Nova S32E9: English vocabulary

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

a very small living thing, such as a bacterium or virus

to twist or become twisted into a messy mass

feeling or showing extreme happiness and excitement

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

so attractive, pleasant, or tempting that it is hard to refuse

greedy and always wanting more money or possessions

a particular kind, class, or group

extremely small; too small to see without a microscope

so full of water or another liquid that it cannot absorb any more

seeming reasonable or likely to be true

something that is different from what is normal or expected

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

relating to the planet Mars or to imagined life there

to send out light, heat, or energy

to make small changes to something to improve it or make it work better

a small wave or series of small waves on the surface of water

to change from a liquid into a gas

melted by heat and in a liquid state

something that is extremely desirable but very hard to get

relating to planets

to a very great degree; extremely

used to ask what something really means or is, especially in British English

made hard or tougher by heat, cold, use, or time

to make someone very interested or curious

the act of adding salt to food or water

to wear away or slowly destroy something over time

smoothed by rubbing with sandpaper

hit someone or something repeatedly and violently

the act of sealing a hole or gap

something that is very hard to find or achieve

to talk in a casual, lively way

fastened with laces

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 travel across or through a place

a protective covering that keeps a spacecraft from overheating during reentry

a way of moving by using jets to create thrust

used to express anger, surprise, or strong emphasis

to suddenly put someone or something into a difficult situation or state

the act of moving something on wheels

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

the state of being mentally healthy and able to think clearly and reasonably

in a suitable or proper way

a person whose job is to study rocks, the earth, and how they change over time

to attack someone in a drive-by shooting

to start or develop among ordinary people rather than among leaders or officials

the act of moving something forward, especially by using power

to stop supporting or continuing something

to move into position in a line or formation, especially in the military

the state of being open to harm, attack, or criticism

a small round object with a hole through it, used in jewelry or decoration

the use of several layers, especially in clothing

used to say that you agree to something, often reluctantly

to make something more difficult or harder to understand

move back to a safer place

the act of directing energy, money, or attention into something

to do something with full effort or confidence

so attractive or appealing that it is hard to resist

to make a deal, victory, or result certain

written with a decimal point

to find out the real reason for something or solve a problem

to practice a play, speech, or performance before presenting it

to record that you have started work or a shift

an informal exclamation used to show surprise or shock

the act of fastening something with a screw

a thin layer of material on a surface

to reach a decision or agreement

small problems or difficulties that happen when something is new or just starting to grow

to survive or get through a difficult period

having recovered and able to compete or succeed again

to succeed even though it seemed unlikely

to make a desperate attempt to find a solution when there are no good options

the study of rocks, the earth, and how it changes over time

to discover or learn something, especially by asking or checking