Key terms & definitions

A mechanism linking an off-centre rotating crank to a guided slider through a connecting rod, converting rotary motion into reciprocating motion, or vice versa.

Desire or thirst for experiences and things, which can lead to attachment and suffering.

Beating fat and sugar together to trap small air bubbles in the mixture.

A line pressed into paper or board to make it easier to fold accurately without cutting it apart.

Forming a controlled fold line in board so that it folds accurately without cracking.

The Christian belief that God brought the universe and everything in it into existence.

The belief that God created the universe ‘out of nothing’, rather than using materials that already existed.

The belief that God created life; the fundamentalist creationists discussed here defended a literal interpretation of the biblical creation story.

In this debate, the belief that a religious creation account should be understood literally rather than replaced by scientific explanations of origins.

The ability to develop original ideas or find new ways to solve problems.

God understood as the source of the universe and all life within it.

A divine being believed to have brought the universe into existence. Buddhism does not recognise a creator God.

Information used to gain access to a system, such as a username and password.

Information supplied to authenticate a user, such as a username and password.

The extent to which someone is trusted and believed, including confidence in an official’s decisions.

The difference between government accounts of the Vietnam War and the events reported by journalists, which weakened public trust in official statements.

Borrowed money, or an arrangement to obtain something now and pay for it later.

Money entering a bank account, increasing its balance.

Trust in someone’s ability to repay borrowed money. Antonio uses his reputation and expected trading income to secure a loan.

A person or organisation to whom money is owed.

A person or organisation to whom a business owes money.

A sale in which the customer receives goods or services now and pays later.

Too ready to believe what someone says, without questioning it.

A statement summarising central religious beliefs, such as the Nicene Creed.

Gradual deformation of a material under a sustained load.

A moving curtain of artillery fire intended to protect infantry advancing close behind it.

The burning of a dead person's body, after which the remaining ashes and bone fragments are collected.

The burning of a dead body as a way of treating the remains.

A language with its own established vocabulary and grammar, developed through contact between languages. Agard uses features of Guyanese Creole to give his speaker a culturally specific voice.

An arrangement of ships in a curved line, with stronger ships protecting more vulnerable vessels within the fleet.