Nova S31E1: English vocabulary

more able or skilled than someone or something else

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

causing a lot of pain or suffering

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

to make someone feel extreme fear

a spacecraft that lands on the surface of a planet or moon

to cause a sudden shock or surprise

the practical details of something, especially the technical ones

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

to reduce or cancel the effect of something by acting against it

a machine used for picking up and moving loose materials or goods

to do something too much or too intensely

kissing and touching someone in a sexual way

a small fault or problem in a machine, computer, or system

a container with a lid, used for storing dry goods or other materials

a drive or trip in a car, especially for pleasure

relating to the planet Mars or to imagined life there

to separate threads or fibers, or come apart into threads

happening from time to time, with breaks in between

in a way that seems to happen by magic

moving with quick, light jumps

in a way that uses science or scientific methods

to fill something with air or gas so it becomes bigger or firmer

soft material used to fill cushions, pillows, or toys

to a very great degree; extremely

to copy the way something looks, sounds, or behaves

in a direction that is parallel to the ground or horizon

moving or walking with quick, light steps

a sloping tube or slide that things move down

not acceptable in polite society; considered improper or rude

used to add emphasis, especially in informal speech

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

used to say something that is bold, rude, or about a taboo topic

with the end facing forward or toward something

to a lesser degree; not as much

a protective covering that keeps a spacecraft from overheating during reentry

a way of moving by using jets to create thrust

to give someone extra work or a difficult task to deal with

in a way that is wrong or not intended; by mistake

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

to seriously damage or weaken something

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

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

to attack someone in a drive-by shooting

an audio socket that sends out an unamplified signal

past tense and past participle of shoot

the act of moving something forward, especially by using power

a silky case made by an insect larva for protection while it changes into an adult

to start burning, or make something start burning

the act of postponing a proposal or motion for later discussion

a short, sharp ringing sound

the sound of something, especially a clock, ticking

the use of several layers, especially in clothing

with very little growing on it; almost empty of plants

for each person or thing; each

to travel regularly between home and work

to shock or surprise someone very much

to record that you have started work or a shift

to find or discover something hidden, especially by searching carefully

not kind or welcoming

an organ that stores urine before it leaves the body

a feeling of hopelessness, often when you think a situation cannot improve

at a very short distance; with little space between things

objects used in a play, movie, or TV show

relating to government or the work of government

to reach a decision or agreement

working by using the pressure of a liquid

the person who did a crime or caused a problem

to relax because you know everything is safe or under control

the act of combining money, resources, or efforts for a shared purpose

to discover or learn something, especially by asking or checking

in a way that is very clear or easy to notice

to leave a place suddenly, especially in protest or anger

the act of giving weapons to people or preparing them for fighting

to breathe in through your nose noisily, especially to smell something