Nova S42E5: English vocabulary

relating to Assyria, its people, or their language

to support or strengthen something, especially an idea, argument, or system

a tall stone pillar that narrows toward the top and ends in a pointed shape

to go back over the same route or path

a member of a desert-dwelling Arab people, traditionally nomadic

to hide something in your hand, especially secretly

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

the process of making something waterproof

causing a feeling of wonder or great admiration

a very typical example of a person or thing

in a way that is typical of classical style, especially in music or art

relating to the most exciting or important part of a story, event, or performance

a gentle, loving touch or stroke

an underground tank that stores rainwater or other water

strongly and publicly committed to a cause or campaign

more able or skilled than someone or something else

to struggle to deal with something difficult

to supply water to land or crops, especially through pipes or channels

a temporary frame of poles and boards used by workers to reach high parts of a building

full of longing or sadness for someone or something

deep respect and admiration for someone or something

the work of measuring land and recording its features, often for a map or building plan

relating to myths or mythology

to decorate something so it looks more attractive

great beauty, size, or importance that is impressive

a small tool used for engraving or carving hard material

great beauty and impressive quality

the escape of liquid, gas, or energy through a hole or crack

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

an advantage or starting position that helps you make progress

a device that throws objects by using a sudden release of force

to put something inside or together with something else

the process of removing bones from meat or fish

a person from California

a person who carves wood, stone, or another material

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

able to be moved from one place or position to another

very dry because there is little rain

existing, happening, or found under the earth's surface

a place where two or more roads meet and cross

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

a person who moves from place to place and does not have a permanent home

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

living a life of moving from place to place

to move very slowly and carefully in a particular direction

in a way that seems to happen by magic

the ancient past, especially the time before the Middle Ages

moving with quick, light jumps

in a way that causes death or serious harm

locked with a key

something that is extremely desirable but very hard to get

sunk below the surface of water

to help explain something or make it easier to understand

a tool with a sharp edge, used for cutting or shaping wood, stone, or metal

great skill and knowledge in a subject or activity

a container used for the ashes of a cremated person

in a way that is part of the basic nature of something

smoothed by rubbing with sandpaper

very clever and original; showing inventiveness

something that is very hard to find or achieve

to explain something in more detail

violent, uneven movement in air or water that can shake a plane or boat

the equipment and setup used to make products in a factory

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

the life or world believed to exist after death

to use damaging information to pressure someone

a very large city, especially one that is important for business and culture

to prepare land for growing crops or plants

to honor an event or place by being present

a game in which a player or side must reach five points before the other side does

objects made from clay and hardened by heat

used for decoration rather than for a practical purpose

suggesting something you remember from the past

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

to make a feeling, memory, or image come to mind

the use of several layers, especially in clothing