Chapter 10 Vocab Words

Question 1

Nearly strangled, the steward staggered out at a signal from his superior; but such was the commander’s authority aboard his vessel, not one gesture gave away the resentment that this man must have felt toward the Canadian.

Answer 1

Strangleverb. Kill by squeezing or gripping the throat tightly; Throttle

Question 2

Nearly strangled, the steward staggered out at a signal from his superior; but such was the commander’s authority aboard his vessel, not one gesture gave away the resentment that this man must have felt toward the Canadian.

Answer 2

Resentmentnoun. A feeling of indignant displeasure or persistent ill will at something regarded as a wrong, insult, or injury

Question 3

Nearly strangled, the steward staggered out at a signal from his superior; but such was the commander’s authority aboard his vessel, not one gesture gave away the resentment that this man must have felt toward the Canadian.

Answer 3

Authoritynoun. Power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior

Question 4

Nearly strangled, the steward staggered out at a signal from his superior; but such was the commander’s authority aboard his vessel, not one gesture gave away the resentment that this man must have felt toward the Canadian.

Answer 4

Gesturenoun. A movement usually of the body or limbs that expresses or emphasizes an idea, sentiment, or attitude

Question 5

Nearly strangled, the steward staggered out at a signal from his superior; but such was the commander’s authority aboard his vessel, not one gesture gave away the resentment that this man must have felt toward the Canadian.

Answer 5

Signaladjective. Distinguished from the ordinary

Question 6

In silence we waited for the outcome of this scene; Conseil, in spite of himself, seemed almost fascinated, I was stunned.

Answer 6

Fascinateverb. To be irresistibly attractive

Question 7

“Was it unintentionally that the Abraham Lincoln hunted me on every sea? Was it unintentionally that you traveled aboard that frigate? Was it unintentionally that your shells bounced off my ship’s hull? Was it unintentionally that Mr. Ned Land hit me with his harpoon?”

Answer 7

Hullnoun. Body of a ship

Question 8

“Professor Aronnax,” he replied, “do you dare claim that your frigate wouldn’t have chased and cannonaded an underwater boat as readily as a monster?”

Answer 8

Readilyadverb. Without objection or reluctance

Question 9

He would have seen it as his sworn duty to destroy a contrivance of this kind just as promptly as a gigantic narwhale.

Answer 9

Contrivancenoun. Device or tool, especially one made by an individual for a particular purpose

Question 10

He would have seen it as his sworn duty to destroy a contrivance of this kind just as promptly as a gigantic narwhale.

Answer 10

Giganticadjective. Tremendous

Question 11

He would have seen it as his sworn duty to destroy a contrivance of this kind just as promptly as a gigantic narwhale.

Answer 11

Promptadjective. Done without delay; Punctual

Question 12

“Professor,” the commander replied swiftly, “I’m not what you term a civilized man! I’ve severed all ties with society, for reasons that I alone have the right to appreciate. Therefore I obey none of its regulations, and I insist that you never invoke them in front of me!”

Answer 12

Seververb. Break off

Question 13

“Professor,” the commander replied swiftly, “I’m not what you term a civilized man! I’ve severed all ties with society, for reasons that I alone have the right to appreciate. Therefore I obey none of its regulations, and I insist that you never invoke them in front of me!”

Answer 13

Invokeverb. To put into effect or operation; Implement

Question 14

Not only had he placed himself beyond human laws, he had rendered himself independent, out of all reach, free in the strictest sense of the word!

Answer 14

Renderverb. Deliver, provide, represent

Question 15

These thoughts swiftly crossed my mind while this strange individual fell silent, like someone completely self-absorbed.

Answer 15

Self-respectnoun. A feeling of confidence and pride in one’s own abilities and worth

Question 16

It’s possible that certain unforeseen events may force me to confine you to your cabins for some hours, or even for some days as the case may be.

Answer 16

Confineverb. To enclose within bounds; Limit or restrict

Question 17

Since I prefer never to use violence, I expect from you in such a case, even more than in any other, your unquestioning obedience.

Answer 17

Preferverb. To hold in higher estimation

Question 18

By acting in this way, I shield you from complicity, I absolve you of all responsibility, since I myself make it impossible for you to see what you aren’t meant to see.

Answer 18

Absolveverb. To forgive, pardon, free from blame

Question 19

By acting in this way, I shield you from complicity, I absolve you of all responsibility, since I myself make it impossible for you to see what you aren’t meant to see.

Answer 19

Complicitynoun. Action of taking part with another person; Shared responsibility

Question 20

“Yes, sir. But giving up that intolerable earthly yoke that some men call freedom is perhaps less painful than you think!”

Answer 20

Intolerableadjective. Impossible to ndure; unbearable

Question 21

“Yes, sir. But giving up that intolerable earthly yoke that some men call freedom is perhaps less painful than you think!”

Answer 21

Yokenoun. To join, link

Question 22

“Yes, sir. But giving up that intolerable earthly yoke that some men call freedom is perhaps less painful than you think!”

Answer 22

Earthlyadjective. Of this world; Not spiritual

Question 23

“My friends,” I said, “to a question couched in these terms, our answer can be taken for granted. But no solemn promises bind us to the commander of this vessel.”

Answer 23

Solemnadjective. Marked by grave sedateness and earnest sobriety

Question 24

I’m going to make another underwater tour of the world – perhaps my last, who knows? – and I’ll review everything I’ve studied in the depths of these seas that I’ve crossed so often, and you can be my fellow student.

Answer 24

Studiedadjective. Carefully considered; Intentional; Deliberate

Question 25

Starting this very day, you’ll enter a new element, you’ll see what no human being has ever seen before – since my men and I no longer count – and thanks to me, you’re going to learn the ultimate secrets of our planet.”

Answer 25

Ultimateadjective. Final; Not susceptible to further analysis; Fundamental

Question 26

He had caught me on my weak side, and I momentarily forgot that not even this sublime experience was worth the loss of my freedom.

Answer 26

Sublimeadjective. Lofty, grand, exalted

Question 27

Inlaid with ebony trim, tall oaken sideboards stood at both ends of this room, and sparkling on their shelves were staggered rows of earthenware, porcelain, and glass of incalculable value.

Answer 27

Porcelainnoun. A hard, fine-grained, nonporous ceramic ware

Question 28

Inlaid with ebony trim, tall oaken sideboards stood at both ends of this room, and sparkling on their shelves were staggered rows of earthenware, porcelain, and glass of incalculable value.

Answer 28

Trimverb. Make neat or smooth by cutting away irregular parts

Question 29

Inlaid with ebony trim, tall oaken sideboards stood at both ends of this room, and sparkling on their shelves were staggered rows of earthenware, porcelain, and glass of incalculable value.

Answer 29

Shelveverb. To put aside or postpone

Question 30

Inlaid with ebony trim, tall oaken sideboards stood at both ends of this room, and sparkling on their shelves were staggered rows of earthenware, porcelain, and glass of incalculable value.

Answer 30

Oakenadjective. Made of or from oak

Question 31

Inlaid with ebony trim, tall oaken sideboards stood at both ends of this room, and sparkling on their shelves were staggered rows of earthenware, porcelain, and glass of incalculable value.

Answer 31

Earthenwarenoun. Pottery of baked or hardened clay, especially Any of the coarse, opaque varieties

Question 32

There silver-plated dinnerware gleamed under rays pouring from light fixtures in the ceiling, whose glare was softened and tempered by delicately painted designs.

Answer 32

Glarenoun. Strong unpleasant dazzling light

Question 33

There silver-plated dinnerware gleamed under rays pouring from light fixtures in the ceiling, whose glare was softened and tempered by delicately painted designs.

Answer 33

Fixturenoun. One who or that which is expected to remain permanently in its position

Question 34

Our breakfast consisted of several dishes whose contents were all supplied by the sea, and some foods whose nature and derivation were unknown to me.

Answer 34

Derivationnoun. Development or origin

Question 35

These various food items seemed to be rich in phosphorous, and I thought that they, too, must have been of marine origin.

Answer 35

Originnoun. The beginning of that which becomes or is made to be

Question 36

These various food items seemed to be rich in phosphorous, and I thought that they, too, must have been of marine origin.

Answer 36

Marineadjective. Of or pertaining to the sea or matters connected with the sea

Question 37

“But you can consume them without fear. They’re healthy and nourishing. I renounced terrestrial foods long ago, and I’m none the worse for it. My crew are strong and full of energy, and they eat what I eat.”

Answer 37

Terrestrialadjective. Relating to the land

Question 38

“But you can consume them without fear. They’re healthy and nourishing. I renounced terrestrial foods long ago, and I’m none the worse for it. My crew are strong and full of energy, and they eat what I eat.”

Answer 38

Consumeverb. To destroy or expend by use; Use up

Question 39

“But you can consume them without fear. They’re healthy and nourishing. I renounced terrestrial foods long ago, and I’m none the worse for it. My crew are strong and full of energy, and they eat what I eat.”

Answer 39

Renounceverb. Abandon, resign

Question 40

“But you can consume them without fear. They’re healthy and nourishing. I renounced terrestrial foods long ago, and I’m none the worse for it. My crew are strong and full of energy, and they eat what I eat.”

Answer 40

Nourishverb. Keep alive and well with food

Question 41

“Sir, I understand perfectly how your nets can furnish excellent fish for your table; I understand less how you can chase aquatic game in your underwater forests; but how a piece of red meat, no matter how small, can figure in your menu, that I don’t understand at all.”

Answer 41

Aquaticadjective. Relating to water

Question 42

So I sampled away, more as a curiosity seeker than an epicure, while Captain Nemo delighted me with his incredible anecdotes.

Answer 42

Epicurenoun. One with sensitive and discriminating tastes especially in food or wine

Question 43

So I sampled away, more as a curiosity seeker than an epicure, while Captain Nemo delighted me with his incredible anecdotes.

Answer 43

Anecdotenoun. Short, usually funny account of an event

Question 44

“But this sea, Professor Aronnax,” he told me, “this prodigious, inexhaustible wet nurse of a sea not only feeds me, she dresses me as well.

Answer 44

Prodigiousadjective. Enormous, wonderful

Question 45

“But this sea, Professor Aronnax,” he told me, “this prodigious, inexhaustible wet nurse of a sea not only feeds me, she dresses me as well.

Answer 45

Inexhaustibleadjective. So large or furnishing so great a supply as not to be emptied, wasted, or spent

Question 46

That fabric covering you was woven from the masses of filaments that anchor certain seashells; as the ancients were wont to do, it was dyed with purple ink from the murex snail and shaded with violet tints that I extract from a marine slug, the Mediterranean sea hare.

Answer 46

Tintnoun. A variation of a color produced by adding white to it and characterized by a low saturation with relatively high lightness

Question 47

The sea is simply the vehicle for a prodigious, unearthly mode of existence; it’s simply movement and love; it’s living infinity, as one of your poets put it.

Answer 47

Movementnoun. A distinct structural unit or division having its own key, rhythmic structure, and themes and forming part of an extended musical composition

Question 48

The sea is simply the vehicle for a prodigious, unearthly mode of existence; it’s simply movement and love; it’s living infinity, as one of your poets put it.

Answer 48

Modenoun. Way or manner in which something is done

Question 49

The sea is simply the vehicle for a prodigious, unearthly mode of existence; it’s simply movement and love; it’s living infinity, as one of your poets put it.

Answer 49

Unearthlyadjective. Unnaturally strange and frightening

Question 50

And in essence, professor, nature is here made manifest by all three of her kingdoms, mineral, vegetable, and animal.

Answer 50

Manifestadjective. easily understandable, obvious; to show plainly

Question 51

On its surface they can still exercise their iniquitous claims, battle each other, devour each other, haul every earthly horror.

Answer 51

Iniquitousadjective. Unjust; Wicked