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

S

smolder

(smōl dǝr): To burn sluggishly, without flame, and often with much smoke.

snorkel

(snȯr kəl): To use a tube when swimming so that the swimmer can breathe with their head under water.

snowmelt

(snō melt): Water from melting snow that flows over the surface of the ground into streams and rivers.

snowpack

(snō pak): A seasonal accumulation of slow-melting packed snow.

social

( shəl): Of or relating to human society, the interaction of the individual and the group, or the welfare of human beings as members of society.

social history

( shəl hi st(ə-)rē): History that concentrates upon the social, economic, and cultural institutions of a people.

social science

( shəl ən(t)s): A science (such as economics or political science) dealing with a particular phase or aspect of human society.

social scientist

( shǝl ǝn tist): A scientist who studies the institutions and functioning of human society and with the interpersonal relationships of individuals as members of society.

social service

A process or service, usually sponsored by a government, that benefits humans.

socioeconomic

Of, relating to, or involving a combination of social and economic factors.

sociology

(sō sē ä lǝ jē): The science of society, social institutions, and social relationships; specifically, the study of the development, structure, interaction, and collective behavior of organized groups of human beings.

softwood

(soft wüd): The wood of a coniferous tree (such as fir or pine).

soil survey

(sȯi(-ə)l sər ): A systematic study of the soil of an area including classification and mapping of the properties, crop adaptations, and distribution of various soil types.

solar radiation

( lər rā dē ā shən ): Energy, radiated in the form of waves or particles, that is produced or operated by the action of the Sun's light or heat.

solid waste

(saw lid wast): Any solid or semisolid liquid, or contained gaseous materials discarded from industrial, commercial, mining, or agricultural operations; and from community activities, including garbage.

solitary

( lǝ ter ē): Growing or living alone.

solitude

( lə tüd): The quality or state of being alone or remote from society.

soluble

(säl yə bəl): Capable of being dissolved in or as if in a liquid, especially water.

solve

(sälv): To find the correct answer to.

spatial

(spā shəl): Of, relating to, or involved in the perception of relationships (as of objects) in space.