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
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