| A | B |
|---|
| aquatic | growing or living in or near the water |
| assert | to say firmly; to declare |
| assertion | a firm statement or declaration |
| assertive | self-assured; bold and confident |
| avert | to turn away; to keep from happening |
| bleak | without much help |
| bleak (weather) | cold and dreary |
| blithe (positive def.) | cheerful; carefree |
| blithe (negative def.) | not showing proper care; heedless |
| blithely | acting in a carefree manner |
| docile | well-behaved; easy to handle |
| dwindle | to keep on becoming less; to grow smaller |
| lethal | causing or capable of causing death |
| monitor (v.) | to watch closely |
| monitor (n.) | a video screen used to display information |
| mutilate | to hurt or damage by cutting into |
| mutilation | the hurting or damage done by cutting into |
| nimble | able to move quickly and easily; clever |
| plight | a difficult or dangerous condition or situation |
| ponderous | heavy and slow moving |
| verge (n.) | an edge, border, or brink |
| verge (v.) | to come close to the edge of or border of |
| vigilant | watchful; ready for danger |
