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Glossary S - Z

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

speculum - (noun) a bright patch of secondary wing feathers of certain bird species

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

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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 

Underground Railroad - (noun) a network routes and safe houses that helped slaves escape bondage in the Southern United States 

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

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 

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
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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
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