Key terms & definitions

The agreement between God and the Israelites at Mount Sinai, mediated by Moses, through which the people undertook to obey God’s commandments.

Scottish supporters of a covenant, or agreement, defending their Protestant Church against Charles I’s religious changes.

The area that a stated quantity of a coating can cover, for example 18 m² per litre.

Text on a magazine cover that introduces an article and encourages readers to look inside.

Text on a magazine cover that promotes a story or feature inside.

A clear sheet placed over a specimen on a microscope slide to hold it flat for viewing.

A thin piece of glass placed over a specimen to keep it flat and hold the mounting liquid in place.

A thin piece of glass placed over a specimen on a microscope slide to keep it flat and in place.

Observation in which those being studied do not know they are being observed for research.

An observation in which participants are unaware of the researcher’s presence as an observer and do not know their behaviour is being studied.

Research in which those being studied do not know that research is taking place or that the person observing them is a researcher.

The historical legal principle under which a married woman’s separate legal identity was largely absorbed into her husband’s. It normally gave husbands control over wives’ money and property, although legal arrangements could protect some assets.

Desiring to possess something that belongs to another person.

Greedily eager to possess money or other things.

A disease associated with cows that could infect humans, usually causing a much milder illness than smallpox. Jenner used it to provide protection against smallpox.

Caring for cows and protecting them from harm, expressing respect for their life-giving role and, for some Hindus, concern for all vulnerable creatures.

A settlement where cattle were gathered and sold before being transported by rail.

Central processing unit: the processor that fetches, decodes and executes program instructions.

The breakdown of large hydrocarbon molecules into smaller, more useful molecules.

The breakdown of large hydrocarbon molecules into smaller, more useful molecules.

The breaking of large hydrocarbon molecules into smaller molecules, including some used to make polymers.

An approach that considers a product’s entire life, from obtaining its raw materials to its final disposal.

A cutting tool with a small, sharp blade used for controlled cuts in paper and board, normally with a cutting mat and safety rule for straight cuts.

Skilled work that turns materials into useful or decorative objects.

A skilled worker who makes goods, such as wooden cups, metal tools or leather shoes.

A landform consisting of a resistant bedrock crag and a sheltered, tapering tail of less resistant material extending downstream.

A sudden, painful involuntary muscle contraction that can occur during or after intense exercise.

The internal volume of a skull’s braincase, used to estimate brain size.

The skull bones surrounding the brain, located in the head.

A lever attached to a rotating shaft, with a connection away from the shaft’s axis that travels in a circle.