Nova S45E1: English vocabulary

to come from a source and spread out from it

something extremely large, powerful, or impressive

the activity of betting money on uncertain results

to show your bare buttocks to someone as a joke or insult

full of something; well supplied

imaginative, unusual, or not based on reality

based on what you see, hear, or measure, rather than theory

to change something completely, especially in a way that has a big effect

the quality of being clear, sharp, and detailed

used to emphasize that something is real, extreme, or impressive

things that are left over after something is used, eaten, or finished

in a way that clearly proves or settles something

the quality of being strange or unusual

to move repeatedly from side to side or up and down between two points

to send out or throw out quickly and forcefully

the ninth sign of the zodiac, represented by an archer

a joke or playful remark

a confusing problem or question that is hard to solve

the front edge of a step or stair

the amount of light something gives off

to attract and hold someone's attention or interest strongly

the act or process of becoming less clear or transparent

mysterious and hard to understand

calm and peaceful; not easily upset or excited

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

to change the shape of something, often in a way that damages it

in a firm, secure, or strong way

the movement of something swinging back and forth

the act of moving a boat by pushing a pole against the bottom of the water

to value something very highly

the study of the physical nature of stars, planets, and other objects in space

to make a substance by combining simpler substances or elements

to take small bites of something

describing a relationship in which two different things help each other

a person or thing that brings bad luck

the act of cutting or tearing something into small pieces

a dirty mark or smear

a person who does not easily believe things and wants proof first

a lack of activity or movement

in the form of a gas, or like a gas

likely to have a serious and important effect on what happens next

the state of being very unusual or unique

relating to the space between stars

something used to trace or track something else

to destroy completely

more able or skilled than someone or something else

to make a fire stop burning

impossible or very hard to understand

speech or writing that is impossible to understand

too large or too high, especially in a way that is not true or reasonable

to stay hidden and wait for a chance to act

toward the inside or center

to gently and persistently persuade someone to do something

too great or shocking to be described

existing from the earliest time; very ancient

the process of checking or adjusting a measuring device so it gives accurate results

the scientific study of light and how it behaves

relating to a galaxy or galaxies

a change in size, amount, or level that goes up and down repeatedly

a place or position that gives you a good view of something

having sharp corners or a lot of angles

a number or amount that is close to the real one but not exact

describing a disaster or situation that seems like the end of the world

the act of keeping horses in stables

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

a small but important difference in meaning, feeling, or sound

a mass of air or water that spins around very fast

making a long, sharp s sound

giving off a soft, bright light

for a very short time

to break into small pieces or parts

a ball of fire, especially one caused by an explosion

a slight shaking movement

to move in a circular or spiraling motion

covered with a messy layer of something that has been spread around

the habit of not wanting to work, move, or do anything difficult