Nova S44E2: English vocabulary

the process of making something better, more useful, or more interesting

to make someone feel annoyed, upset, or disappointed

to become too hot, or to make something too hot

to form a circle around something

to make something look more attractive by adding decorative details

the process of splitting into two or more parts, especially in biology or nuclear physics

able to damage or destroy materials or skin by chemical action

so small or unimportant that it does not matter much

more able or skilled than someone or something else

a person or thing that changes something

having no bottom, or seeming to go on forever

a chemical compound that contains fluorine

restricted or limited in what you can do or say

to attack a place with bombs or shells

a person who takes part in a protest or public demonstration

so strong or clear that it settles a question or ends doubt

made of separate parts or units that can be arranged in different ways

to cry out in a long, high, sad sound

to give out or provide something to people

a small, round, compressed piece of material

clean, fresh, and in perfect condition, as if new

to spoil something by adding a harmful or unwanted substance or influence

to make a loud, harsh sound with a horn or voice

the work of measuring land and recording its features, often for a map or building plan

able to be imagined or thought possible

a fast, powerful flow of water

an indirect reference to something without saying it directly

without looking, or without being able to see clearly

the strength or effectiveness of something, especially a medicine or drug

the practical details of something, especially the technical ones

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

the people living in a particular place, especially when talked about as a group

empty, lonely, and bleak, often because no people are around

the top edge of a hat, cup, or other hollow object

having a pattern of squares or checks

related to rules or laws made by an authority

a barrier built quickly to block a road, door, or area

kissing and touching someone in a sexual way

lie, sit, or fall with your arms and legs spread out in an awkward way

shaped like a cylinder

a state of uncertainty while you are waiting for a decision or result

damage caused when metal slowly breaks down, often because of rust or chemicals

a place where two or more roads meet and cross

to push or drive something forward or in a particular direction

to turn your eyes, attention, or thoughts away from something

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

to change from a liquid into a gas

a rapid increase in the number or amount of something

continuing without stopping or weakening

the act of moving along without using power

melted by heat and in a liquid state

a humorous phrase for surgery

something that makes someone feel less worried or afraid

locked with a key

using a fluid once and then discarding it instead of recirculating it

to make something move in a different direction

used to ask what something really means or is, especially in British English

the act of getting into something or going through it

to copy the way something looks, sounds, or behaves

the act of adding salt to food or water

in a way that is part of the basic nature of something

the act of sealing a hole or gap

the act of keeping something dangerous, unwanted, or spreading under control

a strong feeling of shame or disapproval that people have about someone or something

to talk in a casual, lively 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

melted rock beneath the Earth's surface

an act of cleaning a place or area

a political position that is between the left and the right

an advantage that helps you get ahead or succeed

a person who takes part in a public protest

to make something more steady and less likely to change suddenly

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

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

a setback or decline