proprietorial, you are behaving in a proud way because you are, or feel like you are, the owner of something.

possessive

pride(p.63)

Pride is feeling of satisfaction which you have because you or people close to you have done something good or possess something good.

satisfaction, achievement, delight, gratification, fulfilment

disconcertingly(p.64)

If you say that something is disconcerting, you mean that it makes you feel anxious, confused or embarrassed.

disturbing, upsetting, alarming, confusing,

infinitely(p.64)

If you describe something as infinite, you are emphasising that it is extremely great in amount or degree.

vastly, absolutely, endlessly, perpetually

oozed(p.64)

When a thick or sticky liquid oozes from something or when something oozes, the liquid flows slowly and in small quantities.

seep, leak, filter, drip, trickle

dimple (p.65)

A dimple is a small hollow in someone’s cheek or chin, often one that you can see when they smile.

indentation

The Explorer Chapters 5-6

Food (Almost) p50 – 57Fire (p58-65)

glade (p.65)

A glade is a grassy space without trees in a wood or forest.