The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, Vocabulary List Chapters 1-3

in a voice that can be clearly heard

"'Once upon a time,'" he said aloud, relishing the sound.

to do what other people do : to behave in a way that is accepted by most people

Reader, you must know that an interesting fate (sometimes involving rats, sometimes not) awaits almost everyone, mouse or man, who does not conform.

happening all the time or very often over a period of time

He did not think constantly of food.

loss of hope : a feeling of complete hopelessness

"I will name this mouse Despereaux, for all the sadness, for the many despairs in this place."

a person whose work is keeping good relations between the governments of different countries

She was a French mouse who had arrived at the castle long ago in the luggage of a visiting French diplomat.

filled with or expressing anger caused by something unjust or unworthy

A piece of paper trembled at the end of her indignant whiskers.

showing great determination

He was not intent on tracking down every crumb.

the young born to an animal at a single time

The last mouse born to his parents and the only of litter to be born alive.

very shocking to a person's sense of what is moral or decent

"They are obscenely large ears," said Aunt Florence.

to make a comment about something you notice

“Those are some big ears he's got, too,” observed his uncle Alfred.

a severe test or experience

"Where are my babies?" said the exhausted mother when the ordeal was through.

to announce publicly : DECLARE

"This is the last," proclaimed Antionette from her bed.

to be pleased by : ENJOY

"'Once upon a time,'" he said aloud, relishing the sound.

to move quickly

His brother Furlough took him on a tour of the castle to demonstrate the art of scurrying.

ideas or guesses about something that is not known

But his existence was cause for much speculation in the mouse community.

a disastrous event

"Oh, so sad. Oh, such the tragedy."