The Trojan War Vocabulary Words
Middle School Literature
cunning / [kuhn-ing]–noun
skill employed in a shrewd or sly manner, as in deceiving; craftiness; guile.
artfully subtle or shrewd; crafty; sly.
Informal . charmingly cute or appealing
The cunning fox waited for his prey.
I looked in the stroller and saw a cunning little baby.
foray / [fawr-ey,for-ey]
–noun
1. a quick raid, usually for the purpose of taking plunder:
2. a quick, sudden attack:
3. an initial venture: a successful foray into politics.
–verb (used without object)
4. to make a raid; pillage; maraud.
5. to invade or make one's way, as for profit or adventure: foreign industries foraying into U.S. markets.
–verb (used with object)
6. to ravage in search of plunder; pillage.
The Vikings made a foray on the port.
The defenders made a foray outside the walls.
haughty / [haw-tee]
–adjective, -ti·er, -ti·est.
1. disdainfully proud; snobbish; scornfully arrogant; supercilious: haughty aristocrats;
I did not get any help from the haughty salesclerk.
The Lord is looking for people whose hearts are not haughty but humble before him.
incessant / [in-ses-uhnt]
–adjective
continuing without interruption; ceaseless; unending: an incessant noise.
The puppy’s incessant yapping was very annoying.
nectar / [nek-ter]
–noun
1.the saccharine secretion of a plant, which attracts the insects or birds that pollinate the flower.
2.the juice of a fruit, esp. when not diluted, or a blend of fruit juices: pear nectar; tropical nectar.
3.Classical Mythology. the life-giving drink of the gods.
4.any delicious drink.
A glass of strawberry nectar is healthy and delicious.
pestilence / [pes-tl-uhns]
–noun
1. a deadly or virulent epidemic disease.
2. bubonic plague.
3. something that is considered harmful, destructive, or evil.
The bubonic plague was a terrible pestilence that killed many people during the Middle Ages.
torrents / [tawr-uhnt,tor-]
–noun
1. a stream of water flowing with great rapidity and violence.
2. a rushing, violent, or abundant and unceasing stream of anything
3. a violent downpour of rain.
4. a violent, tumultuous, or overwhelming flow.
The normally quiet brook becomes a raging torrent in stormy weather.
treachery / [trech-uh-ree]
–noun, plural -er·ies.
1. violation of faith; betrayal of trust; treason.
2. an act of perfidy, faithlessness, or treason.
Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Jesus was treachery at its worst.
valiant / [val-yuhnt]
–adjective
1. boldly courageous; brave; stout-hearted: a
2. marked by or showing bravery or valor; heroic:
3. worthy; excellent.
The student made a valiant effort at giving her speech, even though she was very nervous.
My Uncle Gary was a valiant young man who died saving the life of a fellow soldier.
valor / [val-er]
–noun
boldness or determination in facing great danger, esp. in battle; heroic courage; bravery.
The Purple Heart is a medal for valor awarded to those who are wounded or killed in battle while serving in the U.S. military,
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