Glossary
Our glossary defines potentially new scientific or other terms to students. Glossary words are appear in bold in our resources.
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a as in ape
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ä as in car
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e as in me
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i as in ice
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o as in go
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ô as in for
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u as in use
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ü as in fur
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oo as in tool
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ng as in sting
S
seismic
(sīz mik): (1) Of, subject to, or caused by an earthquake; (2) of or relating to an earth vibration caused by something else (such as an explosion or the impact of a meteorite).
semi-arid
(se mē er əd): Characterized by light rainfall, especially having from about 10 to 20 inches (25 to 51 centimeters) of annual precipitation.
semistructured interview
(sə mē struk chərd in tər vyü): An interview is a formal process of asking questions. A semistructured interview allows the interviewer to ask new questions based on previous answers.
sequestration
(se kwə strā shən): The act of setting apart, secluding, or withdrawing.
severity level
(sə ver ə tē le vəl): In terms of fire, a measure of the number of trees that are killed due to a fire.
shallow
(sha lō): Not deep.
shaman
(shä mən): Someone who is believed in some cultures to be able to use magic to cure people who are sick, to control future events, etc.
shrub
(shrəb): A woody plant that has several stems and is smaller than most trees.
sigma
(sig mə): A Greek letter (Σ) used to symbolize "summation" in general mathematics.
silt
(silt): Very small particles left as sediment in water.
silvopasture
(sil və pas chər): A practice that combines trees with livestock and forage (food) on one piece of land. The trees may provide timber, fruit, fodder, or nuts as well as shade and shelter for livestock and their forages, reducing stress on the animals from the hot summer sun, cold winter winds, or a downpour. (Definition from USDA.)
similar
(si mə lər): Almost, but not exactly, the same.
simulate
(sim yǝ lāt): To make an imitation (or copy or model) by one system or process of the way in which another system or process works.
simulation
(sim yə lā shən): The imitation by one system or process of the way in which another system or process works.
sinkhole
(siŋk hōl): A hollow in a limestone region that is related to a cave or underground passage.
siphon
(sī fən): Tube-like organ in animals and especially mollusks or arthropods used for drawing in or ejecting fluids.
site
(sīt): The place, scene, or point of an occurrence or event.
skeptical
(skep ti kǝl): Relating to or marked by doubt.
slogan
(slō gǝn): A short attention-getting phrase used in advertising or promotion.
smog
(smäg): A thick haze caused by the action of sunlight on air polluted especially by smoke and automobile exhaust fumes.