The Hindu Editorial Vocabulary 3rd April 2020
- deadly (adverb) – fatal, lethal, life-threatening.
- novel coronavirus (nCoV) (SARS-CoV-2) (noun) – a new strain (type/variety) coronavirus that has not been previously identified in humans. (Courtesy: WHO)
- seemingly (adverb) – apparently, allegedly, supposedly, evidently, reportedly.
- invisible (adjective) – unnoticeable, indistinguishable, indiscernible.
- pathogen (noun) – bacteria/virus that causes disease.
- leap (noun) – a sudden/quick jump; change, move.
- Ebola (noun) – Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever, is a rare but severe, often fatal illness in humans. The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission. (Courtesy: WHO)
- severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) (noun) – SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) is thought to be an animal virus from an as-yet-uncertain animal reservoir, perhaps bats, that spread to other animals (civet cats). It is a viral (human-to-human transmission) that can cause severe respiratory illness or death.
- bird flu (noun) – it is also known as influenza A or the avian flu. It primarily infects birds, but can pose health risks to people.
- swine flu (noun) – H1N1 flu; Swine influenza/flu is a highly contagious disease caused by a strain (type) of the influenza type A virus called H1N1. Swine flu used to only affect pigs and rarely, be passed to humans.
- alarm (noun) – warning sound, danger/distress signal, alert.
- pandemic (noun) – the worldwide spread of a new disease; The illness spreads around the world and typically affects a large number of people across a wide area.
- COVID-19 (noun) – coronavirus disease 2019.
- contagion (noun) – the spreading of a dangerous disease.
- point to (verb) – indicate, suggest, denote.
- underlying (adjective) – fundamental, basic, primary.
- trapping (noun) – confining, catching, cornering (animals with a trap).
- species (noun) – a group/breed/family of living organisms (animals & plants) with the individual having the same quality & can breed.
- harbour (verb) – give shelter to (an organism- virus/bacteria).
- host (noun) – an animal/plant on which a parasite or commensal organism lives.
- dimension (noun) – aspect, feature, element.
- pup (noun) – a young (wolf).
- civet (noun) – a small cat-like mammal.
- Nipah virus (noun) – a zoonotic virus (it is transmitted from animals to humans) and can also be transmitted through contaminated food or directly between people.
- Hendra virus (noun) – a rare emerging zoonosis (zoonosis means a disease that can be transmitted to humans from animals) that causes severe and often fatal disease in both infected horses and humans.
- underscore (verb) – underline, emphasize, highlight.
- viable (adjective) – manageable, feasible, effective.
- ecosystem (noun) – living things and their environment.
- colonize (verb) – settle in, populate; occupy, take over.
- biodiversity (noun) – the existence of a number and variety of species (plants & animals) in a particular geographic region/environment.
- pool (noun) – a group of something (kept as a reserve/stock).
- phenomenon (noun) – occurrence, event, happening.
- impediment (noun) – hindrance, obstacle, obstruction.
- trajectory (noun) – course, route, path.
- come to an halt (phrase) – to stop moving/working.
- reckless (adjective) – careless, thoughtless, incautious/heedless.
- exploitation (noun) – taking advantage, making use, misuse, ill/unfair treatment.
- crippling (adjective) – weakening, damaging, impairing, destroying, spoiling, paralyzing.
- sit/wait in the wings (phrase) – someone who is not active at this time, but ready to do something very soon.
- pay attention (phrase) – listen/heed, attend, concentrate on.
- novel (adjective) – new, different, unfamiliar/unusual.
- reservoir (noun) – source of something.
- staggering (adjective) – astonishing, shocking, surprising.
- toll (noun) – number, count, sum total (of deaths/casualties).
- lockdown (noun) – a state of isolation; confinement, restraint, encirclement.
- devastation (noun) – destruction, damage, havoc/wreckage.
- dire (adjective) – terrible,awful, distressing.
- hasty (adjective) – rash, reckless, impulsive.
- enfeebled (adjective) – weaken, debilitated, crippled, disabled.
- unleash (verb) – let loose, release, set free.
- scourge (noun) – plague, affliction,misfortune, suffering.
- roll back (phrasal verb) – reverse the progress of something.
- dilution (noun) – reduction in value/power/force of something.
- mounting (adjective) – increasing, growing, escalating.
- confer (verb) – grant, bestow, present/give.
- pristine (adjective) – pure, spotless, clean and fresh.
- diverse (adjective) – various, multiple, different.
- virtually (adverb) – effectively, nearly.
- bottle up (phrasal verb) – keep something contained; keep something trapped.
- keep out of one’s way (phrase) – avoid, do not block or get involved in someone’s route.
