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 natur