Unit 6 Vocab Flashcards
Bionic- adj.
Made stronger or more capable by electronic or mechanical devices
Biopsy- n.
The removal and examination of tissue, cells, or fluids from a living body
Biodegradable- adj.
Able to be broken down into harmless substances by microorganisms or other living things
Symbiosis- n.
The close living together of two different forms of life in a way that benefits both
BIO
from the Greek word for “life”
Genesis- n.
Origin, beginning
Generator- n.
A machine by which mechanical energy is changed into electrical energy
Genre- n.
Kind, sort; especially a distinctive type or category of literature, art, or music
Carcinogenic- adj.
Producing or causing cancer
GEN
from the Greek genos, meaning “birth”
Functionary- n.
Someone who holds a position in a political party or government
Malfunction- n./v.
To fail to operate in the normal or usual manner
Defunct- adj.
No longer living, existing, or functioning
Dysfunctional- adj.
Showing abnormal or unhealthy behaviors and attitudes within a group of people
FUNCT
from the Latin verb fungi, “to perform, carry out”
Commute- v.
(1) To change or substitute; especially to change a penalty to another one (2) To travel back and forth regularly
Immutable- adj.
Not able or liable to change
Permutation- n.
A change in the order of a set of objects; rearrangement, variation
Transmute- v.
To change in shape, appearance, or nature, especially for the better; to transform
MUT
from the Latin mutare, “to change”
Fractious- adj.
Apt to cause trouble or be unruly; stirring up quarrels
Fractal- n.
An irregular shape that looks much the same at any scale on which it is examined
Infraction- n.
The breaking of a law or a violation of another’s rights
Refraction- n.
The change of direction of a ray of light or wave of energy as it passes at an angle from one substance into another in which its speed is different
FRACT
comes from the Latin verb frangere, “to break or shatter”
Telegenic- adj.
Well-suited to appear on television, especially by having an appearance and manner attractive to viewers
Teleological- adj.
Showing or relating to design or purpose, especially in nature
Telemetry- n.
The science or process of measuring such things as pressure, speed, or temperature, sending the result usually by radio to a distant station, and recording the measures there
Telecommute- v.
To work at home using an electronic link with a central office
TELE
“distant,” or “at a distance”
Oenophile- n.
A person with an appreciation and usually knowledge of fine wine
Philatelist- n.
A person who collects or studies stamps
Anglophile- n.
A person who greatly admires or favors England and English things
Philanthropy- n.
A charitable act or gift; an organization that distributes or is supported by charitable contributions
PHIL
from the Greek word meaning “love”
Negligent- adj.
Failing to take proper or normal care
Abnegation- n.
Self-denial
Negligible- adj.
So small as to be neglected or disregarded
Renege- v.
To go back on a promise or commitment
NEG
prefix of the Latin verb negare, meaning “to say no”
Decalogue- n.
(1) (capitalized) The Ten Commandments (2) Any basic set of rules that must be obeyed
Decathlon- n.
An athletic contest made up of ten parts
Decibel- n.
A unit based on a scale ranging from 0 to 130 used to measure the loudness of sound, with 0 indicating the least sound that can be heard and 130 the average level that causes pain
Decimate- v.
To reduce drastically or destroy most of
DEC
from both Greek and Latin, meaning “ten”
Centenary- n.
A 100th anniversary or the celebration of it; a centennial
Centigrade- adj.
Relating to a temperature scale in which 0 is the freezing point of water and 100 is its boiling point
Centimeter- n.
A length measuring 1/100th of a meter, or about 0.39 inch
Centurion- n.
The officer in command of a Roman century, originally a troop of 100 soldiers
CENT
from the Latin centum, meaning “one hundred”
