Glossary

Our glossary defines potentially new scientific or other terms to students. Glossary words are appear in bold in our resources.

  • a as in ape
  • ä as in car
  • e as in me
  • i as in ice
  • o as in go
  • ô as in for
  • u as in use
  • ü as in fur
  • oo as in tool
  • ng as in sting

R

radiotelemetry

(rā dē ō tə le mə trē): The process of using radio waves to record the location of animals.

radius

( dē ǝs): A line extending from the center of a circle or sphere to the circumference or surface.

random

(ran dəm): Being or relating to a set or to an element of a set each of whose elements has equal probability of occurrence; having a definite and especially an equal probability of occurring.

randomize

(ran dǝ mīz): To arrange or choose something in a random way or order.

randomly

(ran dǝm lē): So that each possibility has a definite and especially an equal probability of occurring.

range

(rānj): The region throughout which a kind of organism or ecological community naturally lives or occurs.

(rānj): All the areas where a plant or animal naturally lives or grows.

rangeland

(rānj land): Land used or suitable for livestock range (an open region over which animals may roam and feed).

rappel

(rə pel): To descend (as from a cliff) by sliding down a rope passed under one thigh, across the body, and over the opposite shoulder or through a special friction device.

ratio

( shē ō): The relationship in quantity, amount, or size between two or more things.

reef

(rēf): A chain of rocks or coral or a ridge of sand at or near the surface of the water.

reestablish

(rē i sta blish): (1) To make firm or stable again; (2) to introduce and cause to grow and multiply again.

reflectivity

(rē flek ti vǝ tē): The capability of reflecting light, images, or sound waves off a surface or material.

refuge

(re fyüj): A place that provides shelter or protection.

regain

(re gān): To get back.

regeneration

(ri je nǝ shǝn): Renewal or restoration of a biological system (such as a forest) after injury or as a normal process.

regime

(rā zhēm or ri zhēm): A regular course of treatment.

regulate

(re gyə lāt): (1) To control according to a system; (2) To bring under control of law or some authority.

regulation

(re gyǝ shǝn): The act or state of bringing order, method, or uniformity to something.

relationship

(ri shǝn ship): The state of being connected through a relation that is known or can be discovered.

relative humidity

(re lǝ tiv hyü mi dǝ tē): The ratio of the amount of water vapor actually present in the air to the greatest amount possible at the same temperature.