Johnny Tremain: Chapters 3–4

by Esther Forbes
The year is 1773, and fourteen-year-old Johnny is an apprentice silversmith in Boston. When a terrible accident threatens his future, Johnny must quickly adapt — just as the American colonists join forces to break free from British rule.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–2, Chapters 3–4, Chapters 5–6, Chapters 7–9, Chapters 10–12
15 words 98 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. genial
    diffusing warmth and friendliness
    The comical little painted man looked so genial, so ready to welcome anyone, that Johnny stepped in.
  2. aloof
    distant, cold, or detached in manner
    He was both friendly and aloof.
  3. nonchalantly
    in a composed and unconcerned manner
    Nonchalantly he took out his claspknife, cut hunks of bread from the long loaf.
  4. stealthily
    in a manner marked by quiet and caution and secrecy
    He took the claspknife in his left hand and stealthily drew forth the maimed hand to steady the loaf.
  5. belligerent
    characteristic of an enemy or one eager to fight
    He told about the burn, but with none of the belligerent arrogance with which he had been answering the questions kind people had put to him.
  6. behoove
    be appropriate or necessary
    Although Johnny was now looked upon as something of a black sheep and Mrs. Lapham was no longer telling him he would end up picking rags, but on the gallows, he thought it behooved him to tell her just what he thought of Mr. Tweedie.
  7. rakish
    marked by a carefree unconventionality or disreputableness
    Since his accident he had unconsciously taken to wearing his hat at a rakish angle.
  8. industrious
    characterized by hard work and perseverance
    One thing he did not look like any more was a smart, industrious Boston apprentice.
  9. cherubic
    having a sweet nature befitting an angel
    The young man was as kind as his cherubic face suggested.
  10. exuberant
    joyously unrestrained
    He really knew they were air castles, for at bottom he was hard-headed, not easily taken in even by his own exuberant imagination.
  11. repeal
    cancel officially
    When the merchants agreed not to import any English goods until the Stamp Act was repealed, he was one of the first to sign—then imported secretly.
  12. assent
    agreement with a statement or proposal to do something
    ‘I think,’ said Mr. Lyte quietly, ‘all of you ladies and gentlemen will agree that this cup our—ah, cousin, is it?—has brought back tonight is one of this set?’
    There was a murmur of assent.
  13. indenture
    a contract binding one party into the service of another
    As for his name, she showed Sewall the papers of his indenture, signed by his dead mother.
  14. grievance
    an allegation that something denies some legal right
    Or such-and-such a merchant had wept when haled before the Liberty Tree and sworn never to do trade with England until all grievances had been righted.
  15. enigmatic
    not clear to the understanding
    Rab, enigmatic, dark, capable, looked as always.
Created on 八月 8, 2022 (updated 四月 3, 2026)

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