Dictionary for the Story of James Black
Below is a special dictionary of words used in the Story of James Black. The definitions or meaning given to a word is specific to its use in this article. Definitions are given in the simplest words possible. It is hoped that this dictionary will make the article more accessible to all students with various levels of reading skills.
apprentice, apprenticeship -- a person who for several years works for and learns from a skilled worker, like a shoemaker
authorities -- government officials, like the police
blacksmith -- a person who makes things like horseshoes with iron metal
Bladesmith -- a person who makes very good knives
ceded -- when one nation gives land to another nation usually by treaty
documented, documentation -- papers which give proof of something
enduring -- lasting for a long time
emigrated -- to leave one's homeland to go settle in a new homeland
estate -- property and money left by a person who had died
ferry boat -- a boat that carries people across a river that has no bridge
foremost -- first, the most important
forging -- making tools or knives by heating and shaping metals
frontier -- new land that is not widely settled yet
gleaming -- to shine with light
gandeur -- to appear large and grand
grieving -- to feel sad
indentured -- a person who works for someone for a fixed number of years and who is not free to quit or leave
Indian Territory -- land set aside for Indians in what is now Oklahoma
inquest jury -- a group of men who look at evidence to see if a crime has been committeed
knifesmith -- a person who is an expert in making knives
overseer -- a person who is in charge of something like keeping a road in good condition
patrol -- to travel over an area in order to keep law and order, like a policeman walking an area
picturesque -- an area, like a town, with buildings that are older and beautiful but also unusual
pioneer -- an early settler of a frontier area
prosper -- to have money
receipt -- a paper that proves someone paid for or gave something of value to another person
reputation -- having a good name or ability respected by other people
silversmith -- an expert who uses silver to make things
spectacular -- striking in appearance or of unusally good quality
steamboat -- a boat with a steam engine that uses a large paddle wheel at its rear to push through the water
tempering -- heating and cooling metal to make it stronger and better
vain -- (in vain) not a success, useless
ward -- a person who cannot care for himself and who is protected and cared for by legal means
wraith -- a ghost
