Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell, Vocabulary List Chapters 1-5

having or providing enough or more than enough of what is needed

Since there was already ample food to last through the winter, it no longer mattered who hunted.

to become a friend to (someone)

"...But we shall not profit if we try to befriend them..."

a group of things that are together or are associated with each other in some way

The tide was low and the rocks and the narrow beach were scattered with bundles of otter pelts.

someone or something that is very difficult to accept, do, or deal with

It was the same in the other houses of Ghalas-at, but more than the burden which had fallen upon us all, it was the memory of those had gone that burdened our hearts.

to stop doing (something)

But the cries suddenly ceased as my father shook his head and turned his back on the chest.

to make or cause to make a rattling sound

He said more, but I did not hear it, for at that instant in my great excitement I moved a small rock, which clattered down the cliff and fell at his feet.

kept out of sight or hidden from view

The rest were concealed among the rocks at the foot of the trail, ready to attack the intruders should they prove unfriendly.

strange, unusual, or unexpected

My sister Ulape, who was two years older than I, gathered the most curious news of all.

to order or decide (something) in an official way

There was much trouble over this until Kimki decreed that the work would again be divided - henceforth the men would hunt and the women harvest.

great pleasure or satisfaction

I could hear cries of delight from the women hidden in the brush.

having serious results

When the fateful day had dawned the tribe numbered forty-two men, counting those who were too old to fight.

having or showing a lack of good sense or judgment

Now knowing what I did, thinking foolishly that another wave was upon me, I began to run.

to complain quietly about something : to talk in an unhappy way

There will be grumbling in Ghalas-at because of this.

a short, low sound from the throat

The Aleut grunted to his companion and the two of them stalked off on their short legs across the sand dunes that lay between the village and their camp.

not working, active, or being used

Word of our good fortune came on a stormy afternoon, brought by Ulape, who was never idle.

a person who is not welcome or wanted in a place

The rest were concealed among the rocks at the foot of the trail, ready to attack the intruders should they prove unfriendly.

to die or be killed

"...These will be punished, for without the help of all, all must perish."

a small, deep, narrow valley

I made my way through the heavy brush and, moving swiftly, down the ravine until I came to the sea cliffs.

to go to different places without having a particular purpose or plan

Dozens of our animals, which had left the village when their owners had died, joined the wild pack that roamed the island.

not often : almost never

Everyone in our tribe had two names, the real one which was secret and was seldom used, and one which was common, for if people use your secret name it becomes worn out and loses its magic.

to produce small flashes of light

There was little light in the sky, yet the beads sparkled as he turned them this way and that.

a journey especially by water to a distant or unknown place

He would go alone, because he could not spare more of our men for the voyage, and he would return.

a person who fights in battles and is known for having courage and skill

They drew knives from their belts and as our warriors rushed upon them the two lines surged back and forth along the beach.

to cry because you are very sad or are feeling some other strong emotion

Looking at his body I knew he should not have told Captain Orlov his secret name, and back in our village all the weeping women and the sad men agreed that this had so weakened him that he had not lived through the fight with the Aleuts and the dishonest Russian.