Chapter 01 UNIT 04 Applied Sciences

appeal

n. an urgent or formal request for help; the quality of being attractive or interesting

solicitation, attraction, charm

The appeal of iron comes from its low cost, strength, and resistance to fire.

bind

v. to tie or fasten tightly; to force someone to do something by making him or her promise to do it

tie, constrain, obligate

Hotels were some of the earliest places that helped bind the United States together.

sway

v. to swing or to make something swing; to incline toward a particular opinion

wave, swing, tilt

In high winds, skyscrapers will sway slightly

beneficial

adj. having good results or benefits

helpful, useful, advantageous

Some bacteria are beneficial since they stimulate plant life through food decomposition.

allude

v. to mention something indirectly; to speak about something in passing

hint, mention, refer

The word “zigzag” alludes to the geometric ornamentation.

alter

v. to become different or to make something or someone become different

change, convert, transform

As Earth developed, the concentrations of the pollutants were altered by various chemical reactions.

appreciation

sensitive understanding of the value or quality of something

recognition, understanding, admiration

With concerns about the loss of species, there is a growing appreciation for the importance of biological diversity.

barren

adj. not able to produce crops or fruit; not able to bear offspring

infertile, sterile, unproductive

We can see large, pristine forests on one side and an almost barren land devoid of trees on the other side.

comparatively

adv. according to an estimate made in comparison; not absolutely

relatively, nearly, approximately

The first attempt to dig the canal was made by private companies, and only a comparatively small portion was built.

clue

n. a fact or circumstance which helps toward the solution of a crime or a mystery

hint, evidence, indication

There were no clues as to how the animal died.

voluminous

adj. producing great quantities of writing; enough to fill many volumes

copious, bulky, huge

The ecologist had voluminous correspondence and frequent discussions with other experts in the field

thrive

v. to grow strong and healthy

prosper, flourish

Barley, unlike most other grains, thrives at high altitudes, so it can be grown in many places.

facilitate

v. to make something easy or easier to do or to achieve

expedite, ease, promote

Research into hydrogen technology was facilitated by money from Congress.

boundary

n. a line or border marking the farthest limit of an area

border, bounds, limit

Lake Superior forms a natural boundary between the United States and Canada.

advocate

n. someone who supports or recommends an idea or proposal

proponent, supporter, patron

Advocates of organic foods frequently proclaim that such products are safer and more nutritious than others.

cope with

ph. to manage successfully; to deal with

handle, dispose of

The human body is usually unable to cope with extremely hot or cold temperatures.

crucial

adj. extremely important because the thing will affect others

decisive, critical, vital

Obviously, muscles are crucial to the human body

inhibit

v. to hold back or prevent an action, desire, or progress; to prohibit someone from doing something

check, restrain, bar

Antibiotics inhibit the growth of bacteria.

illusion

n. a deceptive or misleading appearance

fantasy, delusion, hallucination

Optical illusions deceive the eye with tricks of perception.

specimen

n. a small amount of something that shows what the rest of it is like; a sample or example of something, especially something that will be studied

example, sample, case

Many medical tests require a blood specimen

breakthrough

n. a sudden achievement; a decisive advance or discovery, especially in scientific research

advancement, improvement

The new vaccine represented a significant breakthrough in the battle against the virus

codify

v. to arrange something into a systematic code or laws

systematize, formulate

By the 1500s in Europe, the collected knowledge of the human body was codified.

dissection

n. the art of dissection; the scientific study of the structure of living organisms, including humans

anatomy

Thomas Eakins studied not only painting but also anatomy when he was training to become an artist.

acrid

adj. having a very bitter and pungent smell or taste

pungent, tart, bitter

Burning rubber produces an acrid smoke.

cadaver

n. the dead body of a human being or an animal

carcass, remains corpse

The decomposing corpse of a dead ant is generally removed from the colony by worker ants.

finite

adj. having an end or limit

limited, restricted, bounded

Many people fear that Earth’s supply of oil is finite and that we will run out of energy someday.

ignite

v. to set fire to something

burn, inflame, kindle

When exposed to air, phosphorous ignites spontaneously and forms white fumes when it burns

manipulate

v. to handle something or to work something with the hands, especially in a skillful way

control, operate, direct

The pilot must manipulate the controls to take off, to change directions and speed, and to land.

drainage

n. a process or system by which waste liquid flows away

draining, sewage

That province has a history of underground faults that has created an efficient water drainage system.

ventilate

v. to allow fresh air to circulate throughout a room or a building air

Most modern barns are insulated, ventilated, and equipped with electricity