Nova S24E16: English vocabulary

to make something happen faster or sooner, or to become faster or sooner

a small increase or change, especially in a series

something extremely large and powerful

to join ropes or cables by weaving their strands together

an embankment built to stop a river from flooding

a very large flood of water

a round object that thread, tape, wire, or film is wound around

a tall structure that supports power lines or communication equipment

a large steel or iron beam used to support a bridge or building

to invent false information or a story

to make a sharp, hard metallic sound

to remove mud or sand from the bottom of a river, harbor, or lake

a friendly feeling of trust and warmth among people in a group

injury to skin and tissue caused by extreme cold

to put something under water or another liquid

in a worried or uneasy way

the bending or curving of something under pressure

calm and not showing much emotion, even in difficult situations

to destroy something badly or cause it to fail completely

the act or process of becoming less clear or transparent

the act of forcing a decision, plan, or deal through quickly and unfairly

to move back or farther away

the process of making something waterproof

a beam that is fixed at one end and sticks out from a support

to make a loud, sharp metallic sound

the act of making something seem less important or less serious than it really is

to hang or place something loosely over something else

the act of cutting food into small cubes

to put something on a shelf

a small piece of burned coal or wood that is still hot

the weight of a ship's cargo, or the amount a ship can carry, measured in tons

to put something firmly inside or into something else

a lively dance with quick, springy steps

rough and likely to damage or wear something by rubbing

the quality of being strong and able to handle difficult conditions

more able or skilled than someone or something else

becoming sour, spoiled, or unpleasant

a small powerful boat used for pulling or pushing larger boats

to impress someone very strongly, especially with beauty, skill, or style

running away suddenly and quickly

full of longing or sadness for someone or something

in a way that is fair, morally right, or legally deserved

the sound of many short, sharp pops or snaps

a state of being completely quiet and still

to make a series of short, sharp, snapping sounds

to hang down loosely or swing gently

a wall or bank built to stop water from flooding land

able to be imagined or thought possible

to get better after an illness, injury, or hard work

in a sensible way that is based on what is actually possible

deliberately avoid someone or something

a main road or route through a town or area

while facing something difficult or dangerous bravely

winning or succeeding after a struggle

something that makes a surface, line, or shape even or level

a sharp bend or twist in something that should be straight

a slender candle

to put something inside or together with something else

small bits or pieces left after something has been scraped away

the process of removing bones from meat or fish

again, in a new or different way

showing toughness, courage, and determination

to remove minerals or chemicals from soil or another material by water passing through it

to hate something very much

a small flute with a high sound, used especially in marching bands

a machine that squeezes air or gas and increases its pressure

two; a pair

a building where soldiers live

a bitter liquid used in small amounts to flavor cocktails

very upset, worried, or shocked

a temporary frame of metal poles and boards used by workers to reach high places

the practice of selling unpaid bills to get money before they are paid

to talk with someone in a formal or polite way

a trap, often a loop of wire or cord, used to catch animals

to make a deep sound because of pain, sadness, or tiredness

damage caused when metal slowly breaks down, often because of rust or chemicals