unit3 Flashcards
ambiguous
(1) Doubtful or uncertain especially from being obscure or indistinct. (2) Unclear in meaning because of being understandable in more than one way.
ambient
Existing or present on all sides.
ambivalent
(1) Holding opposite feelings and attitudes at the same time toward someone or something. (2) Continually wavering between opposites or alternative courses of action.
ambit
The range or limit covered by something (such as a law).
epilogue
The final section after the main part of a book or play.
epiphyte
A plant that obtains its nutrients from the air and the rain and usually grows on another plant for support.
epitaph
An inscription on a grave or tomb in memory of the one buried there.
epithet
(1) A descriptive word or phrase occurring with or in place of the name of a person or thing. (2) An insulting or demeaning word or phrase.
hypochondriac
A person overly concerned with his or her own health who often suffers from delusions of physical disease.
hypoglycemia
Abnormal decrease of sugar in the blood.
hypothermia
Subnormal temperature of the body.
hypothetical
(1) Involving an assumption made for the sake of argument or for further study or investigation. (2) Imagined for purposes of example.
thermal
(1) Of, relating to, or caused by heat. (2) Designed to insulate in order to retain body heat.
thermodynamics
Physics that deals with the mechanical actions or relations of heat.
thermonuclear
Of or relating to the changes in the nucleus of atoms with low atomic weight, such as hydrogen, that require a very high temperature to begin.
British thermal unit
The quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit at a specified temperature.
polyp
(1) A sea invertebrate that has a mouth opening at one end surrounded by stinging tentacles. (2) A growth projecting from a mucous membrane, as on the colon or vocal cords.
polyglot
(1) One who can speak or write several languages. (2) Having or using several languages.
polymer
A chemical compound formed by a reaction in which two or more molecules combine to form larger molecules with repeating structural units.
polygraph
An instrument for recording changes in several bodily functions (such as blood pressure and rate of breathing) at the same time; lie detector.
primal
Basic or primitive.
primer
(1) A small book for teaching children to read. (2) A small introductory book on a subject.
primate
Any member of the group of animals that includes human beings, apes, and monkeys.
primordial
(1) First created or developed. (2) Existing in or from the very beginning.
homonym
One of two or more words pronounced and/or spelled alike but different in meaning.
homogeneous
(1) Of the same or a similar kind. (2) Of uniform structure or composition throughout.
homologous
Developing from the same or a similar part of a remote ancestor.
homogenize
(1) To treat (milk) so that the fat is mixed throughout instead of floating on top. (2) To change (something) so that its parts are the same or similar.
dissuade
To convince (someone) not to do something.
disorient
To cause to be confused or lost.
discredit
(1) To cause (someone or something) to seem dishonest or untrue. (2) To damage the reputation of (someone).
dislodge
To force out of a place, especially a place of rest, hiding, or defense.
