a • loft adv., at or on a great height. On the Fourth of July, we admired all the United States flags flying aloft.

muf • fled adj., wrapped or padded with something to keep out the sound. The mask for Julian’s costume was so thick and heavy that he spoke with a muffled voice.

moor • ing n., device (such as a line or chain) that secures an object in place. We used several heavy concrete blocks and a rope tied to a float as mooring for our tiny boat.

som • ber adj., dark and gloomy. In December, when days are short, nights are long and somber.

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im • pet • u • ous adj., impulsive because of strong feeling or passion. Nicole was upset, so rather than taking the time to make a careful decision, she made an impetuous one.

lin • ger v., be slow in leaving; stay behind. Dinner was so delicious that we wanted to linger around the table.

fleet adj., quick. The fleet feet of the runner carried her so quickly around the track that all the spectators were stunned.

a • ghast adj., shocked. After seeing the wealth in which the ruler of the country lived, we were aghast to learn that most of the ruler’s people lived in extreme poverty.

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de • fi • ance n., challenge; willingness to fight. After a time, American colonists could not stand the taxes and laws of England anymore, so they began to act with defiance toward their mother country.

per • il n., danger. There is no lifeguard on duty, so swimmers who venture out too deep may be in peril.