The History of the Invention of Plastics

mold (V)

She molded the clay into little animals.

to shape something into a particular form

shellac (N)

The pottery is covered with a layer of varnish or shellac.

a substance obtained from an insect that is melted into small thin pieces and used for making varnish (= a liquid for painting onto surfaces to make them shiny) and for many other purposes

yearn (V)

Despite his great commercial success he still yearns for critical approval.

to wish very strongly, especially for something that you cannot have or something that is very difficult to have:

numb (V)

When she first heard the news, she was numb with disbelief.

Ever since his girlfriend left him he has felt numb.

not able to feel any emotions or to think clearly, because you are so shocked or frightened, etc

mind-numbing (ADJ)

a mind-numbing task

extremely boring

brass (N)

I don't know how she has the brass to do it.

complete confidence and lack of fear

fabrication (N)

complete fabrication The evidence he gave in court was a complete fabrication.

the act of inventing false information in order to deceive someone, or the false information itsel

foundry (N)

ta factory where metal is melted and poured into specially shaped containers to produce machine parts

patent (N)

In 1880 Alexander Graham Bell was granted a patent on an apparatus for signalling and communicating called a Photophone.

The company took out/filed a patent on a genetically engineered tomato.

the official legal right to make or sell an invention for a particular number of years

lay the groundwork/basis/foundations for something

This study lays the groundwork for understanding the nature of different mutations of the disease.

to prepare for or start an activity or task

steep (ADJ)

There has been a steep increase/rise in prices.

A steep rise or fall is one that goes very quickly from low to high or from high to low

rattles (N)

shuttle (N)

take the shuttle To get across town, you can take the shuttle from Times Square to Grand Central.

(space) shuttle The American (space) shuttle was able to be used many times to put payloads in space.

a vehicle or aircraft that travels regularly between two places

shuttle (V)

shuttle between something and something A bus shuttles constantly between the terminal and the runways.

to travel or take people regularly between the same two places