Vocabulary Words Houghton Mifflin Reading Theme 2 - Journeys Boss of the Plains Vocabulary Words Houghton Mifflin Reading Theme 2 - Journeys Created by Mike Brewer  2008

See if you can correctly identify the following vocabulary words.

If necessary, use the context clues from the sample sentences to help you.

settlers

The early settlers to our state came from all over. Sample Sentence: The early settlers to our state came from all over.

n. People who travel to a little known area and make a home. settlers Definition: n. People who travel to a little known area and make a home.

derbies

The cowboys wore hats called derbies. Sample Sentence: The cowboys wore hats called derbies.

n. stiff felt hats with rounded tops and narrow brims . derbies Definition: n. stiff felt hats with rounded tops and narrow brims .

sombreros

The children wore different colored sombreros to help stay cool. Sample Sentence: The children wore different colored sombreros to help stay cool.

n. Large straw hats with tall tops and broad rims. sombreros Definition: n. Large straw hats with tall tops and broad rims.

homburgs

The cowboy either wore a sombrero or a homburg. homburgs Sample Sentence: The cowboy either wore a sombrero or a homburg.

n. soft felt hats with dented tops and rolled brims. homburgs Definition: n. soft felt hats with dented tops and rolled brims.

drenching

The drenching rains left the baseball field looking more like a lake. Sample Sentence: The drenching rains left the baseball field looking more like a lake.

n. to soak something or someone drenching Definition: n. to soak something or someone

suited

suited Sample Sentence: Even though a burrow was slow and stubborn it was well suited to the miner.

suited Definition: verb. to fit the needs of

frontier

The frontier proved to be a challenging place to start a new life. Sample Sentence: The frontier proved to be a challenging place to start a new life.

frontier Definition: n. an unexplored land

territory

The eastern territory was a more challenging area to get through. Sample Sentence: The eastern territory was a more challenging area to get through.

n. A region or area of land territory Definition: n. A region or area of land

pioneers

Pioneers came from all over the country looking for a new home. Sample Sentence: Pioneers came from all over the country looking for a new home.

n. people who are the first to settle in a region pioneers Definition: n. people who are the first to settle in a region

form

form Sample Sentence: Before they poured the cement they used a form to form a perfect circle.

n. As a noun, a mold used to give shape to something form Definition: n. As a noun, a mold used to give shape to something

tanned

The skins will shrink up and get hard unless they are properly tanned. Sample Sentence: The skins will shrink up and get hard unless they are properly tanned.

verb. Change animal hide to leather by soaking it in chemicals tanned Definition: verb. Change animal hide to leather by soaking it in chemicals

scoffed

scoffed Sample Sentence: The children scoffed at the man when he told them he had been to the moon.

scoffed Definition: n. made fun of

matted

The fishing line became matted after it came off the fishing reel. Sample Sentence: The fishing line became matted after it came off the fishing reel.

verb. as a verb, to become tangled or twisted matted Definition: verb. as a verb, to become tangled or twisted

swig

The little boy took a swig of water after working in the yard. Sample Sentence: The little boy took a swig of water after working in the yard.

n. to drink something in large gulps swig Definition: n. to drink something in large gulps