| Term | Definition |
| aquatic | growing or living in the water |
| assert | to say firmly; to declare |
| avert | to turn away |
| avert | to keep from happening |
| bleak | without much hope |
| bleak | cold and dreary |
| blithe | cheerful, carefree |
| blithe | not showing proper care; heedless |
| docile | well behaved; easy to handle |
| dwindle | to keep on becoming less; to grow smaller in amount |
| lethal | causing, or capable of causing death |
| monitor | to watch closely or frequently; to observe or make note |
| mutilate | to hurt or damage by cutting into, off, or out |
| nimble | able to move quickly and easily |
| nimble | showing quickness or cleverness |
| plight | a difficult or dangerous condition or situation |
| ponderous | heavy and slow moving |
| verge | an edge, border, or brink |
| verge | to come close to the edge of |
| vigilant | watchful; ready for danger |