Vocab topic 13

slash-and-burn

Describing a process of cutting and burning, such as vegetation, in place.

drought

Long period of extremely dry weather.

hieroglyphic

Symbol that stands for a word, idea, or sound.

observatory

Building for observing the sky.

dense

Thickly clustered.

economy

The system in which a country’s people make a living.

basin

Bowl-shaped area.

dike

Wall to hold back water.

absolute monarchy

System of government in which the monarch has unlimited power over the government.

aqueduct

Channel that moves water over a long distance.

rigid

Inflexible, unchanging.

terrace

Strip of level land cut into a slope that is planted with crops.

hierarchy

System of ranking members in a group according to their importance.

distribute

To divide and give out.

mortar

Cement mixture used to hold bricks together.

artifact

Object made by a human being.

wigwam

Home made by Northeastern Native Americans formed by bending the trunks of young trees and tying them together to make a round frame covered with bark or reed mats.

longhouse

Rectangular type of home built by Northeastern Native Americans, made from wood and bark or mats made of reeds.

tepee

Portable, cone-shaped home made by Native Americans who lived on the Plains.

igloo

Cone-shaped house made from blocks of snow by Native Americans who lived in the Arctic.

complex

Having many related parts; not simple.

distinct

Separate, different.