MRS. CONTIENGLISH 9 & 10

Paul Revere’s Ride Vocabulary

Aloft and Belfry

“Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry arch”

Aloft

in the air

Belfry

a tower or part of a tower where a bell or set of bells hang

Moorings

“Where swinging wide at her moorings lay”

Moorings

the anchors, ropes, and cables that are used to hold a boat or ship in place

Muster and Barrack

“The muster of men at the barrack door,”

Muster

a formal military gathering to examine or test soldiers

Barrack

a building or set of buildings used especially for lodging soldiers

Tread and Grenadier

“And the measured tread of the grenadiers”

Tread

to walk

Grenadiera specially selected foot soldier in

certain elite units

Rafters

“On the somber rafters, that round him made”

Rafters

parallel beams that support a roof

Stealthy

“By the wooden stairs, with stealthy tread,”

Stealthyquiet and secret in order to avoid being

noticed

Impetuous

“Then, impetuous, stamped the earth,”

Impetuousacting or done quickly and without

thought : controlled by emotion rather than thought

Girth

“And turned and tightened his saddle girth;”

Girth

the size of someone or something measured around the middle

Spectral

“Lonely and spectral and somber and still.”

Spectral

of, relating to, or suggesting a ghost

Somber

very sad and serious

Bridle

“He springs to the saddle, the bridle he turns,”

Bridlea device that fits on a horse's head

and that is used for guiding and controlling the horse

Steed and Fleet

“Struck out by a steed flying fearless and fleet:”

Steed

a horse that a person rides

Fleet

something that moves swiftly

Tranquil

“And beneath him, tranquil and broad and deep,”

Tranquil

free from disturbance or turmoil

Alder

“And under the alders that skirt its edge,”

Alder

a type of tree or shrub that grows in wet ground in some northern countries

Aghaststruck with terror, amazement, or

horror

Peril

“In the hour of darkness and peril and need,”

Peril

something that is likely to cause injury, pain, harm, or loss