Nova S35E17: English vocabulary

past tense and past participle of thumb through

a natural tendency to do something

an old name for Scotland, used in Roman times and in ancient writing

by ten times as much

brave and willing to take risks

to attract and hold someone's attention or interest strongly

the act or process of becoming less clear or transparent

the quality of being logical, clear, and well connected

to value something very highly

a painful tight feeling in a muscle, especially in the neck or back

a scientist who studies insects

in a careful way, especially to avoid danger or mistakes

more able or skilled than someone or something else

done naturally and without thinking

an animal that does not have a backbone

to impress someone very strongly, especially with beauty, skill, or style

a small pale insect that lives in large colonies and eats wood

to go beyond what is usual, expected, or possible

relating to fungi or caused by a fungus

a belief or rule that people are expected to accept without questioning

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

a tropical tree or shrub that grows in salty coastal water

very careful about small details and exactness

a person who actively supports a cause, especially in politics or social issues

a place with many paths or passages that are hard to find your way through

yes; used to show agreement or approval

a doctor's judgment about how a disease or injury is likely to develop

either of the two lines of latitude around 23.5° north and south of the equator

a very small amount of something

a belief that goes against official religious teaching

the period of a person's life when they are a boy

the final and most important stage or point of something

to move in a circular or spiraling motion

the record of an animal's family line, showing its ancestors

existing, happening, or found under the earth's surface

the scientific study of animals

very tall or high, especially in a way that is impressive

a small amount of a drink, especially alcohol

to force someone to do something, or make them feel they must do it

to search for food or supplies in the wild

to separate threads or fibers, or come apart into threads

the act of moving along without using power

a misspelling of Homo sapiens, the species that includes modern humans

an animal that has a backbone or spinal column

a very tall tree with reddish-brown bark and soft wood

to figure out or read something that is hard to understand, especially a code or message

locked with a key

very important to the success or result of something

to bring different people, groups, or things together so they work as one

spreading quickly in a way that causes harm or is unwanted

likely to cause a strong reaction, especially by upsetting or challenging people

a wide view of an area or scene

to clean something thoroughly, especially by removing dirt or harmful substances

a long pole with a flat end, used for moving a boat through water

a social group in a traditional Hindu system

a difficult or unlucky situation

smoothed by rubbing with sandpaper

clear and strong, and hard to ignore

to talk in a casual, lively way

a process that makes cloth stiffer and stronger by coating it with a special substance

the process of rotting or breaking down

a person who studies plants, animals, and nature

the collection of genes in a population or species

to complain to someone about your problems for a long time

a very large city, especially one that is important for business and culture

a person who takes part in a public protest

a deep, wide ditch around a castle, fort, or town, often filled with water for protection

a poisonous liquid or substance that some animals inject with a bite or sting

a natural liking for or connection with someone or something

to do your best and put a lot of energy into something

a setback or decline

to attack someone in a drive-by shooting

to fight or meet an enemy in battle

to think of and create a plan, idea, or solution

to officially choose someone for a job or role

to fasten something to a hook, rope, chain, or strap