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) measures to prevent trade with another country due to their actions or policies
sarcastic - (adjective) characterized by irony and satire with the goal of meaning the opposite of what is said
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
secede - (verb) to formally separate from a country or organization in order to become independent
sedentary - characterized by a lack of movement; permanently settled
sedition - (noun) speech and actions that promote rebellion against the government
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
separation of powers - (noun) the division of responsibilities and authority within a government to prevent one part from having all of the power
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
shrewd - (adjective) possessing a keen awareness and judgement of a situation
sidle - (verb) to walk sideways or away from someone while trying not be noticed
siege - (noun) a military tactic whereby an army surrounds a town or fort in order to make the enemy surrender
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; stealthy
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.
sounder - (noun) a heard of pigs or boars
source - (noun) the location where a stream or river begins
sovereignty - (noun) legal authority and control of a particular place
sow - (verb) to plant seeds by scattering them on the ground
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
sullen - (adjective) unpleasant and bad-tempered; morose
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
surveillance - (noun) close monitoring of a person or group (usually by the police or the military)
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) measures to prevent trade with another country due to their actions or policies
sarcastic - (adjective) characterized by irony and satire with the goal of meaning the opposite of what is said
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
secede - (verb) to formally separate from a country or organization in order to become independent
sedentary - characterized by a lack of movement; permanently settled
sedition - (noun) speech and actions that promote rebellion against the government
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
separation of powers - (noun) the division of responsibilities and authority within a government to prevent one part from having all of the power
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
shrewd - (adjective) possessing a keen awareness and judgement of a situation
sidle - (verb) to walk sideways or away from someone while trying not be noticed
siege - (noun) a military tactic whereby an army surrounds a town or fort in order to make the enemy surrender
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; stealthy
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.
sounder - (noun) a heard of pigs or boars
source - (noun) the location where a stream or river begins
sovereignty - (noun) legal authority and control of a particular place
sow - (verb) to plant seeds by scattering them on the ground
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
sullen - (adjective) unpleasant and bad-tempered; morose
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
surveillance - (noun) close monitoring of a person or group (usually by the police or the military)
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
tacit - (adjective) implied or understood without being stated
taciturn - (adjective) reserved in nature and not inclined to speak
tall tale - (noun) an exaggerated story that includes impossible events and characters with extraordinary abilities
Examples- Paul Bunyan, John Henry, and Pecos Bill
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
terse – (adjective) brief and concise in a way that may appear abrupt or unfriendly; pithy
textile - (noun) fabric that is knit or woven
theme - (noun) the major overarching idea or underlying message that is conveyed in a story
Examples- Change is Inevitable, Crime Does Not Pay, Discovery, Importance of Nature,
Overcoming Racism, and Power Corrupts
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 sentence, in the first paragraph of an essay, that states the main claim or purpose of the essay
timid - (adjective) shy and easily frightened
toll - (noun) a fee that is paid to use a road, bridge, or waterway
tone - (noun) the overall mood and emotion of a story or speech
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
traitor - (noun) a person who betrays his or her country, sometimes in exchange for money; a person who commits treason
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 the western Pacific Ocean Note- this type of storm is called a hurricanes in the eastern Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean
tyranny - (noun) government that is characterized by cruel and oppressive actions
taciturn - (adjective) reserved in nature and not inclined to speak
tall tale - (noun) an exaggerated story that includes impossible events and characters with extraordinary abilities
Examples- Paul Bunyan, John Henry, and Pecos Bill
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
terse – (adjective) brief and concise in a way that may appear abrupt or unfriendly; pithy
textile - (noun) fabric that is knit or woven
theme - (noun) the major overarching idea or underlying message that is conveyed in a story
Examples- Change is Inevitable, Crime Does Not Pay, Discovery, Importance of Nature,
Overcoming Racism, and Power Corrupts
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 sentence, in the first paragraph of an essay, that states the main claim or purpose of the essay
timid - (adjective) shy and easily frightened
toll - (noun) a fee that is paid to use a road, bridge, or waterway
tone - (noun) the overall mood and emotion of a story or speech
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
traitor - (noun) a person who betrays his or her country, sometimes in exchange for money; a person who commits treason
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 the western Pacific Ocean Note- this type of storm is called a hurricanes in the eastern Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean
tyranny - (noun) government that is characterized by cruel and oppressive actions
U
ubiquitous - (adjective) seeming to be seen or present everywhere
unabridged - (noun) a book or literary work that is complete (and thus not shortened)
unalienable - (noun) not able to be taken away or transferred Note- This modern form of this word is inalienable. The final version of the U.S. Constitution used unalienable to describe the natural rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
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)
unalienable - (noun) not able to be taken away or transferred Note- This modern form of this word is inalienable. The final version of the U.S. Constitution used unalienable to describe the natural rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
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
vain - (adjective) showing excessive pride in one's ability or appearance; conceited
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
verb – (noun) a word that shows action
verbose - (adjective) expressed with or containing more words than necessary; wordy
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
vain - (adjective) showing excessive pride in one's ability or appearance; conceited
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
verb – (noun) a word that shows action
verbose - (adjective) expressed with or containing more words than necessary; wordy
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
warren - (noun) a series of interconnected tunnels and holes where rabbits live
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.
Whig – (noun) a member of an early American political party who opposed the Democratic Party and favored a strong Congress and business interests
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
warren - (noun) a series of interconnected tunnels and holes where rabbits live
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.
Whig – (noun) a member of an early American political party who opposed the Democratic Party and favored a strong Congress and business interests
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
yardarm - (noun) either end of the yard, the horizontal bar at the end of a square-rigged sailing vessel
yarmulke - (noun) a skullcap worm by Orthodox Jewish men and boys
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
yardarm - (noun) either end of the yard, the horizontal bar at the end of a square-rigged sailing vessel
yarmulke - (noun) a skullcap worm by Orthodox Jewish men and boys
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