Petrolium Alternatives Flashcards
constraint
Something that restricts thought or action
The constraints of military life kept Eileen from seeing Private Mor- ris more than once a month.
Parts of speech constrain v
contamination
n. Being made less clean by a germ or hazardous sub-
stance
The contamination in the river came from the factory located just upstream.
Parts of speech contaminate v, contaminant n
deplete
v. To greatly decrease the supply of a resource or material The prolonged war depleted the country’s national treasury.
Parts of speech depletion n
dispose of
v. To throw away; to get rid of; to kill
She disposed of her unwanted possessions before moving. The tyrant cruelly disposed of all his enemies.
Usage tips Dispose of should be learned as a unit. In this meaning, dispose does not occur without of.
Parts of speech disposal n, disposable adj
elementally
adv. In terms of elements; basically Elementally, coal and diamonds are the same.
Parts of speech element n, elemental adj
emission
n. Sending out from a small space into the general environ-
ment; a substance discharged into the air
The Environmental Protection Agency regulates the emission of pollutants into the air.
Usage tips Emission is usually followed by an of phrase. Parts of speech emit v
extinction
n. Complete disappearance; the end of existence Human beings have caused the extinction of many other species.
Usage tips Extinction implies an absolute end; an extinct thing cannot be brought back into existence.
Parts of speech extinct adj
reservoir
n. A place where a liquid is collected and stored
Cult members threatened to poison the town’s water reservoir.
Parts of speech reserve v
shrink
v. To become reduced in size, amount, or value
If you dry your clothing on the “high heat” setting, they may shrink.
Parts of speech shrinkage n, shrinkable adj
stable
adj. Firm and dependable; showing little change He fell because the ladder wasn’t stable.
Parts of speech stability n, stably adv
