7 Glossary 7subterfuge A deception to escape a rule or its
consequences.
superconductivity A property of some materials in
which their electrical resistance goes to zero and they
can carry electrical current with no energy loss.
syntax Rules of patterns for forming grammatical
sentences.
thermion An emission from an incandescent bulb.
thermonuclear Involving the fusion of atomic nuclei at
high temperatures.
transistor An electronic device that can transform
weak electrical signals into strong ones, acting as an
amplifier.
treatise A formal exposition in writing, generally longer
and more specific than an essay.
vellum The skin of a lamb, calf, or kid (baby goat)
treated for use as a writing surface.
venerate To revere or regard with reverence.
vizier A high official or executive of state.
vulcanize To treat rubber with sulfur and heat to
increase its strength and durability.
zenith The highest point or point of culmination.