Nova S44E10: English vocabulary

the state of not doing anything, especially when action is needed

to make a substance or place dirty or unsafe by adding harmful material

very strict and exact, especially about rules or requirements

singing Christmas carols, often while going from house to house

often; many times

in a way that is not normal or usual

strongly and publicly committed to a cause or campaign

able to damage or destroy materials or skin by chemical action

more able or skilled than someone or something else

a chemical compound that contains fluorine

to breathe air out of your lungs

a nerve cell that sends signals in the body and brain

to understand or explain something in the wrong way

a small tool used for engraving or carving hard material

a state of wild, uncontrolled emotion or excitement

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

to clean something by rubbing it hard

the process of removing bones from meat or fish

willing to give in, agree, or be flexible

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

to flow or fall in a thin, small stream

the process of removing unwanted substances from a liquid or gas by passing it through a filter

to a very great degree; extremely

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

a poisonous substance produced by a living thing, especially bacteria

slightly fat in a pleasant, rounded way

a drive or trip in a car, especially for pleasure

to become worse in quality, condition, or value

to form a clear picture of something in your mind

the act of removing a covering, layer, or clothes

to use something in the wrong way or for the wrong purpose

locked with a key

very important to the success or result of something

a person or thing that slows or stops a process

to damage someone’s or something’s reputation

among ordinary people, especially in public life

smoothed by rubbing with sandpaper

to value someone or something very highly

government support for people who need money or basic help

becoming weaker or less active

to step aside so someone or something can pass

a person who takes part in a public protest

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

a particular point of view

to act in a self-interested or manipulative way for political advantage

to trace over a sketch or outline with a darker, more permanent line

relating to the front part of something

too much pride in yourself and a belief that you are better than other people

the fact of being responsible for your actions and able to explain them

a device for controlling the flow of water from a pipe

working properly and ready to use

waste from the body that comes out through the bowels

very careful, thorough, and exact

the quality of being true, correct, or legally acceptable

a thin layer of material on a surface

the elected group that runs a city

a chemical element used in bleach, swimming pools, and water treatment

used for investigating or intended to investigate

to give the musical cue that lets someone start singing or playing

to try something in a small way to see if it will work or be accepted

a small thin piece that has broken off from something

in a way that is not natural or genuine

the rounded part of something, especially one of the sections of a brain or the lower part of the ear

to discover or learn something, especially by asking or checking

to make something white or lighter using a chemical process

a formal charge that someone has committed a serious crime

to seem reasonable or consistent

an unborn baby in the later stages of development

done or happening out of public view, especially secretly

a very difficult, painful, or upsetting experience

to show approval by clapping

a group of wild boars

only; used to show that something includes no one or nothing else

the process of shaping metal or other material with machine tools

to identify an illness or problem by examining the signs and tests