abalone (n) – A large, edible sea mollusk with an ear-shaped shell

abeam (adv) – To the side of and perpendicular to the keel on a ship

abiotic (adj) – Non-living

abolish (v) – To do away with completely; put an end to

aboriginal (adj) – Existing from the beginning or from earliest days; first; indigenous

aborigine (n) – A member of the original race of inhabitants of a region

abundant (adj) – Plentiful; abounding with

abyssal zone (n) – The deep ocean zone that begins at over 3000 meters in depth and extends down to the ocean floor

acacia (n) – Forest that grows in where mature rainforest is cleared for pasture and then abandoned

acclimatization (n) – The process by which an organism becomes better adapted to exist in an environment different from the one to which it was indigenous

adaptation (n) – A characteristic, like a body part or behavior that helps a plant or animal survive its environment

adaptive radiation (n) – Diversification of a species or single ancestral type into several forms that are each adaptively specialized to a specific environmental niche

adrenaline (n) – A hormone secreted by the adrenal gland that stimulates the heart, and increases the blood sugar, muscular strength, endurance, etc.

adverse (adj) – Harmful or unfavorable

advocate (n) – A person who speaks or writes in support of something

aft (adv) – At, near, or toward the stern of a vessel or aircraft

Afrikaans (adj) – Of or relating to Afrikaners, South African settlers of European descent whose native language is Afrikaans (a language developed from 17^th century Dutch)

aggregate (v) – To come together as a group

agile (adj) – Quick and easy of movement; nimble

agroecological (adj) – Having to do with the ecology of farming

agroecosystem (n) – The ecosystem within an agricultural system or farm

agroforestry (n) – The practice of planting trees among crops

aground (adv) – When the ship’s keel is touching the bottom

airboat (n) – A light, flat-bottomed boat driven by a propeller revolving in the air and used in particular to travel through shallow waters

airlift (n) – The evacuation of an injured person via helicopter

albatross (n) – Any of a family of large, web-footed birds, with long narrow wings and a long, hooked beak that are found chiefly in the South Seas and spends most of its time away from land

algae (n) – Free-floating aquatic plants that make food through photosynthesis

algal (adj) – Relating to algae

algal bloom (n) – An abnormally large growth of algae, caused by excessive nutrients in and/or increased temperature of a body of water

aloft (adv) – High above the deck of a ship in the rigging or on a mast

"all hands" call (n) – A call that is made when all crew members are required on deck, especially during an emergency

"all hands high" (n) – Same as "all hands" call

"All hands on deck!" (n) – Same as "all hands" call

allelopathic (adj) – Related to the destruction of plants by toxic chemicals produced by other plants

allelopathy (n) – The destruction of plants by toxic chemicals produced by other nearby plants

allocate (v) – To distribute in shares according to a plan

alluvial (adj) – Deposited by the action of waves or currents

alternator (n) – An electric generator that produces alternating current

altitude (n) – Height, especially height above the Earth’s surface or height above sea level

ambergris (n) – A grayish, waxy substance found in a sperm whale’s intestine; sometimes used in the manufacture of perfume

amendment (n) – A revision or addition made to a bill, law or constitution

amenity (n) – Something that contributes to physical or material comfort

amidships (adv) – Toward the middle of a ship in regard to length or width

Amistad (n) – A 19^th century slave ship famous for the slave revolt that occurred upon it in 1839; the African slaves aboard the ship eventually gained their freedom in American courts and returned to Africa

amphibian (n) – A class of cold-blooded, scaleless vertebrates consisting of frogs, toads, newts, salamanders, etc.; they usually begin life in the water as tadpoles with gills and later develop lungs

anaerobic (adj) – Without air or free oxygen; able to live and grow in a place where there is no air or free oxygen

anchorage (n) – A place to anchor

anemometer (n) – Instrument for measuring and indicating the speed of the wind

angel shark (n) – This shark  lives on the sandy bottom of the ocean. Its flat body is gray with olive blotches and it has large pectoral fins that look like wings, thus the name 'angel'

angling (n) – The act or skill of fishing with hook and line

animal adaptation (n) – A change in the habit and/or behavior of an animal species that enables it to better survive within its environment

animosity (n) – Strong dislike or hatred

annual crops (n) – Crops that live for only one year; they must be planted every year from seed

Anolis (n) – A genus of New World arboreal lizards that can change color

Antarctica (n) – The land area about the South Pole; it is the Earth's fifth largest continent

antennae (n) – The pair of jointed sense organs on the heads of most arthropods, including insects, crabs and lobsters

anthropogenic (adj) – Caused by humans

anticoagulant (n)– A substance that delays or prevents the clotting of blood

antidote (n) – A remedy to counteract a poison

antivenin (n) – An antidote to venom

antsy (adj) – Nervous, fidgety

apartheid (n) – A former official government policy in South Africa that enforced strict segregation and political and economic discrimination against non-white people

apathy (n) – Lack of interest or concern, especially regarding matters of general importance or appeal; indifference

apex (n) – The tip or point

appraise (v) – To decide the value, quality or worth of something

aquaculture (n) – The regulation and cultivation of water plants and animals for human use or consumption

aquanaut (n) – An underwater explorer

aquatic (adj) – Growing or living in or on water

aqueduct (n)– A large pipe or conduit made for bringing water from a distant source

aquifer (n) – An underground layer of porous rock or sand which contains water

Arawak (n) – A member of a South American native people living chiefly in northeast South America and formerly in the West Indies; also called Lucayans

arboreal (adj) – Adapted to living in trees

arboretum (n) – A place where an extensive variety of woody plants is cultivated for scientific, educational, and ornamental purposes

archaeological (adj) – Relating to the scientific study of the life and culture of past peoples

arctic (adj) – Very cold; of or near the North Pole

arid (adj) – Dry and barren

armadillo (n) – A burrowing, nocturnal mammal with a armor-like covering of bony plates

armory (n) – A storehouse for arms; an arsenal

arrowroot (n) – A tropical plant with large leaves, white flowers, and edible, starchy roots

arroyo (n) – The Spanish word for a dried creek bed

arthropod (n) – An animal characterized by a segmented body and jointed legs, including crustaceans, arachnids, and insects

artifact (n) – Any object made by human work, especially a primitive tool, weapon or vessel

artisimo (n) – The Spanish word for an artist

aspect (n) – The direction in which a land’s slope faces (e.g, N, S, E, W)

aspiring (adj) – Having great ambition to be; desiring strongly

assassinate (v) – To kill (especially, a politically important person) by surprise attack

assess (v) – To evaluate

assimilate (v) – Absorb into the prevailing culture

astern (adv) – Behind the stern of a ship

atarraya (n) – The Spanish word for a cast net thrown out over water to catch a variety of seafoods

Atherton Tablelands (n) – A plateau and isolated highland area that lies at the northern end of the Bellenden Ker Range (a mountain range that stretches into northern Queensland)

athwart (adv) – Across the length of a ship, port to starboard

atmosphere (n) – The gaseous air surrounding the earth to the height of about 1000 km (621 miles)

auger (n) – A large tool used for boring into wood, earth, or ice

auspices (n) – Protection or support

Aussie (n) – Australian term for a person from Australia

autopilot (n) – An instrument designed to steer a boat and automatically maintain a predetermined course

autotroph (n) – An organism that makes its own food, most often through the process of photosynthesis

avian (adj) – Having to do with birds

axis (n) – A real or imaginary straight line around which an object may rotate

Ayres Rock (n) – The world’s largest single rock (or monolith), located in northern Australia and of great cultural significance to Australia’s Aborigines

Azore Islands (n) – A group of islands located west of Portugal in the Northern Atlantic Ocean; the Azores are a self-ruling region of Portugal

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- B -

back [the sails] (v) – To haul a sail to windward so that so that the wind fills it on the other side; when wind blows on the leeward side of a sail

backstay (n) – Standing or running (adjustable) wire rigging that supports the mast from the stern; a wire mast support leading aft to the deck or another mast

bacteria (n) – Micro-organisms that are typically one-celled, have no chlorophyll, multiply by simple cell division, and can only be seen with a microscope

baggywrinkle (n) – Pieces of old line that are wrapped around the standing rigging to prevent the sails from chafing

bagpipe (n) – A shrill-toned musical instrument, primarily Scottish in origin, with one double-reed pipe operated by finger stops and one or more drone pipes, all sounded by air forced from a leather bag, which in turn is kept filled by the player’s breath

balaclava (n) – A covering for the head and neck, with an opening for the nose and eyes, worn for protection against wind and cold

baleen (n) – The elastic, horn-like material that hangs in two parallel plates from the upper jaw of certain whales and is used to strain the plankton on which the whales feed

ballast (n) – Weighted materials—such as stone, iron, lead, or wood—used as a counterweight in the hold to stabilize a boat

bamboos (n) – Woody grasses

ban (v) – To prohibit

baneful (adj) – Causing death, destruction, or ruin; harmful

bar graph (n) – A graph in which the lengths of parallel bars are used to compare statistical data

barbel (n) – Whisker-like feature on a fish thought to be used as a sensory organ

bark (n) – A sailing ship that has three or more masts with the aftmost mast rigged "fore-and-aft" and the others square-rigged

barkentine (n)  – A sailing ship that has three or more masts with the foremast square-rigged and the others "fore-and-aft" rigged

barnacle (n) – A small marine organism (crustacean) that cements itself to rocks, wharves, ship hulls and even other animals (like whales)

barometer (n) – An instrument for measuring atmospheric pressure and forecasting the weather

barracks (n) – A building or group of buildings used to house military personnel

barrier island (n) – A low-lying island that runs parallel to the mainland coast, providing a protective barrier during storms

barrio (n) – The Spanish word for neighborhood

basalt (n) – A fine-grained crystalline, igneous rock

basaltic (adj) – Having characteristics of basalt

bascule drawbridge (n) – A variety of drawbridge, counterweighted so that it can be raised and lowered easily

baseline (n) — A set of critical observations or data used for comparison or a control

baseline data (n) – Initial data used for comparison or a control

bastion (n) – Any fortified place

batten (n) – A piece of wood or plastic inserted into a sail to help keep it taut

beachcombing (n) – Wandering on beaches looking for items of interest (e.g., shells)

beam (n) – The width of a ship at the widest part

beam reach (n) – The act of sailing with the wind coming perpendicular to the side of the ship

bear away (v) – To turn away from the wind

bearing (n) – A determination of position; the position or direction of one point with respect to another or to the compass

beat (v) – To sail a boat to windward (into the wind) by tacking

Beaufort force (n) – A scale of numbers, usually from 1 to 12 (although sometimes extended to 15), which indicate wind strength. Each number represents a range of several knots of wind. Beaufort Force 1 is calm, while Beaufort Force 12 is hurricane, i.e., 63 knots or 75 miles per hour

becalmed (adj) – Motionless from lack of wind

belay (v) – To secure a line or rope to a pin or cleat

belaying pin (n) – A wooden or metal dowl-shaped object that is used to fasten and secure a line on a boat

Belonger (n) – One who lives on South Caicos

"the bends" (n) – The common name for decompression sickness, an ailment caused by an excess of dissolved nitrogen in the body; this illness is seen in divers who ascend too quickly to the water’s surface and/or remain too long at great depths underwater

benthic (adj) – Belonging to the group of animals which live on or near the bottom of a body of water (like the ocean)

Bequia (n) – The largest and most northern of the islands in the Grenadines, located just south of St. Vincent and part of the nation of St. Vincent & the Grenadines

Bermuda Triangle (n) – A triangular region in the Atlantic Ocean, bounded by Bermuda, Puerto Rico, and Florida, where ships and aircraft are reputed to have disappeared mysteriously since the 1940s

berth (n) – 1 : A space for anchoring or tying up  2 : A job or position  3 : A built-in bed or bunk

bilge (n) – The bottommost interior part of a ship; the inner, lower part of a ship’s hull

bilge water (n) – Water that collects in the bilge of a boat; in large boats and tankers, water is sometimes added to the bilge for stability (ballast) on long sea journeys, then pumped out upon arrival in port

bilingual (adj) – Speaking two languages

binomial nomenclature (n) – The classification method in which an organism is identified by its genus and species

biodegradable (adj) – Able to decompose into organic substances

biodiversity (n) – The diversity, or variety, of living things in a particular area or region

biogenous sediment (n) – Sediment consisting of the shells and skeletons of dead organisms

biogeography (n) – The past and present geographic distribution of plants and animals in the world

biologist (n) – A scientist who studies living organisms and life processes

bioluminescence (n) – Emission of visible light by living organisms such as the firefly and various fish, fungi, and bacteria

bioluminescent (adj) – Biologically producing light

biomass (n) – The total mass or number of living organisms in a particular area

biome (n) – A major life zone of interrelated plants and animals as determined by the climate

biosphere reserve (n) – An environmental protected area set aside in order to allow life to naturally occur, untouched by humans

biota (n) – The combined flora and fauna of a region

biotic (adj) — Living

bipedal (adj) – Two-footed

Bispira variegata (n) – The Latin name for the feather duster worm

bitter end (n) – The end of a line or chain

bivalve (n) – A mollusk, such as an oyster or a clam, that has a shell consisting of two hinged halves

blacksmith (n) – One who makes or repairs iron objects, including the making and fitting of horseshoes

blatant (adj) – Totally or offensively conspicuous or obtrusive

bleached (adj) – In relation to coral, having lost color and become white due to environmental irritants

bleaching (n) – A coral state caused by changes in the environment (like temperature fluctuation) which irritate the coral and characterized by coral losing its color and becoming white due to its ejecting of the resident zooxanthellae that provide its color

blight (n) – A parasite or insect that kills, withers, or checks the growth of plants

block (n) – A wooden, metal or plastic case containing pulleys, through which turns of line are threaded for the purpose of gaining mechanical advantage or changing the direction of motion

blockade (v) – To shut off a port in order to prevent passage in or out in time of war

bloodstream (n) – The blood flowing through the body’s circulatory system

blowhole (n) – 1 : A nostril in the top of a whale’s head, through which it breathes  2 : A fissure in a cliff face along a shore, through which water spouts up due to the action of the waves

blubber (n) – The fat of a whale or other sea mammal, from which oil is obtained

blue-footed booby (n) – The most common of the three species of boobies found in the Galapagos Islands

blue hole (n) – A sinkhole or terrestrial cave system, created at a time when sea levels were lower and subsequently flooded to become a marine cave system

blue quandong (n) – Elaeocarpus angustifolius, a large tree with an open, graceful crown. Old leaves turn scarlet. Beautiful greenish-white bell-shaped flowers with finely fringed petals are followed by globular, bright blue fruit with edible flesh

bluff (n) – A high, steep, broad-faced bank or cliff

boat delivery (n) – In nautical terms, a task in which people drive (sail or motor) a boat to a destination in preparation for its use at that destination

bocashi (n) – A Japanese method of creating organic compost

bodysurfing (n) – A form of surfing in which a person rides the crest of a wave into shore without the use of a surfboard

bonefish (n) – Any of a family of silvery marine fish, often caught as game or food, which feed from the bottom in tropical shallows

booby (n) – A sea bird that dives and feeds on fish in warm seas; of the genus Sula

boom (n) – A spar extending from a ship’s mast to hold the bottom of a sail outstretched

bosun (n) – Alternate spelling of boatswain; ship’s husband; an officer on a ship responsible for hull maintenance and other related work

bosun’s locker (n) – A room on a ship in which the bosun’s tools are stored

botanical (adj) – Relating to plants

botanist (n) – A scientist who studies plants

botany (n) – The scientific study of plants

"bottom-up" management (n) – A management style in which communities govern themselves

bovine (n) – Any of a family of animals related to oxen, bison, buffalo, and their close relatives

bow (n) – Forward part of the boat

"bowls" (n) – Slang referring to the head, or bathroom, aboard a ship

bowsprit (n) – A spar that juts out forward of the bow; it enlarges the sail area of the ship by permitting extra jibs out in front of the boat

box trap (n) – A box-like trap used in fishing for a variety of marine life (especially crabs and lobsters)

brackish (adj) – Having a somewhat salty taste, especially from containing a mixture of seawater and fresh water

breaching (n) – A whale behavior in which the whale leaps clear of the water

"break bulk" ship (n) – A ship on which all cargo is stored loosely (often in cartons) and directly in the vessel's hold, as opposed to being containerized

break zone (n) – The area in the surf where the waves break

breaker (n) – A wave that breaks into foam against a shore or reef

breakers (n) – Waves that have reached a shallow area and collapsed

breccia (n) – In geology, a rock composed of angular fragments of the same rock or of different rocks united by the same matrix

breed (v) – To reproduce

breeding (n) – The process of producing offspring

brightwork (n) – Woodwork that is kept varnished

brine (n) – Salt water used for preserving and pickling foods

brine shrimp (n) – A common name for any of a group of small crustaceans. The typical full-grown brine shrimp is about 13 mm (about 0.5 in) long, with flat, leaflike legs and a long "tail" consisting of the last eight segments of the body. It has no shell and is transparent. Some species are raised commercially as aquarium food. When brine shrimps are deprived of oxygen, they can shut down their metabolism for up to four years.

Bristol fashion (n) – Nautical description for a ship that is very neat, clean, well-organized; also "ship shape"

broach (v) – To turn or swing a boat so that the beam (side) faces the waves and winds and there is danger in swamping or capsizing

brooded (adj) – Having the confirmed ability to breed

bryozoan (n) – Any of a phylum of tiny marine animals that form branching, moss-like colonies

"bubble blasting" (n) – A whale behavior resembling snorkeling

buccaneer (n) – Pirate

bugeye (n) – A variety of two-masted schooner used in Chesapeake Bay for oystering and characterized by a shallow draft to sail over oyster bars and a thick log bottom to withstand the abrasion of sharp oyster shells; the boat’s name came from the Scottish word for "oyster" and its log bottom is one of the few American hull styles based on an indigenous design (Native American log canoes)

bulkhead (n) – Any of the upright partitions separating parts of a ship to protect against leakage

bunk (n) – A shelflike bed or berth built into or against the wall of a ship

bunker fuel (n) – A thick fuel used by some tour boats

buntline (n) – A rope attached to the middle part of the foot of a square sail

buoy (n) – A floating object anchored in a body of water to warn of a hazard, define a channel, or mark the placement of a fishing net or trap; buoys are variously shaped and colored, and often equipped with a bell or light while others are equipped with instruments to collect sea and weather data in oceans

buoyancy (n) – The ability to float in a particular liquid or air

buoyant (adj) – Marked by the tendency or capacity to remain afloat in a liquid or rise in air or gas

burrito (n) – A Mexican dish consisting of a flour tortilla wrapped around a filling of meat, cheese, refried beans, etc.

bush tucker (n) – Edible fruit and plants found growing wild in the Australian rainforest

bushwhack (v) – To beat or cut one’s way through bushes or underbrush

buttress (n) – A complex tree trunk that flares out near the ground for support and protection

bycatch (n) – Non-targeted species caught by fishers

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- C -

cadastral (adj) – Relating to property lines

calamari (n) – Squid cooked as food

calcareous (adj) – Made of calcium carbonate

calcified (adj) – Changed from its original form to a hard, stony substance due to the deposit of lime or calcium salts

calcium carbonate (n) – A white powder or colorless, crystalline compound, CaCO₃, found mainly in limestone, marble, and chalk, and in bones, teeth, shells, and plant ash

calipers (n) – A tool with two moveable legs used to measure the length of an object

call sign (n) – A set of numbers and letters by which a ship’s radio operator can be identified

CALM (n) – In Class Afloat, an acronym for the Career & Life Management class

camaraderie (n) – A spirit of friendly good-fellowship

camouflage (v) – To blend in with one’s surroundings

campesino (n) – The Spanish word for a man or woman from the country

cane toad (n) – A venomous, large, heavily built amphibian, Bufo marinus, introduced into Queensland, Australia, in 1935 to control two sugar cane pests

canine (adj) – Of or relating to one of the pointed conical teeth located between the incisors and the first bicuspids

cannery (n) – A factory where foods are canned

canopy (n) – The upper layer or strata of trees in the rainforest that are 60 to 90 feet tall

cape (n) – A piece of land that projects into a body of water; promontory; headland

Cape Horn (n) – The cape of Horn Island, located in Tierra del Fuego, Chile, which is the southernmost point of South America; the ocean surrounding this area is traditionally one of the stormiest in the world

capsize (v) – To overturn

capstan (n) – Large manual winch used for any extremely heavy lifting; especially the raising of the anchor

car (n) – A sliding fitting that attaches to a track, allowing for the adjustment of blocks or other devices attached to the car

carapace (n) – A protective shell which covers the back of certain animals

carcass (n) – The dead body of an animal

career (v) – To move at full speed

carnivore (n) – An organism that eats only animals

carnivorous (adj) – Having characteristics of a carnivore; meat-eating

carrying capacity (n) – The limit of resource use in an area beyond which resource use is not sustainable

casque (n) – A helmet-like part of a cassowary’s head

cassava (n) – A American tropical plant with edible starchy roots, often used in making bread and tapioca

cassowary (n) – A flightless bird of the forest; they stand 1.2 to 1.8 meters (about 4 to 6 feet) high and can run as fast as 48 kilometers per hour (30 miles per hour) when frightened

cast off (v) – To let go; depart

cat o’ nine tails (n) – A whip made of nine knotted cords attached to a handle

catamaran (n) – A boat built with two parallel hulls

catapult (v) – To shoot or launch from

catchment area (n) – A structure, such as a basin or reservoir, used for collecting or draining water, especially rainwater

cathedral (n) – A type of church

caudal fin (n) – A tailfin

cauliflory (n) – A condition in which a tree produces flowers on its trunk rather than on its stems or branches

caulking (n) – A usually impermeable substance packed into the seams of a constructed object (e.g., boat, house, etc.) to make it watertight

causeway (n) – A raised path or road across wet ground or water

caustic (adj) – Corrosive; capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action

cay (n) – A low island, coral reef or sandbank off a mainland

celestial body (n) – A sun, moon, star or planet in the sky

celestial navigation (n) – Navigation in which one’s position is determined from observations of the sun, moon, stars or planets

centennial (n) – A 100^th anniversary or a celebration of it

centerboard (n) – A movable board or metal plate that is lowered through a slot in the floor of a sailboat to reduce drift and increase stability

cephalopod (n) – Any of a class of marine mollusks having a distinct head with highly developed eyes and varying numbers of arms (with suckers), attached to the head about the mouth; e.g., octopus, squid, etc.

cetacean (n) – A marine mammal of the order Cetacea, characterized by nearly hairless, fishlike features, a lack of external hind limbs, and paddlelike forelimbs (e.g., whales, dolphins, porpoises)

chafe (v) – To wear away by rubbing

channel (n) – A body of water joining to larger bodies of water; the deeper part of a river or harbor

chanty (n) – A song sung by sailors to the rhythm of their movement while working

chaps (n) – Specialized horse-riding pants worn over workpants; traditionally made of leather

Charlie Noble (n) – The stack on the galley stove

chart (n) – A map used in marine navigation

chief of the watch (n) – On a boat, the crew member in charge of a watch team

chiton (n) – A small marine mollusk

chlorophyll (n) – The photosynthetic pigment found chiefly in plant cells

chronometer (n) – A clock or watch of the highest possible accuracy, used on ships to determine longitude

chuckwalla (n) – A variety of large, edible iguana

cicada (n) – A large, fly-like insect with transparent wings; the male makes a loud, shrill sound by vibrating a special organ on his underbelly

cilia (n) – Hairs along the margin or edge of a leaf or other plant structure, usually forming a fringe

cinder cone (n) – A steep, conical hill of volcanic fragments that accumulate around and downwind from a vent

circumnavigate (v) – To sail around (the world)

circumnavigation (n) – The act of sailing or flying around the globe, an island or other area

cistern (n) – A receptacle for holding water or other liquid, especially a tank for catching and storing rainwater

civil twilight (n) – The time periods beginning before sunrise and ending after sunset when the sun is 6 degrees below the horizon; characterized by illumination sufficient to distinguish terrestrial objects and the horizon clearly; carry out ordinary outdoor activities; and see the brightest stars under good atmospheric conditions

clarity (n) – The quality or condition of being clear

class (n) – The third largest categorical level of biological taxonomy, ranking below kingdom and phylum, and above order, family, genus and species

classify (v) – To arrange according to common traits

clear-cut (v) – To harvest all the trees in a portion of a forest; it leaves the ground bare and susceptible to erosion

clew (n) – The lower aft corner of a mainsail or jib, or either lower corner of a square sail

clewline (n) – A line attached to the lower aft corner of a mainsail or jib, or either lower corner of a square sail

client  (n) – A customer

climate (n) – The average weather conditions of a particular locale

climatic (adj) – Related to climate

climax species (n) – A plant species that is part of the final stage in plant succession for a given environment

clinometer (n) – An instrument used to measure an angle to determine the height of a tree; a variant of this tool is also used to measure the dip in rock strata or the degree of slope

clip in (v) – To clip a harness to fixed rigging to prevent a person in the rigging from falling to the deck

clipper (n) – A sharp-bowed, narrow-beamed sailing ship built for great speed

cloaca (n) – A common cavity into which the intestinal, genital, and urinary tracts open in vertebrates such as fish, reptiles, birds, and some primitive mammals

close-hauled (adj) – With sails trimmed flat for sailing as close to the wind as possible

cnidarian (n) – Any of a phylum of invertebrate animals. Cnidarians are mainly marine and characterized by stinging cells and a saclike body cavity with a single opening for ingesting food and eliminating waste.

cob (n) – An alternative, natural house construction material; a mixture of sand clay and straw that is wet enough to mold yet dry enough to build up without forms

cobra (n) – Any of several poisonous snakes of Asia and Africa that have loose skin around the neck that expands into a hood when the snake is excited

cockpit (n) – A sunken space in the deck of a boat, usually towards the stern and for use by the helmsman

cod (n) – A bony white fish with firm flesh and soft fins, found in northern seas; important as a source of cod-liver oil and food

coffee rust (n) – A fungus that grows on coffee trees; defoliates the tree and can eventually kill it; the spores of the fungus are spread by wind, rain, and possibly insects

colonize (v) – To form or establish a colony or colonies

colony (n) – A group of similar plants or animals living or growing together

Colors (n) – A ceremony on board a ship in which flags are raised; aboard Concordia, Colors takes place at 0800 hours

columnar (adj) – In the shape of a column or pillar

come about (v) – A nautical term meaning to change course so that the sail(s) shift from one side of the boat to the other; to tack

commercial fishing (n) – Fishing as a source of income

common property resources (n) – Resources that are available for everyone in a community to use, such as parks, lakes, rivers, and oceans

communism (n) – An economic theory or system based on the ownership of all property by the community as a whole

communist (n) – One who advocates and/or supports communism

community (n) – Several populations of plants and animals coexisting in a common environment

companionway (n) – Hallway or ladder passage aboard a ship

compass (n) – 1 : An instrument consisting of two pointed legs connected by a pivot, used for taking navigational measurements aboard a ship  2 : An instrument that shows direction, especially with the aid of a magnetic needle which swings freely and points to magnetic north

compass rose (n) – On a nautical chart, one of several circular figures several inches in diameter and containing three concentric circular scales, with which one can plot one’s location

compensate (v) – To make an appropriate payment to

competition (n) – The struggle among organisms for food, water, living space, etc.

compile (v) – To gather and put together in orderly form

compost (n) – Decayed organic material that can be used for fertilizing, usually consisting of food items

compound (n) – In chemistry, a substance consisting of two or more elements

compress (v) – To press together or compact

concession (n) – The acknowledged right to use a particular geographic area or resource for a specific purpose or profit (e.g., fishing cooperatives have concessions to fish for particular species)

conch (n) – A marine mollusk, often edible, with a large spiral shell

condensation (n) – The process by which gas turns into a liquid

condense (v) – To change from a gas into a liquid

condiment (n) – A seasoning or relish for food such as pepper, salt, ketchup, mustard, etc.

conducive (adj) – Helpful, beneficial

Confederate (adj) – Refers to any member or supporter of the Confederacy, the league of Southern States that seceded from the United States in 1860 and 1861 (AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, TX, VA), leading to the American Civil War

confiscate (v) – To seize something (often private property), usually as a penalty for misbehavior or illegal actions

conical (adj) – In the shape of a cone

conquistador (n) – Any of the Spanish conquerors of Mexico, Peru or other parts of America in the 16^th century

conscientious (adj) – Principled; thorough

conscription (n) – Mandatory enrollment of people, especially for military service

conservation (n) – The management and preservation of natural resources

conservationist (n) – Someone who promotes the use and sustainable management of a resource

constituent (n) – Component

constitution (n) – The system of fundamental laws and principles of a government or state

constrict (v) – To make narrow, compress, or squeeze

constriction (n) – The act of constricting or squeezing

constrictor (n) – A snake that kills its prey by wrapping itself around the animal and crushing it

consumer (n) – An organism that obtains nutrients by eating other organisms

containerization (n) – The practice of packing cargo in huge, standardized containers for more efficient shipping and transfer from one form of transport to another

container ship (n) – A large variety of cargo ship upon which all cargo is stored in large metal boxes for ease of transfer

contaminant (n) – A substance that contaminates

contaminate (v) – To make impure, unclean; to pollute

continental drift (n) – The theory that continents slowly shift their positions as a result of currents in the molten rocks of the earth’s mantle

continental margin (n) – The edge of a continental plate

continental plate (n) – One of the many rock plates which make up the Earth’s crust, or outer shell

continental shelf (n) – The shallow underwater extension of a continent, usually limited to 200 meters in depth

contraband (n) – Unlawful or prohibited trade

control (n) – A subject of an experiment that is not altered and is later compared to altered subjects at the end of the experiment

controlled burning – A method of deliberately burning a section of forest or land to prevent severe, uncontrolled fires; a type of fire prevention

controversial (adj) – Subject to debate, dispute, or quarrel

convection current (n) – A current created by the heating and cooling of a liquid or gas

conventional (adj) – Conforming to formal or accepted standards

cooper (n) – One who makes barrels or casks

cooperative (n) – A communal organization in which members share both the costs and revenues of a particular occupation (e.g., shrimp fishing)

coordinate (n) – Any of a set of numbers in a reference system (e.g., on a map) that determine the location of a point (or ship)

copepod (n) – Any of a class of small, sometimes parasitic, crustaceans living in either salt or fresh water

coral head (n) – A grouping of coral that protrudes from the reef

coral snake (n) – Any of several small, poisonous, burrowing snakes found in the southern United States and subtropical America with coral-red, yellow, and black bands around its body

corallite (n) – The calcareous skeletal cup which surrounds each coral animal

correlate (v) – To calculate the reciprocal relationship between to objects, sets of data, etc.

correlation (n) – The relationship between two things or sets of data

corridor (n) – A narrow strip of vegetation which connects larger rainforest areas and provides a safe route and resting place for organisms moving from one rainforest area to another

coup (n) – Short for coup d’état, meaning the sudden forcible overthrow of a government, accomplished quickly and by surprise

course (n) – 1 : The direction in which a ship is moving, based on the 360-degree compass; also called a bearing   2 : The lowest sail on the foremast

courtier (n) – An attendant at a royal court

covert (adj) – Not openly practiced, engaged in, or shown

cowl vents (n) – Funnel-shaped vents designed to provide ventilation belowdecks

creature comforts (n) – Anything providing bodily comforts, as food, clothing, or shelter

Creole (n) – A form of mixed language that develops when speakers of two different languages remain in persistent and long-lasting contact with each other

crêpe (n) – The French word for a small, thin pancake

crepuscular (adj) – Active during dawn and dusk

crest (n) – The top or highest point of a wave

crevice (n) – A narrow crack or opening

cringle (n) – A ring sewn onto a sail so that a line may pass through

crown (n) – The branches and foliage of a tree; the upper portion

crown cover (n) – The area covered by the crown of a tree

cruising (v) – To sail about, touching at a series of ports

crustacean (n) – Any of a group of mainly marine invertebrate organisms having a hard outer shell and jointed appendages; e.g., lobsters, crabs, barnacles, and shrimp

culinary (adj) – Having to do with cooking or the kitchen

cull (v) – To select and remove from a group, to choose

culminate (v) – To come to completion; end

cultivate (v) – To prepare and use soil for growing crops; to grow plants from seeds, bulbs, shoots, etc.

cultivation (n) – The act of cultivating land

culvert (n) – A sewer or drain crossing under a road or embankment

curfew (n) – A time, usually in the evening, set as a deadline beyond which inhabitants of a place cannot appear in public places

current (n) – The horizontal motion of water, caused by tides, local winds and trade winds

curriculum (n) – All of the courses offered in a school or in a particular subject

curver box (n) – In the BT Global Challenge, a small plastic box used for storing personal gear aboard a boat

customs (n) – The government agency or office in charge of collecting taxes imposed on imported and/or exported goods

cutter (n) – Generally a single-masted fore-and-aft rigged sailing vessel

cyclone (n) – A system of rotating high winds over a vast area, spinning inwards towards a low pressure area; also called a low pressure system and the term used for a tropical cyclone in the Indian Ocean. The system rotates counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. syn.: hurricane (N. hemisphere)

cyclonic (adj) – Spinning

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daggerboard (n) – A dagger-shaped board that projects down into the water below a sailboat's hull; its purpose is to help keep the boat on course

danbuoy (n) – A floating safety device thrown off of a boat when a crew member goes overboard; a pole that stands upright in the water, giving a visual reference to the crew as to where the overboard victim is located. It also has a light on top of it for reference at night.

Darwinism (n) – The theory of evolution that states that all plants and animals developed from earlier forms by changing and adapting to their environment for survival

data (n) – Factual information, in the form of measurements, that is used for reasoning discussion or calculation

date (n) – The sweet, fleshy fruit of the date palm, having a large, hard seed

davit (n) – An upright made of timber or iron, projecting over the side or stern of a ship and used for suspending, hoisting ir lowering a small boat

day watch (n) – The ship’s watch that occurs during the daytime

dead ahead (adv) – Directly in front of a vessel

dead reckoning (n) – The estimation of a ship’s position based on data recorded in the log (e.g., speed and time spent on a certain course) rather than more precise measurements (e.g., astronomical observations or radar)

dearth (n) – A lack of

debris (n) – 1 : In the rainforest, dead vegetation that has fallen to the forest floor  2 : Carelessly discarded refuse or litter  3 : Rough, broken bits of stone, wood, and other materials, often found in a place of destruction

deciduous (adj) – Shedding or losing foliage at the end of the growing season

deciduous (n) – Having leaves that die and fall off at the end of a growth period or season

declination (n) – In astronomy, the angular distance to a point on a celestial object measured north or south from the Celestial Equator; expressed in degrees

decomposer (n) – Any organism that breaks down the remains of dead animals and plants

decomposition (n) – The breakdown of remains of dead animals and plants by bacteria or fungus

decompression sickness (n) – Also called "the bends", an ailment caused by an excess of dissolved nitrogen in the body; this illness is seen in divers who ascend too quickly to the water’s surface and/or remain too long at great depths underwater

defecate (v) – To excrete solid waste

deforestation (n) – The removal of trees and forests from the land

degradation (n) – A worsening of quality or condition

degrade (v) – To wear by erosion or weathering

degraded (adj) – Reduced in worth or value or worn by erosion or weathering

dehydrate (v) – To lose water or become dry

dehydrated (adj) – Dried, often in order to preserve for future use

deity (n) – A god, goddess or other divine entity

delicacy (n) – A choice food

delineate (v) – To draw or trace the outline of

demarcate (v) – To separate clearly as if by boundaries

demographics (n) – The statistical breakdown of a population’s characteristics (e.g., age, sex, distribution, density)

denominator (n) – The term below the line in a fraction; the divisor of the numerator

density (n) – The quantity or number per unit (e.g. population density is often measured in number of organisms per square meter unit of area)

deplete (v) – To use up gradually (a resource, strength, etc.)

depleted (adj) – Used up or emptied out

depot (n) – A station or stopping place (e.g., for trains, buses, ships)

derivative (adj) – A substance derived from another substance

desalination (n) – The process by which salt is removed from water, especially sea water, to make it drinkable

desalinate (v) – Synonymous to "desalinize"

desalinator (n) – A machine that removes salt from seawater to make fresh water

desalinize (v) – To remove salt from sea water

detrimental (adj) – Harmful

detritivore (n) – An organism that eats detritus, thus helping to break down organic material within the environment

detritus (n) – Any accumulation of disintegrated material or debris; partially decomposed plant matter that can be used as food

devastating (adj) – Overwhelming, confounding, stunning

development (n) – A thing that is developed; specifically structures on a tract of land for use by people

deviation (n) – The deflection of a ship’s compass-needle from its magnetic orientation, caused by iron and other potentially magnetized sources on a ship

devout (adj) – Devoted to religion or to the fulfillment of religious obligations; displaying reverence or piety

diameter (n) – The length of a line segment passing through the center of a circle, bisecting it

diaphragm (n) – The partition of muscles and tendons between the abdominal and chest cavities

diatom (n) – Any of a certain class of microscopic algae, one-celled or in colonies, often used as a source of food for other kinds of marine life

dicotyledon (n) – Also called dicot: A flowering plant with two cotyledons (leaves of the embryo of a seed plant) that usually appear at germination

dictator (n) – A ruler with absolute power and authority, especially one who exercises this power and authority tyrannically

dictatorship (n) – A state ruled by a dictator holding absolute power and authority

didgeridoo (n) – A long, traditional wooden trumpet of the Australian aborigines (also spelled didjeridoo)

dinghy (n) – A small boat or rowboat used as a tender to another vessel

dingo (n) – The Australian wild dog (Canis dingo), usually tawny in color, with short, pointed ears and a bushy tail

dirty fuel (n) – Fuel that is contaminated with water, particles, etc., generally causing an engine to function poorly or not at all

discriminate (v) – To show prejudice against

disperse (v) – Scatter in different directions

displacement (n) – The weight or volume of water displaced by a ship

distraught (adj) – Troubled, mentally confused, distracted

diurnal (adj) – Active during the day time

diverse (adj) – Varied, different

diversification (n) – The process by which a greater variety (of products, industries, species) comes into being

diversity (n) – The number of different species or types of animals

dividers (n)– An instrument consisting of two pointed legs connected at one end by a pivot, used for taking measurements; also called a "pair of compasses"

docile (adj) – Yielding to supervision, direction, or management; tractable

"dog watch" (n) – Either of the two ship watch periods (from 4–6 p.m. or 6–8 p.m.) which are half the length of a normal watch

doldrums (n) – A part of the ocean near the equator abounding in calms, squalls, and light shifting winds

dominant (adj) – In ecological terms, belonging to a species of plant or animal most numerous in a community or exercising control over the other community organisms by its influence on the environment

dormancy (n) – A state of inactivity or suspended animation

dorsal (adj) – On or near the back

dorsal fin (n) – A fin located on the back of a fish or other marine organism

dory (n) – A flat-bottomed, high-sided rowboat, used chiefly in commercial fishing

double-decker bus (n) – A bus that has seats on upper and lower levels

douse (v) – To wrap or roll (as a sail or a flag) close to or around something; to furl a sail

draft (n) – The depth of water required to float a ship

dragger (n) – A fishing vessel that catches fish by dragging a net along the ocean floor

Dramamine (n) – A medicine used to prevent motion sickness, especially seasickness

dreamtime (n) – In Australian aboriginal lore, the mystical past when spirit gods were believed to inhabit the earth

dredge chain (n) – A chain used to drag the ocean floor for fish, shellfish, etc.

drift (n) – The speed of a water current

drogue (n) – 1: A float that lies on the surface of the water, heavy enough to be influenced more by water current than the force of the wind; useful in tracking current flow 2: Any object used to increase the drag of a boat and slow her down. Typically shaped like a parachute or cone opened underwater, drogues decrease a boat's speed in heavy weather.

drought (n) – A prolonged period of climatic dryness; it can cause extensive crop damage

dry suit (n) – A full-length suit, similar in look to a wetsuit but which keeps one entirely dry when worn; often called a "survival suit", a dry suit is most often used by boaters in regions of cold water and stormy weather

dunnage (n) – Lining and packing materials that float

dwindle (v) – To diminish, become less

dynamics (n) – The social, intellectual, or moral forces that produce activity and change in a given sphere

dysentery (n) – A disease characterized by severe diarrhea

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echidna (n) – Also called the spiny anteater, this nocturnal, burrowing, egg-laying mammal of Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea, has a spiny coat, slender snout, and a sticky tongue used for catching insects

echinoderm (n) – Any of numerous radially symmetrical marine invertebrates of the phylum Echinodermata (e.g., sea stars, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers), having an internal calcareous skeleton and often covered with spines

echolocation (n) – The determination of an object’s position by the emission of sound waves and consequential reflection back of echoes; used by bats and other nocturnal creatures for navigating in the dark

eclectic (adj) – Composed of elements drawn from various sources

ecological (adj) – Having to do with one’s natural environment; environmental

ecological footprint (n) – The total area of productive land and water that is used to produce all the resources consumed by a group of people; a measure of human’s impact on nature

ecologist (n) – A scientist who studies the relationships of organisms

ecology (n) – The branch of biology that deals with the relationship between living organisms and their environment

economic extinction (n) – A situation in which the cost to find and catch a particular species (of fish, etc.) is higher than the price for which it can be sold

economy (n) – A system of producing, distributing and consuming wealth

ecosystem (n) – Communities of organisms that coexist and are self sustaining; an interrelated community of plants, animals, bacteria and the physical and chemical environment in which they live

ecotourism (n) – Ecologically responsible tourism; using natural resources for tourism without being destructive or wasteful; tourism which focuses on the natural environment

eddy (n) – A current of water or air that flows in a circular motion contrary to the main current

edge effect – The climatic conditions present along the edge of a rainforest fragment that are different from normal rainforest conditions

effluent (n) – The outflow of a sewer or septic tank

ejido system (n) – The Spanish word for a system of communal land ownership and management

El Dorado (n) – A vaguely defined historical region and city of the New World, often thought to be in northern South America. Fabled for its great wealth of gold and precious jewels, it was eagerly sought after by sixteen- and seventeenth-century explorers

El Morro (n) – A famous 16th century fort that guards the port of San Juan, Puerto Rico

element (n) – In chemistry, any substance that cannot be separated into different substances by ordinary chemical methods; all matter is composed of such substances

embark (v) – 1 : To go on board a ship  2 : To make a start

emergents (n) – The tallest trees of the rainforest, usually trees 150 to 200 feet high

emergy (n) – The energy required to make something, in solar energy units

emigrate (v) – To leave one country or region to settle in another

emission (n) – Discharge; (when referring to engine emissions) a pollutant discharged from an engine

emit (v) – To send out, give forth

empanada (n) – Any of various pastry turnovers, filled with chopped meat, vegetables, or fruit, then sealed and deep-fried

empathetic (adj) – Characterized by being able to share in another’s emotions, thoughts, or feelings

empirical (adj) – Relying on or derived from observation or experiment

enclave (n) – A minority cultural and/or ethnic group living close together within a larger group

endangered (adj) – In danger of becoming extinct

endemic (adj) – Native, restricted or unique to a particular area

English pound (n) – The currency standard in the United Kingdom

ensign (n) – A flag or banner displayed on a ship

entice (v) – To attract by arousing hope or desire; to lure

environmental art (n) – Any form of creative skill used to connect one with nature; the purpose of environmental art is to express an idea through nature and its physical forces, thus invoking a greater awareness of our environment

Eocene (n) – The second part of the Tertiary Period (of the Cenozoic Era) in which mammals became the dominant animals

EPA (n) – Environmental Protection Agency (USA)

epidemic (n) – A rapid, widespread occurrence (of a disease, etc.) amongst many individuals in a community

epiphylls (n) – Lichens, liverworts, and mosses

epiphyte (n) – A plant that grows on another plant without harming it. It gets water from the air and rain, produces its own food through photosynthesis, and adapts to its conditions in order to get other nutrients.

EPIRB (n) – Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon; a beacon that transmits a distress call which is picked up or relayed by satellites

epitome (n) – A person or thing that is representative of the general quality or characteristics of a whole group

epoxy (n) – Any of various resins that are blended with other chemicals to form strong and hard adhesives, enamel coatings, etc.

equator-crossing ceremony (n) – A nautical tradition in which sailors who have not crossed the equator are initiated in order to gain King Neptune’s favor and approval; the ceremony is conducted just prior to or during the time that a ship crosses the equator

equatorial (adj) – Of or having to do with the equator

equilibrium (n) – A condition in which all acting influences are canceled by others, resulting in a stable, balanced, or unchanging system

eradicate (v) – To do away with; exterminate

erosion (n) – The gradual wearing away of soil

estuary (n) – The area at a mouth of a river, where the salty tide meets with freshwater current

ethnobotanist (n) – A scientist who studies how cultures use plants for medicine, food, shelter, and goods

eucalypt (adj) – Dominated by eucalyptus vegetation

eutrophication (n) – The process through which an excessive amount of nutrients in a body of water leads to the growth of plants, such as algae, that consume almost all of the available oxygen

evaporate (v) – To change from a liquid into a gas

evaporation (n) – The process by which liquid turns into a vapor or gas

evapotranspiration (n) – Water loss from the soil cause by direct evaporation and transpiration from the surface of plants

evergreen (n) – Having leaves that stay green year round

evolution (n) – The change in the hereditary characteristics of groups of organisms over the course of generations

exacerbate (v) – Aggravate; make more severe

excrement (n) – Animal and human waste

excrete (v) – To eliminate a substance from the body, usually through sweat glands or kidneys

excurrent (adj) – Running or flowing in an outward direction

exemplify (v) – To show by example

exoskeleton (n) – Some animals have a skeleton on the OUTSIDE, not inside their bodies. These animals include insects, arachnids (spiders) and other animals that are in the group called arthropods. Turtles and lobsters are two animals with an exoskeleton.

exotic (adj) – Foreign; not native

expansive (adj) – Broad in size or extent; grand in scale

expatriate (n) – One who has taken up residence in a foreign country

experiential (adj) – Based on experience

exploit (v) – To utilize, often with negative connotations

export (v) – To carry or send (goods) to another country, especially for purposes of sale

exportation (n) – The act of exporting

extinct (adj) – No longer existing anywhere in the world

extinction (n) – The complete destruction of a species or group

extractive (adj) – Capable of being removed

extrapolate (v) – To infer or estimate by extending or projecting known information

exude (v) – Discharge or emit gradually

eye (n) – The center area of a hurricane, usually measuring 14 to 50 miles across and characterized by calm, often sunny weather

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fallow (adj) – Plowed but left unseeded during a growing season

family (n) – The fifth largest categorical level of biological taxonomy, ranking below kingdom, phylum, class and order, and above genus and species

faroles (n) – The Spanish word for a kind of lantern made with cardboard, colored paper, and a candle

fathom (n) – A nautical measure of depth or distance equal to 6 feet

fault (n) – A fracture in the Earth’s crust that is subject to movement

fauna (n) – Animal life

feasible (adj) – Capable of being done; reasonable

feather (v) – To change the angle of a propeller so that it is parallel to the line in which a boat is moving

federation (n) – A united group with a common purpose

fender (n) – A cushion of canvas, rope, wood, etc., hung over a ship’s side to protect it when going alongside a pier or another ship

fertile (adj) – 1 : Able to produce young  2 : Rich in plant nutrients

fertilize (v) – In gardening, to enrich by adding nutrients

fetch (n) – The distance that the wind and sea travels over open water, unimpeded by land

fetch up (v) – Float ashore

fez (n) – A brimless, cone-shaped felt hat, usually red, with a flat crown from which a long black tassel hangs; the Turkish national headdress of men in the 19^th and early 20^th century

fibrous (adj) – Composed of many fibers

fickle (adj) – Changeable, inconsistent, unstable

fid (n) – A cone-shaped wooden tool used to separate strands of line for splicing

filter (n)– A porous material through which a liquid is passed to remove particles

final judgment (n) – The religious belief that there will be a time, coinciding with the end of the world, when God will judge all people; also known as Judgment Day

finca (n) – The Spanish word for a small Costa Rican farm that supplies part of a family's income

finfish (n) – Any of a variety of commercially-valuable fish having fins (e.g., wahoo, tuna, grouper, flounder)

fishery (n) – 1 : The business of catching a particular fish species for commercial profit  2 : A particular stock of commercially valuable fish

fishing mortality (n) – Death of fish due to harvest by humans

fishmeal (n) – A nutritive mealy substance produced from fish or fish parts and used as animal feed and fertilizer

fix (n) – The position of a ship, determined from the bearings of two or more known points, from astronomical observations, radio signals, or from a navigation unit

flake (v) – To fold a sail neatly on top of itself (in an accordion-like manner) as it is taken down from the mast

flanker (n) – A small spinnaker used in higher winds; used generally for reaching rather than running

flare (n) – A special stick or substance which, when burned, produces a very bright light, most often used as a distress signal and/or to light up the area around a ship

flauta (n) – A corn tortilla wrapped around a shredded meat filling then fried until crisp

fleet (n) – A group of boats of ships that are sailing together; vessels sailing in the same race

fledgling (adj) – New and untried or inexperienced

Flemish coils (n) – A flat coil of line that will "run" quickly and easily

Floatie (n) – Nickname for the student crew sailing aboard Concordia

flora (n) – Plants

fluke (n) – One of the lobes of a whale’s tail

focal (adj) – Of or relating to a focus—a center of interest or activity

fo’c’sle (n) – A ship’s forecastle

folkloric (adj) – Refers to the traditional customs of a country

following sea (n) – Swells that approach a vessel from the stern

food chain (n) – A feeding pattern in which energy in food passes from one animal or plant to the next

food web (n) – Inter-related food chains in a community

footrope (n) – A rope or cable attached along the length of a yard; sailors stand on these when furling the sails

Force 8–9 (adj) – Wind blowing at 34 to 47 knots, per the Beaufort Scale

fore-and-aft (adj) – Set lengthwise along a ship, from bow to stern

forecastle (n) – The upper deck of a ship, in front of the foremast, where the crew’s quarters are located

foredeck (n) – The front or forepart of a ship’s main deck

foremast (n) – On ships with multiple masts, the mast nearest the bow of the ship

forepeak (n) – The part of a ship’s interior in the angle of the bow

foresail (n) – The main triangular sail on the foremast of a schooner

foresheet (n) – One of the ropes used to trim a foresail

forestay (n) – A steel cable with one end attached to the upper mast and the other end attached to the bow of a boat, designed to stabilize the mast when used with other stays

fossil fuel (n) – A non-renewable fuel resource that is formed underground from plant and animal remains (e.g., coal, oil, natural gas)

foulies (n) – Foul weather gear (e.g., raincoat)

fragment (n) – A small section of rainforest that has been isolated by deforestation

fragmentation (n) – The break-up of forest areas into small fragments

Francophone (adj) – Of or having to do with speakers of French

free diving (n) – Diving to significant depths underwater without the aid of breathing apparatus

freefall (n) – The part of a parachutist’s jump before the parachute is opened

frigate (n) – A type of British warship

frigate bird (n) – A large tropical bird with extremely long wings and tail and a hooked beak

frond (n) – The leaf of a fern

front (n) – Meteorology. The boundary between two air masses of different density and temperature

frontal (adj) – Meteorology. Relating to a front

frugivore (n) – An animal that eats fruit

full-rigged ship (n) – A ship with at least three masts, each with a topmast, top gallant mast, and royal mast, all rigged with square sails and yards

fungi (n) – Plural for fungus; molds, mildews, mushrooms, etc. that are parasites on living organisms or feed off of dead organic matter

fungicides (n) – Chemicals that kill fungi

fungus (n) – One of the scientific Kingdoms of organisms; includes mushrooms and toadstools

furl (v) – To fold or roll up tightly and secure a sail

futtock plate (n) – An iron plate placed perpendicular to the top of a sailing vessel’s lower mast to hold the futtock shrouds

futtock shrouds (n) – The short iron rods extending from a futtock plate to a band around the lower mast so as to brace the upper mast where it joins the lower mast

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gaff (n) – A spar or pole which extends from the after side of the mast and supports a fore-and-aft sail

gale (n) – A nautical term defining weather conditions in which wind speed ranges between 34 to 40 knots

galley (n) – The kitchen of a ship

gap (n) – An open space in the rainforest canopy which lets light come down and hit the ground

gasket (v) – To tie a sail to a yard

gastronomic (adj) – Relating to gastronomy: the art and science of good eating

gastropod (n) – Any of a large class of mollusks, often having one-piece, straight or spiral shells and a broad, muscular foot with which to move; e.g., conch, snails, etc.

gauge (n) – A device for measuring something

gecko (n) – Any of a family of soft-skinned, insect-eating tropical or sub-tropical lizards with a short, stout body, large head and suction pads on the feet

generator (n) – A machine used to provide electricity on a boat; generally fueled with diesel fuel

genny (n) – Slang for generator

genoa (n) – A headsail used in breezes of 0-15 knots (larger than the No. 1 Yankee)

genus (n) – The sixth largest categorical level of biological taxonomy, ranking below kingdom, phylum, class, and order, and above species

Geographic Information System (GIS) (n) – A system of remotely-sensed, or satellite, map images

geography (n) – The physical, surface features of an area or region

geology (n) – The structure and composition of the earth’s crust in a certain region

geothermal (adj) – Refers to heat energy originating from within the Earth

germinate (v) – To cause to sprout or develop

giant white-tailed rat (n) – Uromys caudimaculatus is one of the largest rodents that also lives in New Guinea and the Aru Islands. You can distinguish the rat by its scratching noise created while trying to penetrate (with the aid of its incisors) the hard-shell outer layer of rainforest nuts that are impenetrable to other animals

gill (n) – The organ for breathing of most aquatic creatures, including fish, lobsters and clams

gill net (n) – A type of weighted, vertical fishing net made of fishing line; fish swim into this nearly invisible net and are caught by their gills

glaciation (n) – A period of time characterized by the expansion of continental glaciers

gland (n) – An organ or layer of cells that produces and secretes some substance

Global Positioning System (GPS) (n) – An electronic device which gives near-accurate readings of one’s position on the earth’s surface

gorge (n) – A narrow ravine

gorgonian (n) – A variety of colonizing coral, including sea fans and sea whips

gorgonian garden (n) – An underwater area containing coral-like organisms known as "sea fans" and "sea whips"

gradient (n) – The change in the value of something (e.g., temperature, pressure, concentration), especially over a given distance

granitic (adj) – Having characteristics of granite

granivore (n) – An animal that eats seeds

gravitational (adj) – Having to do with or caused by gravity

Great Bahama Bank (n) – A large, shallow, underwater shoal or plateau, from which rises most of the islands of the Bahamas

Great Barrier Reef (n) – A chain of coral reefs in the Coral Sea, off the northeastern coast of Australia. The largest deposit of coral in the world, the reef extends for about 2000 kilometers (about 1250 miles)

Great Circle (n) – The shortest distance between two points on the surface or a globe; a Great Circle cuts through the center of the Earth

greenhouse (n) – A building with a roof and sides made of glass, used for growing plants that need warmth and protection

greenhouse effect (n) – A warming effect caused by a buildup of carbon dioxide and other "greenhouse gasses" in the atmosphere

greenhouse gasses (n) – Carbon dioxide and other gasses that build up in the Earth’s atmosphere, causing a warming of the air called the "greenhouse effect"

Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) (n) – Mean solar time of the meridian (line of longitude) at Greenwich, England; used as the basis for standard time throughout most of the world

Grenadines (n) – A chain of small islands in the West Indies; the northern group is part of the nation of St. Vincent & the Grenadines, while the southern group is part of Grenada

grid (n) – A network of evenly spaced horizontal and vertical lines, especially one used for locating points when placed over a map or chart

grind (v) – To crank a winch in order to tighten a line

gringo (n) – In Latin America, a foreigner, especially one who is American or English

grommet (n) – An eyelet, metal or plastic, that protects an opening in cloth, leather, etc.; a ring of rope or metal used for fastening down a point on a sail

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (n) – The market value for all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given time period

Gross National Product (GNP) (n) – The total value of a nation’s yearly output of goods and services

groundfish (n) – A benthic, or bottom-dwelling, marine fish, often of commercial importance (e.g., halibut, cod, haddock, pollack, or flounder)

"ground-truthing" (n) – The act of confirming the content of satellite map subsections by inspecting the areas in person; used to improve satellite map-reading techniques

grouper (n) – A large sea bass found in warm seas

grub (n) – The worm-like larvae of an insect

grueling (adj) – Physically or mentally demanding to the point of exhaustion

guacamole (n) – A thick sauce or paste of seasoned, mashed or pureed avacados, served as a dip, in salads, etc.

guacharo (n) – A nocturnal, fruit-eating bird which lives in the caves of South America; also known as the "oil bird" because the melted fat of young birds is used for cooking and lighting

guano (n) – Droppings or manure of sea birds and bats, often sold as fertilizer

Guy Fawkes (n) – (1570–1606) English conspirator executed for his role in the Gunpowder Plot, an attempt to kill James I and blow up Parliament on November 5, 1606, to avenge the persecution of Roman Catholics in England

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habitat (n) – The region where a plant or animal naturally grows or lives

Haiti (n) – A country in the Caribbean bordering the Dominican Republic

halyard (n) – A rope used for raising and lowering a flag or sail

handlining (n) – A fishing technique using a spool of line, hook, and bait

hardtack (n) – A hard biscuit or bread made with flour and water

harpoon (n) – A barbed spear with a line attached to it, used for spearing whales or other large sea animals

hatch (n) – A covered opening in a ship's deck through which cargo can be lowered or entrance made to a lower deck

hatchery (n) – A place for hatching eggs, especially those of fish or poultry

hatchling (n) – A recently hatched bird, fish, turtle, etc.

haul (v) – To pull on a line, such as a halyard

head (n) – The bathroom (or sink, shower and toilet) aboard a boat

head torch (n) – A lamp, similar to a flashlight, that is worn on one’s head in order to keep both hands free while working; also called a head lamp

head up (v) – To turn toward the wind

heading (n) – The horizontal direction in which a moving ship is pointed, usually expressed as a compass reading in degrees

headrig (n) – The part of the rigging attached to the bowsprit of a ship

headsail (n) – Any sail set forward of the foremast

headsails (n) – A group of sails made up of the jib, jib topsail, and the jumbo

headwind (n) – A wind blowing towards the bow of the boat

heavenly body (n) – A star, planet, moon or sun used by sailors in navigation

hectare (n) – A unit of area equal to 10,000 square meters; 2.47 acres

heel (v) – To lean or tilt to one side, as a ship or boat in a high wind

helm (n) – The steering apparatus of a ship such as a wheel or tiller

helm (v) – To steer

helmsman (n) – The person who is at the wheel steering the ship

helmsmanship (n) – The skill of being able to properly steer a boat or ship

hemisphere (n) – Any of the halves of the earth; northern and southern hemispheres are divided by the equator, while eastern and western hemispheres are divided along a meridian

herb (n) – Any seed plant whose stem decays each season; as distinguished from a shrub or tree whose woody stem lives from one season to the next

herbarim (n) – A collection of dried samples of plants

herbicide (n) A chemical used to destroy or inhibit the growth of plants, especially weeds

herbivore (n) – An organism that eats only plants

herbivorous (adj) – Plant-eating

hermatypic coral (n) – Coral which forms in reefs and lives in symbiotic relationships with zooxanthellae

hibernate (v) – To be in a dormant, resting state

hierarchy (n) – A group of people or things arranged in order of rank, grade or class

hieroglyphics (n) – The picture script of the ancient Egyptians

high pressure (adj) – Having high barometric pressure; usually associated with fair weather

Hispaniola (n) – A large island in the West Indies, located between Cuba and Puerto Rico and divided between Haiti and the Dominican Republic

histogram (n) – A bar chart in which different quantities are represented by vertical or horizontal rectangles

hold (n) – The interior of a ship below decks, especially the lower decks where cargo is stored

holistic (adj) – Concerned with or dealing with whole or integrated systems rather than their parts

homestay (n) – A part of the Class Afloat student’s experience in which s/he is hosted by a local family when in port; they usually sleep at their hosts home for at least one night and experience local cuisine, nightlife, schools, etc.

hone (v) – To perfect or make more intense or effective

hook (n) – Anchor

Horn, Cape (n) – The cape of Horn Island, located in Tierra del Fuego, Chile, which is the southernmost point of South America; the ocean surrounding this area is traditionally one of the stormiest in the world

horn shark (n) – Horn sharks are named for the white spines at the front of both dorsal fins. During the day, these sharks are found in caves and crevices

hornpipe (n) – A variety of lively dance music, named for the traditional sailor’s instrument upon which it was originally played

horsepower (n) – A unit for measuring the power of engines and motors, equal to 746 watts or the force required to raise 33,000 pounds at the rate of one foot per minute

hostel (n) – An inn

hue (n) – The degree of lightness, darkness, strength, etc. of a color

hull (n) – The body of a boat

humidity (n) – The amount or degree of moisture in the air

hurricane (n) – A storm originating in the tropics that has sustained winds equal to or greater than 74 miles per hour (64 knots)

hustler (n) – One who obtains money aggressively or dishonestly

hydration (n) – The process by which one maintains the correct water ratio in one’s body (e.g., by drinking water)

hydrographer (n) – One who studies the characteristic features (as flow and/or depth) of bodies of water; one who charts (maps) bodies of water

hypocrisy (n) – A deception as to the real character of someone

hypothermia (n) – A subnormal body temperature

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igneous (adj) – Formed by volcanic action or intense heat

illiteracy (n) – Inability to read or write

immersion suit (n) – A special bodysuit designed to protect a person from the cold and wet; used on ships in case of emergency

immigrant (n) – One who travels to a new country, region or environment in order to settle there

impassable (adj) – Impossible to pass, cross or overcome

impede (v) – To retard or obstruct the progress of; hinder

impervious (adj) – Incapable of being penetrated

implementation (n) – The process by which a plan is put into action

import (n) – An item brought in (to a country, region, etc.) from the outside

incentive (n) – Something that encourages or influences one’s actions

incisor (n) – A tooth adapted for cutting or gnawing, located at the front of the mouth along the apex of the dental arch

inclination (n) – A characteristic disposition to do, prefer, or favor one thing rather than another; a propensity

incubate (v) – To go through the process of incubation

incubation (n) – The period in which an embryo develops within an egg, before hatching

incurrent (adj) – Affording passage to an inflowing current

indentured (adj) – Bound by contract to work for another for a specified amount of time, either as an apprentice to a master or as an immigrant to service in a colony

indigenous (adj) – Native

indispensable (adj) – Essential

induction (n) – Introduction or initiation

industrialization (n) – The process of creating larger industries and increasing machine production of goods within an economy

inertia (n) – In physics, the tendency of matter to remain at rest if at rest, or, if moving, to keep moving in the same direction, unless affected by some outside force

infamous (adj) – Having an exceedingly bad reputation; notorious

infertile (adj) – Not fertile; not productive; barren

inflation (n) – A persistent increase in the level of consumer prices or a persistent decline in the purchasing power of money, caused by an increase in available currency and credit beyond the proportion of available goods and services

infrastructure (n) – The system of public works of a country, state, or region

"in irons" (adj) – Headed into the wind

INMARSAT (n) – Literally, INternational MARitime SATellite; the satellite communication system that ships at sea can use to communicate with other ships or with land-based locations

innovate (v) – To make changes in things that are already established

innovative (adj) – Having the tendency to innovate

input (n) – In agriculture, materials used to maintain soil health and quality and to keep pests and disease under control; organic inputs exclude the use of synthetic chemicals and hormones in crop production

insect (n) – A class of animal in which the body of an adult is divided into the head, thorax, and abdomen; has three pairs of legs on the thorax; and usually two pairs of wings

insecticide (n) – A chemical used to kill insects

insectivore (n) – An animal that eats insects

intangible (adj) – Incapable of being perceived by the senses

integrity (n) – The quality or state of being unimpaired or in perfect condition

intelligent design (n) – The theory that intelligent causes are necessary to explain the complex structures of biology and that these causes are empirically detectable

intercrop (v) – To cultivate land by planting different crops in alternating rows

intermediary (n) – A "go-between"; someone who helps two sides of an issue, organization, etc. communicate

International Date Line (n) – An imaginary line drawn north to south through the Pacific Ocean along the 180^th meridian; by international agreement, each calendar day begins at midnight at this line, so when it is Monday just west of the line, it is Sunday just east of it

intertidal zone (n) – The shore zone between the high and low tide marks; a coastal habitat which exists close to land, in relatively shallow water, and is affected by tides

invasive (adj) – Tending to spread and infringe on others

inventory (n) – A store of goods and/or an itemized list of such a store

invertebrate (n) – An animal without a backbone

invincible (adj) – Incapable of being overcome or defeated; unconquerable

ionosphere (n) – The outer part of the Earth’s atmosphere, beginning at an altitude of about 34 miles and extending to the outermost edge of the atmosphere

irony (n) – A humorous or subtly sarcastic expression in which the meaning of the words is the opposite of their usual sense

iridescent (adj) – Producing a display of lustrous, rainbowlike colors; brilliant, lustrous, or colorful in effect or appearance

irrigate (v) – To supply land with water via ditches, artificial channels or sprinklers

isometric (adj) – Equality of measure (e.g., an organism that grows isometrically is one that retains its relative shape even when it changes in size)

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jackstay (n) – A line or lines running the length of a boat; used to clip in a safety harness to prevent being washed overboard and lost

jellyfish (n) – Any of a variety of free-swimming, marine invertebrates characterized by an umbrella-shaped body largely made up of a jelly-like substance and long, hanging tentacles with stinging cells on them

jib (n) – A triangular sail secured to a stay forward of the mast or foremast

jibe (v) – To pass the stern of a boat through the wind during a tack

jibing (n) – A sailboat maneuver in which the stern passes through the wind

jojoba (n) – An evergreen desert shrub whose seeds contain an odorless, colorless, liquid wax used in cosmetics, lubricants, etc.

journalism (n) – The collection and editing of news for presentation through the media

Junkanoo (n) – A Caribbean dance of celebration, originating centuries ago when slaves were given three days off at Christmas and celebrated their freedom by donning masks, playing homemade instruments (drums, horns, bells and whistles), and dancing around their island communities

juvenile (n) – Young

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kayak (n) – A canoe-shaped boat in which the frame is completely covered except for an opening in the middle for the paddler

keel (n) – The main supporting timber of a sailing vessel that runs the length of the ship and is centrally located; known as the backbone of a ship

kelp (n) – A variety of large brown seaweed (of the order Laminariales

ketch (n) – A two-masted, fore-and-aft rigged sailing ship in which the mizzenmast is shorter than the mainmast and is placed forward of the helm

"key bit of kit" (n) – British term for an important piece of equipment

kilogram (kilo) (n) – A weight of measure equivalent to approximately 2.2 pounds

kingdom (n) – The largest of the seven categorical levels of biological taxonomy; there are five kingdoms into which all the Earth’s organisms are categorized

kit (n) – Set of gear or equipment (British term)

kit up (v) – Same as "kit out"

kite (v) – In sailing, a nickname for a spinnaker

"kitting out" (v) – British term for "outfitting"

Kiwi (n) – Slang for a citizen of New Zealand

"knock" (v) – When referring to conch, to remove the mollusk from its shell

knot (n) – Rate of motion equal to 1 nautical mile or 6,076 feet per hour (about 1.15 miles per hour)

koala (n) – An Australian, tailless, tree-dwelling marsupial with thick, gray fur, sharp claws, and large, tufted ears; it feeds exclusively on eucalyptus leaves and buds

kookabura (n) – An Australian bird; a kingfisher

krill (n) – A variety of plankton that is one of the main food sources of baleen whales

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laboriously (adj) – Difficult

lagoon (n) – An enclosed, relatively shallow body of water; sometimes found between the shore and ocean reefs

landing lolly (n) – Australian term for a piece of hard candy that flight attendants hand out to passengers just before the plane lands; it makes you swallow so that your ears don't "pop" due to the change in air pressure.

larva (n) – The young, immature form of any animal that changes structurally when it becomes an adult

larvae (n) – The plural form of larva

larval (adj) – Relating to the early, free-living, immature form of an animal that changes structurally when it becomes an adult

larval stage (n) – The early, immature stage of an organism’s life

latitude (n) – One of the two coordinates (the other being longitude) used to locate a position at sea; marked in degrees north or south of the equator, from 0 degrees at the equator to 90 degrees north or south at the poles; one degree of latitude = 60 minutes of latitude; as one minute equals a mile, a common saying at sea is "a minute's a mile". Latitude is comparable to the x-axis on a graph.

launch (n) – An open or partially enclosed motorboat

lava (n) – Melted rock which issues from a volcano

lazy jack (n) – A rope or cable that hangs down along a sail and prevents the sail from falling to the deck while being lowered

leach (v) – To lose matter when water is filtered through

leaching (n) – The removal of soluble material from something by the action of a liquid

leader (n) – In fishing, a short piece of line used to attach the hook or lure to the fish line

leaf litter (n) – The collection of dead leaves and vegetation on the forest floor

lee (n) – A sheltered place; the side or direction away from the wind

leech (n) – The after or trailing edge of a sail; the after edge of a fore-and-aft sail and the outer edges of a square sail

lee-cloth (n) – In nautical terms, cloth or straps designed to prevent a person from falling out of his or her bunk on a boat when the boat is heeled over

leeward (adv) – In the direction towards which the wind is blowing

Leeward Islands (n) – A group of islands in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies, extending southeast from Puerto Rico to the Windward Islands

leg (n) – One section of a voyage

legger (n) – A person who participates on one or more legs of a boat race, but does not participate in the complete race

legion (n) – A large group of soldiers; an army

legislation (n) – Laws made by a governing body

legume (n) – Any of a large group of plants of the pea family; because they store nitrogen, they are often plowed under to fertilize the soil

lenticel (n) – A round or long bump on the bark of woody stems and roots that functions as a breathing pore (gas exchange)

lift (n) – A vacuum effect, caused by the air pressure imbalance on a sail’s two sides, that pulls the boat forward through the water

light air (n) – A nautical term that indicates sailing conditions with little wind

limestone (n) – A type of sedimentary rock which most often consists of the organic remains of sea animals (such as mollusks, corals, etc.)

limiting resource (n) – A resource whose quantity determines the number of people that can live in, or activities that can take place in, a particular area

The Line (n) – Another term for the Equator

line (n) – A rope used on a ship

line-of-position (LOP) (n) – A ship’s position relative to those of visible landmarks, heavenly bodies, or electronic signals

lithogenous sediment (n) – Sediment caused by the erosion of pre-existing rocks

load (n) – The weight that a structure bears or the stresses that are put upon it

local apparent noon (LAN) (n) – The time exactly halfway between sunrise and sunset, when the sun is at its highest point in the sky

lock (n) – An enclosure (as in a canal) with gates at each end used in raising or lowering boats as they pass from one elevation to another

log (n) – A daily record of a ship’s speed, progress, etc. and of the events in its voyage; logbook

logmeter (n) – A tool for measuring the speed of a ship or boat

loiter (v) – Dawdle

longitude (n) – One of the two coordinates (the other being latitude) used to locate a position at sea; marked in degrees east or west of the prime meridian (0 degrees longitude) universally accepted to be at Greenwich, England. As there are 360 degrees in a circle, longitude may range up to 180 degrees East or West. 180 degrees East and West, in fact, meet on the other side of the globe from Greenwich, at the International Date Line. Longitude is comparable to the y-axis on a graph.

longshoreman (n) – A person who works on a waterfront, loading and unloading ships’ cargo

lookout (n) – A sailor whose job it is to watch for other vessels from the bow or bridge

low (n) – An area of low barometric pressure, often accompanied by precipitation and wind

low pressure (adj) – Having low barometric pressure; usually associated with precipitation and wind

Lucayan (n) – A member of the peaceful Arawak people living in the West Indies at the time of Columbus’ first landfall there; these Arawak referred to themselves as "Lukku-cairi" (island people) and eventually became known as Lucayans

Lumholtz (n) – Carl Sophus (1851–1922), a zoological collector

luminescence (n) – The emission of light that does not derive energy from the temperature of the emitting body

luminous (adj) – Giving off light

lunar cycle (n) – The cycle by which the moon orbits the Earth

lure (n) – A bait for animals, especially an artificial one used in fishing

lye (n) – A caustic, and potentially dangerous, substance used in soap-making

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machete (n) – A large, heavy-bladed knife used for cutting down sugar cane or dense underbrush, especially in Central or South America

macro (adj) – Not needing the aid of a microscope in order to be seen

macroalgae (n) – Large aquatic photosynthetic plants that can been seen without the aid of a microscope

maggot (n) – A wormlike insect larva; some maggots are found in decaying matter

magma (n) – Molten rock deep in the Earth

magnetic north (n) – The direction towards which a magnetic needle points

main traveler (n) – A traveler on the main sail

mainmast (n) – Aboard the three-masted Concordia, the middle of the three

mainsail (n) – The largest sail on the ship

main salon (n) – 1 : The main social cabin of a passenger ship 2 : The sitting or dining area on a boat or ship; also called the "saloon"

main saloon (n) – 1 : The main social cabin of a passenger ship  2 : The sitting or dining area on a boat or ship; also called the "salon"

"make fast" (v) – In nautical terms, to firmly fasten or secure

makeshift (adj) – Refers to a temporary solution; a solution that "will do" for a while

malaria (n) – A human disease, caused by parasites, that is characterized by periodic attacks of chills and fevers; it is transmitted by certain species of mosquito

mandated (adj) – Made mandatory, as by law; required

mandatory (adj) – Required or commanded by authority; obligatory

mangrove (n) – 1 : One of several species of coastal, aquatic, tropical trees that form large colonies in swamps or shallow waters  2 : The swampy habitat in which such trees grow

manta tow (n) – A board pulled behind a moving boat, used by researchers to perform rapid visual surveys of underwater environments

maraca (n) – A percussion instrument consisting of a dried gourd or gourd-shaped rattle with dried seeds or loose pebbles inside, shaken to beat out a rhythm

Mardi Gras (n) – The last day before Lent, characterized by celebration and carnival, often marking the climax of a carnival period; also called Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday

marginal (adj) – Barely within a lower standard or limit of quality

Mariana Trench (n) – The deepest area of the ocean, estimated at 11,033 meters (36,198 feet) in depth

marina (n) – A small harbor or boat basin where dockage, supplies, fuel, etc. are supplied

marine (adj) – Of the sea or ocean

Marine Protected Area (MPA) (n) – An area protected from environmental damage by the regulation and restriction of human activities

mariner (n) – A sailor or seaman

maritime (adj) – Relating to anything on or near the sea

market niche (n) – A specialized part of an economy or market

marsupial (n) – Common name for any of a large group of mammals lacking a placenta, many of which carry and nourish their young in an abdominal pouch after birth (i.e. kangaroo)

matriarch (n) – A female who dominates and leads a family or group

maturation (n) – The act or process of becoming fully grown

maturity (n) – The state of being fully grown or developed

maximum sustainable yield (MSY) (n) – In a fishery, the total catch humans can take from a fish population without damaging its ability to recover

mean (adj) – Average

meander (v) – To wind around or wander through

measuring wheel (n) – A piece of field equipment designed to measure distances; generally composed of a small wheel and calibrated meter mounted on the end of a handle

mecca (n) – A center of activity sought by people sharing a common interest; literally, Mecca is a holy destination of Islamic pilgrims located in Saudi Arabia

medina (n) – An Arab marketplace

membrane (n) – A thin sheet or layer of substance which serves as a covering or lining

mentor (n) – A teacher or coach

meridian (n) – A circle around the earth which passes through both geographical poles and any given point on the earth’s surface; either half of such a circle; one of the lines of longitude which represent these half circles on globes or maps

Mesoamerica (n) – The region including Mexico, Central America and the northern sections of South America; two of the most famous ancient Mesoamerican cultures were the Mayans and Aztecs

mess (n) – Dining hall on a ship

metabolic functions (n) – The process by which organisms convert nutrients into energy

metabolize (v) – To change by or be subject to metabolism, the physical and chemical processes continuously going on in living organisms and cells

metaphor (n) – A figure of speech in which a word or phrase ordinarily and primarily used to describe one thing is applied to another

metamorphic rock (n) – A type of rock that has been changed by pressure, heat, chemical action, etc.

methodology (n) – A body of practices, procedures, and rules used by those who work in a discipline or engage in an inquiry; a set of working methods

meticulous (adj) – Extremely detail-oriented

metropolis (n) – A large city or center of population and culture

microclimate (n) – A climate of a small, distinct area or confined space

microhylids (n) – Narrow-mouthed frogs found in South America, Africa, Madagascar, SE Asia, Indonesia, New Guinea, and northeastern Australia. In many microhylids, the body from is tear-drop-shaped, with a narrow, pointed snout and rather rounded body.

microsilica (n) – Tiny grains of silica, a hard glassy mineral

midden (n) – A garbage heap

Middle Passage (n) – The voyage from Africa to the United States that slave traders made in the 1600s to 1800s

migration (n) – The act of moving from one location to another

Milky Way (n) – The spiral galaxy containing our sun; seen from Earth as a broad, faintly luminous band of stars and gas which arches across the night sky

mimic (v) – To imitate

mimicry (n) – A superficial resemblance of one organism to another or to natural objects among which it lives

minaret (n) – A tall slender tower of a mosque having at least one balcony from which the summons to prayer is cried by the muezzin

mirage (n) – Something that falsely appears to be real

mist net (n) – A net consisting of thin filaments, used to capture birds for research; the benefits of this type of net include the facts that they are hard to see and that they do not harm the birds

mizzenmast (n) – Aboard the three-masted Concordia, the aft most of the three

moai (n) – The large stone statue heads located on Easter Island

moat (n) – A deep, wide ditch, usually filled with water, typically surrounding a fortified medieval town, fortress, or castle as a protection against assault

MOB (n) – Acronym for "Man overboard"

mollusk (n) – A soft-bodied invertebrate, usually with a hard shell (e.g., snails, clams, squids and conch)

molten (adj) – Melted or liquefied by heat

molting (n) – The process by which an animal sheds one shell so that another, larger one can grow in its place

monitor lizard (n) – Any of a family of usually very large, flesh-eating lizards of Africa, South Asia, and Australia: so named from the notion that they warn of the presence of crocodiles

monocotyledon (n) – Any of various flowering plants, such as grasses, orchids, and lilies, having a single cotyledon (a leaf of the embryo of a seed plant) in the seed

monocrop (n) – A single crop planted in one area at one time

monoculture (n) – The cultivation of a single crop

monohull (n) – A boat that is comprised of a single hull

monopoly (n) – Exclusive control over a product or market

monotreme (n) – The lowest Order of mammal, comprising of primitive egg-laying mammals restricted to Australia and New Guinea and consisting of only the platypus and the echidna

morphology (n) – The study of structure  or systems, such as muscles of bones

morphotic (adj) – The manner in which an organism or any of its parts develops

mortality (n) – Death rate; the number of deaths in a given time or place

mortality rate (n) – The rate at which a particular organism population dies

mosque (n) – A building used for public worship by Muslims

"mother blocking" (n) – A whale behavior in which, if approached by a boat, a mother whale will position herself between the boat and her calf

mother watch (n) – An all-day watch that is responsible for cooking for the entire crew and cleaning the boat

motile (adj) – Moving or having the power to move spontaneously

motorsail (v) – In nautical terms, to travel forward with the aid of both a ship’s sails and its motor

motorway (n) – A British term for highway

Mount Olympus (n) – The highest point in Greece; early Greek mythology designated its summit as the home of the gods

muchacha (n) – The Spanish word for girl

mulatto (n) – A person of both African and Caucasian ancestry, usually possessing light brown skin

mulch (n) – Leaves, straw, etc. that is spread on the ground around a plant to inhibit weed growth and to lessen the evaporation of water from the soil

mulch (v) – To place leaves, straw, etc. on the ground around a plant to inhibit weed growth and to lessen the evaporation of water from the soil

mule (n) – In the Panama Canal, a powerful machine that uses lines to help steady a ship in the locks

multihull (n) – A boat that is comprised of two or more hulls, as in a catamaran (2 hulls) or trimaran (3 hulls)

multivariate (adj) – Involving more than one variable

municipal (adj) – Having to do with a city or town, or the government of the same

municipality (n) – A city or town that has its own government

munitions (n) – War supplies, especially weapons and ammunition

murky (adj) – Darkened or clouded with sediment

muster (n) – A gathering together or assembling

muster (v) – To assemble or gather together

mutuation (n) – Random change in heredity material (genes; DNA)

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Nantucket (n) – A small island off the coast of Massachusetts

nape (n) – The back of the neck

Nathaniel Greene (1742–1786) (n) – A famous American Revolutionary War General, second only to his close friend, General Washington in leadership and strategic ability; Greene was particularly noted for his triumphs against the British in North and South Carolina during 1780 and 1782

native (adj) – Indigenous, belonging to a country or locality

natural selection (n) – A natural process that results in the survival and reproductive success of individuals or groups that are best adjusted to their environment; this leads to the "passing on" of genetic qualities best suited to that particular environment to offspring

natural succession (n) – The process by which a habitat or environment naturally rejuvenates itself

naturalist (n) – Someone who studies animals or plants, usually in their natural surroundings

nature trail (n) – A marked trail designed to lead people through a natural environment which highlights and protects resources

Nautical Almanac (n) – A nautical guide, published yearly, which contains information about the positions of celestial bodies around the Earth at certain times, and is used to aid in celestial navigation; all time information in the Almanac is noted in Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)

nautical mile (n) – A nautical unit of measurement equaling 1.15 statute (land) miles

nautical twilight (n) – The time periods beginning before sunrise and ending after sunset when the sun is 12 degrees below the horizon; characterized by illumination sufficient to distinguish the general outlines of ground objects but not sufficient to distinguish the horizon or carry out detailed outdoor operations

navigation (n) – The science of locating the position and plotting the course of a ship

navigator (n) – One who navigates

nav shack (n) – The area of the ship where tools of navigation are used and stored

near gale (n) – A storm, with wind speeds of between 28 and 33 knots

nectivore (n) – An animal that eats nectar from flowers

Nelson Mandela (n) – Former South African activist, Nobel peace prize winner, and the first black South African president

nematocyst (n) – A stinging cell, found in hydrozoans, that is used as a means of protection against predators

neurotoxin (n) – A toxin that destroys nerves or nervous tissue

niche (n) – The role of an organism in a community; the specific space occupied by an organism within its habitat

niche diversification (n) – The process by which an organism changes a characteristic in order to better coexist with other species within its habitat

nitrogen cycle (n) – A process in which atmospheric nitrogen enters the soil and becomes part of living organisms, and then returns to the atmosphere

No. 1 reef tack (n) – One of the ropes on the first reef line that is used to tie down the sail along the reef line

No. 2 reef tack (n) – One of the ropes on the second reef line that is used to tie down the sail along the reef line

No. 1 Yankee (n) – The primary headsail used on BT Global Challenge yachts; used in winds up to 22 knots

No. 2 Yankee (n) – A headsail used on BT Global Challenge yachts; used in winds ranging from 22 to 31 knots

No. 3 Yankee (n) – A headsail used on BT Global Challenge yachts; used in winds ranging from 28 to 43 knots

nocturnal (adj) – Active at night

nodule (n) – A small knot or joint on a stem or root

nomadic (adj) – Having no permanent home but rather moving about constantly in search of food, work, etc.

non-consumptive (adj) – Not being destructive or wasteful

non-point-source pollution (n) – Pollution that has no one specific, identifiable source

nonrenewable resource (n) – A resource that can be harvested only once

notochord (n) – A long flexible rod of cells that provides the supporting axis of an organism’s body

notoriety (n) – Fame, especially of anything widely but unfavorably known

notorious (adj) – Known widely and usually unfavorably; infamous

nudibranch (n) – A type of marine mollusk with a broad, muscular ventral foot and external gills

null hypothesis (n) – In terms of probability, the hypothesis of what most likely is occurring in a situation; the goal of subsequent experiments is then to try to disprove the null hypothesis

numerator (n) – The term above the line in a fraction

nurse shark (n) – The nurse shark is a harmless bottom dwelling shark. It feeds on small crabs and fish while it lies on the bottom of the ocean

nutrient (n) – Nitrogen and other minerals that animals and plants use for food.

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oasis (n) – 1 : A fertile place in the desert, due to the presence of water  2 : Something that provides refuge, relief, or pleasant contrast

observation (n) – The act of noting and recording facts and events

obsolete (adj) – No longer in use, out of fashion

oceanic (adj) – Of, living in, or produced by the ocean

oceanic basin (n) – A great hollow in the Earth’s surface, filled by an ocean

oceanic ridge (n) – One of any number of extensive underwater mountain chains which are found in the Earth’s oceans and mark the boundaries of many of the Earth’s continental plates

ocelot (n) – A variety of North and South American wild cat; especially a large species with a yellow or gray coat and black spots

offshore (adj) – Far from shore

offspring (n) – Descendent, child, progeny

Oligocene (n) – The third part of the Tertiary Period (of the Cenozoic Era); between the Eocene and Miocene

ominous (adj) – Menacing; threatening

omnivore (n) – An organism that eats animals and plants

omnivorous (adj) – Both plant and meat-eating

ontogenetic (adj) – Having to do with the life cycle of a singe organism

open-door policy (n) – An immigration policy allowing (relatively) unrestricted admission to a country for all

operculum (n) – Body covering for gills

oppressive (adj) – Causing discomfort; hard to put up with

optimal (adj) – Most favorable or desireable

order (n) – The fourth largest categorical level of biological taxonomy, ranking below kingdom, phylum and class, and above family, genus and species

organic (adj) – Derived from living organisms

organic garden (n) – A garden grown only with the help of animal and vegetable fertilizer (no chemicals), including manure, bone meal, compost, etc.

organism (n) – Any living thing (plant, animal, fungus, etc.)

original sin (n) – The Christian belief that the sin of disobedience carried out by Adam and Eve is transmitted as guilt in all mankind

osprey (n) – A large, black-and-white, diving bird of prey belonging to a family of just one species and feeding mainly on fish; ospreys were once severely endangered but now their populations are coming back due to preservation efforts

outback (n) – The sparsely-settled, arid, inland region of Australia

overharvest (v) – To harvest a particular species population beyond the point at which it can naturally recover in size

oxygenation (n) – A process that treats, combines, or infuses with oxygen

oxymoron (n) – A rhetorical figure in which incongruous or contradictory terms are combined

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pack ice (n) – Ice that forms on the ocean in the southern latitudes, near Antarctica

paddock (n) – 1 : An enclosed area for grazing animals  2 : In Australia, an enclosed piece of land

pademelons (n) – A marsupial species similar to a kangaroo

palapas (n) – 1 : The Spanish word for "palm tree leaves"  2 : Buildings with thatched roofs made of dried palm leaves

panaderia (n) – The Spanish word for bakery

panga (n) – The Spanish word for a small open boat or skiff

panguero (n) – The Spanish word for boat drivers

panhandler (n) – One who stops people on the street to ask them for food or money

panoramic (adj) – Having to do with or like an unbroken view of an entire surrounding area

papyrus (n) – Paper that is made from the pith of the papyrus plant

parameter (n) – A factor or characteristic; plural form often used to describe characteristics measured in the evaluation of something (e.g., a bay’s water quality, an organism’s population, etc.)

parasite (n) – A plant or animal that lives on or in another organism (the host) from which it gets is sustenance, usually at the expense to the host

parasitic (adj) – Of, relating to, or characteristic of a parasite

part (v) – To break or undergo the breaking of (a line, chain, etc.), usually under tension

particulate (adj) – Consisting of very small, separate particles

passage (n) – A journey, especially one made by water

patch reef (n) – A relatively small, isolated coral reef

patriarchic (adj) – Ruled, governed, or dominated by men

peak halyard (n) – A rope used for raising and lowering the part of a sail farthest from the mast

pectoral fin (n) – Either of a pair of fins located just behind the head of a whale or fish and corresponding to the forelimbs of a higher vertebrate

peel (v) – In sailing, this term describes a sail change in which a new sail (spinnaker or headsail) is hoisted while the old one is still working; once the new sail is up, the old is "peeled" away

pelagic (adj) – Of the open ocean

pelagic zone (n) – The upper layers of the open ocean

pennant (n) – A long, narrow, usually triangular flag

penultimate (adj) – Next to last

pepperami (n) – A sausage-like food

per capita (adj) – Per person

percentage cover (n) – The percent of a particular habitat dominated by a particular species

perennial (adj) – A plant that lives more than one year

perimeter (n) – The outer boundary of an area

permaculture (n) – An alternative sustainable farming method that combines design with ecology

permeate (v) – To spread or flow throughout

perpetual resource (n) – A resource which is never depleted

perpetuate (v) – To cause something to continue; to preserve from oblivion

persecute (v) – To oppress for reasons of religion, politics or race

pest (n) – A destructive insect or small animal

pesticide (n) – Any chemical used for killing insects, weeds, etc.

petition (n) – A formal written document requesting a right or benefit from a person or group in authority

petroglyph (n) – A rock carving, especially one of prehistoric origin

pH (n) – A measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, numerically equal to seven for neutral solutions, increasing with increasing alkalinity and decreasing with increasing acidity

pharyngeal mill (n) – A special set of teeth found in the throat of some fish (e.g., parrotfish) which grinds any skeletal, rock-like material eaten into a fine sand

phenology (n) – The study of natural phenomena that recur periodically, like migration or blossoming, along with their relation to climate and seasonal changes

phenomena (n) – Events or circumstances evident to the senses and possible to describe scientifically

phosphorescence (n) – Organisms in the ocean that seem to glow when they are stirred up

phosphorescent (adj) – Glowing

photic zone (n) – The uppermost layer of a body of water into which light penetrates, enabling photosynthesis to occur

photosynthesis (n) – The process by which plants and algae use sunlight, carbon dioxide and water to synthesize organic compounds; the process through which organisms turn light into food energy

phyla (n) – The plural from of phylum

phylum (n) – The second largest categorical level of biological taxonomy, ranking below kingdom and above class, order, family, genus, and species

physiology (n) – The study of the physical and chemical processes that take place in living organisms during the performance of life functions

phytoplankton (n) – Free-floating aquatic plants that make food through photosynthesis. Drifting phytoplankton account for more than half of the photosynthesis on earth. Vertically, phytoplankton are concentrated in the photic zone-the area which light penetrates. Their concentrations are greatest in temperate seas and areas of high nutrient concentration.

pie chart (n) – A circle graph in which different percentages of the whole are depicted by differently-sized "pie" pieces (triangle wedges of the circle)

pile (n) – A wood, metal or concrete pole driven into the sea floor, used to support a dock or pier

pilgrim (n) – One who travels to a shrine or holy place

pilgrimage (n) – The journey of a pilgrim

piling (n) – A group of piles, or supports, for a dock or pier

pilot (n) – A person licensed to direct ships in or out of a harbor or through difficult waters

pin (n) – A peg or rod used to secure a line aboard a ship

pin chase (n) – A shipboard relay race in which participants are given the name of a pin (a peg or rod used to secure a line) and must race to its location aboard the ship

pin rail (n) – A rail where belaying pins are found

piñata (n) – In Mexico, a clay or papier-mâché container, hung from the ceiling during celebrations and broken in a game by blindfolded participants who take turns hitting the piñata with a stick so as to release its contents of toys and/or candy

pioneer (adj) – A plant species that is first to grow in an area

pious (adj) – Having or exhibiting religious reverence; earnestly compliant in the observance of religion; devout

pitch (v) – To plunge or toss the bow and/or stern of a boat abruptly

pitchpole (v) – In nautical terms, to drive a ship’s bow into a steep wave, thus causing the ship to flip over, bow to stern

pitfall (n) – A pit used as a trap for animals

placenta (n) – An organ that develops in female mammals during gestation that carries nourishment to the fetus and carries away its waste

placental (adj) – Relating to placenta

plaintiff (n) – A person who brings a legal action

planetarium (n) – A building or room containing a complex revolving projector which simulates the past, present, or future motions and positions of the sun, moon, planets, and stars on the inside of a large dome

plankton (n) – The collective term for a variety of marine and freshwater organisms that drift with the current

plantation (n) – A large estate cultivated by workers living on it

planula (n) – The larval stage of a coral

plastron (n) – The ventral (abdominal) part of the shell of a turtle or tortoise

plate (n) – In geologic terms, a large slab of the Earth’s crust

plateau (n) – A land formation where the top is flat or sloping. The eleva tion can range from a few hundred to several thousand meters. Plateaus are often riven (split) by erosion into deep canyons

plate tectonics (n) – The theory that the earth's surface is made up of continental plates, whose motion explains continental drift

platypus (n) – An egg-laying mammal with webbed feet and a bill like a duck’s

Pleistocene (n) – The geological time period (epoch) characterized by the expansion and contraction of the continental ice sheets and the rise of humans

plethora (n) – A superabundance; an excess

plot (n) – 1 : A parcel of land on which a scientific survey is taken  2 : The arrangements of incidents in a play, novel or poem

plumage (n) – A bird’s feathers

pneumatophore (n) – A specialized respiratory root structure in certain aquatic plants

poach (v) – To hunt game or catch fish illegally

poacher (n) – One who hunts or catches game (or fish) illegally

pod (n) – A small group of animals, particularly seals or whales

point-source pollution (n) – Pollution that has one specific and identifiable source

points of sail (n) – Terms of general reference to describe a sailboat’s position in relation to the angle of the wind

polar (adj) – Opposite in character, nature, direction, etc.

pollinator (n) – Something that fertilizes a flower by transfering pollen

pollutant (n) – A harmful chemical or waste material discharged into the water or atmosphere

pollywog (n) – In Class Afloat Live!, a crew member who has not crossed the equator and who has not been through the equator-crossing ceremony

polychete (n) – Any of various annelid worms of the class Polychaeta, including mostly marine worms such as the lugworm, and characterized by fleshy, paired appendages tipped with bristles on each body segment

polycrop (n) – The practice of growing more than one crop at a time; this method is generally used to increase biodiversity and the health of the farm

polyculture (n) – A method of cultivation in which multiple crops are grown together

polygamy (n) – The practice of having two or more spouses at the same time

polyp (n) – An individual coral animal. Polyps live together in groups (colonies). They capture smaller animals that float past them with small tentacles that are around their mouths.

port (n) – The left side of a ship when facing forward

port beam (n) – Straight out from the left side of a boat

port stern quarter (n) – The aft section of the left side of a boat

port tack (n) – Sailing with the wind coming over the port (left) side of the boat

position (n) – The location of a ship as defined by latitude and longitude (or any other accepted location)

pot (n) – A rigid fishing trap with a small opening through which animals enter

potsherd (n) – A pottery fragment

precarious (adj) – Dangerously lacking in security or stability

precedent (n) – An act, statement, legal decision, etc., that may serve as reason or justification for a later one

precipitation (n) – Water that falls as rain, snow, sleet, etc.

predation (n) – The act of preying on something

predator (n) – An animal that captures and eats other animals; an animal that lives by feeding on other animals

preliminary results (n) – Results that are based on the initial observations and the partial completion of research and data analysis; they may or may not agree with the final results and conclusions

preserve (n) – An area restricted for the protection and preservation of natural resources

preservationist (n) – Someone who wants to protect natural resources from development by keeping them pristine and untouched for future generations

prevailing wind (n) – Regional winds that generally come from the same direction

preventer (n) – A rope or block-and-tackle used to prevent the boom from swinging unexpectedly across a boat or ship

prey (n) – An animal hunted and killed for food by another animal

Prime Meridian (n) – The meridian (line of longitude) from which longitude is measured east and west; 0° longitude

pristine (adj) – Pure and unspoiled

proactive (adj) – Taking the initiative

producer (n) – An organism that makes its own food through the process of photosynthesis

profound (adj) – Far-reaching; penetrating beyond what is superficial or obvious

prohibit (v) – To forbid by law

prokaryote (n) – A single-celled organism that lacks a nuclear membrane, such as a bacterium

propagate (v) – To reproduce

propagation (n) – Reproduction or multiplication

propulsion (n) – The act of being propelled forward; something that propels; a driving force

prosperity (n) – Good fortune; wealth

protagonist (n) – The main character or characters of a play, novel or other story

protectorate (n) – A state or territory controlled by a larger country

protest (n) – The act of objecting or a gesture of disapproval

protocol (n) – A specific set of rules or operating procedures used in completing a particular task

proverbial (adj) – Expressed in a proverb; of the nature of a proverb

provision (v) – To provide supplies; to supply with materials; to stock

provisions (n) – A stock of food and other supplies accumulated for future needs

proximity (n) – Nearness

pteridologist (n) – A scientist who studies ferns

pueblo (n) – The Spanish word for town

pulperia (n) – The Spanish word for general store

pulpit (n) – An elevated platform, lectern, or stand used in preaching or conducting a religious service

pulsar (n) – A celestial object, thought to be made up of rotating neutron stars, which emits electromagnetic radiation (especially radio waves) at short and very regular intervals

pungent (adj) – Sharp or strong in smell or taste

pungy (n) – An early 19^th century variety of deep-drafted Chesapeake Bay schooner, and the first vessel type to be used in dredging for bay oysters; pungies were later replaced by more shallow-drafted boats like bugeyes

pyrophitic (adj) – Needing fire to live

python (n) – Any of a genus of very large, nonpoisonous snakes of Asia, Africa, and Australia, that crush their prey to death

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quadrant (n) – Any of a group of small, usually rectangular plots of land arranged for close study of the distribution of plants or animals in an area

quadrat (n) – A square frame used to survey the composition of a particular environment and to count the number of organisms within the square

Quakerism (n) – A religion, also called the Society of Friends, founded by George Fox in the 1600s, and characterized by silent meditation and prayer

qualitative (adj) – Of, relating to, or involving quality or kind; as opposed to quantitative

quantifiable (adj) – Measurable

quantitative (adj) – Relating to, or involving the measurement of quantity or amount

quarry (n) – Anything being hunted or pursued

quarterdeck (n) – The after part of the upper deck of a ship, usually reserved for officers

quasar (n) – A starlike celestial object that emits great quantities of light and radio waves; thought to be the ancient exploding origins of new galaxies, quasars are possibly the most distant and oldest observable objects in the universe

quaternary (adj) – At the fourth stage or level

quay (n) – A wharf

quebrada (n) – The Spanish word for brook or mountain stream

quota (n) – The share of a resource permitted to be harvested by each of those using the resource

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rack (n) – A bunk aboard a ship

radar (n) – A system or device which uses transmitted and reflected radio waves to detect objects, along with their direction, distance, height, and speed in relation to the device

radio wave (n) – Any electromagnetic wave at a frequency between approximately 10 kilohertz and 300,000 megahertz

radius (n) – A straight line extending from the center to the periphery

rainbow lorikeet (n) – (Also know as the blue mountain parrot or "bluey") a parrot that lives in trees and lays two white eggs in September and January

rainshadow (n) – The condition that prevents rain clouds from passing over a mountain, so the rain falls near the mountain

rambunctious (adj) – Boisterous, wild, unruly

RAP (n) – Acronym for Reflections, Announcements and Physicalities, which take place in the mornings at some of the sitesALIVE locations

ration (v) – To strictly monitor or serve in fixed portions (when regarding food)

ratline (n) – A line on a boat that is located on the shrouds and is used for climbing the mast; like rungs on a ladder

reach (v) – In sailing terms, to sail with the point-of-sail between close-hauled and a run, with the wind coming from across the side of the boat

recycle (v) – To process in order to use again

redress (n) – Relief from distress; remedy

reef (n) – The part of a sail which is rolled up and made fast to reduce the area exposed to the wind during a storm

reef (v) – To shorten or reduce the size of a sail, usually done because of heavy winds

reef line (n) – A line of grommets in a sail that are used to "tie in" a reef

reef point (n) – One of the points or grommets in a reef line

referendum (n) – The submission of a law, proposed or already in effect, to a direct vote of the people

reforestation (n) – The renewal of a forest by seeding and/or planting

refraction (n) – The bending of a ray of light, heat or sound as it passes through mediums of different density

refuge (n) – A place of safety or shelter

refugee (n) – A person who flees from his home or country to seek refuge elsewhere

regenerate (v) – To regrow or come back to life

regeneration (n) – Regrowth

reggae (n) – A form of popular music of Jamaican origin, characterized by syncopated rhythms and influenced by blues and calypso music

regrowth (n) – The trees that grow back after a forest is cut down

regulator (n) – A mechanism used for controlling the flow of liquids, gases, electricity, etc.; in scuba diving, a regulator is used to control the flow of compressed air to the diver for breathing purposes

rehydrate (v) – To restore water to something that has had water removed from it (e.g., dehydrated food, instant oatmeal, etc.)

renewable resource (n) – A resource that replaces itself after harvesting so that it can be harvested again

republic (n) – A state or nation in which the supreme power rests in its voting citizens and is exercised by representatives elected by them and responsible to them

reserve (n) – Land set apart for a special purpose

reservoir (n) – A place where water is collected, especially a natural or artificial lake or pond in which water is stored for use

resilient (adj) – Marked by the ability to recover readily

resolution (n) – The fineness of detail that can be distinguished in an image

resource (n) – Materials used by people for production, consumption, etc.

respiration (n) – Breathing

restoration planting (n) – A parcel of land that was once rainforest, was subsequently cleared of its trees and vegetation, and has since been replanted with rainforest tree species

revel (v) – To take much pleasure, delight in

revenue (n) – Income

rhizome (n) – A root-like stem underground which usually sends roots down and shoots up

rhumb line (n) – The course of a ship that keeps a constant compass direction, drawn as a line on a nautical map or chart

rhumba (n) – A dance of Cuban origin and complex rhythms

rig (v) – To arrange and assemble the sails, masts and rigging of a sailing vessel

rigging (n) – The ropes and chains used to support, position and control the masts, sails, yards, etc. of a vessel

right-of-way (n) – The right, established by common or statutory law, of one ship to cross in front of another

riparian (adj) – On the banks of a river, lake, or pond

riptide (n) – A current opposing other currents, especially a strong, narrow flow of sea water that moves seaward after incoming waves pile up on the shore

"Roaring Twenties" (n) – A time in the 1920s when the United States went through a period of great prosperity and change (of morals, social mores, etc.); culturally, this period is associated with "flapper girls" and jazz music

rogue wave (n) – A single, large wave or swell in a series of smaller waves or swells

roost (v) – To settle down for a rest or sleep

rudder (n) – A broad, flat, movable piece of wood or metal, hinged vertically to the stern of a ship and used for steering

run (v) – (Nautical definition) Sailing with the wind astern

running lights (n) – Lights on a ship that are used to help identify the vessel and the direction in which it is heading

running off – See “run”

runoff (n) – Excess rainwater that flows over ground and into the sea because it cannot be absorbed

rust bust (v) – To remove rust from metal using manual and electric tools

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sacred (adj) – Holy, connected with religion or religious rights; regarded with the respect reserved for holy things

saguaro cactus (n) – A giant cactus with a thick, spiny stem and white flowers, native to northern Mexico and southwestern United States

sail maneuvers (n) – The task of changing the angles of sails or the raising or lowering of sails in response to changing conditions

sail plan (n) – The configuration of sails used in a particular weather condition

salinas (n) – The Spanish word for sea water evaporation ponds

salinity (n) – The concentration of salt in a solution

saloon (n) – 1 : The main social cabin of a passenger ship  2 : The sitting or dining area on a boat or ship

salopettes (n) – A middle to outer layer of clothing to keep the wearer warm

sanctuary (n) – A reservation or area set aside to shelter animals and birds, preventing them from being hunted or trapped as they breed

sand dollar (n) – A marine animal with a flat, hard, disk-like spiny skeleton and radial body; found on sandy ocean beds

sarong (n) – A loose garment made of a long strip of cloth wrapped around the body that is worn as a skirt or dress

savannah (n) – Flat grassland of tropical or subtropical regions

scalloper (n) – A fishing vessel that primarily harvests scallops

scavenger (n) – Any animal that eats refuse and decaying organic matter

scavenger hunt (n) – A game in which persons are sent out to bring back a number of prescribed, miscellaneous items without buying them

scepter (n) – An ornamented staff held by rulers on ceremonial occasions

"sched" (n) – Slang term for schedule, an update on a boats position in a race

schlerophyll (n) – Alternate spelling of sclerophyll

schooner (n) – A typically two-masted fore-and-aft rigged vessel with a foremast and a mainmast located nearly amidships

sclerophyll (n) – "The bush"; an area characterized by woody plants with small, leathery, evergreen leaves (i.e. the eucalypt or gum tree). The climate in the sclerophyll is hot and dry.

sclerophyll forest (n) – A type of forest more sparse than the rainforest and filled mostly with Eucalyptus trees

scrimshaw (n) – Intricate, decorative carvings made of whalebone or ivory; often made by sailors on long voyages

scrub (n) – The Australian term for rainforest

scrutinize (v) – To look at very carefully

SCUBA (n) – SCUBA stands for Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. It's the tanks, tubes and mouthpieces that you've seen on Jacques Cousteau television programs. In fact, Cousteau invented SCUBA!

scupper (n) – An opening in the side of a ship at deck level to allow the water to run off

scythe (n) – An implement consisting of a long, curved single-edged bade with a long, bent handle, used for mowing or reaping

sea change (n) – A major transformation; a change in sea conditions

sea lice (n) – Cymothymoidism is "sea lice," a skin eruption associated with the bites of crustaceans which are true parasites of fish

sea rod (n) – A type of coral which resembles a rod or stick

sea urchin (n) – One of a family of round-bodied marine mammals having a hard outer skeleton studded with long movable spines

seafarer (n) – A traveler on the sea, especially a sailor

seagrass (n) – A flowering plant that lives beneath the water's surface. Because they require light, the depth at which seagrasses are found is limited by water clarity.

seal (n) – A piece of metal, paper, rubber, etc. that is fixed around an opening to prevent liquid or gas flowing through it

Secchi depth (n) – The determination of water clarity by means of a Secchi disc; this circular colored disk is lowered into water to estimate the water clarity by measuring the depth at which it disappears from view

secondary regrowth forest (n) – The forest type that grows in after a mature forest is cut down or dies out

secrete (v) – To hide; to conceal

Security Council (n) – The United Nations council responsible for maintaining international peace and security

sediment (n) – Matter that settles to the bottom of a liquid

sedimentary (adj) – Formed by the deposit of sediment

sedimentary rock (n) – Rock consisting of highly compressed layers of sedimentary deposits

sedimentation (n) – The process by which matter settles or is deposited in a certain location

seed bank – Seeds found in or on the soil

seedling (n) – Any young plant, especially a small, young tree

segregate (v) – To separate

seine (n) – A large fishing net with floats along the top edge and weights along the bottom

seine (v) – To fish with a seine net

self-contained resort (n) – A resort characterized by the fact that everything a visitor needs or wants can be found on the resort premises (food, games, activities, etc.)

semi-diurnal (adj) – Occurring twice a day (e.g., tides)

septic tank (n) – An underground tank in which sewage is disposed in order to decompose through bacterial action

sequential (adj) – Forming or characterized by a sequence, a succession: one thing after another

sequester (v) – To remove or set apart; to segregate

serpentarium (n) – A museum/zoo dedicated to displaying and teaching about snakes

serrated (adj) – Having saw-like notches along the edge

sessile (adj) – Not moving; immobile

set (n) – The direction of a water current

settee (n) – A seat or bench with a back, usually for up to 2–3 people

sextant (n) – An instrument used to measure the angular distance of the sun, a star, etc., from the horizon so as to determine the position of a ship

Seychelles (n) – A group of islands in the Indian Ocean, located north of Madagascar

shackle (n) – In nautical terms, U-shaped fitting closed with a pin across the open ends and used to secure sails to lines or fittings, lines to fittings, fittings to fittings, anchors to chain, etc.

shadehouse (n) – A greenhouse-like structure that is used to grow, nurture, and protect trees seedlings prior to being planted in the wild

"shake a reef" (v) – To untie the lines that are used to reef a sail

shantytown (n) – A usually poor section of town consisting mostly of small, crudely-built dwellings

sheet (n) – A rope used to control a sail’s angle to the wind

shellback (n) – In Class Afloat Live!, a crew member who has crossed the equator and who has been through the equator-crossing ceremony

shellfish (n) – Any aquatic animal with a shell, including many mollusks and crustaceans (e.g., clam, crab, lobster)

shield volcano (n) – A volcano with broad, gentle slopes that is built by the eruption of fluid basalt lava

shipping lane (n) – A predetermined, mapped route on the ocean that commercial vessels tend to follow between ports; this helps ships to avoid hazardous areas

shipshape (adj) – A nautical term that refers to a neat and well-organized ship

shipwright (n) – One who builds or repairs ships

shire (n) – A county, district, or region

shoal (n) – A place in the sea where the water is shallow and difficult to navigate

shrouds (n) – Part of the standing rigging that helps to support the mast by running from the top of the mast to the side of the boat. Sailboats usually have one or more shrouds on each side of the mast.

siege (n) – The surrounding of a fortified place with the intent to take it, usually by blockade or bombardment

sight (n) – 1 : In nautical terms, a visible landmark or heavenly body used to determine one’s relative position at sea   2 : an observation taken with mechanical aid, as on a sextant

siltation (n) – The increase of sediment in bodies of water

simulate (v) – To take on the appearance or form of; imitate

simultaneous (adj) – Happening, existing, or done at the same time

sinkhole (n) – A saucer-shaped surface depression produced when underlying caves collapse or underlying material, such as limestone or salt, dissolves

siphon (v) – To draw in or eject a liquid; many shellfish have tube-like organs for this purpose

siren (n) – According to Greek and Roman mythology, any of several sea nymphs, represented as part bird and part woman, who lure sailors to their deaths on rocky coasts by seductive singing

Sirius (n) – The brightest star of the night sky, otherwise known as the Dog Star

skiff (n) – A small, light, open boat

skink (n) – Any of a family (Scincidae) of typically small insectivorous lizards with long, tapering bodies that eats insects

skipjack (n) – A flat-bottomed, single-masted, centerboarded, working sailboat, used to navigate Chesapeake Bay’s shallow waters for oystering; any of various fishes that leap out or play at the surface of the water (e.g., bluefish)

skipper (n) – The captain of a ship

slate (n) – A sheet of plastic used as a pad for underwater writing with a #2 pencil

slide (n) – see car

sloop (n) – A fore-and-aft rigged sailboat with one mast and one jib

slope (n) – The degree angle (or "pitch") at which a piece of land sits

slush (v) – To cover with grease or other lubricant; ship masts are slushed to ease the raising of sails

s’more (n) – Traditional campfire dessert consisting of a toasted marshmallow and chocolate sandwiched between two graham crackers

snake pit (n) – In sailing, the part of the boat into which many or all of the lines that control the sails are led

snorkel (n) – A tube projecting above the water used by swimmers for breathing with the head under water

socioeconomic (adj) – Involving both social and economic factors

soil compaction (n) – When the soil becomes so tightly packed that air, water, and nutrients cannot pass through it

solar (adj) – Produced by, coming from or having to do with the sun

solar-powered (adj) – Powered by the light energy of the sun

solder (v) – To join together two metal surfaces, or patch one metal surface, by adding melted solder, a metal alloy, to the joint or patch

soldier fish (n) – This fish may have got its name from its scales, which form an armor-like covering over its body. It lives on coral reefs and eats tiny bits of plants.

sole (n) – The deck of a boat’s cockpit or interior cabin

"soles and bowls" (n) – The area of a ship including the deck of a ship’s cockpit and interior and the head (bathroom); often refers to the task of cleaning the aforementioned areas of a ship

solidarity (n) – Unity, as of opinion, purpose, interest, feeling, etc.

sound (n) – A wide channel or strait linking two large bodies of water or separating an island from the mainland; a long inlet or arm of the sea

"sound-off" (n) – The process by which a ship’s crew ensures that everyone is aboard and accounted for; in a "sound-off", everyone calls off their assigned numbers in order, making for a speedy roll call

Southern Ocean (n) – The ocean surrounding Antartica and connecting the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans

spar (n) – A stout rounded wood or metal piece (mast, boom, gaff, or yard) used to support rigging

spawning (n) – The act of reproducing

spearfish (v) – To catch fish underwater with the help of a spear gun

spearfishing (n) – A fishing method in which the fisher person is under water and uses a spear gun to catch individual fish

speciation (n) – The evolutionary formation of new biological species, usually by the division of a single species into two or more genetically distinct ones

species (n) – 1 : A group of organisms designated by a common name and having common attributes and the ability to interbreed  2 : The smallest of seven categorical levels of biological taxonomy, ranking below kingdom, phylum, class, order, family and genus

spelunker (n) – One who explores caves as a hobby

spelunking (n) – The practice of exploring caves

spermaceti (n) – A white, wax-like substance taken from the oil in the head of a sperm whale or dolphin, used in making cosmetics, ointments, candles, etc.

sperm whale (n) – The largest of the toothed whales, found in temperate and tropical waters and highly prized for its oil

spindrift (n) – Spray blown from a rough sea or surf

spine (n) – Any stiff, sharply-pointed projection from a plant’s surface

spinnaker (n) – A large, triangular head sail (used at the front of a boat) that is used when reaching or running

spinnaker pole (n) – A pole that attaches the clew of a spinnaker to the mainmast

spiny echidna (n) – This animal is a monotreme, like the platypus. A monotreme is a mammal that lays eggs, like birds. There are only two monotreme species in the world: the spiny echidna and the platypus.

SPLAT! line (n) – A line that hangs from the ship’s course yard with which to swing out over/into the water

sporangia (n) – An organ that produces spores

sportfisher (n) – One who fishes for recreation

sportfishing (n) – Fishing for recreation

spotlighting (v) – A method of finding and seeing an animal at night by shining a spotlight and seeing the "eye shine" of the animal

spp. (n) – Species (plural)

spray skirt (n) – A skirt of material worn by a kayaker that fits snugly around the outside of a kayak cockpit, thus preventing water from entering the kayak

spreader (n) – One of the struts leading off a sailboat's mast which hold the rigging wires out and keep the mast straight

spreadsheet (n) – A computer program that organizes numerical data into rows and columns, making it easy to compute desired calculations and make overall adjustments based on new data

spur-and-groove topography (n) – Term referring to underwater landscapes in which bands of large coral heads rise from the sea floor with sandy grooves winding between them

spyhopping (n) – A whale behavior in which the whale jumps vertically out of the water, head first

squall (n) – A brief, violent storm

stalactites (n) – Formations in caves that come out of the ceiling of the cave

stalagmites (n) – Formations in caves with big bases

stanchion (n) – An upright bar, beam or post used as support; in nautical terms, a post along the rail of the boat used to hold a lifeline

starboard (n) – The right side of a ship when facing forward

starboard tack (n) – Sailing with the wind coming over the starboard (right) side of the boat

starfruit (n) – This is a small tree, 5-12 meters tall, with clusters of small lilac-colored flowers borne on leafy twigs. The fleshy five-angled fruits have a sweet to sour taste.

statistical (adj) – Having to do with, consisting of, or based on statistics

statistics (n) – Numeric data assembled, classified, and tabulated so as to present significant information about a given subject

statute mile (n) – A unit of linear measure; (land) mile

stay (n) – A heavy rope or cable, usually made of wire, which is used as a brace or support for a ship’s mast

staysail (n) – 1 : A triangular fore-and-aft rigged sail fastened on a stay  2 : A small sail used on BT Global Challenge yachts which is flown between the mast and the inner forestay

steerage (n) – The ability to steer a boat or ship

stern (n) – The rear of a boat

stevedore (n) – Originally, a longshoreman; in modern terms, one who provides the machinery and longshoremen necessary to load and unload ships’ cargo

stewardship (n) – The role of being responsible for, or taking care of, something, e.g., land, the environment, etc.

stilt roots (n) – Specialized supportive roots that look like pitchfork extensions at the base of a tree trunk

stinger net (n) – A safety net installed in the water at a beach that prevents stinging jellyfish from getting through and stinging swimmers

stingray (n) – A marine fish with a flattened body and a tail with venomous spines

stock (n) – Supply (e.g., fish stock = supply of fish)

storm (n) – A weather event featuring wind speeds of between 48 and 55 knots

storm staysail (n) – A sail used on BT Global Challenge yachts that is attached to the inner forestay; used only in extreme wind conditions

storm surge (n) – An increase in tidal height due to high winds and stormy weather

strata (n) – A layer

strike (v) – To lower or take down (e.g., a sail)

Strombus gigas (n) – The Latin name for the queen conch

subduction (n) – The sinking of one crustal plate under another as they collide

subduction zone (n) – A zone of the Earth’s crust in which subduction occurs

submersible (n) – A vessel designed to operate under water; a submarine

subsidy (n) – A grant of money, especially from the government

subsist (v) – To remain or continue in existence

subsistence (n) – The means of basic livelihood and sustenance; sometimes used to refer to an economically low level of living

subsistence fishing (n) – Fishing for personal food only

substrate (n) – The ground or other solid material on which an animal moves or is fastened

subterranean (adj) – Lying beneath the earth’s surface

subtidal zone (n) – The zone of land which extends to the edge of the continental shelf and is below the low tide mark and is always submerged in the water; an ocean habitat which exists at greater water depths, where tides do not affect the movement of the water

succession (n) – In ecological terms, the slow, regular series of changes or developments in a region’s community of plants and animals, moving from simple to complex and often following a regional disturbance (e.g., hurricane, fire, flood, clearcutting, etc.)

sugar cane (n) – A very tall, perennial, tropical grass, cultivated as the main source of sugar

sulfur (n) – A pale yellow chemical element found in crystalline or amorphous form, similar in smell to that of rotten eggs

summit (n) – A meeting of the highest level of officials

superstructure (n) – The structural part of a ship above the main deck

surface tension (n) – With respect to water, the attraction of the molecules of water at the surface (air-water interface) so that the surface resists penetration by small objects

surrogate (adj) – A substitute

survey (n) – A detailed study in which information is gathered by means of questionnaires, interviews, observations, etc.

sustainability (n) – The ability to exist and/or be maintained over time

sustainable (adj) – Maintainable

sustainable development (n) – A concept by which people can use a resource to their benefit without overusing or overexploiting the resource

sustainable fishery (n) – A fishery in which the population of the target species remains relatively stable

sustenance (n) – Food, nourishment, provisions

suture kit (n) – A medical kit that contains the materials for sewing a wound together

swell (n) – A long, crestless wave or succession of waves

swim call (n) – A time when a ship’s crew is allowed to go swimming directly off the ship

symbiosis (n) – In biology, the intimate living together of two kinds of organisms, especially for mutual advantage

symbiotic (adj) – In a state of mutual interdependence

synchronized (adj) – Moving or occurring at the same time or rate

syntax (n) – The relationship between words; sentence structure

systemic (adj) – Affecting the entire organism or bodily system

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tabby (n) – A construction material made up of sand, lime and shells

tabulate (v) – To arrange systematically

tack (n) – 1 : The direction in which a ship is moving  2 : On a Marconi (triangular) sail, the forward lower corner

tack (v) – To bring the wind to the other side of a ship by bringing the bow through the wind

tackline (n) – A rope attached to the tack of a sail

tackle (n) – A line run through blocks to gain mechanical advantage

tactical (adj) – In a boat race, having to do with choosing a course and maneuvering a vessel with the intent of winning the race

taffrail (n) – The rail around the stern of a vessel

tag (n) – Any sort of marker, attached to an organism, which allows scientists to identify it at later date; used in the study of certain organisms’ movements and physical development in the wild

tail (v) – In nautical terms, to hold the end of a line being hauled on in order to prevent it from slipping backwards between hauls

taipan (n) – A deadly venomous snake of the cobra family, found mainly in Australia

"take a reef" – In nautical terms, to shorten the area of a sail in windy conditions (see reef)

tamarind (n) – A tropical tree having yellow flowers and brown pods containing an acid pulp; its fruit, used in foods and beverages

tariff (n) – A government tax on imports or exports

taxa (n) – A type of organism

taxonomist (n) – A scientist who names and classifies animals or plants according to natural relationships

taxonomy (n) – The scientific system of arranging animals and plants into groups based on common characteristics

tectonic (adj) – Concerning changes in the structure of the Earth’s crust or the forces that cause such changes

telex (n) – A form of telegraph that uses a telephone dial to establish connections; telex transmitters type messages on a keyboard which converts each key-strike to electric impulses which then activate the corresponding keys on the receiver

temperate (adj) – Of a climate which is neither very hot nor very cold; moderate

Temperate Zone (n) – Either of the two zones of the earth between the tropics and the polar circles; these zones are characterized by neither very hot nor very cold weather

tender (n) – A boat for carrying passengers and supplies to and from a ship close to shore

tendril (n) – A threadlike part of a climbing plant

tenet (n) – A principle, doctrine or belief of a particular group

terminology (n) – The terms or system of terms used in a particular science, art, practice, etc.

terrestrial (adj) – Of or on the land

terrestrial habitat (n) – A habitat on earth

tertiary (adj) – At the third stage or level

t’gallant yard (n) – The top gallant yard; second-to-highest yard on Concordia

thatched roof (n) – A roof consisting of layered straw, rushes, palm leaves, etc.

theodolite (n) – A surveying instrument used to measure vertical and horizontal angles

thermoelectric plant (n) – A factory which uses heat to generate electricity

third world country (n) – An underdeveloped or emerging country

thorax (n) – The middle region of the body of an arthropod between the head and the abdomen; found in insects bearing the true legs and wings

throat halyard (n) – A rope used for raising and lowering the part of a sail closest to the mast

Tico/Tica (n) – A Costa Rican term for a native Costa Rican

tidal zone (n) – The coastal area between high and low tides where the ocean meets the land

tide (n) – The rise and fall of sea level due to the gravitational attraction of the earth, the moon, and the sun

timber (n) – Wood suitable for building or for carpentry

titanic (adj) – Of great size

tolerance (n) – Being respectful or tolerant of beliefs, views, and practices of others

top gallant sail (n) – A type of square sail

top gallant yard (n) – A yard on a ship from which a top gallant sail is flown

"top-down" management (n) – A management style in which upper-level national government agencies impose regulations on a local community

topographic (adj) – Relating to the surface features of a region, including its hills, valleys, rivers, lakes, etc.

topography (n) – Surface features; the study of the surface features of a region, including its hills, valleys, rivers, lakes, etc.

topsail (n) – The small sail set above the gaff of a fore-and-aft sail

topsoil (n) – The upper layer of soil; usually darker and richer than the subsoil

torch (n) – British term for flashlight

tourism (n) – Travel for recreation or instruction, often in organized groups

toxic (adj) – Poisonous

toxin (n) – A poisonous substance that is produced by living cells or organisms and is capable of causing illness when introduced into the body tissues

trade wind (n) – A wind that blows steadily towards the equator from the northeast in the tropics north of the equator and from the southeast in the tropics south of the equator

Tragedy of the Commons (n) – A theory stating that if a resource—e.g., fish in a pond—is available to everyone, then everyone will use it until it is gone

transcript (n) – A copy of a student’s school records, listing courses, credits, grades, etc.

transect (n) – 1 : A measured line with weights at each end used to survey and count the number and diversity of species along the line  2 : A type of marine scientific survey in which the number and diversity of species is counted along one linear route  3 : A sample area, often in the form of a long continuous strip, square, or rectangle

transit (v) – To pass over or through

transparent (adj) – Capable of being seen through

traveler (n) – A slider that travels on a track to which the mainsheet may be attached; the sail shape, and thus sailing efficiency, can be subtly altered by changing the mainsheet position on the traveler

trawl (v) – To fish or catch with a trawling net

trawling net (n) – A large baglike net dragged by a boat along the bottom of a fishing bank

treacherous (adj) – Unsafe or insecure

treaty (n) – A formal agreement between two or more groups or nations, relating to peace, alliance, commerce, etc.

treefall (n) – The open space left in the rainforest once a tree has fallen or been logged

treefall gap (n) – The gap in a rainforest’s canopy caused by the falling of a tree; treefall gaps are key in plant growth as they enable sunlight to reach the rainforest’s lower layers

trepidation (n) – Fear or alarm

Triangle Trade (n) – Trade that historically took place between Europe, the Caribbean, and America

triangulate (v) – To survey, map or determine by triangulation

triangulation (n) – Any method used to find a position or location by means of bearings from two fixed points

tributary (n) – A smaller river or stream that flows into a larger one

trice (v) – To haul up (e.g., a sail) and secure with a small line

trident (n) – A three-pronged fish spear

trimaran (n) – A boat with three connected but distinct parallel hulls

triumvirate (n) – Any group or set of three, often in a position of authority

trophic (adj) – Nutritional

trophic level (n) – The place in a food chain or food web occupied by an organism

Tropic of Cancer (n) – The line of latitude at 23° 26’ north latitude

Tropic of Capricorn (n) – The line of latitude at 23° 26’ south latitude

trough (n) – The long, narrow hollow or depression found between waves; the lowest point of a wave

trough system (n) – In atmospheric terms, a long narrow area of low barometric pressure, potentially causing windy and/or rainy weather

true (adj) – Determined by the poles of the Earth’s axis, not by the earth’s magnetic poles

true north (n) – North, as determined by the poles of the Earth’s axis, not by the earth’s magnetic poles

trysail (n) – 1 : A small, sturdy, fore-and-aft sail raised when other sails have been lowered, to keep a vessel’s head to the wind in a storm  2 : A sail used on the BT Global Challenge yachts in gale force winds in place of the mainsail

tuff (n) – A porous rock of volcanic origin

tundra (n) – A treeless area between the icecap and the tree line of Arctic regions, having a permanently frozen subsoil and supporting low-growing vegetation such as lichens, mosses, and stunted shrubs

turbid (adj) – Cloudy, thick with sediment

turbidite (n) – Rock consisting of sediment deposited by a turbidity current

turbidity (n) – The condition of reduced visibility underwater due to suspended particles and stirred up sediments

turbidity current (n) – A water current carrying large amounts of suspended sediment that increase in density, causing the current to flow downward through less dense water along the bottom slope of a sea or lake

turret (n) – A small tower or tower-shaped projection on a building

turtle exclusion device (TED) (n) – A device found in some fishing nets which allows turtles to escape if trapped by mistake

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ubiquitous (adj) – Omnipresent; present everywhere

understory (n) – The layer of trees in the rainforest that is 15 to 45 feet tall

Union (adj) – Refers to any member or supporter of the politics and aims of the North in the American Civil War

university (n) – An educational institution of the highest level, typically with one or more undergraduate schools or colleges

unwary (adj) – Not alert to danger or deception

urban sprawl (n) – The spread of urban congestion (roads, housing developments, etc.) into adjoining suburbs or rural lands

utopia (n) – Any idealized place, state, or situation of perfection

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Van Doren bottle (n) – A specialized bottle which allows water samples to be made at depth without tainting; the bottle’s hollow tube is lowered into the water to a specific depth (marked on the rope attached to it), then a catch is released so that stoppers close off the ends of the tube, enabling the water sample within to be raised back to the surface without tainting

variable (n) – A quantity that varies

variation (n) – At any given location on a land or sea, the angle of difference (in degrees) between magnetic and true north

vegan (n) – A vegetarian who eats no animal products (including milk, eggs, etc.)

Vegemite (n) – A yeast extract, often associated with Australians, that is used as a spread on toast or as an ingredient in recipes; it is high in Vitamin B

vegetation (n) – Plant life

velocity (n) – Speed, swiftness of motion

venom (n) – Poison that a snake injects into its prey to stun or kill it

venomous (adj) – Poisonous; having a venom-producing gland and being able to inflict a poisonous wound

ventral fin (n) – A fin located on the lower, or belly, side of a fish or other marine organism

verge (n) – Edge, brink, or margin

vertebrate (n) – An animal with a backbone

viability (n) – The ability to survive

viable (adj) – Able to survive

vial (n) – A small bottle, usually of glass

vigilance (n) – Watchfulness

Voodoo (n) – A West Indian religion made up of a combination of African religions and Catholicism; its ceremonies center on rituals developed to please the Iwa (spirits)

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wait-a-while (n) – Calamus motii, the common name for the climbing palm

wake (n) – The track left by a moving boat or ship in the water; it looks like a wave

warp (n) – A knotted line or rope dragged behind the stern of the boat; their purpose is to reduce the speed of the boat

Warrawee (n) – "You are welcome" in one of the native languages spoken in Australia before the Europeans arrived; local name of the Center for Rainforest Studies

Warrawork (n) – At the Center for Rainforest Studies, Warrawork is the time of the week when students and staff thoroughly clean the research center.

watch (n) – Any of the periods of duty into which the day is divided on a ship, so that the work is shared among alternating shifts of the crew

watch change (n) – The procedure of one watch going off duty and another coming on

water column (n) – The area between the surface and the bottom of a body of water

water cycle (n) – The constant cycle by which water moves through the Earth’s environment, converting from liquid to gas vapor to liquid again through the processes of condensation and evaporation (e.g., water evaporates from the ocean into the air, then condenses to rain and falls back to the earth, where it runs off into the ocean again)

watercraft (n) – A boat, ship or other water vehicle

watershed (n) – An area drained by a river or river system

waterspout (n) – A whirling, funnel-shaped or tube-like column of air full of spray which occurs over water, usually in the tropics; a sea-going tornado

water table (n) – The level below which the ground is saturated with water

wattle and daub (n) – Sticks intertwined with twigs or branches and smeared with mud or clay, used for walls, roofs and fences

waypoint (n) – A navigational fix; usually a destination or point of reference

wedge-tailed eagle (n) – Aquila audax is also called the eagle hawk ; it is a large dark brown or black eagle with some reddish-brown feathers on its nape. Its wedge-shaped tail is distinctive when soaring

weed (n) – An undesired, uncultivated plant that has a tendency to crowd out a desired crop

wetsuit (n) – A closefitting, often one-piece suit of rubber or other insulating material, worn by divers for warmth

whaling (n) – The work or trade of hunting and killing whales for their blubber, whalebone, baleen, etc.

wheelhouse (n) – The on-board location of the steering wheel and engine controls

wide berth (n) – A safe and comfortable distance that a boat or ship keeps from another vessel or from land

winch (n) – 1 : On a boat, a mechanical device that is used to tighten lines, especially halyards and sheets  2 : A powerful machine with one or more drums on which to coil a rope, cable, or chain for hauling or hoisting

windbreak (n) – Something that will break the force of the wind, such as the growth of shrubs, bushes or trees

windchill (n) – The apparent temperature taking into consideration air temperature and wind speed

windlass (n) – A device used for hauling up the anchor

windward (adv) – In the direction from which the wind is coming

wrasse (n) – Any of a family of bony fish, having thick lips, spiny fins, strong teeth, and bright coloring; found especially in tropical seas

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xeric (adj) – Dry or desertlike

xylem (n) – Woody vascular tissue of a plant that conducts water and mineral salts in the stems, roots, and leaves and gives support to softer tissues

xylophagous (adj) – Eating, boring, or destroying wood, as in certain mollusks or larvae

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- Y -

yachty (n) – A person who is interested in and sails yachts

Yankee halyard (n) – A rope used for raising and lowering the No. 1 Yankee (a headsail used by BT yachts)

yard (n) – A slender rod, or spar, with tapered ends, fastened at right angles across a mast to support and spread the head of a square sail

yard (v) – To enclose, collect or put into or as if into a yard

yardarm (n) – The horizontal booms which hold the square sails out crosswise from the foremast

yaw (v) – To swing to the left or right on the vertical axis

yawl (n) – A two-masted, fore-and-aft rigged sailing ship in which the mizzenmast is shorter than the mainmast and is placed aft of the helm

yield (n) – 1 : The amount of product one gets from combining raw materials (e.g., how much corn one gets after fertilizing, planting, and watering  2 : The amount of product caught (e.g., fish) or produced (e.g., corn)

yucca (n) – A plant with stiff, sword-like leaves and white flowers, found in the United States and Latin America

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- Z -

zip line (n) – An activity, ride, or mode of transportation in which the participant rides—or "zips"— down a long, taut cable that is suspended between two tall poles

Zodiac (n) – Inflatable boat used by the Concordia to get from ship to shore

zonation (n) – The distribution of plants and animals into different geographic zones

zoologist (n) – A scientist who studies animals and how they are classified

zooplankton (n) – Protozoa (single-celled organisms), small crustaceans, jellyfish, worms, and mollusks, together with the eggs and larvae of the many animal species inhabiting marine and fresh waters

zooxanthellae (n) – The symbiotic, microscopic algae that lives within the tissues of the coral polyp, giving the coral its unique color and supplying nutrients

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