Galapagos Glossary

Galapagos Glossary

addle

chiefly humorous make unable to think clearly, confuse

adolescence

the period following the onset of puberty during which a young person develops from a child into an adult

charitable

generous in giving to those in need

dementia

a chronic or persistent disorder of the mental processes caused by brain disease or injury and marked by memory disorders, personality changes, and impaired reasoning

docile

ready to accept control or instruction, submissive

evolution

the process by which different kinds of living organisms are thought to have developed and diversified from earlier forms during the history of the earth

fatigue

extreme tiredness, typically resulting from mental or physical exertion or illness

floe

a sheet of floating ice

ikebana

the art of Japanese flower arrangement, with formal display according to strict rules

incest

sexual relations between people classed as being too closely related to marry each other

inimical

unfriendly, hostile

luxurious

extremely comfortable, elegant, or enjoyable, esp. in a way that involves great expense

malarkey

meaningless talk, nonsense

malfunction

fail to function normally or satisfactorily

marsh

an area of low-lying land that is flooded in wet seasons or at high tide, and typically remains waterlogged at all times

nourishment

the substances necessary for growth, health, and good condition

parentage

the identity and origins of one's parents

polyglot

knowing or using several languages

sucre

the basic monetary unit of Ecuador, equal to 100 centavos

volatile

able to change rapidly and unpredictably, esp. for the worse

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