Key terms & definitions

Obtaining money or possessions, for example through earnings or inheritance.

An offence through which someone gains money or property, such as theft, burglary or fraud.

The elevated rocky stronghold of Athens, which contained major temples and sanctuaries.

The elevated or upper part of an ancient settlement; literally ‘high city’. It may contain a fortified citadel.

A cap-like structure in the head of a sperm cell that contains enzymes used to break down substances in the egg's jelly coat.

A cap on the head of a sperm cell containing enzymes that help the sperm penetrate the egg’s outer layers.

A warm, wool-like synthetic fibre used in knitwear, blankets, fake fur and furnishings.

A major division of a play, usually containing several scenes.

A law passed in 1533 that prevented appeals to Rome, allowing Henry’s marriage case to be settled in England.

Something a person does, as distinct from what they think about or intend to do.

An action that moves a narrative forward and creates an expectation of a further event or consequence.

A boundary beyond which production should be stopped immediately and machinery reset. For sample means, action limits are set at three standard deviations of the sample means above and below the expected value.

A horizontal control-chart line marking a limit beyond which the production process should be stopped and corrected. For a sample-mean chart, action limits are $\mu \pm 3\sigma$, where $\sigma$ is the standard deviation of the sample means.

A sequence of preparation, cooking, checking, serving and cleaning tasks, organised so that food is completed at the required time.

An organised account of what will be done, by whom and when, to work towards an aim.

An electrical impulse that travels along a neuron when it fires.

A temporary, unstable arrangement of atoms formed as reactants change into products.

An experience or situation that triggers a person’s interpretation and subsequent response.

The increased neural activity that generates random signals during sleep in Activation Synthesis Theory.

The minimum energy needed to begin a chemical reaction.

The minimum energy that reacting particles must have for a reaction to occur when they collide.

The minimum energy that reacting particles must have for a collision to result in a reaction.

An explanation of dreaming in which the brain interprets and combines internally generated neural activity into a dream experience.

A biological explanation proposed by Hobson and McCarley in which dreams arise when the cerebral cortex tries to make sense of random neural activity during sleep.

The temperature at which a specified thermochromic pigment changes colour.

An audience that makes choices about media, interprets it and may discuss, share or create content rather than simply receiving messages.

A person who takes responsibility, becomes involved in public concerns and acts to make a positive difference in their community.

Participation by individuals or groups in trying to improve society, influence decisions or support others.

An electrode made from a material that takes part in an electrode reaction.

Deliberately taking action to end another person’s life, for example by administering a lethal injection.