(1) 'Strange' means unfamiliar or unusual; its opposite is 'ordinary' meaning common or familiar. (2) 'Dawn' is the time of day when the sun rises (morning); 'dusk' is when the sun sets (evening). (3) 'Launch' means to set something in motion; 'halt' means to stop or cease movement. (4) 'Bulging' means swelling outward; 'shrinking' means contracting or becoming smaller inward. (5) 'Float' means to stay on the surface of water; 'sink' means to go below the surface. (6) 'Lading' means loading cargo; 'emptying' means removing or unloading contents.