Nova S48E24: English vocabulary

one of the small bones that make up the spine

a member of certain peoples in central Africa and parts of Southeast Asia

the scientific study of fossils and ancient life

a soft, low, continuous sound

to attract and hold someone's attention or interest strongly

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

to flow slowly through small holes or a porous material

broken into small parts or pieces

to spend the winter asleep or inactive

an animal that eats plants

dried out and shriveled

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

better than anything else of the same kind; unmatched

a large wild animal like a reindeer that lives in northern North America

a scientist who studies fossils and the history of life on Earth

covered with scales or small scale-like pieces

having claws or claw-like parts

often; many times

to step heavily on something or crush it under your feet

to break down naturally into simpler substances

a horror film with a lot of violent killings

more able or skilled than someone or something else

an animal that eats meat

wet, muddy, and like a swamp

full of tiny holes that let air or liquid pass through

to take food, drink, or a substance into the body by swallowing or absorbing it

restricted or limited in what you can do or say

causing a lot of pain or suffering

full of longing or sadness for someone or something

the Fahrenheit temperature scale, where water freezes at 32° and boils at 212°

relating to climate or weather

causing fear or dread

able to be imagined or thought possible

farthest north

moving from one place to another at certain times of year

a pile of hay

a bird that hunts and eats other animals

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

small bits or pieces left after something has been scraped away

the process of removing bones from meat or fish

a large plant-eating animal with one or two horns on its nose

to form an opinion or guess based on evidence

to surprise someone very much

a cold, flat area in the far north where trees do not grow

not giving a clear answer or result

having horns

to a very great degree; extremely

to make a short, high sound, especially like a small bird or insect

the act of gently rubbing or stroking something

of or near the equator

an animal such as a frog, toad, salamander, or newt that can live both in water and on land

a tool with a curved blade, used for cutting crops or grass by hand

very ugly, frightening, or shocking

animal waste used as fertilizer

to make someone feel happier, more hopeful, or more confident

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

to make something more varied or different

able to move quickly and easily

to move very slowly and carefully in a particular direction

relating to the surrounding area or conditions

moving with quick, light jumps

locked with a key

to light something up or make it brighter

to become unfrozen and turn into liquid

to help explain something or make it easier to understand

the practice of learning a job by following and watching an experienced worker

relating to blood vessels

to make someone very interested or curious

showing that something is likely true or real

the act of following someone closely in order to watch them or spy on them

moving or walking with quick, light steps

moving up and down suddenly and forcefully, like a horse kicking out

large and heavy, or taking up a lot of space

to treat someone in a cruel or insulting way

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