CBSE NCERT Class 10 English First Flight Book Chapterwise word meanings

by Meenu Saini | Jun 28, 2022 | Class 9 and 10 | 0 comments

Class X NCERT First Flight Book difficult word meanings

Here, the difficult words and their meanings of all the chapters of CBSE Class 10 English First Flight book have been compiled for the convenience of the students. This is an exhaustive list of the words and meanings of all the Chapter from the First Flight 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 Letter To God words meaning
Chapter 2 Nelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom words meaning
Chapter 3 Two Stories about Flying – Part 1 – “His First Flight” words meaning
Chapter 3 Two Stories About Flying – Part 2 – Black Aeroplane words meaning
Chapter 4 From the diary of Anne Frank words meaning
Chapter 5 The Hundred Dresses Part 1 words meaning
Chapter 6 The Hundred Dresses Part II words meaning
Chapter 7 Glimpses of India (Part 1) A baker from Goa words meaning
Chapter 7 Glimpses of India (Part 2) Coorg words meaning
Chapter 7 Glimpses of India (Part 3) Tea from Assam words meaning
Chapter 8 Mijbil the Otter words meaning
Chapter 9 Madam Rides the Bus words meaning
Chapter 10 Sermon at Benaras words meaning
Chapter 11 The proposal words meaning
First Flight Word Meaning
Footprints Without Feet Book Word Meaning
First Flight Book Poem Word Meaning

Chapter 1 – A Letter To God

Crest: Top of a hill
Dotted: Full Of
Downpour: Heavy Rain
Intimately: Closely
Regarded- Consider Or Think Of In A Specified Way
Draped- Adorn, Cover, Or Wrap (Someone Or Something)
Hailstones- A Pellet Of Hail
Resemble- Have A Similar Appearance To Or Qualities In Common With (Someone Or Something); Look Or Seem Like.
Exposing- make (something) visible by uncovering it.; reveal
plague- a destructively numerous inflow or multiplication of a harmful animal, infestation
locusts- Insects which fly in big groups and destroy crops
solitary: Existing alone; lonely.
conscience- an inner sense of right and wrong.
ox of a man- hardworking
daybreak- The time in the morning when daylight first appears
Pesos- the basic monetary unit of Mexico, several other Latin American countries, and the Philippines
Amiable- Friendly And Pleasant
Correspondence- Communication by exchanging letters with someone.
goodwill- friendly, helpful, or cooperative feelings or attitude
resolution- a firm decision to do or not to do something.
obliged- grateful
contentment- Satisfaction

Chapter 2 – Nelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom

Dawned- (of a day) began
Pleasantly- giving a sense of happy satisfaction or enjoyment; satisfying
Besieged- to be surrounded by
Dignitaries- a person considered to be important because of high rank or office.
Sandstone- sedimentary rock consisting of sand or quartz grains cemented together, typically red, yellow, or brown in colour.
Amphitheatre- an open – air theatre
Supremacy- the state or condition of being superior to all others in authority, power, or status
Deputy- Second in command
Sworn- given under oath; determined to stay in the role specified
Pledged- committed (a person or organization) by a solemn promise.
Assembled- (of people) gather together in one place for a common purpose
Confer- grant
Glory- honour
Outlaws- because of its policy of apartheid, many countries had earlier broken off diplomatic relations with South Africa
On our own soil- in our own country
Possession- ownership
Dignity- the state or quality of being worthy of respect.
Emancipation- the fact or process of being set free from legal, social, or political restrictions
Liberate- free; release
Bondage- the state of being a slave
Discrimination- being treated differently or unfavourably
Deprivation- the damaging lack of material benefits considered to be basic necessities in a society
Oppression- prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or exercise of authority.
Glorious- having, worthy of, or bringing fame or admiration.
Reign- rule; govern
Awe- amazed
Spectacular- beautiful in a dramatic and an eye-catching way
Array- an impressive display
Troop- soldiers or armed forces
Precision- accuracy
Bedecked- decorate
Unmindful- not conscious or aware
Chevron- a pattern in the shape of a V
Trail- series; chain
Symbolised- be a symbol of
Lyrics- the words of a song
Despised- hated, had a very low opinion of
Overwhelmed- have a strong emotional effect
Erected- build; construct
Racial domination- when people of one race have power over another race
Inhumane-cruel, brutal
Overturned- reverse.
Unimaginable- difficult or impossible to imagine
Patriots- a person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies
Apartheid- a policy or system of segregation on grounds of race
Profound- very great or intense
Unintended- not planned or meant
Comrades- a colleague or a fellow member of an organisation
Resilience- the ability to deal with any kind of hardship and recover from its effects
Defies- refuse to obey
Triumph- great victory or achievement
Grimmest- very serious or gloomy
Glimmer- shine faintly with a wavering light
Pushed to our limits- pushed to the last point in our ability to bear pain
Reassure- say or do something to remove the doubts
Obligations- a duty or a commitment
Civil- courteous and polite
Inclination- natural tendencies of behaviour
Inevitably- unavoidably
Twilight- half-light, semi-darkness
Secrecy- the action of keeping something secret
Rebellion- the action or process of resisting authority, convention or control
Stream- a small, narrow river
Mealies- a maize plant
Abided- obeyed
Boyhood- the state or time of being a boy
Illusion- a false idea or belief
Transitory- not permanent
Yearned- have an intense feeling or longing for something
Curtailed- reduce; impose a restriction on
Dignity- the state or quality of being worthy of honour or respect
Frightened- afraid or anxious
Monk- a member of a religious community of men typically living under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience
Virtuous- having or showing high moral standards
Indivisible- unable to be divided or separated
Prejudice- a strong dislike without any good reason

Chapter 3 – Two Stories about Flying – Part 1 – “His First Flight”

Seagull- a bird that lives near the sea and has short legs, long wings, and white and grey feathers
Ledge- a narrow horizontal shelf projecting from a wall (or here) a cliff
Brink- the extreme edge of land before a steep slope or a body or water
Expanse- a wide continuous area of something
Flapped- (of a bird) move (its wings) up and down when flying or preparing to fly
Muster- gather
Plunge- jump or dive
Shrilly- with a high pitched and piercing voice or sound
Upbraiding- scold
Herring- a soft-finned sea fish
Devour- eat quickly
Cackle- laugh in a loud, harsh way
Cowardice- lack of bravery
Ascending the sky- the act of rising up through the air
Preening-to tidy and clean its feathers
Hump- a rounded raised mass of earth or land
Scrapped- discard
Derisively- in a manner expressing contempt or ridicule.
Plaintively- sad
Uttered- make a sound with one’s voice
Halted- stopped
Monstrous- horrible
Seized- grab
Headlong- with the head foremost
Soaring- flying or rising high in the air
Swooped- (especially of a bird) move rapidly downwards through the air
Curvetting- perform a series of jumps on the hind legs
Shrieking- making a high-pitched piercing cry or sound
Shrilly- loudly and forcefully
Ridges- a long, narrow hilltop, mountain range, or watershed
Cawed- utter a caw
Beckoning- gesture

Chapter 3 – Two Stories About Flying – Part 2 – Black Aeroplane

Compass- instrument for telling direction
Runway- a strip of hard ground along which aircraft take off and land
Frightened- terrified
Followed- chased
Obedient- one who obeys
Glad- happy
Radar- a system for detecting the presence, direction, distance, and speed of aircraft, ships, and other objects, by sending out pulses of radio waves which are reflected off the object back to the source
Strangely- in a strange manner

Chapter 4 – From the diary of Anne Frank

Musings- a period of reflection or thought
Listless- with no energy or interest
Brooding- engaged in or showing deep thought about something that makes one sad, angry, or worried.
Prompted- provoke
Confide- to tell personal things privately to a person that one trusts
Liable- likely (here)
Enhance- intensify, increase, or further improve the quality, value, or extent of.
Plunge- jump or dive quickly
Adorable- lovable, cute
Emigrated- leave one’s own country in order to settle permanently in another.
Plunked- to put down
Farewell- an act of parting or of making someone’s departure
Intended- planned
Solemn- characterised by deep sincerity
Dedication- commitment
Quaking- shake or tremble
Staked- bet, chanced
Pleading- to make an emotional appeal
Glances- take a brief or hurried look
Outbursts- a sudden release of strong emotion
Dummies- an object designed to resemble and serve as a substitute for the real or usual one
Unpredictable- not able to be predicted; changeable
Not to lose heart- not be discouraged
Old fogey- an old fashioned person
Annoyed- slightly angry; irritated
Chatterbox- a person who likes to chatter; talkative
Jotted- write (something) quickly
Ramble- to talk or write at length in a confused or inconsequential ways
Convincing- capable of causing someone to believe that something is true or real; powerful
Trait- quality
Inherited- derived genetically from one’s parents or ancestors.
Proceeded- to begin a course of action
Incorrigible- not able to be changed
Mistress- a woman in a position of authority or control
Roared- laughed (here)
Exhausted- completely used up
Ingenuity- the quality of being clever, original and inventive
Verse- writing arranged with a metrical rhythm, typically having a rhyme
Ridiculous- deserving or inviting derision or mockery; absurd
Contrary- opposite in nature, direction, or meaning

Chapter 5 – The Hundred Dresses Part 1

Scuffling of feet- noisy, dragging movements of the feet on the ground
Didn’t hang right- didn’t fit properly
Hopscotch- a game in which children hop into and over squares marked on the ground
Nudge- a gentle push
Incredulously- showing unwillingness to believe
Courteous- polite, respectful
Stolidly- calm, dependable, and showing little emotion and animation
Shrieks- scream
Exaggerated- overemphasise
Her eyes dull- having eyes wanting brightness, liveliness, and vivacity
Bullies- someone who hurts or frightens someone else, often over a period of time, and forcing them to do something that they do not want to do.
Mistreated- to treat someone badly
Absentmindedly- distracted
Shuddered- shake, tremble
Disguise- to give a different appearance to conceal its identity
Scarcely- hardly; barely
Trimmings- decoration
Sash- a long strip or loop of cloth worn over one shoulder or round the waist, especially as part of a uniform or official dress
Pretended- not genuine
Admiration- respect and warm approval
Drizzling- rain lightly
Hurried- quick
Gasped- catch one’s breath with an open mouth, owing to pain or astonishment.
Ledge- shelf
Windowsill- ledge or sill forming the bottom part of a window
Dazzling- extremely impressive, beautiful, or skilful
Lavish- gorgeous
Murmured- say something in a low or distinct voice
Admiringly- in a way that shows respect or warm approval
Assembled- gather together in one place for a common purpose

Chapter 6 – The Hundred Dresses – Part II

Listened closely- listened with attention
Damp and dismal- wet and sad (here, expressing a state of hopelessness)
Forbidding- Unfriendly or threatening in nature
(To) make amends- to show that one is sorry by doing something else
Picking on someone- criticising someone
Cornucopias- decorative containers (usually containing flowers and fruits)
Holly- a shrub having prickly dark green leaves, small white flowers, and red berries. It is used in Christmas decorations.

Chapter 7 – Glimpses of India (Part 1) A baker from Goa

Reminiscing nostalgically- thinking fondly of the past
Loaves- (plural form of loaf) bread that is shaped and baked in a single piece and can be sliced for eating
Vanished- disappear suddenly and completely
Moulders- a person who moulds dough into a shape
Furnaces- an enclosed structure in which materials can be heated to very high temperatures
Extinguished- cause a fire to cease to burn
Heralding- announcing
Pader- word for baker in Portuguese language
Companion- a person with whom one spends a lot of time
Jingling- make or cause to make a light metallic ringing sound
staff – stick
Rebuke- an expression of disapproval; a scolding
Fragrance- a pleasant, sweet smell
Parapet- railing, a low protective wall
bangles- here, refers to the bread in the shape of a bangle called ‘Kankon’
Feast- a large meal, typically a celebratory one
bolinhas – another name for coconut cookies
Plump physique- pleasantly fat body
Open testimony- public statement about a character or quality

Chapter 7 – Glimpses of India (Part 2) Coorg

Drifted from- been carried along gently by hair
Martial- having to do with war
Canopies- roof-like coverings made of trees that form a shelter
Prime- here, best
Invigorating- strong (here)
Mainstream- a tradition which most people follow
Tales of Valour- stories of courage and bravery, usually in a war
Descent- origin
Most decorated- having received the maximum number of awards for bravery in a war
Mischief- playful behaviour
Ripple effect- a small wave or series of waves on the surface of water, especially as caused by a slight breeze or an object dropping into it
Mahouts- a person who works with, rides, and tends an elephant
Laidback-relaxed, not in a hurry
Rafting- travelling in a river in a raft (a floating platform made by tying planks together)
Canoeing- travelling in a river in a canoe (a large, narrow boat)
Rappelling- going down a cliff by sliding down a rope
Trails- paths created by walking
Panoramic view- a view of a wide area of land

Chapter 7 – Glimpses of India (Part 3) Tea from Assam

Chai- Tea
Garam- hot
Sa’ab- Sahab or Sir
Steaming- extremely hot
Exclaimed- cry out suddenly in surprise
Paddy fields- a field where rice is grown
Backdrop- lie behind or beyond; serve as a background to
As far as eye could see- for a long distance until something is so far away and small it cannot be seen anymore
Dwarfing- cause to seem small or insignificant in comparison
Sturdy- strong
Amidst- in the middle of
Billowing- moving or flowing outwards
Concentration- cluster
Ascetic- characterized by severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons.
Banished- get rid of
Clattered- (loud noise made by the train brakes)
Veered- change direction
Gravel- small, rounded stones often mixed with sand
Pruned- cut away from a tree
Sprouting period- when a plant sends out new growth (second harvest of tea leaves in a season)

Chapter 8 – Mijbil the Otter

Crossed my mind- (a thought) came into my mind
A stone’s throw- a very short distance
Otter- a semi aquatic fish-eating mammal of the weasel family, with an elongated body, dense fur, and webbed feet
Eminently- highly; very
As common as mosquitoes- easily found
Tamed- domesticate (an animal)
Cabled- sent a message by telegraph (an old method of communication)
Breakdown- a mechanical failure
Squatting- crouch or sit with one’s knees bent and one’s heels close to or touching one’s buttocks or the back of one’s thighs
Squirmed- twisted about
Thraldom- (old fashioned) being under the control of
Fixation- a very strong attachment or feeling
Medievally conceived- an imagination of the middle ages
Christened- named
Hostile- unfriendly
Aloof and indifferent- keeping a distance
Apathy- absence of interest
Crook of my knees- soft inside part where you bend your knee
So as to speak- as it were (one could say this)
Provoking- causing anger or some other reaction
Plunging- falling; sinking
Sploshed- splashed
Static- motionless
Fumbling- trying to do something in a clumsy manner
Trickle- flow in a small stream
Chittering- make a twittering or chattering sound
chromium- a hard white metal used to make taps
Flick- a quick, light movement
Shuffling- dragging (here)
Dribble- repeated hits on a ball to make it go ahead
Pastime- distraction; entertainment
Accustomed- familiar
Dreaded the prospect- was in great fear of something that would happen in the future
An appalling spectacle- a shocking scene
Whipped off- quickly took off
Trickled- drip, flow
Shreds- pieces
Ricocheting bullet- a bullet with changes direction after hitting a surface
Infuriated- very angry
Took her into my confidence- here, shared with her my experiences or secrets
Portly- stout
Craning- stretch out one’s body or neck in order to see something
Distressed- troubled
Recognition- identification; acknowledgement
Nuzzle- to rub gently with the nose
Bounded on to- climbed up quickly
Terrapin shell- the shell of small turtle found in North America
Engrossed- completely interested in
Ambush- to attack suddenly from a hidden position
Crouching- squat; adopt a position where the knees are bent and the upper body is brought forward and down, typically in order to avoid detection or to defend oneself
Trot off- to leave
compulsive: irresistable
rituals: a religious ceremony
tug: pull
gallop: run fast
Barrage of conjectural questions- a stream of questions filled with guesses
affront: insult
spat: past tense of spit

Chapter 9 – Madam Rides the Bus

Curious- eager to know or learn something
Wistfully- longingly
Kindle- set alight (fire), here, feelings
A slang expression- informal words, often used within a close group
Discreet questions- careful questions
Commandingly- in a controlling tone
Slack time-a time when there is not much work
Devoured- read quickly and eagerly (here)
Canvas- a coarse fabric
Blind- a partition
Haughtily- proudly
Repulsive- causing strong dislike
Curtly- rudely brief or abrupt
Drivel- silly nonsense
Thriftily- spend money carefully
Resolutely stifled- suppressed/ controlled with determination
Ventured out- went cautiously, courageously
Hamlet: a small settlement with a few houses.
Gobbling up: to swallow or eat hastily
Glee- happiness and joy
Thoroughfare- a busy public road
Merchandise- things for sale
Railroad crossing- an intersection where a railway line crosses a road or path
Spreadeagled- spread out
Haunted- returned repeatedly to her mind; was impossible to forget
Pokes her nose- takes an interest in something that doesn’t concern her

Chapter 10 – Sermon at Benaras

Sacred- embodying the laws or doctrines of a religion
Scriptures- the sacred writings of a religion
Befitted- be appropriate for; suit
Chanced upon- came across by chance
Alms- money or food given to poor people; charity
Enlightenment- a state of high spiritual knowledge
Wandered- to move without a fixed course
Vowed- solemnly promise to do a specified thing
Preached- deliver a religious address to an assembled group of people
Sermon- a talk on religious or moral subject
Holy- sacred
Dipping places- bathing
Inscrutable- something which cannot be understood
Kinsmen- a man who is one of a person’s blood relations
Lamenting- express regret or disappointment about something
Slaughter- killing of animals for food
Afflicted- affect adversely

Chapter 11 – The proposal

Farce: a comic dramatic work
Privilege- advantage
Shan’t- shall not
Pardon- forgive or excuse (a person, error or offence)
Awfully- very; extremely
Assistance- the action of helping someone
Go round and round- not coming to the main point
Spit it out- speak out
To seek the hand of a girl in marriage- to propose
By Jove- By God
Desire- a strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to happen
Idiotic- very stupid; silly
Consent- agreement to do something
Egad- exclamation (expressing surprise, anger, or affirmation)
Lovesick- longing, yearning or desiring
Trembling- shaking or quivering, typically as a result of excitement, anxiety or frailty
Hesitate- pause in indecision before saying or doing something
Housekeeper- a person who manages a household
Palpitations- a noticeably rapid, strong or irregular heartbeat due to agitation, exertion or illness
Twitch- a sudden quick moment or feeling
Lunatic- a person who is mentally ill (not in technical use)
Neglige- form of nightgown
Inherited- received as an heir at the death of the previous holder
Affectionate- readily feeling or showing fondness or tenderness
Oxen meadows- a land full of grass for animals to graze in
Birchwoods- a wood of birch trees
Perpetuity- the state or quality of lasting forever
Reckoned- established by calculation
Implore- Beg someone earnestly to do something
Gypsies- a group of nomadic people who travel from one place to another
Impudent- not showing due respect for another person
Carafe- an open-topped glass flask used for serving wine or water in a restaurant
Mowers- a person who cuts grass with a mower
Hoarse- sounding rough and harsh
Restrain- prevent from doing something; keep under control or within limits
Excruciating- intensely painful; sever; acute; extreme
Palpitation- heartbeat
Pettifogger- an inferior legal practitioner, especially one who deals with petty cases or employs dubious practices
Embezzlement- theft or misappropriation of funds placed in one’s trust or belonging to one’s employer
Lunacy- the state of being a lunatic; insanity (not in technical use)
Drunkard- a person who is habitually drunk
Hump- A rounded protuberance found as an abnormality on the back of a person
Guzzling- greedy (here)
Gambler- a person who gambles; speculator
Intriguer- someone who tricks, deceives or cheats
Malicious-intending or intended to do harm
Numb- deprived of the power of physical sensation
Rascal- devil
Impudence- audacity
Lame- unable to walk without difficulty as the result of an injury or illness affecting the leg or foot; limping
Patridge- a short-tailed game bird with mainly brown plumage, found chiefly in Europe and Asia