Unit 6 The fruits of nature

Word

Definition

Example

germinate

To begin to grow and put out shoots after a period of dormancy

The seeds would germinate quickly in the warm, moist soil

crop

A cultivated plant that is grown as food, especially a grain, fruit, or vegetable

The wheat crop was harvested in late summer

extract

Remove or take out, especially by effort or force

They were able to extract essential oils from the plants

essence

The intrinsic nature or indispensable quality of something, especially something abstract, that determines its character

The essence of her argument was that honesty was key

caterpillar

The larva of a butterfly or moth

The children were excited to find a caterpillar in the garden

pollinate

Convey pollen to or deposit pollen on (a stigma, ovule, flower, or plant) and so allow fertilization

Bees are crucial to pollinate flowers and crops

wealth

An abundance of valuable possessions or money

The country's wealth came from its rich natural resources

abundance

A very large quantity of something

The garden was filled with an abundance of colorful flowers

immemorial

Originating in the distant past; very old

The tradition had been passed down since time immemorial

nourishment

Food or other substances necessary for growth, health, and good condition

The soup provided nourishment for the entire family

tough condition

Difficult or challenging circumstances or situations

The plants survived the tough conditions of the desert

distinctive flavour

Having a quality that is unique or individual

The dish had a distinctive flavour of exotic spices

supreme honour

The highest or most prestigious form of respect or recognition

It was a supreme honour to be invited to the royal ball

borne

Carried or transported by

The tree was heavily borne with ripe fruits

cluster

A group of similar things or people positioned or occurring closely together

The grapes grew in a tight cluster on the vine

endocarp

The innermost layer of the pericarp of a fruit

The endocarp of the fruit was tough and fibrous

edible mesocarp

The middle layer of the pericarp of a fruit that is safe for consumption

The edible mesocarp of the fruit was sweet and juicy

versatile

Able to adapt or be adapted to many different functions or activities

The chef used a versatile range of ingredients in the dish

embalming

The process of preserving a dead body by treating it with various substances

The process of embalming the body was a delicate task

shroud

A length of cloth or an enveloping garment in which a dead person is wrapped for burial

The deceased was wrapped in a white shroud for the funeral

harvest

The process or period of gathering in crops

The farmers worked hard during the harvest season

occur

Happen; take place

The event was scheduled to occur on Friday evening

soaked in

Saturated or filled with a liquid

The bread was soaked in milk before being baked

brine

Water saturated or strongly impregnated with salt

The fish was preserved in a brine solution

obtain

Get, acquire, or secure

He was able to obtain the necessary permits for the project

processed

Subjected to a series of mechanical or chemical operations

The food was processed and packaged for distribution

leftover

Remaining or unused

She used the leftover vegetables to make a soup

multitude

A large number

A multitude of stars could be seen in the night sky

therapeutic purpose

Intended for healing or treating a disorder

The spa offered massages for therapeutic purposes

likewise

In the same way; also

She enjoyed hiking; likewise, her brother was a fan of outdoor activities

high cholesterol

A condition in which a person has an abnormally high level of cholesterol in the blood

He needed to watch his diet due to high cholesterol levels

blood pressure

The pressure of the blood in the circulatory system

Regular exercise can help lower high blood pressure

cardiovascular disease

A general term for conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels

His family history of cardiovascular disease meant he had to be careful with his health

attribute

Regard something as being caused by someone or something

She could attribute her success to hard work and dedication

vasodilating

Causing dilation of the blood vessels

The medication had a vasodilating effect on the blood vessels

antiplatelet

Reducing the tendency of platelets to stick together and form a clot

Aspirin is known for its antiplatelet properties

anti-inflammatory

Reducing inflammation or counteracting its effects

The doctor prescribed an anti-inflammatory for the swelling

germination

The process by which a plant grows from a seed

The process of germination was the first step in growing new plants

consumption

The using up of a resource

The consumption of fruits and vegetables is important for overall health

weave

Form by interlacing yarn or thread

She learned how to weave baskets from natural fibers

sow

Plant seed by scattering it on or in the earth

They needed to sow the seeds before the rainy season

emerge

Move out of or away from something and become visible

The first shoots began to emerge from the soil

crush

Deform, pulverize, or force inwards by compressing forcefully

They used a compactor to crush the cardboard boxes

gather

Bring together and take in from scattered places or sources

They would gather the ripe fruits from the orchard

come out of

Emerge from

The butterfly began to come out of its cocoon

bloom

Produce flowers; be in flower

The flowers would bloom beautifully in the spring

go down

Decrease or decline

The sun would go down, signaling the end of the day

produce

Make or manufacture from components or raw materials

The farm was able to produce a variety of fruits and vegetables

cultivate

Prepare and use (land) for crops or gardening

The farmers worked hard to cultivate the fertile land

plant

Place (a seed, bulb, or plant) in the ground so that it can grow

They decided to plant flowers in the garden for a colorful display

utilise

Make practical and effective use of

They planned to utilise the extra space for a new office

disperse

Distribute or spread over a wide area

The wind helped to disperse the seeds across the field

prune

Trim (a tree, shrub, or bush) by cutting away dead or overgrown branches or stems

He pruned the overgrown branches to shape the tree

sprout

(of a plant) put forth shoots

The first shoots began to sprout from the soil

ripen

(of fruit or grain) become or make ripe

The tomatoes would ripen in the warm summer sun

seeds

A flowering plant's unit of reproduction, capable of developing into another such plant

She planted the seeds in neat rows in the garden

saplings

A young tree, especially one with a slender trunk

The garden center had a variety of saplings for sale

bud

A compact knoblike growth on a plant that develops into a leaf, flower, or shoot

The roses were in bud, ready to bloom in the spring

surrounding

All the things and conditions that are around someone or something

The surrounding mountains provided a stunning backdrop

breathtaking view

An extremely beautiful or awe-inspiring view

The balcony offered a breathtaking view of the ocean

spectacular scenery

Extremely impressive or eye-catching natural surroundings

The national park was known for its spectacular scenery

crucial

Of great importance; decisive

Time management is crucial for success in any field

tranquil countryside

Calm, peaceful rural areas

They enjoyed long walks in the tranquil countryside

tranquillity

The quality or state of being tranquil; calm

The lake provided a sense of tranquillity and peace

derelict

In a very poor condition as a result of disuse and neglect

The old building had been left derelict for many years

scenery

The natural features of a landscape considered in terms of their appearance

The scenery on the hiking trail was breathtaking

uphold

Confirm or support (something that has been questioned)

The company aimed to uphold its commitment to sustainability

admire

Regard with respect or warm approval

He admired her dedication to her work and her team

open spaces

Areas of land that are not covered by buildings

The city had several parks and open spaces for recreation

panoramic view

An unbroken view of the surrounding area

The hotel room had a panoramic view of the city skyline

pasteurisation

A process of heating food, especially milk, to a temperature that is high enough to kill bacteria

The process of pasteurisation helped to extend the shelf life of the milk

planting season

The time of year when it is best to plant crops or seeds

Spring was the ideal planting season for most crops

tree conservation

The protection of trees and their habitats from harm or destruction

The organization focused on tree conservation in the region

unspoilt countryside

A natural environment that is unaffected or unharmed by human activity

They enjoyed exploring the unspoilt countryside during their vacation

widely distributed across

Spread or scattered over a large area

The species was widely distributed across the continent

coastline

The outline of a coast, especially with regard to its shape and appearance

The coastline was dotted with small fishing villages

attract

Cause to come to a place or participate in a venture by offering something of interest or advantage

The new exhibition was expected to attract many visitors

throw away

Dispose of (something) as no longer useful or desirable

He decided to throw away the old magazines to make space

recycle

Convert (waste) into reusable material

They made sure to recycle all their paper and plastic waste

rubbish tip

A place where household waste is taken to be disposed of

They visited the rubbish tip to dispose of their unwanted items

landfill

The disposal of waste material by burying it, especially as a method of filling in and reclaiming excavated pits or filling in unwanted low-lying land

The town was considering building a new landfill for its waste

separated

Divided; not connected

The recyclables needed to be separated from the general waste

recycling bin

A container used to hold recyclable materials for recycling

The office had separate recycling bins for paper and plastic

various

Different from one another; of different kinds or sorts

The store offered various options for different tastes

initially

At the beginning

Initially, they had some difficulties in getting the project off the ground

latter

Situated or occurring nearer to the end of something than to the beginning

In the latter part of the year, sales started to increase

assembly

A group of people gathered together in one place for a common purpose

The workers were responsible for the assembly of the products

warehouse

A large building where raw materials or manufactured goods may be stored before their distribution for sale

The goods were stored in the warehouse before distribution

wrap

Cover or enclose in paper or soft material

She used recycled paper to wrap the gifts for her friends

churn

Agitate or turn (milk or cream) in a machine in order to produce butter

The churn of the waves could be heard from the beach

reap

Harvest (a crop)

The farmers were ready to reap the benefits of their hard work

blend

Mix (a substance) with another substance so that they combine together

The chef used a blend of spices to enhance the flavor of the dish

packaging

Materials used to wrap or protect goods

The packaging of the product was designed to be eco-friendly