Journey to the Center of the Earth

Journey to the Center of the Earth Glossary

alchemy

a legendary pseudoscience centered on the transformation of common metals into gold

assiduous

persistent and dedicated

cenotaph

a monument or memorial to honor those whose actual remains are buried elsewhere

choleric

relating to a personality singularly characterized by a bad temper; quickly and easily roused to anger

cipher

any secret, coded written message

execrable

deplorable, repugnant; almost unbearably awful

fjord

a long, narrow, deep inlet of the sea between high cliffs

fortuitous

involving a fortunate happenstance; by a stroke of good luck

ignoramus

a breathtakingly ignorant person; a blockhead, a dimwit, or a numbskull

nymphet

a sexually desirable young woman

obdurate

stubborn

pell-mell

haphazardly done; performed with a reckless disregard for planning beforehand

phlegmatic

even-keeled and slow to action; not easily upset or ruffled

polyglot

someone who speaks many languages

prostrate

lying on the ground in a position of pleading or subordination

prudent

judicious, sensible, discreet; exhibiting sound judgment

quixotic

impractically romantic

recalcitrant

rebellious or contrary-minded; stubbornly resistant to the idea of bowing to authority

runic

pertaining to the translation of an ancient textual system called runes

sagacious

wise

surefooted

confident

tremulous

quaking with anxiety and shaking with fear

trepidation

a feeling of fear or worry

voracious

consuming vigorously or energetically; possessing a gluttonous desire that cannot be satisfied