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ascent
“The True Confessions
of Charlotte Doyle”
Vocabulary
Mrs. Tate
(n.) an upward climb
On the ascent I could see where I was going.
Synonym: climb, rise
Antonyms: sinking, decline
endeavored
entangled
(v.) attempted
Once there I endeavored to rest again.
(n.) twisted together
My legs became entangled in the lines.
Synonym: strive, struggle
Antonyms: lounge
Synonym: intertwine
Antonyms: unravel
ratlines
(n.) the small ropes, fastened horizontally to
ropes supporting a ship’s mast, which
together form a ladder
You can climb the shrouds, using the ratlines
for your ladder.
rigging
(n.) the system of ropes, chains, and other gear
used to control a ship’s sail
I maneuvered to the outside so that I would be
leaning into the rigging and could even rest on
it.
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seasoned
(n.) experienced
A seasoned sailor would have needed two
minutes to reach this point.
treacherous
v
(adj.) marked by unpredictable dangers
v
What seemed like little movement on deck
became, up high, wild swings and turns
through treacherous air.
Synonym: toughen
Antonyms: weaken
maim
v
v
(v.) to injure or hurt
Fall that way and you’ll either maim or kill
yourself by breaking your neck.
Synonyms: cripple, mutilate
Antonyms: heal mend
quailed
v
(v.) shrank back in fear; cowered
v
“Now,” I quailed.
Synonym: cringe, wince
Antonym: confront
audacity
v
v
(n.) courage and resolution; boldness
Having fully committed myself, I was
overwhelmed by my audacity.
Synonyms: nerve, dare
Antonyms: timid, shy
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