Nova S41E20: English vocabulary

to make a loud, harsh sound

the ability or process of moving from one place to another

the act of making someone pay a fine

a confusing problem or question that is hard to solve

relating to geology or to the Earth's structure and history

to change into a fossil over a very long time

one of the small bones that make up the spine

the scientific study of fossils and ancient life

to dig in the ground to find something buried, especially old objects or remains

mysterious and hard to understand

showing that something is present or true, often in a way that is not obvious

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

an animal that eats plants

a mischievous child, especially one who is poor or badly dressed

a scientist who studies fossils and the history of life on Earth

to confuse or surprise someone greatly

to make someone feel annoyed, upset, or disappointed

very large or great; seeming to have no limit

more able or skilled than someone or something else

an animal that eats meat

the violent killing of many people

to pass dry ingredients through a sieve to remove lumps or coarse bits

shaped like a cone

causing a lot of pain or suffering

to make something seem less important because something else is more noticeable or impressive

a loose piece of clothing that hangs from the shoulders and covers the body to about the hips or knees

a tool with a mesh bottom used for separating fine material from larger pieces

lasting only a very short time

to make someone feel extreme fear

in a way that is very obvious and usually bad or unacceptable

a temple built to honor all the gods

a pile of hay

the act of keeping horses in stables

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

very careful about small details and exactness

to clean something by rubbing it hard

eating meat and other animals

the process of removing bones from meat or fish

a lively dance with quick steps and a hop

greedy and always wanting more money or possessions

kissing and touching someone in a sexual way

a suffix added to adjectives to form nouns meaning a quality or state

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 fill someone's mind so much that they cannot think about much else

dark, dirty, and hard to see through

very tall or high, especially in a way that is impressive

goods that are brought into or taken out of a country illegally

to push or drive something forward or in a particular direction

a conclusion you reach from facts or evidence

a piece of clothing with trousers and a bib front, worn over a shirt for work or casual wear

a soft-bodied animal, often with a shell, such as a snail, clam, or octopus

bring back to life

a long and often difficult journey, or a series of difficult experiences

difficult to find, catch, understand, or remember

full of conflict, confusion, or sudden change; not calm

to keep someone or something within limits or in one place

a person or animal that digs

expressing opinions very openly, especially in a way that may be critical

a small lizard that can change color to match its surroundings

the act of following someone closely in order to watch them or spy on them

moving or walking with quick, light steps

to guess or form an opinion about something without enough evidence

not heard or not listened to

a process that makes cloth stiffer and stronger by coating it with a special substance

hunting and killing other animals for food

to honor an event or place by being present

to move closer to a target or goal and focus on it

past tense and past participle of shoot

the act of postponing a proposal or motion for later discussion

to act very carefully in a difficult or sensitive situation

growing thickly and looking healthy and green

in a careful, organized way that follows a plan or method

the use of several layers, especially in clothing

sea animals with shells or hard outer coverings that people eat, such as clams, mussels, and lobster

with very little growing on it; almost empty of plants