ballast

(n) Heavy material used to make a ship steady or control the rising and falling of a vessel like a balloon.

buoyant

(adj) 1. Able to float. 2. Cheerful and carefree.

clamber

(v) To climb awkwardly.

detach

(v) To separate from.

eerie

(adj) Causing uneasiness; strange or mysterious.

fathom

(n) A length of six feet, used in measuring the depth of water. (v) To figure out; to understand.

pique

(v) To arouse or excite. (n) A feeling of resentment caused by being ignored, insulted, etc.

probe

(v) 1. To poke or prod. 2. To examine closely. (n) 1. A long, slender instrument used to examine a wound or part of the body. 2. A thorough investigation.

realize

(v) 1. To be aware of. 2. To bring into being; to make happen.

rupture

(v) To split or break. (n) 1. A breaking or tearing apart by force. 2. The breaking of a friendly relationship.

sphere

(n) 1. An object with all points on its surface equally distant from its center; a ball or globe. 2. An area of power, influence, or activity.

submerge

(v) 1. To go underwater. 2. To put underwater or cover with water.

tedious

(adj) Seeming to go on for a long time; boring.

ultimate

(adj) 1. Final. 2. The greatest possible; maximum. (n) Something that is the greatest; the maximum.

unscathed

(adj) Completely unharmed.