Petroleum Alternatives
Definitions and Samples
1. constraint n. Something that restricts thought or action
The constraints of military life kept Eileen from seeing Private Morris
more than once a month.
Parts of speech constrain v
2. contamination n. Being made less clean by a germ or hazardous substance
The contamination in the river came from the factory located just
upstream.
Parts of speech contaminate v, contaminant n
3. deplete v. To greatly decrease the supply of a resource or material
The prolonged war depleted the country’s national treasury.
Parts of speech depletion n
4. dispose of v. To throw away; to get rid of; to kill
She disposed of her unwanted possessions before moving.
The tyrant cruelly disposed of all his enemies.
Usage tips Dispose of should be learned as a unit. In this meaning,
dispose does not occur without of.
Parts of speech disposal n, disposable adj
5. elementally adv. In terms of elements; basically
Elementally, coal and diamonds are the same.
Parts of speech element n, elemental adj
6. emission n. Sending out from a small space into the general environment;
a substance discharged into the air
The Environmental Protection Agency regulates the emission of
pollutants into the air.
Usage tips Emission is usually followed by an of phrase.
Parts of speech emit v
7. extinction n. Complete disappearance; the end of existence
Human beings have caused the extinction of many other species.
Usage tips Extinction implies an absolute end; an extinct thing
cannot be brought back into existence.
Parts of speech extinct adj
8. reservoir n. A place where a liquid is collected and stored
Cult members threatened to poison the town’s water reservoir.
Parts of speech reserve v
9. shrink v. To become reduced in size, amount, or value
If you dry your clothing on the “high heat” setting, they may shrink.
Parts of speech shrinkage n, shrinkable adj
10. stable adj. Firm and dependable; showing little change
He fell because the ladder wasn’t stable.
Parts of speech stability n, stably adv