Wacky Wordsmith

Name: Janz Chiang

Text: The Odyssey
Date: 31 August, 2010
Books: Books 13-15

Wacky Wordsmith: As the author of the two most famous epics in ancient Greek
literature, Homer helped define the Western World's vocabulary landscape. Your task is
to look for at least TEN WONDER WORDS, important words or phrases in the text which
you deem crucial to the text. If you find words that are puzzling or unfamiliar, list them
down in the second table, “NEW TO MY VOCABULARY”. Record the meaning that you
came up with and indicate its significance. Include words that you consider significant or
crucial to the text. When your circle meets, discuss the words, the reason(s) why you
think they are Wonder Words, and how you came up with their meaning. Ask them to
suggest additional Wonder Words to your list.

“WONDER Book # Definition and Significance

WORDS”
Thrall 13 A person who is morally or mentally
enslaved by some power

Libation 13 Pouring of liquid out as an offering to a

deity

Vagrant 14 A person who wanders from place to place

Beguiling 14 To lead by deception

Promontory 15 A high point of land or rock projecting into

the sea or other water beyond the line of
coast

Stubble 14 Stumps of grain left in the ground when the

crop is cut
Portent 15 An indication or omen of something about
to happen especially about something
momentous

Sacrosanct 15 Extremely sacred or inviolable

“NEW TO MY Book # Definition and Significance

VOCABULARY”
Thrall 13 A person who is morally or mentally
enslaved by some power

Libation 13 Pouring of liquid out as an offering to a

deity

Vagrant 14 A person who wanders from place to place

Beguiling 14 To lead by deception

Promontory 13 A high point of land or rock projecting into

the sea or other water beyond the line of
coast