Synonyms
Soiled, sullied, dirty
What is dingy?
Travis uses this word to describe the mixed coloring and coat pattern of one of the fighting bulls.
What is roan?
Travis (as narrator):
"And all that time the womenfolks and children of Salt Licks would be left in a wild frontier _________ to make out the best they could."
What is settlement?
Although it can refer to the meat of any game animal, this term is mostly commonly given in reference to the meat of a deer or an elk.
What is venison?
Knotty, misshapen
What is gnarled?
Because Old Yeller was stealing food from the other settlers and Travis was afraid someone would shoot him, Travis had to first wash him in lye soap and water and then coat him in bacon grease in order to ____ the fleas from his body so he could sleep with he and Arliss at night.
What is rout?
Travis (as narrator):
"Driving one ______ ahead of the other like that, I could finally split a log into two halves. Then I'd go to work on the halves, splitting them apart. That way, from each log, I'd come out with four rails."
What is a wedge?
Often made of flour or corn, this type of bread is flat and can be made into tacos or burritos for a delicious meal.
What is writhing?
Although Old Yeller was called many names through the story - some kind and some not so kind, Travis called him this after he ate their middling meat:
"A thievin' ______!"
What is a rascal?
"But he'll sleep in the bed with you boys," Mama said, "and the first thing you know, you'll both be scratching fleas and having _____ and breaking out with ringworms."
What is mange?
If you have ever picked wild berries, you might have found yourself tangled in these in an attempt to get to the tasty fruits they produce.
What are briars?
Luxuriating, rolling, billowing, surging
What is wallowing?
A character name from the X-Men series, this word was also used to describe Old Yeller after it had been discovered by the Coates family that he had been stealing food from the settlers of Salt Licks.
What is a rogue?
Travis (as narrator):
"The rolling cart rattled and banged and _______ its way down the slope till it was right beside the spring. There, one wheel struck a big boulder, bouncing that side of the cart so high that it turned over and skidded to a stop. The roan bull spilled right into the spring. Water flew in all directions."
What is careened?
Regionally native to Asia, this green, leafy water plant has been domesticated by American growers and can be added to salads and as a replacement for lettuce or spinach on a sandwich.
What is watercress?