Chapter 2
poking – searching casually
higgledy-piggledy – disorderly
random – without method or conscious choice
haunches – half-seated with bent knees
lever – a handle to operate a mechanism (the brakes, in this case)
jolt – jerk
pollen – fine dustlike grains from male part of a flower which fertilize female part
Chapter 3
klutzy – clumsy and awkward
slick – skilful
rubble – rough pieces of stone or brick
rage – fierce anger
surrender – give in to another’s power
vaulted – leap or spring
suspended – hung (up)
ominously – threateningly
sheer – very steep
Chapter 4
spangled – covered with sparkly objects (like sequins)
frayed – worn through
turban – a headdress of fabric wound round the head
kohl – thick black eyeliner
crimson – a rich deep red
burden – a heavy load
tiers – rows (of stands in this case) one above the other
lacquered – coated with a thick layer of shiny paint
robe – a long loose jacket or dressing gown
writhe – twist or roll
filament – the conducting wire in an electric bulb
infinite – very great or endless
repertoire – the pieces that a performer knows or can give
headlong – head first
jutting – protruding or standing out
ghastly – horrible, frightful
resplendent – brilliant, dazzling
publicity – public exposure
civilian – (in this case) a person from outside the circus group, but usually means
a person not in the armed services or police force
descended – go or come down
fanfare – a short showy piece of trumpet music
Chapter 5
hesitantly – paused in doubt
Chapter 6
wheeling – going in circles or curves
destiny – fate, a predetermined course of events
lurk – hide, for sinister (evil) purposes
Chapter 7
graffiti – writing or drawing scribbled, scratched or sprayed on a surface
pupil – the dark circular part in the centre of the eye
burlap – coarse canvas used for sacks
gingerly – carefully or cautiously
gloom – darkness
allegiance – loyalty
momentum – strength gained from his first movement (as used here)
cowered – shrink back in fear
dank – damp and cold
keening – penetrating or piercing sound
mottled – spots or smears of colour
Chapter 8
cronies – close friends
sentries – soldiers stationed to keep guard
parapet – low wall at the edge of a roof or balcony
ricocheted – rebounding (off a surface, when something hits a surface and is flung back)
Chapter 10
murmured – words spoken softly
indignantly – with scornful anger
refuge – a shelter from danger
embed – fix or insert
Chapter 11
torrential – great downpour of [rain]
contorted – twisted out of normal shape
flume – a channel of water
apprentice – a person who is learning a trade
Chapter 12
roustabouts – casual labourers
mortal – very great
reluctant – unwilling
aquaplaned – glide uncontrollably on a wet surface
transparent – easily seen through
plaque – an ornamental tablet fixed to a building to commemorate something
unfurling – to become spread out
tentatively – hesitantly
willing – exercising willpower
shards – broken pieces of glass or pottery
abyss – deep or seemingly bottomless opening
brink – suffering or danger
Epilogue
gullible – easily deceived