Key terms & definitions

A rotating connector made from two separated metal segments that reverses the current through a motor’s coil every half-turn.

The presentation of two or more images within separate areas of the screen at the same time.

Rock and other waste material removed during mining and piled up on the land.

Property taken from a defeated enemy during warfare, including weapons, armour and treasure.

The arms taken by a victorious Roman commander from an enemy leader whom he personally killed in battle, dedicated to Jupiter Feretrius. Livy presents Romulus’ offering as the founding example.

Leaf tissue with loosely arranged cells and air spaces that allow gases to diffuse through the leaf.

Leaf tissue with loosely arranged cells and air spaces that allow gases to diffuse through the leaf.

A person who financed public games, such as an emperor or local politician, gaining opportunities to display generosity, wealth and authority.

A business that provides money or other support to a performer, team or sport in return for benefits such as publicity.

Financial and political backing for an undertaking, such as providing the resources and royal approval needed for an expedition.

Financial or other support given to an event, team or organisation in exchange for promotional exposure.

Support provided to a performer, team, sport or event, such as money, equipment or facilities, in return for promoting the sponsor.

An arrangement in which a brand supports or pays a media producer or personality in return for promotional exposure.

Fission that occurs without the nucleus first absorbing an incoming neutron.

The belief that microorganisms arise spontaneously from decaying matter, rather than coming from existing microorganisms.

Prayer expressed in the worshipper's own words rather than a fixed wording or format.

A reproductive unit produced by a fungus that can be dispersed and start a new infection.

A reproductive structure produced by a fungus that can spread and give rise to a new infection.

An acronym for the principles of training: specificity, progressive overload, reversibility and tedium.

An organisation that supports participation in sport and physical activity in England, including funding organisations and projects and publishing participation research.

Playing by the written and unwritten rules and within the spirit of a sport, showing fairness, respect and graciousness in victory or defeat.

A textile designed for sports clothing, footwear, accessories or equipment.

A gift given by a Roman patron to a client; originally associated with a basket of food, it was normally money by the end of the first century AD.

Applying a finish to selected areas, such as a logo, rather than covering the whole surface.

The height above sea level of a particular point, written beside its position on a map.

Points on a map marked with a dot and a number that gives the height of the land at that point, in metres above sea level.

A person who supervises a weight lift, checks technique and helps if the lifter struggles.

An overstretching or tearing of a ligament at a joint.

The extent to which values in a dataset vary, measured using statistics such as the range or interquartile range.

A table of cells arranged in rows and columns, which can store data, perform calculations and generate charts.