CBSE NCERT Class 10 English Footprints without Feet Book Chapterwise word meanings

by Meenu Saini | Jul 1, 2022 | General | 0 comments

Class X NCERT Footprints without Feet difficult word meanings

Here, the difficult words and their meanings of all the chapters of CBSE Class 10 English Footprints without Feet book have been compiled for the convenience of the students. This is an exhaustive list of the words and meanings of all the chapters from the Footprints without Feet book for CBSE NCERT Class 10 English. The difficult words’ meanings have been explained in an easy language so that every student can understand easily.

Chapter 1 A Triumph of Surgery
Chapter 2 The thief’s story by Ruskin Bond
Chapter 3 The Midnight Visitor
Chapter 4 A Question of Trust
Chapter 5 Footprints without feet
Chapter 6 The Making of a scientist
Chapter 7 The Necklace
Chapter 8 The hack driver
Chapter 9 Bholi
Chapter 10 The book that saved the earth
First Flight Word Meaning
Footprints Without Feet Book Word Meaning
First Flight Book Poem Word Meaning

Chapter 1 – A Triumph of Surgery

Mistress- a woman in a position of authority or control.
Bloated- excessive in size or amount.
Sausage- an item of food in the form of a cylindrical length of minced pork or other meat encased in a skin, typically sold raw to be grilled or fried before eating.
Bloodshot- (of the eyes) inflamed or tinged with blood, typically as a result of tiredness.
Rheumy- watery.
Lolled- sit, lie, or stand in a lazy, relaxed way.
Hastened- be quick to do something.
Listless- lacking energy or enthusiasm.
Malnutrition- lack of proper nutrition
Cod liver oil- oil pressed from the liver of cod
Relent- become less severe or intense.
Lumbago- pain in the muscles and joints of the lower back.
Severe- very great; intense.
Regime- a system or ordered way of doing things.
Tottering- move in a feeble or unsteady way.
Tweed- a rough-surfaced woolen cloth
Wardrobe- a large, tall cupboard or recess in which clothes may be hung or stored.
Harness- a set of straps and fittings
Distraught- very worried and upset.
Bouts- a short period of intense activity of a specified kind.
Rug- a floor covering
Panting- breathing with short, quick breaths; out of breath.
Fortnight- a period of two weeks.
Swooned- a partial or total loss of consciousness
Wailings- crying with pain, grief, or anger.
Marched- walk quickly and with determination.
Roused- cause to stop sleeping.
Maids- a female domestic servant.
Rushed- done or completed too hurriedly; hasty.
Supper- an evening meal, typically a light or informal one.
Despairing- showing loss of all hope.
Glanced- take a brief or hurried look.
Patted- touch quickly and gently with the flat of the hand.
Wag- (especially with reference to an animal’s tail) move or cause to move rapidly to and fro.
Surged- move suddenly and powerfully forward or upward.
Motionless- not moving; stationary.
Sniffing- the action of drawing in air audibly through the nose.
Whimper- make a series of low, feeble sounds expressive of fear, pain, or unhappiness.
Trotted- run at a moderate pace with short steps.
Engulfed- sweep over (something) so as to surround or cover it completely.
Slopped- spill or flow over the edge of a container, typically as a result of careless handling.
Liable- likely to do or to be something.
Licking- pass the tongue over (something) in order to taste, moisten, or clean it.
Pleased- feeling or showing pleasure and satisfaction,
Jostling- push, elbow, or bump against (someone) roughly, typically in a crowd.
Scrimmages- a confused struggle or fight.
Trampled- tread on and crush.
Squashed- flat, soft, or out of shape as a result of being crushed or squeezed with force.
Shaggy- long, thick, and unkempt.
Hovered- to move to and fro near a place .
Anxiously- feeling or showing worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome.
Dozen- 12 in number
Bulletins- a short official statement or broadcast summary of news.
Convalescing- recover one’s health and strength over a period of time after an illness or medical treatment.
Brandy- a strong alcoholic spirit distilled from wine or fermented fruit juice.
Constitution- the composition of something.
Reverently- with deep and solemn respect.
Temptation- the desire to do something, especially something wrong or unwise.
Compelled- bring about (something) by the use of force or pressure.
Awaiting- wait for (an event).
Gleaming- reflecting light, typically because very clean or polished.
Chauffeur- a person employed to drive a private or hired car.
Clasped- grasp (something) tightly with one’s hand.
Trembled- shake involuntarily, typically as a result of anxiety, excitement, or frailty.
Fetch- go for and then bring back (someone or something) for someone.
Hurtling- move or cause to move at high speed, typically in an uncontrolled manner
Midst- in the middle of.
Lithe- thin, supple, and graceful.
Startled- feeling or showing sudden shock or alarm.
Swarmed- move somewhere in large numbers.
Shone- a quality of brightness produced

Chapter 2 – The thief’s story by Ruskin Bond

Lean- thin
Flattery- excessive and insincere praise
Modestly- in an unassuming manner; without vanity or arrogance.
Employers- a person or organization that employs people.
Grunting- make a low, short guttural sound.
Appealing- attractive or interesting.
Misjudged- form a wrong opinion or conclusion about.
Balcony-a platform enclosed by a wall or balustrade on the outside of a building, with access from an upper-floor window or door.
Terrible- extremely bad or serious.
Patted- touch quickly and gently with the flat of the hand.
Pleasant- giving a sense of happy satisfaction or enjoyment.
Supplies- a stock or amount of something supplied or available for use.
Fits and Starts- not working on something consistently
Borrow- take and use (something belonging to someone else) with the intention of returning it.
Lend- grant to (someone) the use of (something) on the understanding that it will be returned.
Queer- strange; odd.
Bundle- a collection of things or quantity of material tied or wrapped up together.
Tuck- push, fold, or turn (the edges or ends of something, especially a garment or bedclothes) so as to hide or secure them.
Line of work- the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
Beam- a ray or shaft of light.
Crept- move slowly and carefully in order to avoid being heard or noticed.
Drew- pull or drag
Sighed- emit a long, deep audible breath expressing sadness, relief, tiredness.
Startled- feeling or showing sudden shock or alarm.
Dashed- Quickly ran towards something
Carriages- any of the separate sections of a train that carry passengers.
Hesitated- pause in indecision before saying or doing something.
Deserted- (of a place) empty of people.
Curious- eager to know or learn something.
Robbed- take property unlawfully from (a person or place) by force or threat of force.
Bazaar- market
Maidan- a park
Drizzle- light rain falling in very fine drops.
Shelter- a place giving temporary protection from bad weather or danger.
Clock Tower- a tower, typically forming part of a church or civic building, with a large clock at the top.
Midnight- twelve o’clock at night.
Damp- slightly wet.
Cinema- a theatre where films are shown for public entertainment.
Hurried- done in a hurry; rushed.
Undetected- not detected or discovered.
Clouded- make or become less clear or transparent.

Chapter 3 – The Midnight Visitor

Musty- having a stale, mouldy, or damp smell.
Corridor- a long passage in a building from which doors lead into rooms.
Gloomy- dark or poorly lit, especially so as to appear depressing or frightening.
Scarcely- only just; almost not.
Accent- a distinctive way of pronouncing a language, especially one associated with a particular country, area, or social class.
Passably- just well enough; tolerably well
Espionage- spying
Envisioned- imagine as a future possibility; visualize.
Sloppy- carelessly dressed
Prosaic- : ordinary
Chuckled- : laughed quietly, without opening his mouth
Disillusioned- disappointed in someone or something that one discovers to be less good than one had believed.
Authentic- of undisputed origin and not a copy; genuine.
Halfway- at or to a point equidistant between two others.
Wheezed- spoke breathing noisily and heavily
Slender- gracefully thin.
Countenance- a person’s face or facial expression.
Menacing- suggesting the presence of danger; threatening.
Murmured- say something in a low or indistinct voice.
Missile- : weapons directed by remote control or automatically
Raise the devil- make a noisy disturbance.
Grimly- in a very serious, gloomy, or depressing manner.
Nuisance- a person or thing causing inconvenience or annoyance.
Balcony- a platform enclosed by a wall or balustrade on the outside of a building, with access from an upper-floor window or door.
Inflection- a change in the form of a word (typically the ending) to express a grammatical function or attribute such as tense, mood, person, number, case, and gender.
Passkey- a master key.
Glanced- take a brief or hurried look.
Explanatorily- serving to explain
Stiffly- in a manner that is not relaxed or friendly.
Waved- move to and fro with a swaying motion while remaining fixed to one point.
Commanding- having a position of authority.
Gesture- a movement of part of the body, especially a hand or the head, to express an idea or meaning
Evilly- morally wrong or bad
Hesitate- to be reluctant or wait to act because of fear, indecision, or disinclination
Swiftly- moving or capable of moving with great speed or velocity; fleet; rapid
Sill- the horizontal piece or member beneath a window, door, or other opening.
Shrilly- piercingly; in a high pitch
Deftly- dexterous; nimble; skillful; clever
Uncorked- to draw the cork from
Stammered- to speak with involuntary breaks and pauses, or with spasmodic repetitions of syllables or sounds
Sighed- to let out one’s breath audibly, as from sorrow, weariness, or relief

Chapter 4 – A Question of Trust

Citizen- a legally recognized subject or national of a state or commonwealth, either native or naturalized.
Housekeeper- a person employed to manage a household.
Hay fever- an allergy caused by pollen or dust in which the mucous membranes of the eyes and nose are inflamed, causing running of the nose and watery eyes.
Sentence- the punishment assigned to a defendant found guilty by a court, or fixed by law for a particular offence.
Safe- a strong fireproof cabinet with a complex lock, used for the storage of valuables.
Grange- a country house with farm buildings attached.
Pounds- basic monetary unit of the UK, equal to 100 pence.
Autumn- the season after summer and before winter, in the northern hemisphere from September to November and in the southern hemisphere from March to May.
Stirred- move or cause to move slightly.
Tickle- in a way that causes mild discomfort or itching and often laughter.
Sneeze- make a sudden involuntary expulsion of air from the nose and mouth due to irritation of one’s nostrils.
Burglar- a person who commits theft.
Hindering- make it difficult for (someone) to do something or for (something) to happen.
Doorway- an entrance to a room or building through a door.
Ornaments-a thing used or serving to make something look more attractive but usually having no practical purpose, especially a small object such as a figurine.
Amused- finding something funny or entertaining.
Hesitated- pause in indecision before saying or doing something
Frighten- make (someone) afraid or anxious
Persuaded- induce (someone) to do something through reasoning or argument.
Jewels- a precious stone.
Mended- repair (something that is broken or damaged).
Charming- very pleasant or attractive.
Profession- a paid occupation, especially one that involves prolonged training and a formal qualification.
Sharp – tongued – (of a person) given to using cutting, harsh, or critical language.
Honour- high respect; great esteem.

Chapter 5 – Footprints without feet

Muddy- covered in or full of mud.
Imprints- impress or stamp (a mark or outline) on a surface.
Bare- not clothed or covered.
Gazed- looked at steadily and intently, especially in admiration, surprise, or thought.
Remarkable- worthy of attention; striking.
Sight- the faculty or power of seeing
Progressing- move forward or onward in space or time.
Fascinated- strongly attracted and interested.
Fainter- barely perceptible.
Bewildered- perplexed and confused; very puzzled.
Eject- compel (someone) to leave a place.
Wander- walk or move in a leisurely or aimless way.
Bitterly- in an angry, hurt, or resentful way.
Expense- the cost incurred in or required for something.
Panicked- feel or cause to feel panic.
Theatrical- relating to acting, actors, or the theatre.
Shivering- shaking slightly and uncontrollably as a result of being cold, frightened, or excited.
Whiskers- a long projecting hair or bristle growing from the face or snout of many mammals.
Callously- in a way that shows an insensitive and cruel disregard for others.
Inn- a pub, typically one in the country, in some cases providing accommodation.
Wagging- move or cause to move rapidly to and fro.
Solitude- the state or situation of being alone.
Eccentric- unconventional and slightly strange.
Curious- strange; unusual.
Clergyman- a male priest, minister, or religious leader, especially a Christian one.
Poker- a metal rod with a handle, used for prodding and stirring an open fire.
Grasped- seize and hold firmly.
Affair- an event or sequence of events of a specified kind or that has previously been referred to.
Furious- extremely angry.
Peeped-look quickly and furtively at something, especially through a narrow opening.
Sniff- draw up air audibly through the nose to detect a smell, to stop it running, or to express contempt.
Leapt- jump or spring a long way, to a great height, or with great force.
Terror- extreme fear.
Slam- shut (a door, window, or lid) forcefully and loudly.
Hysterics- a wildly emotional and exaggerated reaction
Moaned- make a long, low sound expressing physical or mental suffering
Witchcraft- the practice of magic, especially black magic; the use of spells.
Horrified- filled with terror; extremely shocked.
Prevented- keep (something) from happening.
Magistrate- a civil officer who administers the law, especially one who conducts a court that deals with minor offences and holds preliminary hearings for more serious ones.
Knocked- collide with (someone or something), giving them a hard blow.

Chapter 6 – The Making of a scientist

Former- having previously been a particular thing.
Scout- a member of the Scout Association or a similar organization
Proceedings- a published report of a set of meetings or a conference.
Journal- a newspaper or magazine that deals with a particular subject or professional activity.
making the big leagues- in a field of tough competition and high rewards, the largest or foremost of its kind. For example- winning an Oscar put the actress in the big league.
Fossils- the remains or impression of a prehistoric plant or animal embedded in rocks. Astronomer- an expert in or student of astronomy.
Curiosity- a strong desire to know or learn something.
Encouraged- give support, confidence, or hope to (someone).
Equipment- the necessary items for a particular purpose.
Species- a group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding.
Monarch butterflies- a large migratory orange and black coloured butterfly that occurs mainly in North America.
Collector- a person who collects things of a specified type, professionally or as a hobby.
Migrations- seasonal movement of animals from one region to another.
Adhesive- able to stick fast to a surface or object; sticky.
Flock- a number of birds of one kind feeding, resting, or travelling together.
Life cycle- the series of changes in the life of an organism including reproduction.
Tedious- too long, slow, or dull; tiresome or monotonous.
County- region
Subject- a person or thing that is being discussed, described, or dealt with.
Stack- a pile of objects, typically one that is neatly arranged.
Viral- of the nature of, caused by, or relating to a virus or viruses.
Starling- a gregarious Old World songbird with a straight bill, typically with dark lustrous or iridescent plumage but sometimes brightly coloured.
Zoology- the scientific study of the behaviour, structure, physiology, classification, and distribution of animals.
Research- the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions.
Hormone- a regulatory substance produced in an organism and transported in tissue fluids such as blood or sap to stimulate specific cells or tissues into action.
Assumed- suppose to be the case, without proof.
Ornamental- serving or intended as an ornament; decorative.
Sophisticated- advanced
Blueprint- a design plan or technical drawing.
Nucleus- the central and most important part of an object, movement, or group, forming the basis for its activity and growth.
Heredity- the passing on of physical or mental characteristics genetically from one generation to another.
Room mate- a person occupying the same room as another.
Researcher- a person who carries out academic or scientific research.
Debater- a person who argues about a subject, especially in a formal manner.
Canoeist- A canoeist is someone who is skilled at racing and performing tests of skill in a canoe.
Exhibits- manifest clearly (a quality or a type of behaviour).
Admire- regard with respect or warm approval.
Competitive- relating to or characterized by competition.
Ingredients- a component part or element of something.

Chapter 7 – The Necklace

Error- a mistake.
Clerk- a person employed in an office or bank to keep records, accounts, and undertake other routine administrative duties.
Dowry- an amount of property or money brought by a bride to her husband on their marriage.
Petty- of little importance; trivial.
Incessantly- without interruption; constantly.
Delicacies- fineness or intricacy of texture or structure.
Shabby- in poor condition through long use or lack of care.
Tureen- a deep covered dish from which soup is served.
Pot pie- a savoury pie baked in a deep dish, typically with a top crust only.
Elegant- graceful and stylish in appearance or manner.
Exquisite- extremely beautiful and delicate.
Marvellous- causing great wonder; extraordinary.
Convent- a school attached to and run by a convent.
Elated- make (someone) ecstatically happy.
M.- Mr. in french
Mme.- Mrs. in french
Delighted- feeling or showing great pleasure.
Spitefully- showing or caused by malice.
Murmuring- a low or indistinct continuous sound.
Stammered- speak with sudden involuntary pauses and a tendency to repeat the initial letters of words.
Stupefied- make (someone) unable to think or feel properly.
Dismay- concern and distress caused by something unexpected.
Weeping- shedding tears.
Vexation- the state of being annoyed, frustrated, or worried.
Affair- an event or sequence of events of a specified kind or that has previously been referred to.
Colleague- a person with whom one works in a profession or business.
Grieved- feel intense sorrow.
Francs- the basic monetary unit of France, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and several other countries
Pale- light in colour or shade; containing little colour or pigment.
Larks- a bird
Anxious- feeling or showing worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome
Vexed- annoyed, frustrated, or worried
Adorn- make more beautiful or attractive.
Stricken- seriously affected by an undesirable condition or unpleasant feeling.
Chic- elegantly and stylishly fashionable.
Shabby- in poor condition through long use or lack of care.
Midst- in between
Admirable- arousing or deserving respect and approval.
Satin- a smooth, glossy fabric, usually of silk, produced by a weave in which the threads of the warp are caught and looped by the weft only at certain intervals.
Ecstatic- feeling or expressing overwhelming happiness or joyful excitement.
Embraced- hold (someone) closely in one’s arms, especially as a sign of affection.
Elegant- graceful and stylish in appearance or manner.
Enthusiasm- intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval.
Admiration- respect and warm approval.
Salons- a reception room in a large house.
Furs- the short, fine, soft hair of certain animals.
Detained- keep (someone) from proceeding by holding them back or making claims on their attention.
Descended- move or fall downwards.
Hailing- (of a large number of objects) fall or be hurled forcefully.
Coachmen- a driver of a horse-drawn carriage.
Shivering- shaking slightly and uncontrollably as a result of being cold, frightened, or excited.
Nightfall- the onset of night; dusk.
Wearily- with extreme tiredness.
Cloak- a sleeveless outdoor overgarment that hangs loosely from the shoulders.
Cast down- sad or worried
Gown- a long elegant dress worn on formal occasions.
Bewilderment- a feeling of being perplexed and confused.
Frightful- very unpleasant, serious, or shocking.
Clasp- grasp (something) tightly with one’s hand.
Dictated- state or order authoritatively.
Chaplet- a garland or circlet for a person’s head.
Ruinous- disastrous or destructive
Usurers- a person who lends money at unreasonably high rates of interest.
Latter – denoting the second or second mentioned of two people or things.
Frigid- stiff or formal in behaviour or style.
Perceive- become aware or conscious of (something); come to realize or understand.
Substitution- the action of replacing someone or something with another person or thing.
Necessity- the state or fact of being required.
Frightful- very unpleasant, serious, or shocking.
Lodgings- temporary accommodation.
Attic- a space or room inside or partly inside the roof of a building.
Odious- extremely unpleasant; repulsive.
Haggling- dispute or bargain persistently, especially over the cost of something.
Sous- small value coin in France
Crude- in a natural or raw state; not yet processed or refined.
Awry- out of the normal or correct position
Pails- a bucket.
Flattered- lavish praise and compliments on (someone)
Singular- denoting or referring to just one person or thing.
Astonished- greatly surprised or impressed; amazed.
Personage- a person (used to express importance or elevated status).
Recall- bring (a fact, event, or situation) back into one’s mind; remember.
Loaned- lend (a sum of money or item of property).
Decently- in a way that conforms with generally accepted standards of respectable or moral behaviour.
Content- in a state of peaceful happiness.

Chapter 8 – The hack driver

Magnificent: glorious, majestic
Legal briefs: A written legal document
Summons: court order
Detective: investigator
Shadowy: dark, dim
Unpleasant: horrible
Rejoiced: happiness, joy
Witness: viewer, observer
Eager: impatient
Expectation: belief, supposition
Disappointed: upset
Agreeable: pleasing, nice
Poker game: a type of card game.
Hack: A horse drawn vehicle, horse cart
Hangs out: To spend time doing nothing in particular
Glowed: Here, it means impressed
Affection: love and care for someone
Bargain: to negotiate the price of something
Black box on wheels: refers to the horse cart
Owes: be in a debt/ an obligation to pay money
Suspicious: doubtful
Hack Driver: the one drives a horse cart or hack
Confidence: trust, belief
Earnestly: sincerely
Proceed: to begin
Deceiving: cheating
Admire: praise, appreciate
Regret: to be sorry
Cheerily: happy
Hesitated: be in two minds, stall
Admitted: confess
Lingered: waited around
Swede: a native or inhabitant of Sweden, or a person of Swedish descent.
Concluded: draw the judgement
Exhausted: used up, finished
Poolroom: A place to play pool, a betting shop
Scarcely: hardly
Greasy meal: oily food
Pastures: grassland
Creeks: a stream or minor tributary
Adventures; exploit or event
Philosophy: ideology, beliefs
Meadows: field, pasture
Resumed: restart
Cornered: forced into a place or situation
Enormous: huge
Represents: Be appointed to act on behalf of or speak for someone
Retired: Here, went inside
Seized: grabbed, snatched
Frightened: afraid or anxious
Retreat: pull back
Whispered: murmured
Disrespectful: rude, impolite
Examined: to look or consider a person or place
Barn: outhouse, shelter
Stable: A place where horse is tied up
Shameful: disgraceful
Promising: hopeful
Hinted: suggest
Digging: to till
Ditches: a drain or trench
Loafing: spend time in idle way
Hunt: search for
Begged: To request
Anxious: concerned, worried
Folks: people

Chapter 9 – Bholi

Cot: bed
Backward: slow learner
Pockmarks: spots on the skin
Stammered: fumbled for words
Mimicked: copy, imitate
Prosperous: doing well, rich
Plenty: a lot of
Tehsildar: District collector
Representative: spokesperson
Consulted: discussed
Shrunk: reduced
Matted: untidy
Fear-laden: full of fear
Squatted: to sit with one’s knees bent
Fascinated: attracted
Orchard: land planted with fruit trees
Stammer: fumble for words
Sobbing: noisy crying
Soothing: reduce pain or discomfort
Disgrace: dishonor, shame
Nodded: bow your head in a direction to give your approval
Astonished: impressed, greatly surprised
Blossomed: grow, bloom
Throbbed: beat, pulse
Ginning: the process of treating (ginning) the cotton
Proposal: offer
Certainly: definitely
Pock marks: marks, blemishes
Witless: fool
Muttered: murmur
Grocer: a person who sells house hold goods and food items
Procession: March, Parade
Splendour: lavishness
Envious: jealous
Auspicious: good, favorable
Clad: dressed
Garland: wreath of flowers and leaves
Veil: cover
Poised: calm
Humiliate: insult
Considerate: thoughtful
Streaming: flowing
Triumphant: winning
Gambled: bet
Downcast: low, cast down
Prospective: would be
Contempt: disrespect, disregard
Struck: hit, bang
Flung: aim, launch
Startled: sudden shock
Thunderstruck: shocked
Contemptible: offensive
Violently: strong or extreme manner
Dumb: dull
Heartless: unkind
Rooted: fixed
Grief: sorrow
Steady: firm
Contemplating: view, observe

Chapter 10 – The book that saved the earth

Museum: A building in which objects of historical, scientific, artistic or cultural interest are stored and exhibited.
Spotlight: A lamp projecting a beam of light on a particular place or person.
Historian: An expert in or student in history.
Easel: a wooden frame for holding an artist’s work while it is being painted or drawn
Zulus:
Illustrated: adjective of a book, newspaper
Martian: related to mars
Invasion: capture, annex
Encyclopedia: book which gives information on many subjects
Historiscope: Here, it means a bioscope that shows history of something.
Apprentice: trainee, leaner
Elaborate: detailed, complicated
Mighty: fearsome
Peevishly: irritable
Space probe: research, exploration
Ridiculous: funny, hilarious
Generous: liberal
Consult: seek advice from
Earthlings: here, human beings
Primitive ball: ancient ball
Smacking: to hit
Catalogue: list, category
Lieutenant: deputy, an army rank
Sergeant: officer ranking below a lieutenant
Riffling: shuffling
Crew: team
Incident: happening
Barn: shelter, outhouse
Clue: idea
Peculiar: strange
Galaxies: solar system
Haberdashery: sewing items such as buttons, needles etc
Elementary: easy, basic
Staple food: a routine food
Squints: look with/through narrowed eyes
Gulping; to swallow
Dubiously: with hesitation or doubt
Breathlessly: Not able to breathe easily
Pantomimes: comedy based on nursery story/rhyme. Here, it means comic expression on face
Insignificant: less important
Surveyor: an official inspector
Trifling: unimportant
Intently: keenly
Twirl: turn round
Observe: notice
Squiggles: a short line that curls and loops in an irregular way
Magnificent: glorious, majestic
Stiffly: non flexible
Gulps: swallow
Simultaneously: at the same time
Decipher: decode
Transcribe: put thoughts into written form
Cockle shells: shell
Levity: care free attitude
Gravely: in a serious manner
Diddle: cheat
Fiddle: fraud, cheat
Cease: stop
Desist: hold back
Civilisations: human development
Domesticated: to tame a pet
Interplanetary: between the planets
Capsule: here, it means a space craft
Alpha Centauri: A closest star to our solar system
Chuckling: laugh quietly
Resumed: restart, begin with