by David Alric
radioactive fallout n. the descent of radioactive particles from the atmosphere to Earth
ramble v. to speak or write in a disorganized way
random (at) n. not in any particular order; in a purposeless fashion
range n. a chain of mountains
rank adj. having a disgusting smell or taste
rapt adj. totally engrossed; spellbound
raptor n. a bird of prey
raucous adj. hoarse; loud; harsh
ravine n. a deep, narrow valley
reabsorb v. to take back (into)
realm n. field or area of interest
reassert v. to re-establish
reassure v. to comfort; to restore confidence; to allay fears
recess n. a space that is set back; an alcove; a niche
reconnoitre v. to inspect; to survey; to examine; to explore
recount v. to tell; to describe; to narrate
recumbent adj. lying down; reclining
redundant adj. unnecessary; surplus to requirements; superfluous
refine v. to improve; to make more suitable or elegant
reflect v. Chapters 3, 5, 18: to bounce something back (usually light or heat); Chapter 20: to think; to ponder
reform v. to improve; to give up a bad habit or bad conduct
refuge n. a place of safety; somewhere providing shelter or protection
refuse n. rubbish
relentless adj. without stopping; sustained; unremitting
reluctant adj. unwilling; disinclined
remnants pl.n. remaining pieces or parts
remorse n. sorrow; regret; compunction
rendezvous n. a pre-arranged meeting place (from French)
rend v. to tear forcefully; to rip
renewable adj. capable of being replaced or replenished
renowned adj. famous
rent n. a tear; a slit
repellent n. a substance that wards something off or drives it away
replenish v. to re-fill; to replace what has been used
repulsive adj. disgusting; repugnant; loathsome
research v. to obtain information or collect facts about a subject; to study in detail
reservation n. an emotion, attitude or fact that prevents the wholehearted acceptance of something
reserve n. Chapter 1, Epilogue: an area of land set aside for the conservation of animals, plants, etc.; n. Chapters 3, 4: spare or replacement stock for contingency use; v. Chapters 4, 12: to retain for a particular use
resolve n. Chapter 13: determination; resolution; v. Chapters 19, 24: to settle; to sort out; to solve; v. Chapter 2: to plan; to determine; to decide
resonant adj. resounding; echoing
resort n. a means of help or action; a recourse
resourceful adj. capable; ingenious; having the ability to deal with difficult situations
respectable adj. having good standing in society; well thought of; worthy; estimable
respective adj. relating separately to two or more different things
respiratory adj. to do with breathing
rest-cure n. a break taken to rest for medical reasons; an undemanding, unstressful period
restore v. to return something to its original or previous state
restrain v. to hold back
resume v. to start again
retch v. to heave as if to vomit; to vomit ineffectually
retractile adj. capable of being withdrawn
retreat n. Chapter 12: a refuge; a safe, secluded spot; a sanctuary; v. Chapter 10: to withdraw; to retire; to recede
retrieve v. to recover something; to get something back
reverberate v. to resound; to echo and re-echo
revere v. to hold in deep respect or awe; to venerate
reverie n. a daydream; a state of absent-mindedness (from French)
review v. to re-examine; to reassess
revolutionize v. to bring about a fundamental change
revolver n. a handgun with a revolving chamber that allows several shots to be fired in succession, without the need to re-load
revulsion n. extreme disgust; loathing
ricochet v. to bounce off; to rebound (usually with a whining noise)
ridge n. a long, narrow range of raised land
rig v. to set up; to arrange; to prepare for use
rim n. the raised edge of a curved or circular object
ringleader n. the organizer or leading person in a group engaged in mischievous or illegal activity
ritual n. ceremony
rival n. a competitor
rivulet n. a small stream
rogue n. scoundrel; villain
Rolex adj. (trade name) an expensive brand of wristwatch
romp v. to make rapid and easy progress
roost n. a place to rest or sleep
roost (to rule the) v. to be in charge; to be the boss
roster n. a list showing people’s turns for duty; a duty rota
Rottweiler n. a species of robust dog with a reputation for being fierce
round the corner adj. phrase soon; imminent
rueful adj. sorrowful; repentant
rugged adj. jagged; very uneven; rough
rule the roost see roost
rummage v. to search carelessly or untidily
rumour n. hearsay; uncertain information
ruthless adj. hardhearted; merciless
sabre-tooth ‘tiger’ see Animal Anthology
sacrifice v. to give something up; to forgo; to surrender (for the sake of something or someone)
safeguard n. a protection against danger or damage
sagely adj. wisely (the word is used ironically in Chapter 8)
sag v. to fall; to sink down
salamander n. a terrestrial amphibian of the family Salamandridae that returns to water to breed
sanctuary n. somewhere safe from danger; a refuge; a place of asylum
satisfaction n. pleasure in having fulfilled a desire; contentment through achievement
saunter v. to stroll at a leisurely pace
sauropod see Animal Anthology
savannah n. open grassland, studded with trees and bushes
scam n. (slang) a swindle; a method of cheating
scarce (to make oneself) phrase to leave; to disappear from view; to make oneself inconspicuous
scavenger n. an animal that eats the flesh of dead creatures, or other decaying organic matter
sceptical adj. disbelieving; doubtful; mistrustful
scholarship n. an award of financial aid for academic achievement
scope n. capability of action; capacity; opportunity
score over v. to come out on top or ahead of another or others
scornful adj. contemptuous; disdainful; derisory
Scotland Yard n. The world-famous police headquarters in London
scrabble v. to scratch, scrape or grope with hands, feet or claws
scratch n. the very beginning; the start
scree n. a heap of rock fragments
scrutiny n. close observation
scuba diver n. ‘Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus’, one who dives with the aid of a breathing apparatus consisting of one or more compressed air cylinders
scuttle v. to run using small, rapid steps
seam n. a linear deposit or stratum of rock, ore, etc.
seamless adj. without an apparent break or join
seething adj. moving in an agitated state, as though boiling or foaming
semblance n. outward appearance
sentence n. punishment; term of imprisonment
sentiment n. a feeling; an emotion
septicaemia n. blood poisoning
sepulchre n. a tomb; a burial vault
sequence n. things happening one after the other; a succession of events
serendipity n. accidental good fortune
serenely adv. calmly; peacefully; in a state of tranquillity
serrated adj. toothed; notched; jagged
severity n. harshness; rigorousness
shard n. a broken piece or fragment of pottery, glass or similar substance
SI units n. The Système International d’Unités is an international system of units used in science and technology
shoal n. a group of fish
short circuit n. an accidental (or, as in Chapter 7, deliberate!), low-resistance connection in an electric circuit that permits the passage of excessive current
shoulder blade n. the scapula, a large flat bone in the shoulder
sidle v. to move sideways
silhouette n. the flat outline of a solid figure
silo n. an underground chamber or tunnel in which missiles are kept secret or safe from attack
simile n. a figure of speech drawing a resemblance between things that are different in kind, e.g. ‘She was as quiet as a mouse’
sinister adj. threatening; suggestive of evil; ominous
sinuous adj. winding; twisting
sitting duck metaphor an easy target
skewed adj. at an oblique angle; slanted
skysill n. (Anglo-Saxon) the horizon
slag (off) v. (slang) to slander; to disparage
slang n. a word or phrase that is not standard language but is used informally; jargon
sleazy adj. sordid; seedy; disreputable
slippage n. a fall (of rock, in this instance)
slipstream n. the stream of air behind a moving vehicle
smite v. (archaic) to strike forcibly
smog n. a mixture of fog, smoke and pollutant chemicals
sneer v. to utter something in a scornful or contemptuous manner
solar energy n. energy from the sun
sole adj. only
solemnity n. seriousness; formality
souped-up adj. (slang) modified so as to have increased power
source n. origin; starting point
southern hemisphere n. that half of the Earth lying south of the equator
sparse adj. scanty; scattered; small in number
specific adj. relating to a particular thing; definite; explicit
specimen n. an object of interest, collected and kept for future study or display
spectacle n. an unusual or interesting sight; a phenomenon
speculate v. to guess; to conjecture
spider monkey n. a New World monkey of the genus Ateles having a very long, prehensile tail
spit n. a long rod on which meat or a carcass is skewered for roasting over an open fire
spook n. (slang) a spy; an undercover agent
spoor n. the trail left by an animal or person
sputter v. to give out a succession of disjointed, explosive sounds
stabilize v. to steady; to keep in equilibrium
stable adj. steady; firm; balanced
stalk n. Chapters 10, 12: the stem of a plant; v. Chapter 14: to approach stealthily; Chapter 21: to walk in a threatening way; Chapters 21, 23: to walk in a haughty, imperious manner
stammer v. to speak hesitantly
stance n. position; attitude
stand in good stead v. to prove to be useful; to be of good service
starboard n. the right side of a ship or an aircraft (when looking forwards)
stationary adj. standing still
statistics n. facts and figures; quantitative data on a subject
stay n. a structural support
steal a march v. to get ahead; to obtain an advantage (especially by an underhand ruse)
Stegosaurus see Animal Anthology
stifling adj. oppressive; stuffy
stipulation n. a condition, usually one upon which an agreement depends
strand v. to leave helpless; to desert; to maroon
strand n. a thread or fibre
strata n. the plural of stratum which means a layer (especially of rock)
strategy n. a plan of action
streak v. to move very rapidly
street cred. n. abbrev. (slang) street credibility. The display or possession of the style, behaviour, knowledge, etc., that is currently fashionable within a peer group
strew v. to spread; to scatter
stricken adj. severely damaged
strut n. to swagger; to walk haughtily or pompously
stuck in (to get) phrase (slang) to start work energetically. The phrase in the title of Chapter 22 is also a pun
stupefaction n. bewildered amazement; astonishment
stupendous adj. wonderful; amazing; astonishing
submissively adv. humbly; in a servile fashion
subsequently adv. afterwards; later
subterranean adj. underground
subtle adj. not very obvious; difficult to detect
suburb n. a district on the outskirts of a town or city, usually residential (where people live)
succulent adj. juicy
succumb v. to give way; to be overcome; to be overwhelmed
suffix n. something added to the end of a word
sullenly adv. morosely; gloomily; sulkily
summit n. the top; the peak; the highest point
supernatural adj. inexplicable by the ordinary laws of nature; miraculous
superstitious adj. having an irrational belief in omens, charms, etc.
supreme adj. being the most important; having the highest status or greatest power
surge n. a strong rush; a powerful increase
surmise v. to conjecture; to infer
surmount v. to rise above
surreal adj. having an unreal or dreamlike quality
surveillance n. watching; observation; scrutiny
survey n. Chapter 13: an analytical inspection; v. Chapter 22: to take a comprehensive view
swarm n. Chapter 13: a large group of small animals, especially bees and other insects; v. Chapters 17, 18: to climb rapidly
sway (to hold sway) v. to wield power; to rule
swiftlet n. a swallow-like bird of the order Apodiformes. The cave swiftlet is unusual among birds in that it can use echolocation to navigate in total darkness. The nests of some species are collected for the famous Chinese delicacy of bird’s-nest soup
swirling adj. spinning; whirling; twisting
symbiotic adj. interdependent; mutually beneficial
symbol n. a sign or logo
symptom n. the manner in which an illness affects a patient
tack (to change) v. to change direction; to adopt a different course or approach
tactics pl.n. methods; plans; approaches
tag along v. to accompany; to trail behind
tailor v. to make suitable for a specific purpose
tailor-made adj. perfect for the purpose
tapir n. a mammal of the genus Tapirus which is found in Central and South America, and South-East Asia
taut adj. stretched tight; tense
taxi v. (of an aircraft) to move along the ground
technique n. method; skill; knack
temptation n. an attraction; an allure; an enticement; a desire
tenacious adj. sticky; adherent
tentatively adv. hesitantly; cautiously; uncertainly
terrain n. ground (when describing the geography or topography of an area)
territory n. Chapter 9: an area defended as being its own by an animal; Chapters 9, 23: a particular area or region
terror bird see Animal Anthology
tersely adv. shortly; curtly; abruptly
tether n. a tie; a restricting rope, wire, etc.
thee pronoun (archaic) you, the objective form of thou
theoretical adj. not actually tried in practice; possible in theory or thought
theory n. an idea; an hypothesis; a conjecture
theropod n. any bipedal carnivorous dinosaur of the suborder Theropoda
thicket n. an area of dense vegetation composed of small trees, bushes, shrubs, brambles, etc.
thine adj. (archaic) belonging to you; yours
th
ou pronoun (archaic) you; the one addressed
thrall n. the state of being in another’s power; enslavement
thunderbolt n. a flash of lightning accompanied by thunder
thus adv. therefore; it follows
timorous adj. timid; fearful
Titan n. one of a family of primordial gods in Greek mythology
titanic adj. possessing or involving colossal strength
toil n. a net
token n. a symbol
top v. (slang) to kill
tortuous adj. twisting; turning; winding
toxins pl.n. poisons
traces pl.n. straps on a harness
trafficking see drug
tranquillize v. to calm; to settle
tranquillizer n. a calming drug
translate v. to convert from one language into another
transmission n. the transfer of information
transmit v. to pass on; to transfer; to impart
transversely adv. crossways
traverse v. to cross; to go over
treacherous adj. betraying; disloyal
trench n. furrow; ditch
trepidation n. anxiety; fear
tributary n. a river or stream that joins a larger one
Triceratops see Animal Anthology
tropic see ‘Notes on the names in the book’
truculently adv. aggressively; obstreperously
turbine n. a machine with blades or vanes that rotates in a current of water, gas, etc., to generate energy
turbulence n. gusty air currents
twig v. (slang) to understand suddenly; to work out what is going on; to catch on
Tyrannosaurus see Animal Anthology
ultimate adj. final; last
unassailable adj. irrefutable; undeniable
underlying adj. basic; fundamental
undertake v. to promise to fulfil a task or mission; to commit oneself
underworld n. criminals
undeterred adj. not put off; not dissuaded
undiminished adj. not any smaller
undisputed adj. unquestioned; accepted
unearthly adj. weird; eerie
unendurable adj. unbearable; intolerable
unerring adj. consistently accurate; without any mistakes
unfurl v. to unroll; to unfold
ungracious adj. impolite
unhesitatingly adv. unwaveringly; without pausing
unhitch v. to untie; to disconnect; to unfasten
unimaginable adj. beyond comprehension
uninhabited adj. unlived in; unoccupied; without inhabitants
unkempt adj. untidy; ungroomed; dishevelled
unmolested adj. left alone; not attacked; not interfered (with)