Nova S48E23: English vocabulary

the quality of being smooth

the soft, repeated sound birds make

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

thick and slow to flow

to make something look larger, especially with a lens or microscope

to press something so that it becomes smaller and tighter

to invent false information or a story

the front edge of a step or stair

to make a soft, dry sound like leaves or paper moving

a small bunch of hair, feathers, grass, or similar material

to find and collect useful information from different sources

too quiet to hear

to destroy something badly or cause it to fail completely

to attract and hold someone's attention or interest strongly

the process of making something waterproof

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

to produce and release a substance from a cell, gland, or organ

very beautiful, impressive, or delightful

clean something with a sponge

a scientist who studies insects

a complete change in form or appearance

having the outer husk or shell removed

unpleasant, offensive, or likely to cause dislike

a state of being confused, stunned, or unable to think clearly

to spend or use up money, time, energy, or resources

relating to the skull

more able or skilled than someone or something else

able to recover quickly from problems or difficult changes

the part of the body between the neck and the abdomen, especially in humans and other mammals

the process of drawing or outlining with ink

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

shaped like a cone

the lower part of the leg, especially between the knee and the ankle

toward the north

in a way that is automatic, routine, or without much thought

the scientific study of light and how it behaves

to block a pipe, drain, or other passage so that nothing can flow through it

a small, quiet corner or hidden space

a very thin thread or fiber

a thick woven picture or wall hanging

moving from one place to another at certain times of year

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

a strong wool fabric with a smooth surface

the study of the forms and structure of living things

a long period when an animal sleeps through the winter

able to dissolve in a liquid, especially water

the process of removing bones from meat or fish

a ruler who governs a colony or territory for a king or queen

likely to make people angry or cause trouble

to know or guess that something will happen before it happens

the practice of selling unpaid bills to get money before they are paid

the natural pattern or shade of an animal, bird, or plant

a person or soldier who keeps watch and guards a place

making someone feel less hopeful or confident

the small sweet fruit of the mulberry tree

extremely small; too small to see without a microscope

without any color

to block or defend against an attack, especially with a quick counter-move

a poisonous substance produced by a living thing, especially bacteria

relating to metabolism, the chemical processes in the body

a piece of clothing with trousers and a bib front, worn over a shirt for work or casual wear

an opening or gap, especially in a machine or camera

a thick mass of blood or another liquid that has become partly solid

to make something more varied or different

to make small changes to something to improve it or make it work better

the fact of living for a long time

good at thinking of new ideas or finding new ways to do things

to move very slowly and carefully in a particular direction

a liquid used to dissolve another substance

in a confident and courageous way

moving with quick, light jumps

floating on water and not sinking

to move quickly and repeatedly from side to side

to force an attack, person, or thing to move back or away

locked with a key

to eat something very quickly and eagerly