Vocab topic 13

  1. slash-and-burn- describing a process of cutting and burning, such as vegetation, in place

  2. drought- long period of extremely dry water

  3. hieroglyphic- symbol that stands for a word, idea, or sound

  4. observatory- building for observing the sky

  5. dense- thickly clustered

  6. economy- the system in which a country’s people make a living

  7. basin- bowl-shaped area

  8. dike- wall to hold back water

  9. absolute monarchy- system of government in which the monarch has unlimited power over the government

  10. aqueduct- channel that moves water over a long distance

  11. rigid- inflexible, unchanging

  12. terrace- strip of level land cut into a slope that is planted with crops

  13. hierarchy- system of ranking members in a group according to their importance

  14. distribute- to divide and give out

  15. mortar- cement mixture used to hold bricks together

  16. artifact- object made by a human being

  17. 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

  18. longhouse- rectangular type of home built by northeastern Native Americans, made from wood and bark or mats made of reeds

  19. tepee- portable, cone shaped home made by Native Americans who lived on the Plains

  20. igloo- come hose made from blocks of snow by Native Americans who lived in the arctic

  21. complex- having many related parts; not simple

  22. distinct- separate, different