Unit 10

Word

Definition

Example

astronomer

Person who studies celestial objects and phenomena

He's a famous astronomer who predicted the discovery of black holes

astronomical

Relating to astronomy; extremely large or significant

The prices here are astronomical – let's go somewhere cheaper

astronomy

Study of celestial bodies and the universe

I'm interested in astronomy and I have a telescope set up in my back garden

biological

Pertaining to the study of living organisms

You can see the biological process as the plant takes in sunlight

biologist

Person who studies living organisms and life processes

She's a very good biologist. Her team are developing new medicines

biology

Study of living organisms and their interactions

I was quite interested in biology at school, especially in ecosystems

botanical

Relating to the study of plants

The book on plant behaviour followed years of botanical research

botanist

Person who studies plants and vegetation

I'm a botanist. My field of study is fruit trees

botany

Study of plants and plant life

I study botany. I work in a laboratory as well as in greenhouses

chemical

Relating to the properties and interactions of matter

The chemical reaction was fast and dangerous. There was a flash of light and lots of smoke

chemist

Person who studies and works with chemicals

I'm a chemist, but I don't sell medicine. I work in a laboratory

chemistry

Study of the composition and behavior of matter

I got good marks on my chemistry exam because I knew the periodic table

clone

Organism or cell derived from a single ancestor

This sheep is a clone of that sheep. They're absolutely identical

discovery

Act of finding or uncovering something new

Detecting gravity waves was a major scientific discovery

drugs

Substances used for medical or recreational purposes

The drugs are used to treat malaria

experiment

Controlled test or trial to gather data or knowledge

We need more people to take part in our experiment. Will you help us?

genetic

Relating to genes and heredity

You have the same brown eyes. Yes, there's a genetic connection there

geneticist

Person who studies genetics and hereditary traits

I'm a geneticist. I'm studying how people's genes affect their reaction to medicine

genetics

Study of genes and heredity in living organisms

Do you think our genetics strongly influence our personality?

guinea pig

Experimental subject used for testing

The human test subjects were used as guinea pigs for the new medicine

laboratory

Controlled environment for scientific research

I'm a scientist. I work in a laboratory

physical

Pertaining to the properties of matter and energy

If you push it, it will move. It's a physical reaction

physicist

Person who studies physics and its principles

My colleagues are physicists. They're studying quantum theories right now

physics

Study of matter, energy, and their interactions

Are you interested in physics ? Yes, I'm interested in electromagnetics

research

Systematic investigation to gain knowledge

What research are you doing?

science

Study of the natural world through observation and experimentation

We need more people who love science and want to have careers as scientists

scientific

Involving or relating to science

Have you heard about the latest scientific research?

scientist

Person who engages in scientific research

Who do you think are the most famous scientists in history?

side effect

Unintended consequence of a treatment or action

Scientists have to do a lot of tests into the possible side effects of new drugs

test

Examination or trial to determine something

Will you do a full test to check there are no side effects from that drug?

theory

System of ideas explaining a phenomenon

Have you heard about the new scientific theory in quantum mechanics?

zoological

Relating to the study of animals

Zoological research has revealed a link between the two species

zoologist

Person who studies animals and their behavior

My friend is a zoologist. He's studying tiger population numbers at the moment

zoology

Study of animals and their biology

Is that your zoology textbook? Yes, this chapter is about butterfly migration

all or nothing

Situation where complete success or failure is required

If you don't want all five of us in the band, none of us will sing. It's all or nothing

backwards and forwards

In both directions; thoroughly

She was nervous, so she paced backwards and forwards

by and large

Generally; for the most part

Is that everything? Yes, by and large. We just have a few more bits and pieces left

cause and effect

Relationship where one event causes another

There's a cause and effect relationship between the traffic and me being late

dead or alive

Condition of being either deceased or living

In the film, the bounty hunter is told to bring the people in dead or alive

forgive and forget

Pardon and disregard past wrongs

I'm sorry! I think we both made mistakes. Let's forgive and forget

health and safety

Concerns related to well-being and protection

Our workplace always meets health and safety standards

law and order

System and control of rules within a society

The army were called in to restore law and order

live and learn

Acquire wisdom through experiences

I didn't know that! Well, you live and learn, don't you?

more or less

Approximately; not precisely

Are we finished? More or less. It'll only take ten minutes to finish

now and again

Occasionally; infrequently

I drink coffee now and again, but not regularly

now or never

The present moment is the only opportunity

I wasn't sure if I could learn to skydive, but I told myself it was now or never!

once or twice

A few times; occasionally

Have you been there? Once or twice – it's a nice city

peace and quiet

Tranquility and absence of noise

I'd love a bit of peace and quiet. It's so noisy here

pros and cons

Advantages and disadvantages

What are the pros and cons of moving to this city?

rain or shine

Regardless of weather conditions

We're going to visit this castle come rain or shine. I've decided

right or wrong

Correct or incorrect; moral judgment

Right or wrong, I've made my decision now. It's final

safe and sound

Safe and unharmed

Despite flying through a storm we arrived safe and sound

short and sweet

Brief and pleasant

Well, that report was short and sweet. You summed it up well

sick and tired

Fed up or annoyed

I'm sick and tired of hearing you complain

sooner or later

Eventually; at some point in the future

I'll be there sooner or later. I'm not sure exactly when

supply and demand

Interaction of product availability and desire

The shops stock popular items because of supply and demand

thunder and lightning

Pairing of sounds in a thunderstorm

The thunder and lightning are really dramatic. It's a huge storm!

wait and see

Postpone judgment until later

Let's just wait and see