Charlotte's Web Glossary

Glossary of Terms

Adrift

Without guidance or purpose

Without power or anchor

Bandstand

An outdoor platform on which a band usually performs. At the Fair this is where Wilbur receives his medal.

Carousing

Drunken merrymaking

Crochet

Needlework done by forming and weaving loops in a thread with a hooked needle

Doily

A small ornamental mat, usually of lace or linen.

Forlorn

Feeling sad and lonely especially because of being left alone

Frolic

To play about happily

Gnaw

To bite or chew with the teeth; especially to wear away by repeated biting or nibbling

Gullible

Easily deceived

Idiosyncrasy

A way of behaving or thinking that is characteristic of a person

Languish

To become weak or waste away

Listless

Too tired or too little interested to want to do things

Magnum opus

Simply means "a great work" and refers to the greatest artistic achievement of an author, writer or composer

Monotonous

Unchanging and boring

Pummel

To pound or beat

Runt

An unusually small person or animal

Sedentary

Not migrating, i.e. settled

Slops

Liquid food

Untenable

Being such that occupation or habitation is impossible