NSF regionals vocabulary 35 Flashcards
seethe
to foam as if boiling, to be in a agitated state
semiotics
the study of sign and symbols
sententious
concise and full of meaning
sentient
having the power of perception by the senses
serene
completely calm and peaceful
serotonin
a neurotransmitter that controls sleep, depression, and memory
shaman
one who acts as a medium between the spiritual and visible worlds
shank
the part of the lower limb near the knee and ankle; leg
shard
a fragment of broken earthenware
shenanigans
deceit or trickery, mischief
shrew
a woman with violent temper and speech, a small mouse-like animal with a long snout
singe
a surface burn, burn lightly
sinologist
a person who studies Chinese language and culture
sinuous
having many curves, bends, or turns
skittish
very shy, restless
skulk
to move stealthily, or hide
sleazy
poor in texture, flimsy
sleight
cunning and crafty, adroitness in using hands
sleuth
a detective, watch and observe quietly
slogan
a phrase or saying of a political or business group
slur
a blemish by dirt, to speak disparagingly
smidgen
a very small amount
smirk
a smile expressing smugness instead of pleasure
smitten
struck with a hard blow or greatly affected
snide
expression of contempt or meanness
solar plexus
a network of nerves situated behind the stomach
somber
gloomy, dark, and dull
somnambulist
someone who walks in their sleep
somnolent
sleepy and drowsy
spangle
a small and thin piece of glittering metal used for decorating garments
spasmodic
having involuntary jerky muscular contractions
spawn
the mass of eggs deposited by animals, call forth
specter
a mental representation of a haunting expierence
splotch
a irregular shaped spot
spontaneity
coming from natural feelings without constraint
squalid
foul and filthy, wretched and miserable
squander
to spend extravagantly, to scatter
stagnant
not flowing or running, inactive
stalwart
strongly built
status quo
the existing state
