Chapter 1 Vocab Words

Question 1

THE YEAR 1866 was marked by a bizarre development, an unexplained and downright inexplicable phenomenon that surely no one has forgotten.

Answer 1

Inexplicable

adjective. Such as can not be made plain

Question 2

THE YEAR 1866 was marked by a bizarre development, an unexplained and downright inexplicable phenomenon that surely no one has forgotten.

Answer 2

Phenomenon

noun. Any unusual occurrence

Question 3

THE YEAR 1866 was marked by a bizarre development, an unexplained and downright inexplicable phenomenon that surely no one has forgotten.

Answer 3

Bizarre

adjective. Fantastic; Violently contrasting; Noticeably odd; Strikingly unconventional

Question 4

Without getting into those rumors that upset civilians in the seaports and deranged the public mind even far inland, it must be said that professional seamen were especially alarmed.

Answer 4

Inland

adjective. Remote from the sea

Question 5

Traders, shipowners, captains of vessels, skippers, and master mariners from Europe and America, naval officers from every country, and at their heels the various national governments on these two continents, were all extremely disturbed by the business.

Answer 5

Naval

adjective. Pertaining to ships

Question 6

In essence, over a period of time several ships had encountered “an enormous thing” at sea, a long spindle-shaped object, sometimes giving off a phosphorescent glow, infinitely bigger and faster than any whale.

Answer 6

Enormous

adjective. Gigantic

Question 7

In essence, over a period of time several ships had encountered “an enormous thing” at sea, a long spindle-shaped object, sometimes giving off a phosphorescent glow, infinitely bigger and faster than any whale.

Answer 7

Infinite

adjective. Immeasurably or inconceivably great or extensive; Inexhaustible

Question 8

In essence, over a period of time several ships had encountered “an enormous thing” at sea, a long spindle-shaped object, sometimes giving off a phosphorescent glow, infinitely bigger and faster than any whale.

Answer 8

Encounter

verb. To come upon face-to-face

Question 9

The relevant data on this apparition, as recorded in various logbooks, agreed pretty closely as to the structure of the object or creature in question, its unprecedented speed of movement, its startling locomotive power, and the unique vitality with which it seemed to be gifted.

Answer 9

Apparition

noun. Ghost; Phantom

Question 10

The relevant data on this apparition, as recorded in various logbooks, agreed pretty closely as to the structure of the object or creature in question, its unprecedented speed of movement, its startling locomotive power, and the unique vitality with which it seemed to be gifted.

Answer 10

Relevant

adjective. Having significant and demonstrable bearing on the matter at hand

Question 11

The relevant data on this apparition, as recorded in various logbooks, agreed pretty closely as to the structure of the object or creature in question, its unprecedented speed of movement, its startling locomotive power, and the unique vitality with which it seemed to be gifted.

Answer 11

Unique

adjective. Without an equal; Single in kind

Question 12

The relevant data on this apparition, as recorded in various logbooks, agreed pretty closely as to the structure of the object or creature in question, its unprecedented speed of movement, its startling locomotive power, and the unique vitality with which it seemed to be gifted.

Answer 12

Unprecedented

adjective. Having no previous example; Novel; Unparalleled

Question 13

The relevant data on this apparition, as recorded in various logbooks, agreed pretty closely as to the structure of the object or creature in question, its unprecedented speed of movement, its startling locomotive power, and the unique vitality with which it seemed to be gifted.

Answer 13

Movement

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

Question 14

The relevant data on this apparition, as recorded in various logbooks, agreed pretty closely as to the structure of the object or creature in question, its unprecedented speed of movement, its startling locomotive power, and the unique vitality with which it seemed to be gifted.

Answer 14

Vitality

noun. The capacity to live, grow, or develop

Question 15

Now then, it did exist, this was an undeniable fact; and since the human mind dotes on objects of wonder, you can understand the worldwide excitement caused by this unearthly apparition.

Answer 15

Dote

verb. Show much fondness, center one’s attention

Question 16

Now then, it did exist, this was an undeniable fact; and since the human mind dotes on objects of wonder, you can understand the worldwide excitement caused by this unearthly apparition.

Answer 16

Unearthly

adjective. Unnaturally strange and frightening

Question 17

So, unless this reef was subject to the intermittent eruptions of a geyser, the Governor Higginson had fair and honest dealings with some aquatic mammal, until then unknown, that could spurt from its blowholes waterspouts mixed with air and steam.

Answer 17

Aquatic

adjective. Relating to water

Question 18

So, unless this reef was subject to the intermittent eruptions of a geyser, the Governor Higginson had fair and honest dealings with some aquatic mammal, until then unknown, that could spurt from its blowholes waterspouts mixed with air and steam.

Answer 18

Intermittent

adjective. Periodic, occasional

Question 19

From their simultaneous observations, they were able to estimate the mammal’s minimum length at more than 350 English feet; this was because both the Shannon and the Helvetia were of smaller dimensions, although each measured 100 meters stem to stern.

Answer 19

Simultaneous

adjective. Occurring, done, or existing at the same time

Question 20

Now then, the biggest whales, those rorqual whales that frequent the waterways of the Aleutian Islands, have never exceeded a length of 56 meters – if they reach even that.

Answer 20

Exceed

verb. To go beyond, as in measure, quality, value, action, power, skill

Question 21

In lighthearted countries, people joked about this phenomenon, but such serious, practical countries as England, America, and Germany were deeply concerned.

Answer 21

Practical

adjective. Involving experience or actual use rather than theory

Question 22

In lighthearted countries, people joked about this phenomenon, but such serious, practical countries as England, America, and Germany were deeply concerned.

Answer 22

Lighthearted

adjective. Carefree; Cheerful

Question 23

In every big city the monster was the latest rage; they sang about it in the coffee houses, they ridiculed it in the newspapers, they dramatized it in the theaters.

Answer 23

Dramatize

verb. To express (something) in an exaggerated way

Question 24

During the first months of the year 1867, the question seemed to be buried, and it didn’t seem due for resurrection, when new facts were brought to the public’s attention.

Answer 24

Resurrection

noun. A return from death to life

Question 25

On March 5, 1867, the Moravian from the Montreal Ocean Co., lying during the night in _latitude_ 27 degrees 30' and longitude 72 degrees 15', ran its starboard quarter afoul of a rock marked on no charts of these waterways.

Answer 25

Latitude ## Footnote noun. Freedom from normal restraints, limitations, or regulations

Question 26

Without the high quality of its _hull_, the Moravian would surely have split open from this collision and gone down together with those 237 passengers it was bringing back from Canada.

Answer 26

Hull ## Footnote noun. Body of a ship

Question 27

They saw nothing except a strong _eddy_ breaking three cable lengths out, as if those sheets of water had been violently churned.

Answer 27

Eddy ## Footnote noun. A small whirlpool

Question 28

This _occurrence_, extremely serious in itself, might perhaps have been forgotten like so many others, if three weeks later it hadn't been reenacted under identical conditions.

Answer 28

Occurrence ## Footnote noun. Something that takes place

Question 29

Only, thanks to the nationality of the ship victimized by this new ramming, and thanks to the reputation of the company to which this ship belonged, the event caused an _immense_ uproar.

Answer 29

Immense ## Footnote adjective. Very great in degree, extent, size, or quantity

Question 30

Only, thanks to the nationality of the ship victimized by this new ramming, and thanks to the reputation of the company to which this ship belonged, the event caused an immense _uproar_.

Answer 30

Uproar ## Footnote noun. A state of commotion, excitement, or violent disturbance

Question 31

In 1840 this shrewd industrialist founded a postal service between Liverpool and Halifax, featuring three wooden ships with 400-horsepower paddle wheels and a burden of 1,162 _metric_ tons.

Answer 31

Metric ## Footnote adjective. Relating to measurement

Question 32

In 1840 this _shrewd_ industrialist founded a postal service between Liverpool and Halifax, featuring three wooden ships with 400-horsepower paddle wheels and a burden of 1,162 metric tons.

Answer 32

Shrewd ## Footnote adjective. Marked by clever discerning awareness and hardheaded acumen

Question 33

If I give these highly condensed details, it is so everyone can fully understand the importance of this _maritime_ transportation company, known the world over for its shrewd management.

Answer 33

Maritime ## Footnote adjective. Of the sea, sailing or shipping

Question 34

If I give these highly _condensed_ details, it is so everyone can fully understand the importance of this maritime transportation company, known the world over for its shrewd management.

Answer 34

Condense ## Footnote verb. Increase in density, strength, make laconic

Question 35

Accordingly, despite strong competition from France, passengers still choose the Cunard line in _preference_ to all others, as can be seen in a recent survey of official documents.

Answer 35

Preference ## Footnote noun. An object of favor or choice

Question 36

Given this, no one will be astonished at the uproar _provoked_ by this accident involving one of its finest steamers.

Answer 36

Provoke ## Footnote verb. To call forth; Evoke

Question 37

On April 13, 1867, with a smooth sea and a _moderate_ breeze, the Scotia lay in longitude 15 degrees 12' and latitude 45 degrees 37'.

Answer 37

Moderate ## Footnote verb. Being within reasonable limits; not excessive or extreme

Question 38

At 4:17 in the afternoon, during a high tea for passengers gathered in the main lounge, a collision occurred, _scarcely_ noticeable on the whole, affecting the Scotia's hull in that quarter a little astern of its port paddle wheel.

Answer 38

Scarce ## Footnote adjective. Deficient in quantity or number compared with the demand; Not plentiful or abundant

Question 39

At 4:17 in the afternoon, during a high tea for passengers gathered in the main lounge, a collision occurred, scarcely noticeable on the whole, _affecting_ the Scotia's hull in that quarter a little astern of its port paddle wheel.

Answer 39

Affect ## Footnote verb. To act upon

Question 40

At 4:17 in the afternoon, during a high tea for passengers gathered in the main lounge, a collision occurred, scarcely _noticeable_ on the whole, affecting the Scotia's hull in that quarter a little astern of its port paddle wheel.

Answer 40

Noticeable ## Footnote adjective. Perceptible

Question 41

The Scotia hadn't run afoul of something, it had been fouled, and by a cutting or perforating instrument rather than a _blunt_ one.

Answer 41

Blunt ## Footnote adjective. To make less sharp or definite

Question 42

He discovered that the fifth _compartment_ had been invaded by the sea, and the speed of this invasion proved that the leak was considerable.

Answer 42

Compartment ## Footnote noun. Any of the sections into which a larger area or enclosed space is divided

Question 43

He discovered that the fifth compartment had been invaded by the sea, and the speed of this invasion proved that the leak was _considerable_.

Answer 43

Considerable ## Footnote adjective. Rather large or great in size, distance, extent, etc.

Question 44

He discovered that the fifth compartment had been invaded by the sea, and the speed of this _invasion_ proved that the leak was considerable.

Answer 44

Invasion ## Footnote noun. Encroachment, as by an act of intrusion or trespass

Question 45

Fortunately this compartment didn't contain the boilers, because their _furnaces_ would have been abruptly extinguished.

Answer 45

Furnace ## Footnote noun. An enclosed structure in which heat is produced

Question 46

Fortunately this compartment didn't contain the boilers, because their furnaces would have been _abruptly_ extinguished.

Answer 46

Abrupt ## Footnote adjective. Beginning, ending, or changing suddenly or with a break

Question 47

By then it lay 300 miles from Cape Clear, and after three days of delay that filled Liverpool with _acute_ anxiety, it entered the company docks.

Answer 47

Acute ## Footnote adjective. sharp, severe; having keen insight

Question 48

By then it lay 300 miles from Cape Clear, and after three days of delay that filled Liverpool with acute _anxiety_, it entered the company docks.

Answer 48

Anxiety ## Footnote noun. Intense uneasiness

Question 49

Consequently, it must have been produced by a perforating tool of uncommon toughness -- plus, after being launched with _prodigious_ power and then piercing four centimeters of sheet iron, this tool had needed to withdraw itself by a backward motion truly inexplicable.

Answer 49

Prodigious ## Footnote adjective. Enormous, wonderful

Question 50

Consequently, it must have been produced by a perforating tool of _uncommon_ toughness -- plus, after being launched with prodigious power and then piercing four centimeters of sheet iron, this tool had needed to withdraw itself by a backward motion truly inexplicable.

Answer 50

Uncommon ## Footnote adjective. Rare

Question 51

Indeed, from this moment on, any maritime _casualty_ without an established cause was charged to the monster's account.

Answer 51

Casualty ## Footnote noun. Person who is killed or injured in war or in an accident