The breathtaking courage of Harriet Tubman - Janell Hobson

Important Vocabulary Words From The Video

chattel

Chattel is a type of property that is owned by someone else. Chattel can include anything from cattle to slaves.

  • The slave was chattel of the plantation owner.
  • The slave was chattel of the king.
whippings

Whippings are painful punishments that are usually inflicted on someone's back or bottom. They are usually done with a whip, a piece of cloth that is tied to a handle.

  • The slave was whipped for not working fast enough.
  • The governor was whipping the prisoners for breaking the rules.
errand

An errand is a task that you are sent to do for someone else. Errands can be small, like going to the grocery store, or they can be very important, like going to the doctor.

  • I'm going to run an errand for mom.
  • The errand was very important, and it took a long time to finish.
enslaved

When someone is enslaved, they are controlled or dominated by someone else. They may be forced to work or live in a way that is not comfortable or fair.

  • The slaves were worked to the extreme, and were enslaved by their masters.
  • The slaves were enslaved by the government, and were forced to do labor that they didn't want to do.
overseer

The overseer is the person in charge of a group of workers. They are responsible for making sure that the workers are doing their job properly, and that there are no problems.

  • The overseer is in charge of making sure that the workers are working safely.
  • The overseer is in charge of making sure that the workers are following the rules.
narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a condition that causes people to fall asleep at random times. It is usually caused by a problem with the way the brain controls the muscles.

  • She has narcolepsy, which is why she falls asleep at inopportune times.
  • The patient was diagnosed with narcolepsy after falling asleep at his job interview.
abolitionists

The abolitionists were people who believed in the abolition of slavery. They worked to end the slave trade and to protect the rights of slaves.

  • The abolitionists were successful in getting the slave trade abolished.
  • The abolitionists fought for the rights of slaves, even when it was dangerous.
undaunted

Undaunted means fearless, unafraid. When the soldier was undaunted by the sight of the enemy, he was showing courage and strength.

  • He was unafraid of the challenge, and he was able to complete the race.
  • She was unafraid of the fire, and she was able to walk through it without getting burned.
deathbed

A deathbed is a moment or occasion when a person is about to die. This can happen at any time, but it is usually a very emotional and difficult experience.

  • He died on his deathbed after a long battle with cancer.
  • The deathbed scene in the movie was very emotional.