Nova S39E16: English vocabulary

to make something smaller, shorter, or more compact

to put something under water or another liquid

a state of noisy confusion and chaos

in a worried or uneasy way

to destroy something badly or cause it to fail completely

to move back or farther away

the ability to contact or reach someone, especially in get ahold of

a person who studies weather and predicts it

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

the movement of heat in a liquid or gas as warmer parts rise and cooler parts sink

to live in or fill a place with people or animals

a small piece of burned coal or wood that is still hot

a person who does not easily believe things and wants proof first

likely to have a serious and important effect on what happens next

able to damage or destroy materials or skin by chemical action

more able or skilled than someone or something else

relating to weather and the study of weather

running away suddenly and quickly

make something stronger, more intense, or more noticeable

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

to cry out in a long, high, sad sound

used to refer to other similar things or items not named

to make someone suddenly feel shocked or alarmed

a wide open area of land, sea, or sky

a place or position that gives you a good view of something

a person who sends workers, vehicles, or emergency services to where they are needed

while facing something difficult or dangerous bravely

pleasantly cool and lightly windy

a line or fold made by pressing or bending something

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

the land along the sea; the coast

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

not likely to happen or be true

very salty water, or water mixed with a lot of salt

to pay attention to and follow advice, a warning, or a request

present but not yet obvious, active, or fully developed

to become stronger, more serious, or more intense

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

to shine or move with quick, irregular changes

to appear as a large, often threatening shape, especially in the distance

a person or thing that chases something

a public walkway, especially one by the sea or along a river

very ugly, frightening, or shocking

the moment when a ship, plane, or storm reaches land

impossible to deny or question

making you feel very cold; cold enough to make you shiver

to move very slowly and carefully in a particular direction

serious danger, especially danger of death or injury

to become worse in quality, condition, or value

the act of moving along without using power

having curves or waves, not straight

locked with a key

to make something move in a different direction

toward the east

to make a sound, signal, or effect stronger or louder

in a thick, tightly packed way

a person or system that closely watches people and limits their privacy

smoothed by rubbing with sandpaper

the act of sealing a hole or gap

a gas or mist, especially one that comes from a liquid

to talk in a casual, lively way

attractive, stylish, and confident

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

to continue to exist or be remembered

to move toward the same point or place

to force liquid out in a thin stream

a room or place where systems, machines, or operations are monitored and controlled

becoming weaker or less active

to strongly suggest that something is needed or appropriate

relating to the ocean or the sea

the degree to which something is serious, severe, or intense

to suddenly put someone or something into a difficult situation or state

the line where two pieces of cloth or other material are sewn together

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

to sit or rest on something, especially a branch or bar

a river, canal, or other route that boats can travel on