The Omnivore's Dilemma Vocabulary

omnivore

eats both plants and animals

omni-

all

vorare

to devour

dilemma

a difficult or perplexing situation or problem

food chain

the series of processes by which food is grown or produced, sold, and eventually consumed.

organic

produced or involving production without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or other artificial agents

sustainable

able to be maintained (in the context of food, "food that comes from a closed loop, recycling fertility and using renewable resources")

processed food

food that has gone through a series of mechanical or chemical operations performed to change or preserve it

yield

produce or provide

GMO foods

any food whose DNA has been changed using technology

bonanza

a situation or event that creates a sudden increase in wealth, good fortune, or profits.

subsidy

a sum of money granted by the government or a public body to assist an industry or business so that the price of a commodity or service may remain low or competitive.

evolved

developed and changed over a long period of time

rumen

stomach chamber in cows and related animals that breaks down grass and acts as a fermentation chamber

ruminants

even-toed hoofed mammals (such as a cow or sheep) that chew cud and have a complex three or four chamber stomach

fermentation

the chemical breakdown of a substance by bacteria, yeasts, or other microorganisms, typically involving effervescence and the giving off of heat.

ecological systems

living organisms of a specific area that interact and depend on one another for survival

feedlots

an area or building where livestock are fed and fattened up.

tallow

A hard fatty substance made from rendered animal fat, used in making candles and soap

slaughterhouse

a place where animals are butchered for food

forage

food for animals especially when taken by browsing or grazing

bloat

a disease of livestock characterized by an accumulation of gas in the stomach

acidosis

excessive acidity of body fluids

flavonoid

a substance in fruit and vegetables that may help protect people against some types of cancer or heart disease

amputation

a surgical removal of all or part of a limb

epidemic

a particular problem that seriously affects many people at the same time

epi-

upon, on

demos

people

Ethanol

a colorless alcohol made from grain and sugar that easily changes to a gas

Gluttons

greedy eaters

gorge

to stuff oneself with food

monoculture

the cultivation of a single crop in a given area.

mono-

one, single

industrial

relating to large-scale business or industry

automated

a process in a factory or office operated by machines or computers, in order to reduce the amount of work done by humans

barracks

a building or group of buildings used to house a specific group of people such as soldiers

atrazine

herbicide to control weeds, especially in corn crops

herbicide

a substance for killing plants, especially weeds

-cide

killer, killing

paddock

a small, usually enclosed field near a stable or barn for pasturing or exercising animals

purebred

an animal bred from parents of the same breed or variety.

sauntered

walk in a slow, relaxed manner, without hurry or effort

compost

decayed organic material used as a plant fertilizer.

tipsy

slightly drunk

fertilizer

a chemical or natural substance added to soil or land to increase its fertility

hybrid

Offspring of two plants or animals of different species or varieties

legumes

plants of the bean and pea family

proposition

a project, task, or idea considered in terms of its likely success or difficulty, especially in a commercial context

sheepishly

with a bashful or embarrassed look

filter

a porous device for removing impurities or solid particles from a liquid or gas passed through it.

algea

a simple, nonflowering, and typically aquatic plant of a large group that includes the seaweeds and many single-celled forms

smothering

suffocating

saturated fat

a type of fat considered to be less healthy than unsaturated fat

omega-3 fatty acids

a class of fatty acids found in fish oils that acts to lower the levels of cholesterol

beta carotene

a red-orange pigment found in plants and fruits (especially carrots and colorful vegetables) that the human body converts to vitamin A

folic acid

a B vitamin that helps the body make new, healthy cells