S
sack - (verb) to conquer and plunder (this occurs after one force captures an opponent's town or fortress)
sacristy - (noun) a room in a church were vestments and other religious articles are kept; a vestry
sage - (noun) a person who is judicious and wise
saline - (noun) a liquid mixture of salt and water
salinity - (noun) the measure of the amount of salt that is suspended in water Note- Salinity is usually measured in parts per thousand (ppt).
samurai – (noun) a warrior that was part of the powerful class of fighters in feudal Japan
sanctions - (noun) ending trade with another country to protest their actions or policies
sarcophagus - (noun) a stone coffin Note- These were used during ancient times and were usually decorated with inscriptions.
satire - (noun) a writing technique that criticizes a person or idea by the use of humor or ridicule
savanna - (noun) tropical or subtropical grasslands that have scattered trees
Scandinavia - (noun) a region of northern Europe that includes Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland
scat - (noun) fecal waste from a wild animal; excrement
scion - (noun) a young member of a wealthy or financially successful family
scribe – (noun) a person who is trained to write and record information
sea level - the level of the sea along the coast that is determined measuring by the average level between the low and high tides
seamount - a mountain that rises up from the ocean floor but does not reach the surface
sedentary - characterized by a lack of movement; permanently settled
seige - (noun) a military tactic whereby an army surrounds a town or fort in order to make the enemy surrender
segregation - the separation of people or groups of people based on their race, gender, ability, class, or status
seismograph - (noun) an instrument that detects, measures, and records underground vibrations
self-actualization - (noun) the achievement or fulfillment of a person's talents and potential in life
self-esteem - (noun) a positive and confident impression of oneself
seraph - (noun) an angel of the highest order
serene - (adjective) calm and peaceful
sericulture - (noun) the raising of silk worms to produce cocoons and ultimately produce silk
service industries - (noun) businesses that provide a service in exchange for money
setting - (noun) the time, place, and mood of a story
sextant – (noun) an instrument, used primarily in navigation, that uses the angle between the horizon and celestial objects to determine latitude and longitude
shabti (or ushabti) - (noun) a small ancient Egyptian figurine that was placed in a tomb to work for the dead in the afterlife
shogun – (noun) a supreme military leader who ruled in the emperor’s name in feudal Japan
sidle - (verb) to walk sideways or away from someone while trying not be noticed
silt - (noun) fine sand and soil that is carried in river water Note - Silt is eventually deposited as sediment when the flow of the water slows.
simile - (noun) a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two dissimilar things using the words like or as
Example- She swims like a fish. Example- I have to wear my glasses or I am as blind as a bat.
slash and burn agriculture - (noun) a farming technique in which trees and plants are destroyed in order to plant crops; the land is used until the nutrients in the soil have been depleted (the land is then abandoned and the farmer moves on to a new area whereby the process is repeated)
slum - (noun) very poor urban areas where many people live close together (sometimes without basic utilities)
sly - (adjective) deceitful and cunning
smog - (noun) visible air pollution that is formed from hydrocarbons and oxides reacting with sunlight Note- This word is a combination of the words smoke and fog
soliloquy - (noun) a speech made by a character, usually speaking as if talking to himself or herself, with no other characters present
soothsayer - (noun) a person who claims to be able to predict future events; a fortune teller
souk - (noun) a marketplace or bazaar in North Africa or the Middle East Note -Souk is derived from the Arabic word sūq.
source - (noun) the location where a stream or river begins
sovereignty - (noun) legal authority and control of a particular place
spontaneous - (adjective) done in an impulsive or unplanned way
stanza - (noun) four or more lines in a poem that are arranged together and frequently occur in a repeated pattern
staple - (noun) the chief food crop of a region or country
stela / stele - (noun) a tall stone slab of rock that contains inscriptions and pictures (used by ancient civilizations as monuments and markers)
steppe - (noun) an area of relatively flat grassland that does not have trees Note- The largest steppe region stretches between Hungary and Mongolia.
stoa - (noun) an ancient Greek sheltered walkway that usually has a walled back and an open side supported by columns
stoic - (noun) a person who does not show their feelings or complain when they are feeling hardship or pain
strait - (noun) a narrow waterway that connects two larger bodies of water
subduction - (noun) the movement of one tectonic plate against another that results in one plate moving down and under the other
subject - (noun) the part of the sentence, usually containing a noun, that is performed by the verb or that is being described Example- Bobby ate the entire pizza!
sublime - (adjective) awe-inspiring and majestic; exceptional
subsistence farming - (noun) farming that takes place on a small farm or plot of land where a farmer grows only enough food to feed his or her family
suffix - (noun) a letter or group of letters that are added to the end of a word to change the meaning Note- The suffixes s and es, meaning plurals, are the most common suffixes in the English language.
suffrage - (noun) the right to vote
sultan – (noun) the supreme ruler of a Muslim country
summary – (noun) a description of the main points of a text or speech Note- You should not include details and examples when you summarize. It is also important to summarize using your own words.
superfluous - (adjective) more than is necessary; too much
supply chain - (noun) a network of businesses involved in the production, transportation, and storage of manufactured parts and finished goods
surcease - (verb) to discontinue; cease
surreptitiously - (adverb) doing something or acting in a secretive and stealthy way to avoid attention
suspense - (noun) the feeling of excitement or curiosity that builds as a story progresses
synagogue - (noun) a Jewish place of worship
synonym - (noun) a word that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word
synthesize - (verb) to combine individual pieces of information in order to better understand a topic
sacristy - (noun) a room in a church were vestments and other religious articles are kept; a vestry
sage - (noun) a person who is judicious and wise
saline - (noun) a liquid mixture of salt and water
salinity - (noun) the measure of the amount of salt that is suspended in water Note- Salinity is usually measured in parts per thousand (ppt).
samurai – (noun) a warrior that was part of the powerful class of fighters in feudal Japan
sanctions - (noun) ending trade with another country to protest their actions or policies
sarcophagus - (noun) a stone coffin Note- These were used during ancient times and were usually decorated with inscriptions.
satire - (noun) a writing technique that criticizes a person or idea by the use of humor or ridicule
savanna - (noun) tropical or subtropical grasslands that have scattered trees
Scandinavia - (noun) a region of northern Europe that includes Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland
scat - (noun) fecal waste from a wild animal; excrement
scion - (noun) a young member of a wealthy or financially successful family
scribe – (noun) a person who is trained to write and record information
sea level - the level of the sea along the coast that is determined measuring by the average level between the low and high tides
seamount - a mountain that rises up from the ocean floor but does not reach the surface
sedentary - characterized by a lack of movement; permanently settled
seige - (noun) a military tactic whereby an army surrounds a town or fort in order to make the enemy surrender
segregation - the separation of people or groups of people based on their race, gender, ability, class, or status
seismograph - (noun) an instrument that detects, measures, and records underground vibrations
self-actualization - (noun) the achievement or fulfillment of a person's talents and potential in life
self-esteem - (noun) a positive and confident impression of oneself
seraph - (noun) an angel of the highest order
serene - (adjective) calm and peaceful
sericulture - (noun) the raising of silk worms to produce cocoons and ultimately produce silk
service industries - (noun) businesses that provide a service in exchange for money
setting - (noun) the time, place, and mood of a story
sextant – (noun) an instrument, used primarily in navigation, that uses the angle between the horizon and celestial objects to determine latitude and longitude
shabti (or ushabti) - (noun) a small ancient Egyptian figurine that was placed in a tomb to work for the dead in the afterlife
shogun – (noun) a supreme military leader who ruled in the emperor’s name in feudal Japan
sidle - (verb) to walk sideways or away from someone while trying not be noticed
silt - (noun) fine sand and soil that is carried in river water Note - Silt is eventually deposited as sediment when the flow of the water slows.
simile - (noun) a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two dissimilar things using the words like or as
Example- She swims like a fish. Example- I have to wear my glasses or I am as blind as a bat.
slash and burn agriculture - (noun) a farming technique in which trees and plants are destroyed in order to plant crops; the land is used until the nutrients in the soil have been depleted (the land is then abandoned and the farmer moves on to a new area whereby the process is repeated)
slum - (noun) very poor urban areas where many people live close together (sometimes without basic utilities)
sly - (adjective) deceitful and cunning
smog - (noun) visible air pollution that is formed from hydrocarbons and oxides reacting with sunlight Note- This word is a combination of the words smoke and fog
soliloquy - (noun) a speech made by a character, usually speaking as if talking to himself or herself, with no other characters present
soothsayer - (noun) a person who claims to be able to predict future events; a fortune teller
souk - (noun) a marketplace or bazaar in North Africa or the Middle East Note -Souk is derived from the Arabic word sūq.
source - (noun) the location where a stream or river begins
sovereignty - (noun) legal authority and control of a particular place
spontaneous - (adjective) done in an impulsive or unplanned way
stanza - (noun) four or more lines in a poem that are arranged together and frequently occur in a repeated pattern
staple - (noun) the chief food crop of a region or country
stela / stele - (noun) a tall stone slab of rock that contains inscriptions and pictures (used by ancient civilizations as monuments and markers)
steppe - (noun) an area of relatively flat grassland that does not have trees Note- The largest steppe region stretches between Hungary and Mongolia.
stoa - (noun) an ancient Greek sheltered walkway that usually has a walled back and an open side supported by columns
stoic - (noun) a person who does not show their feelings or complain when they are feeling hardship or pain
strait - (noun) a narrow waterway that connects two larger bodies of water
subduction - (noun) the movement of one tectonic plate against another that results in one plate moving down and under the other
subject - (noun) the part of the sentence, usually containing a noun, that is performed by the verb or that is being described Example- Bobby ate the entire pizza!
sublime - (adjective) awe-inspiring and majestic; exceptional
subsistence farming - (noun) farming that takes place on a small farm or plot of land where a farmer grows only enough food to feed his or her family
suffix - (noun) a letter or group of letters that are added to the end of a word to change the meaning Note- The suffixes s and es, meaning plurals, are the most common suffixes in the English language.
suffrage - (noun) the right to vote
sultan – (noun) the supreme ruler of a Muslim country
summary – (noun) a description of the main points of a text or speech Note- You should not include details and examples when you summarize. It is also important to summarize using your own words.
superfluous - (adjective) more than is necessary; too much
supply chain - (noun) a network of businesses involved in the production, transportation, and storage of manufactured parts and finished goods
surcease - (verb) to discontinue; cease
surreptitiously - (adverb) doing something or acting in a secretive and stealthy way to avoid attention
suspense - (noun) the feeling of excitement or curiosity that builds as a story progresses
synagogue - (noun) a Jewish place of worship
synonym - (noun) a word that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word
synthesize - (verb) to combine individual pieces of information in order to better understand a topic
T
tall tale - (noun) an exaggerated story that includes impossible events and characters with extraordinary abilities Examples- Paul Bunyan and John Henry
tangible - (noun) an object that has substance and is capable of being touched
tariff - (noun) a tax placed on imported goods
taunt - (verb) to criticize or insult with the intent of provoking
tawny - (adjective) a pale brown to tan color Note- Tawny is usually used to describe fur or feathers.
tempest - (noun) a violent storm
terraces - (noun) horizontal ridges built into the slopes of steep hillsides to prevent soil loss and to aid farming
textile - (noun) fabric that is knit or woven
theme - (noun) the major overarching idea or underlying message that is conveyed in a story
theocracy - (noun) a form of government that is closely related to a religion and is usually governed by a ruler who claims divine sanction
thesis statement – (noun) a short statement at the beginning of an essay that states the main claim or point of the paper
timid - (adjective) shy and easily frightened
toll - (noun) a fee that is paid to use a road, bridge, or waterway
tone - (noun) the attitude that a writer conveys towards the subject in a text Examples- affectionate, angry, depressed, excited, happy, humorous, positive, sad, sarcastic, serious, sympathetic, etc...
topographic map - (noun) a map that shows areas of equal elevation using contour lines
Torah – (noun) the sacred text in Judaism that is composed of the first five books of the Bible Note- Jews believe that history and laws contained in the Torah were revealed by God to Moses. It is the most sacred Hebrew text.
torii gate - (noun) a gateway to the grounds of a Shinto Shrine
torpor - (noun) a state of physical inactivity that enables some animals to survive colder temperatures
tracery - (noun) decorative concrete or bars that form patterns in Gothic period windows
trade deficit - (noun) a trade imbalance whereby the value of goods being imported exceeds the value of goods being exported (most countries want to avoid this)
trade surplus - (noun) a trade imbalance whereby the value of goods being exported exceeds the value of goods being imported (most countries want to achieve this)
tradition - (noun) an action or cultural practice that has been handed down from generation to generation
transept - (noun) the sides extending from the nave in a cross shaped church or cathedral
trench - (noun) a long, narrow, and steep-sided depression at the bottom of the ocean
trepidation - (noun) a state of anxious fear or dread; apprehension
tributary - a smaller stream or river that flows into a larger river
triforium - (noun) a gallery, inside a large church or cathedral, that is located above the nave and below the clerestory
triptych - (noun) a three-panel piece of art, usually connected by hinges, that contains carvings or paintings and used as an altarpiece
trireme - (noun) a low, flat ship that was powered by sails and three tiers of rowers during Greek and Roman times
Tropic of Cancer - (noun) an imaginary line that lies 23.5˚ North of and parallel to the Equator; it is the northernmost area of Earth where the sun shines directly overhead
Tropic of Capricorn - (noun) an imaginary line that lies 23.5˚ South of and parallel to the Equator; it is the southernmost area of Earth where the sun shines directly overhead
tropical cyclone - (noun) a rotating mass of clouds and thunderstorms that usually originate in the tropics and are characterized by strong winds
trough - (noun) a long and shallow depression at the bottom of the ocean
troy ounce - (noun) an ounce based on the troy measurement system and frequently used to measure precious metals and gemstones Note- 1 troy ounce = 1.097 standard ounces
truce - (noun) an agreement between two warring countries to temporarily stop fighting; an armistice
tsunami - (noun) a large, damaging wave, usually caused by an underwater earthquake
twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) - (noun) a shipping container that measures twenty feet long, 8 feet wide, and has a height of eight feet Note- TEUs are frequently used to describe the cargo carrying capacity of container ships
tympanum - (noun) in architecture, the recessed area of a pediment that usually contains sculpture or other decorations Note- Romanesque tympanums are usually characterized by a horizontal base (above a door) and topped by a arch.
typhoon - (noun) a tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 74 miles per hour (34 knots) or higher that occurs in western Pacific Ocean Note- this type of storm is called a hurricanes in the eastern Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean
tangible - (noun) an object that has substance and is capable of being touched
tariff - (noun) a tax placed on imported goods
taunt - (verb) to criticize or insult with the intent of provoking
tawny - (adjective) a pale brown to tan color Note- Tawny is usually used to describe fur or feathers.
tempest - (noun) a violent storm
terraces - (noun) horizontal ridges built into the slopes of steep hillsides to prevent soil loss and to aid farming
textile - (noun) fabric that is knit or woven
theme - (noun) the major overarching idea or underlying message that is conveyed in a story
theocracy - (noun) a form of government that is closely related to a religion and is usually governed by a ruler who claims divine sanction
thesis statement – (noun) a short statement at the beginning of an essay that states the main claim or point of the paper
timid - (adjective) shy and easily frightened
toll - (noun) a fee that is paid to use a road, bridge, or waterway
tone - (noun) the attitude that a writer conveys towards the subject in a text Examples- affectionate, angry, depressed, excited, happy, humorous, positive, sad, sarcastic, serious, sympathetic, etc...
topographic map - (noun) a map that shows areas of equal elevation using contour lines
Torah – (noun) the sacred text in Judaism that is composed of the first five books of the Bible Note- Jews believe that history and laws contained in the Torah were revealed by God to Moses. It is the most sacred Hebrew text.
torii gate - (noun) a gateway to the grounds of a Shinto Shrine
torpor - (noun) a state of physical inactivity that enables some animals to survive colder temperatures
tracery - (noun) decorative concrete or bars that form patterns in Gothic period windows
trade deficit - (noun) a trade imbalance whereby the value of goods being imported exceeds the value of goods being exported (most countries want to avoid this)
trade surplus - (noun) a trade imbalance whereby the value of goods being exported exceeds the value of goods being imported (most countries want to achieve this)
tradition - (noun) an action or cultural practice that has been handed down from generation to generation
transept - (noun) the sides extending from the nave in a cross shaped church or cathedral
trench - (noun) a long, narrow, and steep-sided depression at the bottom of the ocean
trepidation - (noun) a state of anxious fear or dread; apprehension
tributary - a smaller stream or river that flows into a larger river
triforium - (noun) a gallery, inside a large church or cathedral, that is located above the nave and below the clerestory
triptych - (noun) a three-panel piece of art, usually connected by hinges, that contains carvings or paintings and used as an altarpiece
trireme - (noun) a low, flat ship that was powered by sails and three tiers of rowers during Greek and Roman times
Tropic of Cancer - (noun) an imaginary line that lies 23.5˚ North of and parallel to the Equator; it is the northernmost area of Earth where the sun shines directly overhead
Tropic of Capricorn - (noun) an imaginary line that lies 23.5˚ South of and parallel to the Equator; it is the southernmost area of Earth where the sun shines directly overhead
tropical cyclone - (noun) a rotating mass of clouds and thunderstorms that usually originate in the tropics and are characterized by strong winds
trough - (noun) a long and shallow depression at the bottom of the ocean
troy ounce - (noun) an ounce based on the troy measurement system and frequently used to measure precious metals and gemstones Note- 1 troy ounce = 1.097 standard ounces
truce - (noun) an agreement between two warring countries to temporarily stop fighting; an armistice
tsunami - (noun) a large, damaging wave, usually caused by an underwater earthquake
twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) - (noun) a shipping container that measures twenty feet long, 8 feet wide, and has a height of eight feet Note- TEUs are frequently used to describe the cargo carrying capacity of container ships
tympanum - (noun) in architecture, the recessed area of a pediment that usually contains sculpture or other decorations Note- Romanesque tympanums are usually characterized by a horizontal base (above a door) and topped by a arch.
typhoon - (noun) a tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 74 miles per hour (34 knots) or higher that occurs in western Pacific Ocean Note- this type of storm is called a hurricanes in the eastern Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean
U
ubiquitous - (adjective) seeming to be seen or present everywhere
unabridged - (noun) a book or literary work that is complete (and thus not shortened)
undaunted - (adjective) confident and determined to overcome a difficult problem or situation
understatement - (noun) a statement that makes something seem smaller or less severe than it really is
undulate - (verb) to move in a continuous up and down wavelike motion
unemployment rate - (noun) the number of people looking for a job when compared to the total work force
ungainly - (adjective) clumsy or awkward in movement
unicameral - (noun) a legislature with one house
universal suffrage - (noun) the right to vote without restrictions due to gender and other requirements
urban - (noun) located in, or related to, a city (opposite of rural)
unrelenting - (adjective) not slowing or stopping; unyielding
uraeus - (noun) an ancient Egyptian cobra figure that was worn over a nemes headdress Note- The uraeus was a symbol of protection in ancient Egypt.
UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) - (noun) the modern term for Greenwich Mean Time Note- This term replaced GMT in 1972 and is referred to as "zulu" time in the American military.
utility - (noun) a business or government organization that provides the public with electricity, natural gas, and water for a fee
unabridged - (noun) a book or literary work that is complete (and thus not shortened)
undaunted - (adjective) confident and determined to overcome a difficult problem or situation
understatement - (noun) a statement that makes something seem smaller or less severe than it really is
undulate - (verb) to move in a continuous up and down wavelike motion
unemployment rate - (noun) the number of people looking for a job when compared to the total work force
ungainly - (adjective) clumsy or awkward in movement
unicameral - (noun) a legislature with one house
universal suffrage - (noun) the right to vote without restrictions due to gender and other requirements
urban - (noun) located in, or related to, a city (opposite of rural)
unrelenting - (adjective) not slowing or stopping; unyielding
uraeus - (noun) an ancient Egyptian cobra figure that was worn over a nemes headdress Note- The uraeus was a symbol of protection in ancient Egypt.
UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) - (noun) the modern term for Greenwich Mean Time Note- This term replaced GMT in 1972 and is referred to as "zulu" time in the American military.
utility - (noun) a business or government organization that provides the public with electricity, natural gas, and water for a fee
V
vague - (adjective) unclear due to a lack of details or explanation
valiant - (adjective) possessing or showing courage and bravery
vector - (noun) a creature, such as a mosquito or tick, that transmits bacterium, viruses, or other microorganisms from one host to another
veld – (noun) open, uncultivated grassland in southern Africa
vendor - (noun) a person who sales a product in a small booth or shop
venerate - (verb) to honor or regard with great respect
vermin – (noun) smaller wild animals that may carry diseases and parasites and may be viewed as harmful to the health of people and farm animals
veto - (noun) Presidential rejection of a bill passed by Congress
visa - (noun) an official document that gives a foreigner permission to enter the country
voice - (noun) a writers ability to use language in order to make a character come "alive" for the reader
volute - (noun) a rolled scroll design at the top of a shaft in Ionic columns
volcanologist - (noun) a geologist who specialized in the study of volcanoes
valiant - (adjective) possessing or showing courage and bravery
vector - (noun) a creature, such as a mosquito or tick, that transmits bacterium, viruses, or other microorganisms from one host to another
veld – (noun) open, uncultivated grassland in southern Africa
vendor - (noun) a person who sales a product in a small booth or shop
venerate - (verb) to honor or regard with great respect
vermin – (noun) smaller wild animals that may carry diseases and parasites and may be viewed as harmful to the health of people and farm animals
veto - (noun) Presidential rejection of a bill passed by Congress
visa - (noun) an official document that gives a foreigner permission to enter the country
voice - (noun) a writers ability to use language in order to make a character come "alive" for the reader
volute - (noun) a rolled scroll design at the top of a shaft in Ionic columns
volcanologist - (noun) a geologist who specialized in the study of volcanoes
W
wadi - (noun) dry riverbeds in the Arabian and Saharan deserts that fill with water after heavy rainfall
wane - (verb) to decrease in importance or intensity; become weaker
wat – (noun) a Buddhist temple or monastery in Cambodia, Laos, or Thailand
water table - (noun) the area close to surface of the Earth that is permeable enough to hold water
waterfowl - (noun) a bird or species of birds, such as ducks, geese, and swans, that spend most of their lives in or near freshwater
West Wind Drift - (noun) an ocean current that moves in a clockwise motion around the continent of Antarctica and is known for being the largest ocean current on Earth Note- This current is also known as the Antarctic Circumpolar Current.
wier - (noun) a small dam built across a stream to raise the water level or to divert water
wrath - (noun) fierce and violent anger
wretch - (noun) a pathetic and miserable person
wane - (verb) to decrease in importance or intensity; become weaker
wat – (noun) a Buddhist temple or monastery in Cambodia, Laos, or Thailand
water table - (noun) the area close to surface of the Earth that is permeable enough to hold water
waterfowl - (noun) a bird or species of birds, such as ducks, geese, and swans, that spend most of their lives in or near freshwater
West Wind Drift - (noun) an ocean current that moves in a clockwise motion around the continent of Antarctica and is known for being the largest ocean current on Earth Note- This current is also known as the Antarctic Circumpolar Current.
wier - (noun) a small dam built across a stream to raise the water level or to divert water
wrath - (noun) fierce and violent anger
wretch - (noun) a pathetic and miserable person
X
xenophobia - (noun) strong fear and dislike of foreigners
Y
yad- (noun) a special pointer used in the Jewish faith while reading the Torah Note- Yad is a Hebrew word meaning “hand.”
Yahweh – (noun) the Hebrew name for God that is used in the Old Testament of the Bible
yurt – (noun) a tent that is usually made of skins or wool and placed over a portable frame Note- Yurts have traditionally been used by nomadic societies in eastern Asia (particularly Mongolia).
Yahweh – (noun) the Hebrew name for God that is used in the Old Testament of the Bible
yurt – (noun) a tent that is usually made of skins or wool and placed over a portable frame Note- Yurts have traditionally been used by nomadic societies in eastern Asia (particularly Mongolia).
Z
zany - (adjective) strange and unconventional in a humorous way
ziggurat - (noun) a large, pyramid-shaped structure consisting of a series of stacked, rectangular platforms
ziggurat - (noun) a large, pyramid-shaped structure consisting of a series of stacked, rectangular platforms