Engineering. Vocabulary. Units 1 to 5

1 Hernández, Yadira (2013-14). Learning materials for the English Class. Study area: 1

UNIT 1. WHAT IS ENGINEERING? TARGET WORD DEFINITION SYNONYMS USE IN CONTEXT

1 accuracy Correctness in detail.

2 assemble fit together the component parts of. Computing: translate (a program) from a symbolic language into machine code.

3 assembly the action of assembling component parts. ■ a unit consisting of assembled components

4 centimetre A hundredth of a meter

5 civil relating to ordinary citizens, as distinct from military or ecclesiastical matters.

6 classify arrange (a group) in classes or categories according to shared qualities or characteristics. ■ assign to a particular class or category.

7 combustión the process of burning. ■ Chemistry rapid chemical combination with oxygen, involving the production of heat and light.

8 cycle (n) one complete sequence of changes associated with a recurring phenomenon such as an alternating current, wave, etc.


TARGET WORD DEFINITION SYNONYMS USE IN CONTEXT

9 dynamics the branch of mechanics concerned with the motion of bodies under the action of forces.

10 electrical concerned with, operating by, or producing electricity.

11 engineer (n. and

v.)

a person qualified in engineering. A person who maintains or controls an engine or machine. Design and build. Skilfully arrange for (something) to happen.

12 insulator a substance which does not readily allow the passage of heat, sound, or electricity. ■ a block of glass, ceramic, or other insulating material enclosing an electric wire where it crosses a support.

13 international existing or occurring between nations. ■ agreed on by all or many nations. ■ used by people of many nations.

14 jaw the sides of, e.g., a vice or pliers.

15 kilogram a gram multiplied by 1000.

16 lengthen make or become longer.

17 loosen make or become loose.



18 mechanical working or produced by machines or machinery. ■ relating to machines or machinery. relating to physical forces or motion.

19 mechanize introduce machines or automatic devices into.

20 megabyte X 1,000,000 or very big byte

21 metal fatigue weakness in metal or other materials caused by repeated variations of stress.

22 micrometer a millionth of a meter.

23 millilitre a thousandth of a litre.

24 miscalculate calculate or assess wrongly.

25 mount fix in position or on a support. Put one thing, especially an engine, onto another or into its correct place.

26 mounting a support for a piece of equipment.

27 overheat make or become too hot.

28 petrology the study of the origin, structure, and composition of rocks.



29 powered supply with power. ■ (power something up/down) switch an electrically powered device on or off. Move or cause to move with speed or force: he powered round a bend. Moved by means of the energy that is produced by mechanical, electrical, or other means.

30 pressurize artificially produce or maintain raised pressure in (something).

31 prevention precede, hinder

32 replacement substitute

33 strengthen make or become stronger.

34 supersonic involving or denoting a speed greater than that of sound.

35 tighten fixed or fastened firmly; hard to move, undo, or open.

36 turbine a machine for producing continuous power in which a wheel or rotor, typically fitted with vanes, is made to revolve by a fast-moving flow of water, steam, gas, air, or other fluid.

37 undercoat a layer under another.



38 variable not consistent or having a fixed pattern; liable to vary. ■ Mathematics (of a quantity) able to assume different numerical values. A variable factor or quantity.

39 widen make or become wider.

40 weaken make or become weak.

41 coat a layer

42 teeth the cutting edge

43 cap cover and seal

44 mount put one thing, especially an engine, onto another or into its correct place.

45 housing a box which is designed to hold something.

46 couple join together two things.


UNIT 2. ENGINEERING ACHIEVEMENTS TARGET WORD DEFINITION SYNONYMS USE IN CONTEXT

1 air conditioning a system for controlling the humidity, ventilation, and temperature in a building or vehicle.

2 apparatus A piece of equipment

3 code A set of rules

4 condense Change from gas to liquid

5 cool (v) Make or generate cold

6 device A machine

7 efficiency the ratio of the useful work performed by a machine or in a process to the total energy expended or heat taken in.

8 efficient working productively with minimum wasted effort or expense.

9 elevator a machine consisting of an endless belt with scoops attached, used for raising grain.

10 energy Capacity for activity. Power derived from physical or chemical resources to provide light and heat or to work machines. Physics: the property of matter and radiation which is manifest as a capacity to perform work.


TARGET WORD DEFINITION SYNONYMS USE IN CONTEXT 11 fluid a substance that has no

fixed shape and yields easily to external pressure; a gas or (especially) a liquid.

12 friction the resistance that one surface or object encounters when moving over another. ■ the action of one surface or object rubbing against another

13 inefficient not achieving maximum productivity; failing to make the best use of time or resources.

14 machine (n. and v.) Noun. an apparatus using or applying mechanical power and having several parts, each with a definite function and together performing a particular task. ■ technical any device that transmits a force or directs its application. Verb. make or operate on with a machine.

15 machinery machines collectively. ■ the components of a machine.

16 mechanic a skilled worker who repairs and maintains machinery.

17 mechanism a piece of machinery. A process by which something takes place or is brought about.



18 mechanize introduce machines or automatic devices into.

19 operate Make a machine work.

20 operation the action or process of operating. Mathematics: a process in which a number, quantity, expression, etc. is altered or manipulated according to set formal rules.

21 overheat make or become too hot.

22 patent a government licence to an individual or body conferring a right or title for a set period, especially the sole right to make, use, or sell an invention.

23 pressure The result of compressing something

24 radiator a cooler or a heater

25 refrigeration The action of cooling in order to chill or preserve it.

26 seal (v) fasten or close securely. ■ (seal something off) isolate an area by preventing or monitoring access to and from it. 2 apply a non-porous coating to (a surface) to make it impervious.

27 shaft A hole in the ground for mining. A way of carrying motive power from engine to, e.g. wheels.


UNIT 3. FORCES ON MATERIALS TARGET WORD DEFINITION SYNONYMS USE IN CONTEXT

1 alloy a metal made by combining two or more metallic elements, especially to give greater strength or resistance to corrosion.

2 aluminium a strong, light, corrosion-resistant silvery-grey metal, the chemical element of atomic number 13. (Symbol: Al)

3 beam a long sturdy piece of squared timber or metal used horizontally in building to support a load above.

4 belt a continuous band of material used in machinery for transferring motion from one wheel to another.

5 cantilever a long projecting beam or girder fixed at only one end, used chiefly in bridge construction. ■ a bracket or beam projecting from a wall to support a balcony, cornice, etc.

6 characteristic a feature or quality typical of a person, place, or thing. Mathematics the whole number or integral part of a logarithm.


TARGET WORD DEFINITION SYNONYMS USE IN CONTEXT 7 component a part or element of a larger

whole, especially a part of a machine or vehicle. Physics each of two or more forces, velocities, or other vectors acting in different directions which are together equivalent to a given vector.

8 compression the action of compressing or being compressed. ■ the reduction in volume (causing an increase in pressure) of the fuel mixture in an internal-combustion engine before ignition.

9 copper a red-brown metal, the chemical element of atomic number 29, which is a good conductor of electricity and heat and is alloyed to form brass and bronze. (Symbol: Cu)

10 deform distort the shape or form of; make or become misshapen.

11 deformation distort the shape or form of; make or become misshapen.

12 ductile (of a metal) able to be drawn out into a thin wire. Able to be deformed without losing toughness.

13 elastic (adj) able to resume normal shape spontaneously after being stretched or squeezed.


TARGET WORD DEFINITION SYNONYMS USE IN CONTEXT 14 elasticity the property of being

elastic.

15 equal (adj) being the same in quantity, size, degree, value, or status.

16 equilibrium a state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced.

17 equivalent equal in value, amount, function, meaning, etc. ■ (equivalent to) having the same or a similar effect as. 2 Mathematics belonging to the same equivalence class.

18 external belonging to, situated on, or forming the outside.

19 flexible capable of bending easily without breaking.

20 force (n) physical strength or energy as an attribute of action or movement. ■ Physics an influence tending to change the motion of a body or produce motion or stress in a stationary body.

21 internal of or situated on the inside.

22 materials the matter from which a thing is or can be made.

23 opposite situated on the other or further side; facing. ■ (of angles) between opposite sides of the intersection of two lines.


TARGET WORD DEFINITION SYNONYMS USE IN CONTEXT 24 overengineer overmodified, designed

and/or built beyond the point of what was really required.

25 parallel (of lines, planes, or surfaces) side by side and having the same distance continuously between them.

26 permanent lasting or remaining unchanged indefinitely, or intended to be so; not temporary.

27 plastic (n. adj.) n. a synthetic material made from a wide range of organic polymers such as polyethylene, PVC, nylon, etc., which can be moulded into shape while soft and then set into a rigid or slightly elastic form. Adj. easily shaped or moulded. ■ (in science and technology) relating to the permanent deformation of a solid without fracture by the temporary application of force.

28 property a characteristic of something.

29 quality a distinctive attribute or characteristic.

30 rigid unable to bend or be forced out of shape.


TARGET WORD DEFINITION SYNONYMS USE IN CONTEXT 31 rubber a tough elastic polymeric

substance made from the latex of a tropical tree or synthetically.

32 shear a strain produced by pressure in the structure of a substance, when its layers are laterally shifted in relation to each other.

33 sheet a broad flat piece of metal or glass.

34 spring (n) an elastic device, typically a helical metal coil, that can be pressed or pulled but returns to its former shape when released.

35 steel a hard, strong grey or bluish-grey alloy of iron with carbon and usually other elements, used extensively as a structural and fabricating material.

36 strain (n) a force tending to strain something to an extreme degree. ■ Physics the magnitude of a deformation, equal to the change in the dimension of a deformed object divided by its original dimension.

37 stress (n) pressure or tension exerted on a material object. ■ Physics the magnitude of this measured in units of force per unit area.


TARGET WORD DEFINITION SYNONYMS USE IN CONTEXT 38 tension the state of being tense.

■ a strained state or condition resulting from forces acting in opposition to each other.

39 torque Mechanics a force that tends to cause rotation.

40 underengineer fall short on design, modifications or building.

41 uniaxial having or relating to a single axis.

42 wire metal drawn out into a thin flexible thread or rod.


UNIT 4. COMPUTERS IN ENGINEERING TARGET WORD DEFINITION MEANINGS SYNONYMS USE IN CONTEXT

1 access (n. and v.) (n.) the means or opportunity to approach or enter a place. Retrieval of information stored in a computer's memory. (v.) approach or enter (a place). 2 Computing obtain, examine, or retrieve (data).

acceso

acceder

(accesar)

2 browse (Computing) read or survey (data files) via a network.

navegar explorar

3 compatible able to exist or be used together without problems or conflict.

compatible

4 computerize convert to a system or form which is controlled, stored, or processed by computer.

computarizar informatizar

5 database a structured set of data held in a computer.

base de datos

6 hyperlink a link from a hypertext document to another location, activated by clicking on a highlighted word or image.

hipervínculo

7 input (n. and v.) (n.) what is put in, taken in, or operated on by a process or system. (v.) put (data) into a computer.

entrada participación información ingresar

8 integrate combine or be combined to form a whole.

integrar


TARGET WORD DEFINITION MEANINGS SYNONYMS USE IN CONTEXT

9 interface (n.) a device or program enabling a user to communicate with a computer, or for connecting two items of hardware or software.

interfaz

interconexión

10 interlink (v.) join or connect together. intervínculo

11 keyword a word which acts as the key to a cipher or code.

palabra clave

12 log in go through the procedures to begin use of a computer system using a username and a password.

registrarse

ingresar

13 log on go through the procedures to begin use of a computer system of public access.

ingresar

acceder

14 menu a list of commands or facilities displayed on screen.

menu

15 output (n. and v.) (n.) a place where power or information leaves a system. (v.) produce or supply (data).

salida resultado imprimir producir

16 search (n. and v.) (n.) the systematic retrieval of information, or the facility for this. (v.) look for information in (a computer network or database) by using a search engine.

búsqueda

buscar navegar



17 search engine a program that searches for and identifies items in a database that correspond to keywords or characters specified by the user, used especially for searching the Internet.

Motor de búsqueda

18 software programs and other operating information used by a computer.

software

19 specification a detailed description of the design and materials used to make something.

Descripción detallada

20 username nickname or code name a person chooses to access or operates a system.

Nombre de usuario


UNIT 5. MEMS AND NANOTECHNOLOGY TARGET WORD DEFINITION MEANINGS SYNONYMS USE IN CONTEXT

1 accelerometer an instrument for measuring acceleration.

acelerómetro

2 analysis a detailed examination of something in order to interpret or explain it.

análisis

3 application the action of putting something into operation. ■ practical use or relevance.

aplicación uso

4 atom the smallest particle of a chemical element, consisting of a positively charged nucleus (containing protons and typically also neutrons) surrounded by negatively charged electrons.

átomo

5 conductivity the degree to which a specified material conducts electricity or heat.

conductividad

6 device a thing made or adapted for a particular purpose, especially a piece of equipment mechanical or electronic.

instrumento equipo electrónico

7 electro-mechanical relating to or denoting a mechanical device which is electrically operated.

electromecánico

8 element a basic constituent part. element

9 ethics the moral principles governing or influencing conduct.

ética



10 figure a number or a numerical symbol. a shape defined by one or more lines in two dimensions, or one or more surfaces in three dimensions. ■ a diagram or illustrative drawing.

cifra número diagram

11 flexible capable of bending easily without breaking.

flexible

12 gyroscope a device, used to provide stability or maintain a fixed orientation, consisting of a wheel or disc spinning rapidly about an axis which is itself free to alter in direction.

giroscopio

13 implication a likely consequence. implicación

14 industrial of, used in, or characterized by industry.

industrial

15 layer (n.) a sheet or thickness of material, typically one of several, covering a surface or body.

capa estrato película

16 liquid a substance that flows freely but is of constant volume, having a consistency like that of water or oil.

liquid

17 manipulate handle or control with dexterity.

manipular



18 MEMS Micro-electromechanical systems

mems

19 method a particular procedure for accomplishing or approaching something.

método procedimiento

20 micro extremely small. micro

21 micron one millionth of a metre. micra, micron

22 mixture a substance made by mixing other substances together.

mezcla mixture

23 modify make partial changes to. modificar

24 molecule a group of atoms bonded together, representing the smallest fundamental unit of a compound that can take part in a chemical reaction.

molécula

25 nano denoting a factor of 10−9: nanosecond.

nano

26 nanoparticle a nanoscale particle. nano particular

27 nanotechnology technology on an atomic or molecular scale, concerned with dimensions of less than 100 nanometres.

nanotecnología

28 polymer (Chemistry) a substance with a molecular structure formed from many identical small molecules or other units bonded together.

polímero

29 practical of or concerned with practice.

práctico(a)



30 pressure continuous physical force exerted on or against an object by something in contact with it. ■ the force per unit area exerted by a fluid against a surface.

presión

31 process a series of actions or steps towards achieving a particular end.

proceso

32 quantum mechanics

the branch of applied mathematics concerned with motion and forces producing motion by means of a discrete quantity of energy proportional in magnitude to a particular frequency of radiation and corresponding e.g. to a single photon or to a transition of an atom between energy states.

mecánica cuántica

33 reaction a force exerted in opposition to an applied force.

reacción

34 repellent able to repel a particular thing; impervious to: water-repellent nylon.

repelente

35 resistance the degree to which a material or device opposes the passage of an electric current, causing energy dissipation.

resistencia

36 rigid unable to bend or be forced out of shape.

rígido(a)



37 scale (n.) a coating of oxide formed on heated metal.

escala

38 sensor a device which detects or measures a physical property.

sensor

39 microchip a tiny wafer of semiconducting material used to make an integrated circuit.

microchip

40 silicon the chemical element of atomic number 14, a shiny grey crystalline non-metal with semiconducting properties, used in making electronic circuits. (Symbol: Si)

silicon

41 solid firm and stable in shape; not liquid or fluid: solid fuel. (Geometry) three-dimensional.

sólido

42 sophisticated highly complex. sofisticado

43 stabilize make or become stable. estabilizar

44 strength the quality or state of being strong.

fuerza, solidez, intensidad

45 synthesis the production of chemical compounds by reaction from simpler materials.

síntesis

46 system a complex whole; a set of things working together as a mechanism or interconnecting network.

sistema

47 technique a way of carrying out a particular task, especially the execution of an artistic work or a scientific procedure.

técnica



48 three-dimensional having or appearing to have length, breadth, and depth.

tridimensional

49 tiny very small. muy pequeño

50 use (n.) the action of using or state of being used.

usar, aplicar

51 viscosity the state of being viscous. ■ a quantity expressing the magnitude of internal friction in a fluid, as measured by the force per unit area resisting uniform flow.

viscocidad

52 volume the amount of space occupied by a substance or object, or enclosed within a container.

volumen

Documents

Engineering. Vocabulary. Units 1 to 5