Mañanaland

1. gargantuan (adjective):

extremely large, giant

"'Once...' he whispered, ‘...a gargantuan serpent as wide as twenty houses and as long as three states could not decide whether to slither west toward the ocean or east toward the mountains.” (Chapter 1, Page 4)

2. chasm (noun):

a deep ditch, crack, or opening in a surface

“Back and forth it went, side-winding across the earth, its body leaving a huge chasm in its wake. The chasm eventually filled with rain and became the river.” (Chapter 1, Page 4)

3. merlons (plural noun) and crenels (plural noun):

two features that can add to the protective value of a parapet or battlement at the top of a fort or castle wall, consisting of solid, upright sections (merlons) and the gaps (crenels) in between each upright section

“He let his gaze continue upward toward a jagged cliff where a stone tower loomed. Everyone called the stronghold La Reina Gigante, the giant queen, because she looked like the most powerful piece on a chessboard. Max loved that wherever he went in Santa Maria, he could see at least the merlons and crenels of her crown, as if she was always watching over him.” (Chapter 1, Page 6)

4. auspicious (adjective):

promising success; favorable

“‘Twice in one day? Very auspicious,’ said Buelo […] ‘You were lucky to see one.” (Chapter 4, Page 34)

5. pilgrim (noun):

someone who travels, usually by foot, to a sacred place or land

“[The peregrine falcon is] known as the pilgrim bird because it journeys far away to promised lands but always returns to the same area, bringing good fortune and magic.” (Chapter 4, Page 34)

6. apprentice (noun):

a person learning a skill or trade on the job while working under contract for a fixed amount of time

“You can work for me this summer on the new bridge. I haven’t hired an apprentice yet. Then you could earn new fútbol shoes. And lifting stones will build your muscles.” (Chapter 4, Page 39)

7. apprehension (noun):

a feeling of worry, hesitancy, or fear that something will lead to a bad outcome

“Buelo nodded. ‘A serpent that could not make up its mind. Perhaps that’s why anyone who travels the river’s path is plagued with uncertainty and apprehension.’” (Chapter 5, Pages 42-43)

8. mallards (plural noun):

 large, common wild ducks

“‘Before you reach the secret bridge, you must first cross a glorious span with three arches. It glows pink in the morning sun—the Bridge of a Thousand Mallards.’” (Chapter 5, Page 44)

9. stalwart (adjective):

loyal, strong, and steadfast

“After almost an hour of climbing the switchbacks, they came upon a wrought-iron gate with spear-shaped finials and fencing that stretched in either direction like a parade of stalwart soldiers.” (Chapter 8, Page 66)

10. masonry (noun):

stonework (from the root word “mason,” meaning a person who works with stone)

“[La Reina Gigante’s] height was staggering, every stone intact, the masonry interrupted only by a large wooden door and the loopholes where guards once stood watch, or shot at attackers.” (Chapter 8, Page 66)

11. municipal (adjective):

relating to a local government of a city or town

“A doctor came to the house to deliver you. Afterward, he signed a notice of live birth, which we were supposed to take to the municipal offices to file for a birth certificate.” (Chapter 8, Page 73)

12. mushroomed (past tense verb)

to spread or grow quickly

“The repercussions mushroomed.” (Chapter 8, Page 73)

13. impenetrable (adjective):

impossible to enter, pass through, or destroy; secure

“The tower was a fortress, safe and impenetrable.” (Chapter 9, Page 76)

14. notarized (past tense verb):

to have a document made official and legal by a notary (a public officer with authority to legalize documents)

“The league accepted his baptism papers from the church, and a letter signed by people who knew him from birth. And there was another boy who used his hospital record. But it had to be notarized.” (Chapter 10, Page 86)

15. falsework (noun):

a temporary structure used for support during the construction process

“The heat has let up, and I want to start preparing the wood for the falsework.” (Chapter 11, Page 89).

16. predicament (noun):

an unfortunate or difficult situation

“I felt a moral obligation. How could I ignore their predicament?” (Chapter 11, Page 94)

17. qualm (noun):

a feeling of worry, misgiving, or self-doubt

“A dark qualm slithered from a hole in his mind. It leered and taunted him. Then the ugly doubt slipped back into its hiding place.” (Chapter 12, Page 104)

18. traipsed (past tense verb):

to walk slowly and with no hurry; to meander

“On the cliff top, La Reina Gigante had uprooted and slowly traipsed toward him.” (Chapter 15, Page 125)

19. cassock (noun):

a long, religious garment worn by church officials

“Father Romero didn’t wear a cassock like the priest at Our Lady of Sorrows.” (Chapter 16, Page 129).

20. provisions (plural noun):

essential supplies, such as food

“If you have any provisions for now, it would be helpful. Also, something to keep her warm. The tower will be drafty.” (Chapter 16, Page 131) 

21. panorama (noun):

a wide, sweeping view or picture of a landscape

“Beneath the domed ceiling, a mural wrapped the walls. The paint was faded and cracked in some spots, but it was still a magnificent panorama.” (Chapter 17, Page 147)

22. lush (adjective):

a rich and flourishing growth of plants and vegetation

“Then the mural burst into a lush, sunny landscape: blue skies and green hills, bougainvillea, bushes laden with berries, trees ripe with fruit, waterfalls spilling into large pools, and arcs of rainbows.” (Chapter 17, Page 149)

23. stoic (adjective):

resilient, uncomplaining, and showing little or no emotion in the face of hardship

“Isadora kept up, stoic and determined.” (Chapter 21, Page 173)

24. improvise (verb):

to change or develop plans without any notice or preparation

“A guardian had to be ready to improvise at a moment’s notice.” (Chapter 22, Page 183)

25. incompatible (adjective):

very different; not matching together

“[Yadra] wore a plaid blouse and a printed apron over a skirt that came to the tops of her large, incompatible boots, one blue, and the other yellow.” (Chapter 24, Page 190)

26. lumbering (participial adjective):

slow, heavy movement

“If people were to see [Yadra’s] imposing figure lumbering along the banks at night, Max understood why they might think she was a troll. Or a river witch.” (Chapter 24, Page 190)