AP Seminar Lessons 5-8 Practice

element

(1) A basic or essential part of something abstract or physical; a substance that cannot be broken down

(2) the state or sphere natural or suited to a person or thing

(3) any of the four substances air, water, fire, and earth formerly believed to compose the physical universe

elemental

(1) Essential or basic

(2) of, relating to, or resembling a great force of nature

elementarily

In a way that is very simple or basic

elementary

Basic, straightforward, uncomplicated

macroelement

Macronutrient: a chemical element or substance (such as potassium or protein) that is essential in relatively large amounts to the growth and health of a living organism

microelement

Inorganic nutrients found in trace amounts

multielement

Composed of, containing, or involving more than one distinct part or aspect : having or involving more than one element

radioelement

Elements that are chemically and radiologically toxic, particularly in aquatic ecosystems

thermoelement

A device used for measuring small currents, consisting of a wire heating element and a thermocouple in electrical contact with it

transelement

To change or transpose the elements of: transform

fissile

(1) Easily broken or split.

(2) An atom or element that is able to go under nuclear fission.

fissility

The quality of being fissile

fission

(1) The act of dividing or splitting something into several parts.

(2) Reproduction by means of a cell or organism dividing into two or more new cells or organisms.

fissiparous

A tendency to break or split up into parts

fissiped

(adj) Having the toes separated to the base: cloven-footed

(noun) An animal with fissiped feet

fissure

(1) A long or narrow opening caused from cracking and splitting.

(2) A state of disagreement or incompatibility.

circumfuse

Surround

confuse

To mix up or make unclear

confused

(verb) to disturb in mind or purpose; to make indistinct; to fail to differentiate from an often similar or related other

(adjective) being perplexed or disconcerted

confusion

The quality or state of being confused

defuse

(1) to remove the fuse from (a mine, a bomb.

diffuse

(adjective) Not concentrated or localized

(verb) To pour out and permit or cause to spread freely

(verb) To calm, soften, or sometimes feel unfocused

diffusion

The state of being spread out or transmitted especially by contact: the action of diffusing

effuse

(1) to flow out: emanate

(2) to pour out (a liquid)

(3) to make a great or excessive display of enthusiasm

effusive

Showing strong feelings or overly emotional

effusion

The act of effusing; unrestrained expression of words or feelings

fuse

(noun) an electrical safety device consisting of or including a wire or strip of fusible metal that melts and interrupts the circuit when the current exceeds a particular amperage

(noun) a continuous train of a combustible substance enclosed in a cord or cable for setting off an explosive charge by transmitting fire to it

(verb) to blend thoroughly by or as if by melting together: combine

fusion

(1) a merging of diverse, distinct, or separate elements into a unified whole

(2) the union of atomic nuclei to form heavier nuclei resulting in the release of enormous quantities of energy when certain light elements unite

infuse

To cause to be permeated with something (such as a principle or quality) that alters usually for the better

profuse

(1) pouring forth liberally: extravagant

(2) exhibiting great abundance: bountiful

suffuse

To spread over or through in the manner of fluid or light

transfuse

To cause to pass from one to another: transmit

biomechanics

The study of movement in living organisms using mechanical principles

electromechanical

Using both electrical and mechanical processes

machinist

A worker who fabricates, assembles, operates, or repairs machinery

mechanic

One who repairs machinery

mechanical

(1) Relating to machines; working or produced by machines or machinery

(2) done as if by machine: seemingly uninfluenced by the mind or emotions

mechanics

The study of motion, forces, and how objects interact

mechanism

(1) A system of parts working together in a machine

(2) A part of a machine with a specific job

(3) a process, technique, or system for achieving a result

(4) a doctrine that holds natural processes (as of life) to be mechanically determined and capable of complete explanation by the laws of physics and chemistry

mechanist

Someone who explains things purely through mechanical or physical causes

mechanistic

Of or relating to a mechanism or the doctrine of mechanism

mechanize

To automate a process with machines

mechanization

The process of replacing human labor with machines

mechanoreceptor

a neural end organ (such as a tactile receptor) that responds to a mechanical stimulus (such as a change in pressure)

mercantile

Relating to trade or commerce; commercialism

mercantilism

Belief in the benefits of profitable trading; commercialism

mercenary

A person whose only interest is earning money

mercer

Historical word for a dealer in textiles

merchandise

Goods that are bought and sold

merchandising

Sales promotion as a comprehensive function including market research, development of new products, coordination of manufacture and marketing, and effective advertising and selling

merchant

A person who buys and sells goods

merchantable

Suitable for purchase or sale; marketable

merchantman

A ship used in commerce; a vessel of the merchant marine