On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous Vocab I

Having mixed or opposite feelings about something at the same time; unsure how you feel

She was ambivalent about taking the new job because it paid more money but required longer hours.

Very confused and unable to understand something

The tourist looked bewildered when she arrived at the train station and could not read any of the signs.

Behaving in a polite and socially acceptable way that is appropriate for the situation

The guests were decorous at the formal dinner, speaking quietly and using good manners.

Not active or growing now, but able to become active again in the future

The volcano had been dormant for hundreds of years, but scientists were monitoring it carefully.

The point on the earth's surface directly above where an earthquake begins; also used to mean the central point of a major event or problem

The city was the epicenter of the earthquake, so it experienced the most severe damage.

Struggling and moving in an uncontrolled way; having great difficulty doing something

Without proper math skills, the student was floundering in the advanced algebra class.

Moving in circles or spirals; spinning or rotating repeatedly

The dancer was gyrating to the music, spinning and turning with great energy.

Extremely small; tiny

The chance of winning the lottery is minuscule, but many people still buy tickets every week.

Continuously and without stopping; happening all the time

He was perpetually late to class, which frustrated his teacher every single day.

The quality of continuing to try to do something even when it is difficult or takes a long time

Through hard work and perseverance, she finally learned to speak English fluently after two years of study.

Giving off a soft glow of light without producing heat, especially in the dark

The children were amazed by the phosphorescent jellyfish glowing in the dark ocean water.

Not safe or stable; likely to fall, fail, or become dangerous

The hiker was in a precarious position on the edge of the cliff.

(of a sound) echoed and continued to be heard after the original sound stopped

The loud thunder reverberated through the mountains for several seconds after the storm began.

Relating to the art of speaking or writing effectively; often used to describe a question asked for effect, not expecting a real answer

When she said 'Can this day get any worse?' it was a rhetorical question — she did not want an answer.

Stopping yourself from showing or expressing a feeling, or preventing something from being known

She was suppressing a laugh during the serious meeting because her friend had just told her a funny joke.

The art of preparing, stuffing, and mounting the skins of dead animals so they look lifelike

The natural history museum had impressive taxidermy displays of lions and bears.

Very weak, thin, or uncertain; not strong or solid

The connection between the two events was tenuous, so the scientists needed more evidence.

Tied or fastened to something with a rope or chain so it cannot move far away

The farmer tethered his horse to a post while he worked in the field.

The path that something follows as it moves through the air; also used to describe the direction in which someone's life or career is developing

The scientist calculated the trajectory of the rocket to make sure it would reach the correct orbit.

Feeling lost, unstable, or without a sense of direction or connection to something

After moving to a new country alone, she felt completely unmoored without her family nearby.