Chapter 8: Science And The Social Sciences Flashcards

1
Q

CATALYST

A

In chemistry, a CATALYST is a substance (such as an enzyme) that accelerates the rate of a chemical reaction at some temperature, but without itself being transformed or consumed by the reaction. In everyday usage a CATALYST is any agent that provokes or triggers change.

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2
Q

CAUSTIC

A

In chemistry, a CAUSTIC substance is one that burns or destroys organic tissue by chemical action. Hydrofluoric acid and silver nitrate are examples of CAUSTIC substances. In everyday usage, a CAUSTIC comment is one that hurts or burns.

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3
Q

CRYSTALLIZE

A

In chemistry, CRYSTALLIZATION is the process by which crystals are formed. In everyday usage, to CRYSTALLIZE means to give a definite form to an idea or plan.

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4
Q

OSMOSIS

A

In chemistry, OSMOSIS refers to the diffusion of a fluid through a semi- permeable membrane until there is an equal concentration of fluid on both sides of the membrane. In everyday usage, OSMOSIS refers to a gradual, often unconscious process of assimilation.

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5
Q

SEDENTARY

A

In ecology, animals that are SEDENTARY remain or live in one area. In everyday usage, SEDENTARY means settled and therefore accustomed to sitting or doing little exercise.

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6
Q

VIRULENT

A

In medical science, VIRULENT refers to a disease or toxin that is extremely infectious, malignant, or poisonous. In everyday usage, VIRULENT refers to language that is bitterly hostile, hateful, and antagonistic.

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7
Q

EMPIRICAL

A

In science, EMPIRICAL means originating in or based on direct observation and experience. EMPIRICAL data can then be used to support or reject a hypothesis. In everyday language, EMPIRICAL means to be guided by practical experience, not theory.

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8
Q

ENTOMOLOGY

A

The scientific study of insects

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9
Q

GESTATE

A

In science, GESTATE means to carry within the uterus from conception to delivery. In everyday language, GESTATE means to conceive and develop in the mind.

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10
Q

PARADIGM

A

In science, a PARADIGM is a framework or model of thought

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11
Q

ENTREPRENEUR

A

A person who organizes and manages a business or enterprise

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12
Q

LUCRATIVE

A

Very profitable

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13
Q

EXTRAVAGANT

A

Excessive and therefore lacking restraint

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14
Q

AVARICE, CUPIDITY

A

Excessive desire for material wealth; greed; covetousness

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15
Q

GLUT, PLETHORA, SURFEIT

A

A surplus or excess of something

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16
Q

DESTITUTE, IMPOVERISHED, INDIGENT

A

Very poor, lacking basic resources

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17
Q

AFFLUENT, OPULENT

A

Very rich, having abundant resources

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18
Q

MUNIFICENT

A

Very generous

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19
Q

PARSIMONIOUS

A

Excessively cheap with money; stingy

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20
Q

DEPRECIATION

A

Any decrease or loss in value caused by age, wear, or market

conditions

21
Q

REMUNERATE

A

To compensate; to make payment for; to pay a person

22
Q

ACCORD

A

A formal concurrence, agreement, or harmony of minds

23
Q

ENLIGHTEN, EDIFY

A

To inform, instruct, illuminate, and thus remove darkness and
ignorance

24
Q

APPEASEMENT

A

The policy of granting concessions to maintain peace

25
Q

NULLIFY

A

To make null; declare invalid

26
Q

TRIUMVIRATE

A

A group or association of three leaders

27
Q

PRETEXT

A

An excuse; an alleged cause

28
Q

WATERSHED

A

Critical point that marks a change of course; a turning point

29
Q

CONSENSUS

A

A general agreement

30
Q

AUTOCRAT, DESPOT

A

A ruler or other person with unlimited power and authority

31
Q

MANIFESTO

A

A public declaration of beliefs, policies, or intentions

32
Q

ENFRANCHISE

A

To endow with the rights of citizenship, especially the right to vote

33
Q

DISENFRANCHISE

A

To deprive of some privilege or right, especially the right to vote

34
Q

COERCE

A

To force to act or think in a certain way by use of pressure, threats, or torture; to compel

35
Q

EGALITARIAN

A

Favoring social equality; believing in a society in which all people
have equal political, economic, and civil rights

36
Q

DEMARCATION

A

The setting or marking of boundaries or limits, as a line of

demarcation

37
Q

INQUISITION

A

A severe interrogation; a systematic questioning

38
Q

AMELIORATE

A

To make a situation better

39
Q

EXACERBATE

A

To make a situation worse

40
Q

DESICCATED

A

Thoroughly dried out; lifeless, totally arid

41
Q

CONTIGUOUS

A

Sharing an edge or boundary; touching

42
Q

PERTINENT

A

Relevant; to the point; clearly illustrative of a major point

43
Q

COMPLICITY

A

Association or participation in a wrongful act

44
Q

EXONERATE, EXCULPATE

A

To free from guilt or blame

45
Q

INDISPUTABLE

A

Not open to question; undeniable; irrefutable

46
Q

PRECEDENT

A

An act or instance that is used as an example in dealing with subsequent
similar instances

47
Q

UNPRECEDENTED

A

Without previous example, never known before; an

UNPRECEDENTED event has never happened before

48
Q

MALFEASANCE

A

Misconduct or wrongdoing, especially by a public official