Nova S46E22: English vocabulary

the crime of killing a baby or very young child

to make a sudden forward movement, usually to attack or grab something

a person who studies and describes the customs and culture of different peoples

to give some power or responsibility to a lower level of government or organization

helping someone learn by discovering things for themselves

to prove that someone is not guilty or wrong

to cut the edge of fabric with pinking shears

a scientist who studies how diseases spread in populations

a tomb, especially one built above the ground or cut into stone

very difficult to control, solve, or deal with

to make someone feel braver or more confident

an old or nonstandard comparative of bad, meaning worse

to be the largest, strongest, or most common part of something

to make something known to more people

to punish someone for breaking a rule or law

a book or online tool that lists words with similar meanings

seeming to be everywhere

the lower jaw of a person or animal

relating to the earliest part of the Stone Age

a hard, dark volcanic glass formed when lava cools very quickly

a place where something, especially trouble or activity, develops quickly and strongly

destroy completely; leave nothing behind

to hit someone or something many times, especially with your fists

to write down spoken words or sounds

a person or thing that helps predict what will happen

to bite or chew something repeatedly, especially for a long time

a member of the ancient people of Israel

a person whose job or role is to welcome and help guests or newcomers

relating to a group within a religion or political movement, especially one that is strongly divided from others

a sudden forward movement, especially in an attack or to catch something

a person whose job is to study and work with statistics

to make or pass laws

a small piece of burning wood or coal left in a dying fire

the quality of thinking in a clear, logical way

the front edge of a step or stair

cause something bad to happen suddenly or earlier than expected

to go from place to place asking people for opinions, votes, or support

to scatter or cover something with small bits or drops

to ask someone a lot of questions or try hard to get something from them

to hide something in your hand, especially secretly

to destroy something badly or cause it to fail completely

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

to increase very quickly

very much; to a great degree

very strict and exact, especially about rules or requirements

to cause pain or suffering to someone or something

to gradually become less strong, less bright, or less important

extremely bad, unpleasant, or shocking

very cruel, violent, or shocking

relating to the time before a baby is born

relating to a system in which people or things are ranked in levels of importance

so unreasonable or unlikely that it seems ridiculous

the practice of eating the flesh of one's own species

extremely evil and shocking

to choose not to do or have something

the ancient Egyptian goddess of magic and motherhood

careful, exact, and thorough work or study

easy to train, control, or manage

to feel a slight prickling or stinging sensation

expecting bad things to happen or seeing the negative side of a situation

a title used in India for a highly respected person, especially a spiritual leader

to put something firmly inside or into something else

a place, town, or area that is quiet, remote, and not very important

to calm someone or make a situation peaceful

to fall or drop very quickly and suddenly

hostile and aggressive

a member of an extinct human species that lived in Europe and parts of Asia long ago

to be likely to do or agree with something

more able or skilled than someone or something else

to make someone a slave, or force people to work without freedom

the study of the principles and philosophy of law

a party where people wear masks and costumes

the state of living or existing together

a small area inside another country or area, often with people who are different from those around them

a person who supports ending a law, practice, or institution, especially slavery

a person who serves or follows a powerful person, often in a weak or unimportant role