What’s in the Social Dictionary?
It’s common for students to struggle with the meanings of terms used in Social Science, also known as Social Studies. To understand these terms, they often search for their definitions separately in a dictionary or on Google. However, this can disrupt their learning when they can’t find the meaning that has been reflected in the textbook due to the same words being used for different purposes in the sentences. Therefore, I have tried to provide you with easy access to Social Science terms that match their exact meanings. This will help you quickly clear any doubts you may have while reading the chapter.
A
Abdicate: to leave (resign) the position of authority or power.
For example: After losing his popularity, the monarch chose to abdicate from his throne.
Altitude: It refers to the height of something measured from sea level.
For example: Mount Everest has the highest altitude.
Annual: Something that happens once every year.
For example: Jerry’s father earn 1,45,000 Rs annually.
B
Barbarity: to become merciless or show cruelty
For example: The barbaric actions of Nazi party resulted in negative consequences.
Bombardment: The continuous or intense attack with bombs, artillery, or other projectiles.
C
Confine: to have a limited sphere of actions or work.
For example: The people of the Maasai community were confined to living in reserved areas situated in semi-arid regions.
Catastrophic: something that happens suddenly and causes immense harm or disaster.
Caricature: It portrays a real person in a cartoonish way, often exaggerating their features or mannerisms for humor or satire.
D
Decomposition: the process by which organic matter breaks down into simpler substances, often facilitated by the action of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi.
Disgrace: a feeling of shame, dishonor or embarrassment caused by someone’s actions or behavior
For example: After losing WWI, Germany had to face disgraceful consequences in the form of a harsh Treaty of Versailles.
Demarcate: To set clear boundaries or limits
Depression: a severe and prolonged economic downturn characterized by high unemployment, reduced production and consumption, falling prices, and widespread hardship. (In Economic terms)
Disruption: Something coming along and changing the way things usually work.
E
Effluents: These are waste or pollutants released into the environment, usually from industrial processes or sewage systems.
Encroachment: It means someone going onto or using someone else’s property without permission.
Estuary: Coastal area where river meets and mixes with ocean.
F
Fragment: refers to a small piece or part of something larger that has broken off or separated.
Floodplain: a flat or gently sloping area of land adjacent to a river, stream, or other water body that is susceptible to flooding during periods of high water flow or heavy rainfall.
G
Gross: The total amount of something before any deductions or adjustments are made.
H
Harbinger: It is like a messenger that announces something important is about to happen.
Havoc: widespread destruction or chaos.
I
Interim: a temporary or provisional period between two events or stages. It’s a temporary arrangement until a permanent solution or decision is made.
Investment: Using money to buy stocks, bonds, real estate, or other assets, with the goal of earning a return or profit over time.
J
Jurisdiction: The area where a certain group or person has control or authority.
K
Kinship: The system of social relationships based on familial ties, including blood relations, marriage, and adoption.
L
Lagoon: A shallow body of water separated from a larger body of water, such as the ocean, by a barrier like a reef or sandbar.
M
Masses: large groups of people or objects.
N
Nodal: It usually describes something related to a central point or a point where different things connect or intersect.
O
Orchard: A piece of land where fruit trees are grown for harvesting.
P
Petrochemical: It refers to chemicals derived from petroleum or natural gas, typically used in the production of various industrial and consumer products, including plastics, fertilizers, and pharmaceuticals.
Q
Quota: A fixed or limited amount or number of something, often imposed as a restriction or requirement.
R
Rastafarianism: It is a faith that started in Jamaica. It believes in Haile Selassie as God and promotes social change. Indian migrants in the Caribbean and elsewhere have found connections with Rastafarianism’s message of spiritual and cultural liberation, despite its Jamaican roots.
S
Significant: important or having a noticeable effect or influence.
T
Thermal: It relates to heat or temperature, often referring to the transfer or generation of heat energy.
U
Urbanization: The process where more and more people move from rural areas to cities, causing cities to grow larger and more crowded.
V
Venture: A risky or daring undertaking, especially one involving financial investment or entrepreneurship.
Veto: To reject or say no to a decision or proposal, often used by someone in authority to block or prevent it from being accepted or implemented.