Engineering Terms

noun a localized area of low air pressure or a downward air current, especially one that causes an aircraft to drop suddenly

• The airplane encountered an unexpected air pocket, causing some turbulence.
• Hold on tight, we're hitting an air pocket!
• Whoa, that air pocket was a wild ride!
• The team hit an air pocket in their project timeline, causing delays.

verb to give permission for something to happen or to take place

preposition to make room or provide an opportunity for something

• The new regulations allow for greater flexibility in project planning.
• The new rules allow for more options when it comes to planning projects.
• The updated guidelines allow for more wiggle room in project planning.
• The revised policies allow for thinking outside the box in project management.

noun The opening in a camera lens through which light passes to enter the camera

• The camera's aperture controls the amount of light that enters the lens.
• Make sure to adjust the aperture on your camera for a better picture.
• I totally forgot to change the aperture settings on my camera.
• Opening up your mind is like adjusting the aperture of a camera, allowing more light and new perspectives to come in.

noun a system of numerical notation that has 2 rather than 10 as a base

adjective relating to, composed of, or involving two things

• The computer system uses binary code to process data.
• I don't understand how binary code works.
• Binary is like the secret language of computers.
• In a binary world, you're either a winner or a loser.

noun a small electronic device used for performing mathematical calculations

• The scientist used a sophisticated calculator to perform complex mathematical calculations.
• I need to borrow your calculator to figure out this math problem.
• Hey, can you pass me that math thingy? I need to crunch some numbers.
• His mind was like a calculator, always quickly processing information and coming up with solutions.

noun a wheeled motor vehicle used for transportation

verb to travel in a car

adjective relating to or characteristic of cars

• The car was equipped with the latest safety features.
• I'll meet you at the party, just look for my car in the parking lot.
• Let's take my whip to the beach this weekend.
• His career was like a car speeding down the highway, full of twists and turns.

noun a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change

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• The enzyme acted as a catalyst in the chemical reaction.
• The new manager was the catalyst for positive changes in the company.
• Her encouragement was the catalyst that pushed him to pursue his dreams.
• The protest served as a catalyst for social change in the community.

adjective describing something that happens by chance or at the same time as something else

• The timing of their arrival was purely coincident with the start of the meeting.
• It was just coincident that we both ended up at the same restaurant last night.
• What a crazy coincident that we both got the same grade on the test!
• Their paths crossing was no mere coincident, but a sign of fate at work.

noun a particular arrangement or set-up of elements or parts

adjective relating to the arrangement or set-up of elements or parts

• The IT department is currently working on a new configuration for the network servers.
• I'm trying to figure out the best configuration for my new gaming setup.
• I need to tweak the configuration on my phone to get better battery life.
• Finding the right configuration of skills and experience is key to succeeding in this job.

adjective relating to or characteristic of a cyclone, revolving or moving in a circular motion

• The cyclonic weather system caused widespread damage to the coastal region.
• Did you see that cyclonic storm last night? It was intense!
• Man, that cyclonic weather is no joke. Stay safe out there.
• The cyclonic emotions swirling inside her made it hard to think clearly.

noun the place where something emerges or flows out

verb to emerge or flow out from a narrow or confined space

• The river debouches into the ocean, creating a beautiful estuary.
• The trail debouches right into the park, so we don't have to walk far.
• The party debouched into chaos once the music got louder.
• His emotions debouched uncontrollably after hearing the news.

verb to move or position troops or equipment into position for military action or use

• The military decided to deploy additional troops to the conflict zone.
• They're going to deploy more staff to help out with the project.
• Let's deploy some fresh ideas to spice things up.
• She decided to deploy her charm to win over the client.

adjective used to describe something that is not easy to do, understand, or deal with

• The exam was quite difficult and required a lot of critical thinking.
• I find math to be really difficult, I just can't seem to get the hang of it.
• This video game level is so difficult, I keep dying over and over again.
• Navigating through the city without a map can be difficult, but it's all part of the adventure.

noun the action of discharging a gun or other weapon

verb to fire a gun or release a weapon

• The hospital will not discharge the patient until they are stable.
• They're going to discharge me from the hospital tomorrow.
• I got discharged from the army last month.
• The company decided to discharge several employees due to budget cuts.

verb to release or allow to leave; to perform a duty or function; to dismiss from a job or position

• The patient was discharged from the hospital after a successful surgery.
• They let him go home from the hospital after the operation.
• He got kicked out of the hospital once he was feeling better.
• The soldier was discharged from duty after serving his country for many years.

noun the top part of a drum, especially the part that is struck by the drummer's sticks

• The drumhead is the part of a drum that you strike to produce sound.
• I accidentally broke the drumhead while practicing on my drum set.
• The drummer really knows how to beat the drumhead.
• The CEO made a decision on the matter in a drumhead meeting.

verb to free or release from entanglement or difficulty

• The rescue team worked tirelessly to extricate the trapped hiker from the mountain.
• I had to extricate myself from the awkward conversation at the party.
• I had to extricate myself from the situation before it got even messier.
• It was a challenge to extricate myself from the toxic relationship I was in.

noun a point of reference or standard

adjective relating to or based on trust or confidence

• The fiducial markers were placed precisely to ensure accurate measurements during the experiment.
• Make sure you put the fiducial stickers in the right spots before taking the photos.
• I totally trust that fiducial guy to handle all the financial stuff for me.
• The lighthouse served as a fiducial point for sailors navigating the treacherous waters.

verb a word that expresses an action, occurrence, or state of being

• After careful analysis, we figured out the best approach to solving the problem.
• I figured we could just take a shortcut through the park to get there faster.
• I never would have figured you'd be into that kind of music.
• She figured that letting go of the past was like releasing a heavy weight from her shoulders.

noun a ditch or trench, especially one dug as a fortification or boundary

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• The archaeologists discovered a well-preserved fosse surrounding the ancient castle.
• I almost fell into the fosse while exploring the old ruins.
• Watch out for that fosse, it's pretty deep!
• She felt like she was trapped in a fosse of her own making, unable to escape her circumstances.

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun, in this case 'gaslike' describes something that is similar to or characteristic of gas

• The substance had a gaslike quality, making it difficult to contain in a solid form.
• The smell coming from the kitchen was so gaslike, I had to open a window.
• I can't stand the gaslike odor of that perfume.
• Her laughter was so infectious, it spread through the room like a gaslike substance.

verb to drive or urge someone to do something

• The strong desire to succeed impelled her to work harder than ever before.
• I was impelled to go to the concert when I heard my favorite band was playing.
• The energy drink really impelled me to finish my workout strong.
• The tragic event impelled him to reevaluate his priorities in life.

verb to become incandescent; to glow with heat; to become white or glowing with intense heat

• When the filament is heated, it will incandesce and produce light.
• The metal incandesced when it was heated up.
• That firework incandesced beautifully in the night sky.
• His passion for the subject incandesces in his eyes when he talks about it.

noun the longitudinal structure along the centerline of a ship's bottom, extending from the bow to the stern, to which the frames are attached

• The ship's keel is the backbone of its structure.
• Make sure to watch your step on the keel of the boat.
• I nearly slipped and fell on the keel of the yacht.
• The project's success rests on the keel of effective communication.

noun the act of gently touching or overlapping something

verb to move or flow with a gentle, rippling sound

adjective describing something that is continuously touching or overlapping

• The waves were lapping gently against the shore.
• I love sitting by the beach and listening to the waves lapping.
• The dog was lapping up the water from his bowl.
• The runner was lapping the other competitors on the track.

noun the action or process of making or becoming longer

verb to make or become longer

• The lengthening of the days in summer allows for more outdoor activities.
• I noticed the lengthening days as we approach summer.
• The days are getting longer, it's awesome!
• The lengthening of our friendship has brought us closer together.

noun the quality or state of being loose

adjective not tight or firmly fixed in place

• The looseness of the regulations led to widespread criticism from industry experts.
• I can't stand the looseness of these pants, they keep falling down!
• I love the looseness of this party, everyone is so chill.
• The looseness of his grip on reality was evident in his wild conspiracy theories.

noun a thin, pliable sheet or layer of tissue that covers or lines a part of the body, forms the boundaries of organs, and serves to protect or enclose them

• The cell membrane is a selectively permeable barrier that surrounds the cell.
• The membrane around the cell is like a protective bubble.
• The cell's membrane is like its own little shield.
• The membrane acts as a gatekeeper, allowing only certain substances to pass through.

adjective describing something that has been made smaller in size or scale

• The new technology allows for the miniaturized design of complex electronic devices.
• I love how they've miniaturized smartphones so they can fit in your pocket.
• Check out this miniaturized drone, it's so cool!
• Her miniaturized version of the story made it easier for the kids to understand.

verb to use or apply something incorrectly or inappropriately

• It is important not to misapply the funds allocated for this project.
• Don't misapply the paint on the walls, make sure to follow the instructions.
• Don't screw up and misapply the rules, we could get in trouble.
• She misapplied her trust in him, only to be disappointed in the end.

noun the act of combining different substances or elements to create a new substance

verb the action of combining or blending different substances or elements together

• The process of mixing chemicals must be done with caution in a laboratory setting.
• I love mixing different ingredients together to create new recipes in the kitchen.
• Let's mix things up and try a new approach to solving this problem.
• His speech was a perfect mixing of humor and seriousness, keeping the audience engaged.

noun a laborer who works on a construction site or in excavation projects, typically performing heavy physical work

• The navvy worked diligently to dig the trench for the new water pipe.
• The navvy is always covered in dirt after a long day of construction work.
• Hey, that navvy over there is a hard worker, always getting the job done.
• She's a real navvy when it comes to tackling tough projects at work.

noun a small opening or hole, especially one in the body such as a nostril or the mouth

adjective relating to an opening or hole, especially in the body

• The doctor examined the patient's nasal orifice for signs of infection.
• Make sure to clean out your ear orifice regularly to prevent wax build-up.
• I can't believe he stuck his finger in her mouth orifice!
• The company's financial losses were like a gaping orifice that couldn't be stopped.

noun a government authority or licence conferring a right or title for a set period, especially the sole right to exclude others from making, using, or selling an invention

verb to obtain a patent for (an invention)

adjective existing as a right or title conferred by a patent

• The company applied for a patent to protect their new invention.
• I heard that John got a patent for his cool gadget.
• Did you see that guy with the patent for the crazy contraption?
• Her unique style is like a patent on fashion trends.

noun a place where someone or something is located or has been put

verb to put someone or something in a particular place or location

• She was offered a prestigious position at the top law firm in the city.
• He landed a sweet position at that new startup.
• I heard she snagged a killer position at that tech company.
• In chess, the position of the pieces on the board is crucial for winning the game.

noun the quality or state of being practical or feasible

• The practicability of implementing the new policy is being carefully considered by the board.
• I'm not sure about the practicability of fixing the car myself, maybe we should take it to a mechanic.
• I don't think the practicability of pulling an all-nighter to finish the project is a good idea.
• The practicability of chasing after your dreams may seem daunting, but it's worth the effort in the long run.

noun artificial body parts, such as limbs or organs, that are used to replace missing or damaged body parts

• The advancements in prosthetics have greatly improved the quality of life for amputees.
• My cousin just got fitted for a new prosthetic leg and he says it's really comfortable.
• I heard that new prosthetics are so high-tech, they're like something out of a sci-fi movie.
• Learning to use his prosthetic arm was like gaining a whole new set of skills.

adjective describing word that qualifies a noun or pronoun, indicating nearness or closeness in space, time, or relationship

• The proximate cause of the accident was a malfunction in the vehicle's braking system.
• The reason we had to cancel the event was because of some last-minute proximate issues.
• The party got shut down because of some proximate drama between two guests.
• The proximate storm clouds on the horizon signaled a change in the weather.

noun a deep, narrow gorge with steep sides, typically formed by running water

• The hikers carefully navigated the steep ravine to reach the bottom of the valley.
• We found a cool spot to swim in the ravine behind the old mill.
• Let's go explore that sick ravine over there, dude!
• The divide between the two political parties seemed as deep as a ravine, with no easy way to bridge the gap.

noun the act of suddenly springing back or recoiling

verb to spring or jerk back, as from an impact or a blow

• The gun's powerful recoil made it difficult to maintain accuracy.
• I always flinch at the recoil when shooting my dad's old rifle.
• I can't handle the recoil on that thing, it kicks like a mule!
• She recoiled at the thought of having to confront her fears.

noun the quality of being trustworthy or dependable

adjective reliable

• The reliability of the data collected is crucial for making informed decisions.
• I always count on Sarah for her reliability when it comes to meeting deadlines.
• You can trust Jake, he's got mad reliability.
• The old lighthouse stood as a symbol of reliability in guiding ships safely to shore.

noun a powerful force or energy associated with rockets or rocket propulsion

• The rocket power of the spacecraft allowed it to reach escape velocity.
• That car has some serious rocket power under the hood!
• Dang, that skateboarder has some crazy rocket power on the halfpipe!
• Her determination and drive gave her the rocket power needed to succeed in her career.

noun a metal fastener with a helical ridge, used to join objects together by being rotated

verb to attach or fasten with a screw

• The screw must be tightened to secure the metal plates together.
• I can't believe I stripped the screw while trying to assemble the furniture.
• I'm so screwed if I don't finish this project by tomorrow.
• She really screwed up by missing the deadline for the presentation.

noun a small hatch or opening in a ship's deck or hull

verb to run with quick, hasty steps; scurry

• The crab used its pincers to scuttle across the sandy beach.
• I saw a mouse scuttle across the kitchen floor last night.
• Let's scuttle out of here before anyone notices we're gone.
• The rumors of a scandal caused the politician's reputation to scuttle.

noun a slow escape of a liquid or gas through porous material or small holes

verb to ooze or flow slowly through small openings or pores

• Water began to seep through the cracks in the foundation of the building.
• I noticed some water seeping out from under the door.
• The gossip about them started to seep through the whole school.
• The feeling of sadness seemed to seep into every corner of her heart.

noun a stout pole such as those used for masts, oars, or tent poles

verb to engage in a brief argument or dispute

• The sailors practiced their sparring techniques on the ship.
• Let's spar for a bit before we start the real match.
• I heard they got into a spar over who gets the last piece of cake.
• The two politicians sparred over the new policy proposal during the debate.

adjective adequate for the purpose; enough

• The evidence presented was deemed sufficient to convict the defendant.
• I think we have enough food for the party, it should be sufficient.
• I've got a sufficient amount of cash to cover the bill.
• Her love for him was like a well that never ran dry, always sufficient.

noun a set of connected things or parts forming a complex whole, in particular

adjective relating to or affecting the entire system

• The new operating system is designed to improve efficiency and security.
• I can't figure out how to navigate this new system.
• The system is so glitchy, it's driving me crazy.
• She has a system in place for staying organized and on top of things.

noun a long, hollow cylinder used for conveying or containing liquids or gases

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• The lab technician carefully inserted the sample into the test tube for analysis.
• I saw a funny video on the internet of a cat getting stuck in a tube.
• Let's hit the tube and catch some waves before the sun sets.
• The artist used a tube of paint to express his emotions on the canvas.

noun a strong pull or haul

verb to pull with force

• The sailors used a tugboat to guide the large ship into the harbor.
• The kids had a tug-of-war contest at the school picnic.
• I had to give the stubborn dog a little tug on the leash to get him to move.
• She felt a tug at her heartstrings when she saw the old photograph.

adjective not easily bent or shaped; inflexible

• The material used for the sculpture was too unpliable to mold into the desired shape.
• I tried to bend the unpliable wire but it just wouldn't budge.
• This gum is so unpliable, it's like chewing on a rock.
• Her mind was unpliable, resistant to new ideas or perspectives.

noun a conclusion or final part

verb to bring to a conclusion or end

• After a series of negotiations, they were able to wind up the business deal.
• Let's wind up this meeting so we can grab lunch.
• I didn't mean to wind up in this situation, it just happened.
• If you keep making risky decisions, you'll wind up in hot water.

verb to pull, force, or twist violently and abruptly

• The two wrestlers will wrestle for the championship title next week.
• I heard they're going to wrestle in the ring tonight.
• Let's go wrestle in the backyard for fun.
• She had to wrestle with her decision before finally making up her mind.

noun something that excites or stimulates

• The excitation of the electrons in the atom leads to the emission of light.
• The excitation of the crowd at the concert was palpable.
• The excitation of the party was off the charts.
• Her excitation about the upcoming trip was contagious.

noun a type of pastry similar to a croissant, typically filled with sweet or savory ingredients

• The baker carefully measured out the ingredients before starting to croll the dough.
• I love watching my grandma croll the pastry for her famous apple pie.
• I can't believe he crolled the presentation at work, it was a disaster.
• Her emotions were all over the place, like a croll of tangled yarn.

noun a game involving two players, one of whom attempts to tag the other

verb to touch or tag someone in the game of tag

• The TIG welding process is commonly used in the manufacturing industry.
• I learned how to do TIG welding in my metalworking class.
• I heard he's a real TIG when it comes to fixing cars.
• Her determination to succeed was like a TIG, never giving up despite the obstacles.

noun a person who makes or repairs clocks

• The clockmaker meticulously crafted each intricate gear by hand.
• My uncle is a talented clockmaker who can fix any old clock you bring him.
• I heard that new clockmaker in town is the real deal.
• As a clockmaker of memories, she carefully pieced together each moment to create a beautiful life story.

noun the measure of a material's ability to absorb radiation, typically used in the context of solar energy

• The absorptance of the material was measured to determine its effectiveness in blocking out light.
• The absorptance of this fabric is really good at keeping the sun out.
• I heard this new sunscreen has a high absorptance level, so it's great for staying protected at the beach.
• His absorptance of new information was impressive, as he quickly grasped complex concepts.

noun a process of freezing food without the use of additives or preservatives

• The process of adfreezing can occur when a website's ads fail to load properly.
• I hate when adfreezing happens while I'm trying to watch a video online.
• Adfreezing really annoys me, it's so frustrating!
• His mind felt like it was adfreezing, unable to process any new information.

adjective relating to or characterized by adsorption, the process by which a solid holds molecules of a gas or liquid or solute as a thin film on its surface

• The adsorptive properties of the material make it ideal for removing pollutants from water.
• This adsorptive filter is great for getting rid of bad tastes in tap water.
• I heard that new adsorptive gadget can clean the air in your house really well.
• Her adsorptive personality attracted people to her like a magnet.

adjective relating to or characterized by lack of strength or energy

• The patient was diagnosed with adynamic ileus, causing a lack of bowel movements.
• My uncle has been feeling adynamic lately, he should probably see a doctor.
• I'm feeling adynamic today, I just want to stay in bed and watch movies.
• The adynamic economy is struggling to recover from the recent recession.

noun A device used to filter air, typically in a vehicle or machinery to prevent particles from entering the engine or system.

• The aerofilter in the aircraft is designed to remove particles from the air entering the engine.
• Make sure you change the aerofilter in your car regularly to keep the engine running smoothly.
• I heard that upgrading to a high-performance aerofilter can give your car a boost in horsepower.
• Just like an aerofilter cleans the air, meditation can help clear your mind of negative thoughts.

adjective describing a condition of having a secondary shaft behind the main shaft, typically in reference to feathers on an arrow or the tail of a bird

• The bird was aftershafted, with additional feathers growing in behind the main feathers.
• I heard that some birds can be aftershafted, which means they have extra feathers.
• That bird is totally aftershafted, it looks so fluffy!
• Her argument was aftershafted with evidence, making it stronger and more convincing.