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

susceptible

(sǝ sep tǝ bǝl): (1) Having little resistance to something, like a disease or infection; (2) easily affected.

sustain

(sǝ stān): (1) To give support or relief to; (2) to keep up.

sustainable

(sǝ stā nǝ bǝl): Of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not used up or permanently damaged.

sustainably

sustaining

(suh stan ing): Keeping up or maintaining.

sustenance

(səs tə nən(t)s): Something that gives support, help, or strength.

symbiotic

(sim bē ä tik): Characterized by or being a close, cooperative, or interdependent relationship between two dissimilar organisms.

synthetic

(sin theh tik): Made by putting together chemicals rather than using natural products.

system

(sis təm): (1) A group of objects or units combined to form a whole and to move or work together; (2) a method of classifying, representing, or arranging.

systematic

(si stə ma tik): Using a careful system or method; methodical in procedure or plan.

systematically

(sisma tik lē): Marked by thoroughness or regularity, or according to a system.

T

taproot

(tap rüt): A primary root that grows vertically downward and gives off small lateral roots.

taxa

(tak sə): (singular: taxon) The name applied to a taxonomic group in a formal system of naming.

taxonomic

(tak sə mik): Having to do with the orderly classification of living things according to their presumed natural relationships.

taxonomy

(tak nə mē): Orderly classification of living things according to their presumed natural relationships.

technology

(tek näl ǝ jē): The use of science in solving problems (as in industry or engineering).

telemetry

(tə le mə trē): The process of transmitting data by telemeter (tə le mə tər). A telemeter is a device that allows measurements to be made at a distance.

temperate

(təm p(ə)rət): Having or associated with a climate that is usually mild without extremely cold or extremely hot temperatures.

terrestrial

(tə re st(r)ē əl): Of or relating to land as distinct from air or water.

thermal

(thür mul): Of, related to, or caused by heat.