Glossary

search

(surch) 1 v. When you search for something, you look for it. You might search for something you lost. 2 n. A search is also the act of looking for something. We organized a search for the missing dog.

secret

(sē-krut) 1 adj. Something that is secret is hidden from others. 2 n. A secret is something you hide from others. Can you keep a secret?

• select

(su-lekt) v. To select something means to choose it. You may select five books to borrow from the library.

• series

(sear-ēz) n. A series is a group of related things that are put in a certain order. There is a concert series for children in the park this summer.

• sequence

(sē-kwens) n. The sequence of events is the order in which the events happen. Sarah must remember the right sequence of numbers to open her lock.

severe

(su-vear) adj. Something that is severe is very serious or dangerous. Dad could not read because he had a severe headache.

shelter

(shel-tur) n. A shelter is a place where people can safely stay. An umbrella provides shelter from the rain.

• similar

(si-mu-lur) adj. Things that are similar are almost the same. Oranges and tangerines are similar fruits.

skeleton

(ske-lu-tun) n. A skeleton is the set of bones in an animal or a person. The model shows a human skeleton.

slave

(slāv) n. A slave is someone who belongs to another person and who works without pay. Owners forced slaves to work.

• source

(sors) n. A source is the book or other text that you used to gather information. My source of information is an encyclopedia.

• space

(spās) n. Space is the area beyond Earth. Scientists send special ships into space to learn about other planets and the moon.

• specific

(spi-si-fik) adj. Something that is specific is exact. Dr. Gonzales gave specific directions about which medicine to take.

statue

(sta-chü) n. A statue is a model of a person or thing. The monument has a statue of Abraham Lincoln.

strange

(strānj) adj. Something that is strange is not familiar. The reflection in this mirror is strange. I look so much taller.

• structure

(struk-chur) n. Structure is the way something is organized or put together. The structure of the building is strong.

struggle

(stru-gul) v. To struggle means to try hard. I struggle to beat my uncle at arm wrestling.

• style

(stī-ul) n. A style is a certain way of expressing an idea. Salsa is one style of dance.

successful

(suk-ses-ful) adj. To be successful means to have a good result or to be well liked. The team was successful at the science fair.

• support

(su-port) v. To support means to help. People support friends and family when they encourage or comfort each other.

surface

(sur-fus) n. The surface is the outside part of something. The surface of the lake is calm.

system

(sis-tum) n. A system is a way of doing things. An assembly line is a factory system that usually saves time and money.

T

tale

(tāl) n. A tale is a story. The children enjoy listening to the tale.

telescope

(te-lu-skōp) n. A telescope is a tool you can look through to make faraway things look bigger. You can use a telescope to look at the moon.

temperature

(tem-pur-chur) n. The temperature is how hot or cold something is. We measure temperature using a thermometer.

• Academic Vocabulary