Chapter 6 Vocab Words

Question 1

By then the darkness was profound, and as good as the Canadian’s eyes were, I still wondered how he could see – and what he had seen.

Answer 1

Profoundadjective. Deep; Not superficial

Question 2

Submerged some fathoms below the surface of the water, the monster gave off that very intense but inexplicable glow that several captains had mentioned in their reports.

Answer 2

Inexplicableadjective. Such as can not be made plain

Question 3

The edge of its light swept over the sea in an immense, highly elongated oval, condensing at the center into a blazing core whose unbearable glow diminished by degrees outward.

Answer 3

Immenseadjective. Very great in degree, extent, size, or quantity

Question 4

The edge of its light swept over the sea in an immense, highly elongated oval, condensing at the center into a blazing core whose unbearable glow diminished by degrees outward.

Answer 4

Diminishverb. To make or become smaller,less, or less important

Question 5

The edge of its light swept over the sea in an immense, highly elongated oval, condensing at the center into a blazing core whose unbearable glow diminished by degrees outward.

Answer 5

Unbearableadjective. So unpleasant, distasteful, or painful as to be intolerable

Question 6

The edge of its light swept over the sea in an immense, highly elongated oval, condensing at the center into a blazing core whose unbearable glow diminished by degrees outward.

Answer 6

Elongateverb. To extend the length of

Question 7

It made a full circle around the frigate – then doing fourteen knots – and wrapped us in sheets of electricity that were like luminous dust.

Answer 7

Luminousadjective. Brightly shining

Question 8

Then it retreated two or three miles, leaving a phosphorescent trail comparable to those swirls of steam that shoot behind the locomotive of an express train.

Answer 8

Comparableadjective. Similar or equivalent

Question 9

“And if it has their power to electrocute, it’s surely the most dreadful animal ever conceived by our Creator. That’s why I’ll keep on my guard, sir.”

Answer 9

Conceiveverb. To form an idea, mental image or thought of

Question 10

For its part, the narwhale mimicked the frigate, simply rode with the waves, and seemed determined not to forsake the field of battle.

Answer 10

Forsakeverb. To give up, renounce

Question 11

But at 12:53 in the morning, a deafening hiss became audible, resembling the sound made by a waterspout expelled with tremendous intensity.

Answer 11

Audibleadjective. Able to be heard

Question 12

But at 12:53 in the morning, a deafening hiss became audible, resembling the sound made by a waterspout expelled with tremendous intensity.

Answer 12

Tremendousadjective. Extremely large in amount, extent, or degree; Enormous

Question 13

“Correct, the prize is rightfully yours. But tell me, isn’t that the noise cetaceans make when they spurt water from their blowholes?”

Answer 13

Rightfuladjective. Just, proper or legal

Question 14

“The very noise, sir, but this one’s way louder. So there can be no mistake. There’s definitely a whale lurking in our waters. With your permission, sir,” the harpooner added, “tomorrow at daybreak we’ll have words with it.”

Answer 14

Lurkverb. To lie in wait in a place of concealment especially for an evil purpose

Question 15

Seemingly, the moment this enormous narwhale came up to breathe at the surface of the ocean, air was sucked into its lungs like steam into the huge cylinders of a 2,000-horsepower engine.

Answer 15

Enormousadjective. Gigantic

Question 16

Its girth was more difficult to judge, but all in all, the animal seemed to be wonderfully proportioned in all three dimensions.

Answer 16

Girthnoun. Distance round something of approximately cylindrical shape

Question 17

While I was observing this phenomenal creature, two jets of steam and water sprang from its blowholes and rose to an altitude of forty meters, which settled for me its mode of breathing.

Answer 17

Phenomenaladjective. Extraordinary; Remarkable

Question 18

While I was observing this phenomenal creature, two jets of steam and water sprang from its blowholes and rose to an altitude of forty meters, which settled for me its mode of breathing.

Answer 18

Altitudenoun. Vertical distance or elevation above any point or base-level, as the sea

Question 19

While I was observing this phenomenal creature, two jets of steam and water sprang from its blowholes and rose to an altitude of forty meters, which settled for me its mode of breathing.

Answer 19

Modenoun. Way or manner in which something is done

Question 20

So I was still missing variety, species, genus, and family, but no doubt I would complete my classifying with the aid of Heaven and Commander Farragut.

Answer 20

Classifyverb. To arrange or order by categories

Question 21

So I was still missing variety, species, genus, and family, but no doubt I would complete my classifying with the aid of Heaven and Commander Farragut.

Answer 21

Specienoun. A coin or coins of gold, silver, copper, or other metal

Question 22

So I was still missing variety, species, genus, and family, but no doubt I would complete my classifying with the aid of Heaven and Commander Farragut.

Answer 22

Genusnoun. Group of animals or plants within a family, often itself subdivided into several species

Question 23

Unconcerned, the latter let us come within half a cable length; then, not bothering to dive, it got up a little speed, retreated, and was content to keep its distance.

Answer 23

Contentadjective. Feeling or manifesting satisfaction with one’s possessions, status, or situation

Question 24

The furnaces were urged into greater activity; our propeller did forty-three revolutions per minute, and steam shot from the valves.

Answer 24

Urgeverb. To present, advocate, or demand earnestly or pressingly

Question 25

The furnaces were urged into greater activity; our propeller did forty-three revolutions per minute, and steam shot from the valves.

Answer 25

Furnacenoun. An enclosed structure in which heat is produced

Question 26

The furnaces were urged into greater activity; our propeller did forty-three revolutions per minute, and steam shot from the valves.

Answer 26

Propellernoun. A revolving shaft with blades to drive a ship or aircraft

Question 27

“Charge them to ten atmospheres.” A typical American order if I ever heard one. It would have sounded just fine during some Mississippi paddle-wheeler race, to “outstrip the competition!”

Answer 27

Outstripverb. Run faster than and leave him behind

Question 28

“Conseil,” I said to my gallant servant, now at my side, “you realize that we’ll probably blow ourselves skyhigh?”

Answer 28

Gallantadjective. Possessing a brave or chivalrous spirit

Question 29

“Keep stoking the furnaces.” The engineer did so. The pressure gauge marked ten atmospheres. But no doubt the cetacean itself had “warmed up,” because without the least trouble, it also did 19.3.

Answer 29

Gaugenoun. A measurement according to some standard or system

Question 30

Then, just as he was about to strike, the cetacean would steal off with a swiftness I could estimate at no less than thirty miles per hour.

Answer 30

Strikeverb. To form by stamping, printing, or punching

Question 31

And even at our maximum speed, it took the liberty of thumbing its nose at the frigate by running a full circle around us!

Answer 31

Libertynoun. An action going beyond normal limits, as a breach of etiquette or propriety; Familiarity

Question 32

In midocean it’s not unusual to encounter whales so sound asleep they can successfully be attacked, and Ned Land had harpooned more than one in its slumber.

Answer 32

Slumberverb. To be in a torpid, slothful, or negligent state

Question 33

In midocean it’s not unusual to encounter whales so sound asleep they can successfully be attacked, and Ned Land had harpooned more than one in its slumber.

Answer 33

Encounterverb. To come upon face-to-face

Question 34

Just then, leaning over the forecastle railing, I saw Ned Land below me, one hand grasping the martingale, the other brandishing his dreadful harpoon.

Answer 34

Brandishverb. Wave around; Flourish

Question 35

Just then, leaning over the forecastle railing, I saw Ned Land below me, one hand grasping the martingale, the other brandishing his dreadful harpoon.

Answer 35

Forecastlenoun. That part of the upper deck of a ship forward of the after fore-shrouds

Question 36

A hideous collision occurred, and thrown over the rail with no time to catch hold of it, I was hurled into the sea.

Answer 36

Hideousadjective. Offensive to the senses and especially to sight; Exceedingly ugly

Question 37

A hideous collision occurred, and thrown over the rail with no time to catch hold of it, I was hurled into the sea.

Answer 37

Hurlverb. Throw violently; Fling