"The War of the Wall" by Toni Cade Bambara

The Latin "cortem" means "enclosed yard" which was often part of a king's palace, where people were expected to be on their best behavior. Here, the painter is working on an actual wall that the narrator and his cousin believe belongs to them. This breaks the figurative walls that could exist between strangers of different ages and sexes. Thus, despite being late for school, the two boys stop to yell at the lady.

Here, the actual wall serves as a play area. But it cannot compare to watery fun. The pool that was cemented over represents both a concrete wall and the refusal of the crazies to accept integration (the breaking down of social walls so that separate groups become one).

To pry also means to "inquire in an uninvited or presumptuous manner." This does not describe what the painter lady is doing in the example sentence. But it could describe what the kids, especially Side Pocket, want to do as they stare up at the painter lady's back.

As a verb, "squinch" also means "draw back, as with fear or pain." Both can describe what the painter lady is doing with her face as she stares at the wall and seemingly tries to use her magical mind to finish her work. As a concrete object, a squinch is "a small arch built across the interior angle of two walls." This does not apply to the example sentence, but the supportive structure could be suggested by the nature of the painter lady's work (which includes a rainbow).

As an adjective, "hollow" means "devoid of significance or point." The narrator imagines being inside a physical hollow, because the painter lady is ignoring them and making him believe their presence is emotionally hollow to her.

To excuse also means to "defend, explain, or clear away by reasoning." Both definitions fit, since the narrator feels that the painter lady needs to both excuse herself from their presence and excuse what she's doing to their wall.

Here, Mama uses the word as a negative adjective to remind the painter lady that her focus is on the physical comfort of food. But as a noun, "spiritual" has an additional meaning for southern blacks, because it refers to a religious song that often focuses on freedom from slavery. This is later emphasized by the theme of the painter lady's mural.

The example sentence describes a concrete cue stick. But the larger situation shows Side Pocket using the images on the wall as a cue ("a reminder for some action or speech").

The chosen definition connects to the inscription, but the verb also means to "give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause." This deeper definition fits a description of what the painter lady does with the wall for her cousin, the neighborhood, and her belief in what's worth fighting for.