Class 8 English Poorvi book Word Meanings (Chapter Wise)

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Class 8 English Poorvi Book Word Meanings

 

NCERT Class 8 English Poorvi book Chapter Wise difficult word meanings 

 

Here, the difficult words and their meanings of all the Chapters of CBSE Class 8 English Poorvi Book have been compiled for the convenience of the students. This is an exhaustive list of the difficult words and meanings of all the Chapters from the Poorvi Book for NCERT Class 8 English. The difficult words’ meanings have been explained in an easy language so that every student can understand them easily.

 

Class 8 English Poorvi book Word Meaning

 

 

Unit 1 – Wit and Wisdom

Chapter 1 – The Wit that Won Hearts

  1. Empire: kingdom
  2. Renowned: well known
  3. Illustrious: respected and famous
  4. Patron: supporter
  5. Eminent: famous
  6. Celebrated: here, famous
  7. Insurmountable: undefeatable
  8. Beloved: dear, loved
  9. Disharmony: unpleasantness
  10. Trivial: unimportant
  11. Frustration: a feeling of anger because you cannot get something
  12. Forlorn: lonely
  13. Distraught: upset
  14. Resolve: solve
  15. Alternative: option
  16. Seek: ask for
  17. Voice Trembling: unstable voice, shaky
  18. Vague: unclear
  19. Exhausted: tired
  20. Stormed off: went away
  21. Approach: way to solve a problem
  22. Strategy: plan
  23. Profusely: in large amounts
  24. Bustling: busy
  25. Courtier: a person who attends the royal court as the king’s adviser or companion
  26. Intricately: in a detailed manner
  27. Exquisite: fine and attractive
  28. Chatter: noise of men talking
  29. Tension hung in the air: there was a tense atmosphere
  30. Ornate: decorative
  31. Stern: strict
  32. Evident: clear
  33. Gnawed: (here) bothered
  34. Paddy: rice
  35. Rose: stood up
  36. Edge: side
  37. Yield: production
  38. Murmur: talk in a low voice
  39. Sarcasm: mockery
  40. Muttered: speak so slow that no one can understand it
  41. Snickers: suppressed laughter
  42. Rippled: spread outwards like waves in water
  43. Frowned: make lines appear on the forehead to show unhappiness or anger
  44. Absurd: illogical
  45. Repellant: a chemical substance that is used to keep insects, etc. away
  46. Unfazed: not worried
  47. Furrowed: wrinkled
  48. Sceptical: doubtful 
  49. Erupted: came out
  50. Sarcasm: the use of words or expressions to mean the opposite of what they actually say.
  51. Genuine: true
  52. Instinctively: something done without thinking about it
  53. Keenly: intensely
  54. Raced back: thought of the past incident
  55. Gesture: a movement of a hand or the head, to express an idea or a meaning
  56. Approached: went to
  57. Orchestrated: arranged
  58. Brimmed: overflowed

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Chapter 2 – A Concrete Example

  1. Crazy: (in this context) something extreme
  2. Rockery: a heaped arrangement of rough stones with soil between them, planted with rock plants
  3. Delicate: something that can be easily ruined or broken.
  4. Quarter: one-fourth measurement

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Chapter 3 – Wisdom Paves the Way

  1. Adorned: beautified
  2. Tapestries: heavy decorative fabrics woven with pictures or patterns
  3. Regal: suitable for kings
  4. Resolute: determined
  5. Looms: becomes visible
  6. Bustling: busy
  7. Prospect: the possibility or likelihood of some future event occurring
  8. Eludes: difficult to obtain
  9. Precise: exact
  10. Befitting: suitable
  11. Secure: get
  12. Devise: (here) to think of
  13. Press on: to start or continue doing something in a determined way, often despite problems
  14. Deliberate: to think carefully
  15. Scrutinise: to look carefully at
  16. In haste: in a hurry
  17. Pursued: (here) chased
  18. Distressed: worried
  19. Countenance: facial expression
  20. Astray: away from the correct path
  21. Lame: not able to walk properly because of an injury to the leg or foot
  22. Precisely: exactly
  23. Regret: sorry
  24. Indignant: angry
  25. Yonder: over there
  26. Slip away: escape
  27. Draperies: long thick curtains
  28. Canopy: (here) a cover fixed over a seat for decoration
  29. Grievance: complaint
  30. Accusations: claims that someone has done something wrong
  31. Accusation:a claim that someone has done something wrong or illegal
  32. Deduce: to determine by reasoning
  33. Discern: to see or notice something
  34. Foliage: green leaves and plants
  35. Fended off: guarded against
  36. Speck: tiny mark or particle
  37. Insight: a clear/deep understanding
  38. Deduction: a conclusion based on reason
  39. Sound: healthy
  40. Spare: excuse
  41. Intimately: in a detailed way
  42. Flawless: perfect
  43. Chastened: felt sorry
  44. Counsel: advice
  45. Beacon: guiding light
  46. Humbled: having a low esteem of one’s importance
  47. Privilege: a special right or advantage
  48. Anticipated: expected

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Unit 2 – Values and Dispositions

Chapter 1 – A Tale of Valour: Major Somnath Sharma and the Battle of Badgam

  1. Tribute: an act, statement, or gift that is intended to show gratitude, respect, or admiration
  2. Valiant: fearless and courageous
  3. Etched: permanently fixed in someone’s memory
  4. Annals: a record of events year by year
  5. Beacon: a source of inspiration
  6. Intersection: a point or line common to lines or surfaces that intersect
  7. Recounting: to narrate; tell someone about something; give an account of an event or experience
  8. Valour: courage
  9. Legacy: the long-lasting impact of particular events, actions, etc. that took place in the past, or of a person’s life
  10. Devotion: love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for a person or activity
  11. Serene: calm, peaceful, and untroubled
  12. Majestic: having or showing impressive beauty or scale
  13. Extraordinary: remarkable or amazing
  14. Heroism: great bravery
  15. Integrity: the quality of being honest and having a consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principles and values
  16. Guerilla: a member of a small independent group taking part in irregular fighting, typically against larger regular forces
  17. Infiltrators: people who secretly invade
  18. Annex: to take possession of
  19. Revolt: revolutionary or rebellious fight
  20. Princely state: a territory in colonial India nominally ruled by a local Indian monarch but subject to the supreme authority of the British Crown
  21. Contingent: a group of people sharing a common feature
  22. Battalion: a large body of troops ready for battle
  23. Plaster: a hard white substance made by the addition of water to powdered and partly dehydrated gypsum, used for holding broken bones in place and making sculptures and casts
  24. Combat: a battle
  25. Commitment: the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity
  26. Unfounded: not based on reason or facts
  27. Detection: identifying the presence of something concealed
  28. Assess: evaluate or estimate the nature, ability, or quality of
  29. Eerily: in a strange, frightening and mysterious way
  30. Reinforcements: extra personnel sent to increase the strength of an army or similar force
  31. Outnumbered: were greater in number
  32. Devastating: highly destructive or damaging
  33. Resolute: determined
  34. Tenacity: determination
  35. Casualties: a person killed or injured in a war or accident
  36. Unparalleled: unmatched
  37. Magazines: (here) containers that hold cartridges to be fed into a gun
  38. Ammunition: a supply of bullets, shells, and explosives
  39. Crouched: sat with knees bent
  40. Trench: a long, narrow ditch
  41. Mortar shell: bomb
  42. Conspicuous: noticeable
  43. Citation: a mention of a praiseworthy act in an official report, especially that of a member of the armed forces in wartime
  44. Posthumously: after death
  45. Gallantry: courageous behaviour, especially in battle
  46. Picturesque: visually attractive
  47. Legacy: life experiences, values, beliefs, and traditions passed down from generation to generation
  48. Distinction: excellence that sets someone or something apart from others
  49. Impart: to bestow a quality
  50. Rigorous: extremely thorough
  51. Testament: strong evidence or proof
  52. Despatches: official reports on military affairs
  53. Forged: shaped or strengthened, often through hardship
  54. Embody: be an expression of or give a tangible or visible form to, to personify
  55. Ideals: a standard or principle to be aimed at
  56. Profound: deep
  57. Poignant: emotional and sad

Related:

 

Chapter 2 – Somebody’s Mother

  1. Ragged: shaggy, unkempt
  2. Throng: a crowd
  3. Heed: to take notice of
  4. Hailing: welcoming
  5. Hasten: to be quick
  6. Meek: quiet and gentle
  7. Timid: lacking courage or confidence
  8. Stir: move slightly
  9. Lest: in case
  10. Merry: lively
  11. Gayest: the most cheerful
  12. Laddie: young boy
  13. Trembling: shaking

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Chapter 3 – I Too Had A Dream

  1. Fast-paced: moving at a fast speed, changing fast
  2. Addicted: dependent on something
  3. Fleeting: momentary or short-lived
  4. Abiding pleasure: a feeling of happiness that continues for a long time
  5. Jottings: brief notes
  6. Pursue: to follow
  7. Glimpse: a short glance at a wide picture
  8. Foremost: leading
  9. Humility: modesty/ quality of being humble
  10. Pursue: follow 
  11. Envisioned: imagined or expected something to happen in a particular way
  12. Metallurgy: the branch of science and technology concerned with the properties of metals and their production and purification
  13. Commission: a group of people entrusted by a government or other official body with authority to do something
  14. Ardently: in a way that shows strong feelings
  15. Shoulder: to take on responsibilities
  16. Poise: in a calm and confident manner 
  17. Privilege: a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group
  18. Associated with: connected with something else
  19. Adhered: to continue to support
  20. Integrity: honest and strong moral principles 
  21. Correlation: a connection between two or more things
  22. Magnificent: extremely beautiful, elaborate, or impressive
  23. Rejoice: feel or show great joy or delight
  24. Musings: thoughts on something one has been thinking about carefully for a long time

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Unit 3 – Mystery and Magic

Chapter 1 – The Case of the Fifth Word

  1. Nickname: pet name
  2. Idaville: located in White County, Indiana, USA
  3. Pals: casual or informal term for friends
  4. In a matter-of fact manner: without showing much emotion
  5. Familiar: something that has been heard, seen or felt before
  6. Be mixed up in: be involved in something regarded as dishonest
  7. Held up: to rob
  8. Hold-ups: robberies conducted with the use of threat or violence
  9. Nursery: a place where young plants and trees are grown for sale
  10. Yielded: resulted, produced
  11. Clerk: receptionist
  12. Testify: make a statement in court to prove that something is true
  13. Hunch: a strong feeling about something
  14. Loot: stolen goods
  15. Stroke: a sudden serious illness causing inability to move
  16. Will: (here) a legal document that says what is to happen to somebody’s money and property after their death
  17. Leafed through: quickly turned (the pages)
  18. Urge: to encourage someone strongly
  19. Nominative: relating to or denoting a case of nouns, pronouns, and adjectives in languages, used for the subject of a verb
  20. Confessed: admitted
  21. Code: hidden message

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Chapter 2 – The Magic Brush of Dreams

  1. Gather: collect
  2. Fetch: go and bring something or someone
  3. Grin: smile broadly
  4. Stream: the people moving in a continuous flow in a specified direction
  5. Muffler: a scarf worn around the neck for warmth
  6. Fortress: a large building or complex of buildings with a strong hold
  7. Comply: to act according to a command
  8. Bellow: a deep loud roar in anger or pain
  9. Seize: to take forcefully
  10. Pen: a small space where people or animals can be locked into
  11. Thunder: to make a loud, deep resounding noise
  12. Mighty: to have great and impressive power or strength

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Chapter 3 – Spectacular Wonders

  1. Mystifying: strange or impossible to explain
  2. Eye-catching: appealing in a sense that it catches someone’s eye
  3. Glory: magnificence or great beauty
  4. Spectacle: an unusual sight that attracts interest
  5. Exotic: uncommon
  6. Botanical: relating to plants
  7. Feats: tasks difficult to achieve, especially those involving a lot of skill
  8. Indigenous: native
  9. Tangible: noticeable
  10. Futile: useless
  11. Innovative: advanced and original
  12. Intertwined: twisted together
  13. Persist: continue to exist
  14. Whopping: huge
  15. Nestled: situated in a half-hidden or sheltered position
  16. Colossal: extremely large
  17. Depression: a sunken or hollow place
  18. Cradles: holds
  19. Fugged: rough
  20. Terrestrial: on or related to earth
  21. Rim: the upper or outer edge of a circular object
  22. Allure: attraction
  23. Arouse: to awake, cause or evoke something
  24. Defy: refuse to obey
  25. Optical illusion: something that tricks your eyes and makes you see it differently from how it really is
  26. Serene: calm
  27. Backwaters: a part of a river where the water does not flow
  28. Bioluminescence: light produced inside the body of a living organism by a chemical reaction
  29. Eco-tourism: tourism that is responsible towards preserving the environment
  30. Acquaint: to become familiar with something
  31. Delta: triangular form
  32. Estuarine: living in an estuary (an area where a freshwater river meets the ocean) 
  33. Retreats: goes backwards
  34. Ebb tide: a period of time when water flows away from the shore
  35. Highlight: draw special attention to
  36. Mystique: mystery
  37. Flair: stylishness
  38. Enigmatic: puzzling
  39. Intrigue: interest
  40. Folklore: the traditional beliefs, customs, and stories of a community, passed through the generations by word of mouth

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Unit 4 – Environment

Chapter 1 – The Cherry Tree

  1. Stunted: stopped (from growing to the usual size)
  2. Outskirts: the areas that form the edge of a town or city
  3. Keen: eager
  4. Cottage: a small house in the countryside
  5. Promptly: immediately
  6. Tang: a strong, sharp taste
  7. Yielding: giving way under pressure
  8. Bare: empty, naked
  9. Weep: cry
  10. Dull: boring
  11. Fetch: go for and then bring back someone
  12. Haunches: sit on the feet with legs bent
  13. Peered down: looked carefully or with difficulty
  14. Privacy: a state in which one is not observed or disturbed by other people
  15. Plodded: walked slowly
  16. Scrambled: moved quickly and with difficulty
  17. Scythe: a tool with a long, sharp, curved blade with a long handle
  18. Foliage: green leaves
  19. Sweep: swift, smooth movement
  20. Intention: a plan or aim
  21. Tender: soft and not tough
  22. Sturdy: strongly built
  23. Perch: to sit on something narrow
  24. Bulging: swelling outwards, protruding
  25. Heap: huge, tall pile
  26. Grumpy: bad-tempered
  27. Gazed: looked at something for a long time with admiration
  28. Pale: light in shade
  29. Peck: strike or bite with a bird’s beak
  30. Scarlet: orangish-red
  31. Flitted: flew quickly
  32. Reclining: lying back 
  33. Nightjar: a bird
  34. Cicadas: insects known for their loud distinctive calls, especially during evenings 

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Chapter 2 – Harvest Hymn

  1. Munificent: showing great generosity
  2. Morn: morning
  3. Thine: yours
  4. Bounty: treasure
  5. Prospered: to make something successful
  6. Tribute: an act, statement, or gift that is intended to show gratitude, respect, or admiration
  7. Mellowing: relaxing
  8. Radiance: light radiated or emitted
  9. Hail: praise enthusiastically
  10. Thee: you
  11. Beneficent: generous
  12. Cherish: to protect and care for lovingly
  13. Furrow: a long, narrow trench made in the ground by a plough, especially for planting seeds or irrigation
  14. Foster: encourage the development of
  15. New-garnered: newly collected or gathered
  16. Dewfall: the formation of dew on an area
  17. Gourd-flower: a flower symbolising fertility
  18. Omnipotent: a deity having unlimited power
  19. Bosom: a woman’s chest or breasts
  20. Thy: your
  21. Opulent: luxurious
  22. Manifold: various
  23. Eternal: something or someone that lives forever
  24. Ineffable: too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words
  25. Thou: you
  26. Succour: assistance and support in times of hardship and distress
  27. Counsel: advice

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Chapter 3 – Waiting for the Rain

  1. Crimson: deep red colour
  2. Crusted: formed a hard outer layer
  3. Forlorn: sad and neglected
  4. Please: to make someone happy
  5. Consultations: discussions
  6. Dejected: sad and disappointed
  7. Wrinkled: having deep lines
  8. Bitterly: hurtfully
  9. Dejected: sad
  10. Ceaseless: continuous
  11. Approached: went closer

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Unit 5 – Science and Curiosity

Chapter 1 – Feathered Friend

  1. Regulation: a rule or set of rules made and directed by an authority.
  2. Forbid: refuse to allow
  3. Wiry: thin but strong
  4. Qualify: to pass an exam or test or screening
  5. Slim: low 
  6. Tricky: something that is difficult and requires focus
  7. Assorted: consisting of various types mixed together
  8. Girders: long, thick piece of steel or concrete that supports a large structure
  9. Precisely: exactly
  10. Dovetailed: fitted together
  11. Garbs: clothing of a special kind
  12. Handiwork: creation
  13. Abruptly: unexpectedly/ suddenly
  14. Aboard: on an aircraft
  15. Cubbyhole: a small enclosed space or room
  16. Ceased: stopped
  17. Canary: a popular bird which people love to keep as pets; found in open areas with small trees and shrubs
  18. Wits: ability to think quickly
  19. Earthbound: restricted to the earth
  20. Departed: to leave
  21. Leisurely: relaxedly; not in a hurry
  22. Flicks: sudden, quick movements
  23. Smuggle: to move something or someone in or out sneakily
  24. Thrive: grow or develop well
  25. Concealing: hiding
  26. Ventilating shafts: passageways or ducts that allow fresh air in a closed space
  27. Bulkheads: dividing walls or barriers between separate compartments in an aircraft  
  28. Nagging: persistently painful
  29. Vague: unclear, uncertain
  30. Vacant: empty
  31. Retort: answer/ respond
  32. Clenched: pressed together tightly 
  33. Distressed: feeling extremely anxious and sorrowful
  34. Mournfully: with sorrow and gloom
  35. Hushed: quiet
  36. Detect: to find
  37. Apologetically: in a manner that shows someone is sorry
  38. Snugly: cosily
  39. Revived: to heal completely
  40. Beaming: smiling broadly
  41. Promptly: immediately
  42. Keeled: collapsed/ fainted
  43. Lamented: expressing grief, regret, disappointment
  44. Tugging at: causing to remember something
  45. Sluggish: inactive
  46. Cast off: to discard something undesirable or unwanted
  47. Whirled: turned around quickly
  48. Sheepish: showing or feeling embarrassment 
  49. Inexplicable: unexplainable
  50. Snatch: a fragment of song or talk
  51. Safeguarded: protected

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Chapter 2 – Magnifying Glass

  1. Myriad: countless or extremely great in number
  2. Shells: outer coverings
  3. Deft: neatly skilful and quick in one’s movements
  4. Jets: forced out of a small opening
  5. Spinnerets: any of several different organs through which the silk, gossamer, or thread of spiders, silkworms, and certain other insects is produced
  6. Marvellous: excellent, extraordinary

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Chapter 3 – Bibha Chowdhuri: The Beam of Light that Lit the Path for Women in Indian Science

  1. Potential: latent qualities or abilities that may be developed and lead to future success or usefulness
  2. Trailblazers: people who are the first to do something that other people do later
  3. Foundation: starting point
  4. Carve: cut into a hard material
  5. Equitable: treating everyone fairly and in the same way
  6. Defied the odds: achieved something despite difficulties
  7. Towering: very high or great 
  8. Persistence: ability to keep doing something difficult
  9. Exclusion: the state of being excluded or not considering and including someone in a group or place
  10. Laureate: a person who is honoured with an award for outstanding creative or intellectual achievement
  11. Delved: examined something in detail to find information
  12. Sceptical: doubtful
  13. Towering: increasing
  14. Cusp: a point of transition
  15. notable: remarkable
  16. Uphill battle: a task or goal that is very difficult to achieve because of resistance, obstacles, or unfavourable circumstances
  17. Span: extend across
  18. Periphery: boundary
  19. Acclaim: praise
  20. Tenacity: determination to continue what you are doing
  21. Chair professorship: an honorific title for a leading faculty member
  22. Pioneering: involving new ideas or methods
  23. Ignite: arouse
  24. Luminary: a person who inspires or influences others
  25. Pivotal: of crucial importance in relation to the development or success of something else
  26. Autonomous: independent
  27. Arduous: difficult, needing a lot of effort and energy
  28. Stark: clear 
  29. Beacon: a good example that gives people hope and encouragement

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