Glossary

chestnuts -- the edible nut of such a tree.




roasting -- to bake (meat or other food) uncovered, especially in an oven.




open fire -- (1) a state, process, or instance of combustion in which fuel or other material is ignited and combined with oxygen, giving off light, heat, and flame; (2) heat used for cooking, especially the lighted burner of a stove, or an outdoor fire for warmth or cooking.





Jack Frost -- frost or freezing cold personified.




nipping -- sharp or biting, as cold.




Yule-tide -- of or pertaining to the Christmas season.

choir -- a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.





folks -- (1) people in general; (2) members of one's family; one's relatives.




Eskimos -- a member of an indigenous people of Greenland, northern Canada, Alaska, and northeastern Siberia, characterized by short, stocky build and light-brown complexion.





mistletoe -- a European plant, having yellowish flowers and white berries, growing parasitically on various trees, used in Christmas decorations.





season -- one of the four periods of the year (spring, summer, autumn, and winter), beginning astronomically at an equinox or solstice, but geographically at different dates in different climates.





bright -- radiating or reflecting light; luminous; shining.




(tiny) tots -- a small child.




 
aglow -- glowing; showing the radiance of health, excitement, etc.




loaded --  bearing or having a load; full: "a loaded bus."




toys -- an object, often a small representation of something familiar, as an animal or person, for children or others to play with; plaything.





goodies -- (1) something especially attractive or pleasing, especially cake, cookies, or candy; (2) something that causes delight or satisfaction.





sleigh -- (1) a light vehicle on runners, usually open and generally horse-drawn, used especially for transporting persons over snow or ice; (2) a sled.





mother's child -- (1) a female parent; (2) a person between birth and full growth; a boy or girl.




gonna -- slang for "going to."



 
spy -- look; a person who keeps close and secret watch on the actions and words of another or others.




reindeer -- a large deer, having large branched antlers in the male and female and inhabiting the arctic regions of Greenland, Europe, and Asia.





offering -- (1) to present for acceptance or rejection; (2) to propose or put forward for consideration.



 
phrase -- a sequence of two or more words arranged in a grammatical construction and acting as a unit in a sentence.





kids -- (informal) a child or young person.




 
although -- in spite of the fact that; even though; though.




times -- a limited period or interval, as between two successive events.



 
ways -- manner, mode, or fashion.