LexiTopic: Geography & Geology
The LexiConnexxions analysis has identified 282 words related to geography and geology in the A-L portion of Spelling Bee lexicon, which comprises 63% of the entire lexicon.
The entire list is shown below, followed by the topical analysis with definitions. The definition of each word has been confirmed in Merriam-Webster online (abridged), the online dictionary well-known to Spelling Bee players.
Words marked with an asterisk have been used in at least one Bee puzzle, then subsequently disallowed; they are retained here for historical interest.
Please review "Important Information about this Resource" at the LexiTopics master page, in particular as to why words may appear more than once in the list.
The entire list is shown below, followed by the topical analysis with definitions. The definition of each word has been confirmed in Merriam-Webster online (abridged), the online dictionary well-known to Spelling Bee players.
Words marked with an asterisk have been used in at least one Bee puzzle, then subsequently disallowed; they are retained here for historical interest.
Please review "Important Information about this Resource" at the LexiTopics master page, in particular as to why words may appear more than once in the list.
WORDS RELATED TO GEOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY IN THE SPELLING BEE LEXICON
ACIDACTIVEADOBEAEONAFFLUENTAGATEAIRWAYALKALIALLOYALLOYEDALLOYING
ALLUVIALALPINEALUMANTARCTICANTIMONYAPRONAQUAARCTICARGONARROYOATOLLAVALANCHEBALDBANDBANKBANKBAYOUBEACHBEACHYBENCHBEZELBIGHTBILLOWBILLOWINGBLUFFBOMBBONANZABORONBOTTOMBOWLBRANCHBRILLIANTBROOKBUBBLEBUBBLEDBUBBLINGBURBLINGBUTTECALCIFYCALCITECALVECAMEOCANALCANONCANYONCAPECARATCATARACTCATCHMENTCAVECAVEDCHALKCHANNELCHANNELEDCHARTCHIMNEYCHIMNEYCHOPPYCINNABARCLAYCLAYEY
CLIFFCLODCOALCOBALTCOBBLECOLLETCONCHCONECONFLUENCECONTINENTCONTOURCOULEECOULEECOVECOVECRAGCRAGGYCRICKCUTOFFDEBACLEDEFILEDELLDEPTHDIAMONDDIAMONDDIKEDIRTDIRTYDITCHDITCHEDDIVIDEDOMEDOMEDORMANTDOWNDRAWDRIFTDRIFTDRIFTDRIFTDROPDROPPINGDRUMDRUMDUFFDUNEEBBEDEBBINGEDDIEDEDDYEDDYINGEFFLUENCEEFFLUENTEJECTAEMBEDEMBEDDEDEMINENCEEPOCHEXCAVATEEXCAVATEDEXTINCTFACETFALLFAMILYFAULTFAULTEDFIELDFILLFILLFILLABLEFILLABLE
FILLEDFILLEDFIRTHFLANKFLATFLINTFLINTYFLOEFLOWFLOWFLOWFLOWEDFLOWEDFLOWINGFLOWINGFOAMFOILFOLDFOLDEDFOLDINGFONTFOOTWALLFOOTWALLFORDFORKFOUNTGALENA* GEMMED*GEMOLOGYGEODEGEOIDGEOLOGYGEOTAGGILTGLACIALGLACIALGLENGLIDEGLOBALGOLDGRITGRITGROINGROTTOGROUNDGROUNDGROUPGULFGULFGULLYGULLYGURGLINGHABITHALOGENHARDPANHEADHEADLANDHEAVEHEAVYHEIGHTHEMATITEHIGHHIGHHIGHLANDHILLHILLYHOLEHOLEHOLLOWHOMOLOGYHOODOO
HORNHORNHORNYHUMPHYACINTHHYDROLOGYICEFALLICEFALLINCLINEINCLININGINDIUM* INGOTINLANDINLETIODINEIODIZEIODIZEDIODIZINGIRONJADEJADEJOINTJUVENILEKARATKETTLEKILLKNOBKNOLLKRYPTONLAGOONLAKELAKEBEDLANDLANDLANDFILLLAPIDARYLATITUDINALLAVALAVALEACHLEACHEDLEADENLEANLEANLYLEDGELEDGELEDGELEDGELEGENDLEVELLEVELLICKLIFTLIGHTLIMBLINELINELITTORALLOAMLOAMYLOCATELOCATORLOCKLOCKEDLODELOUPELOWLANDLUNETTE
THE COMPLETE TOPICAL ANALYSIS, WITH DEFINITIONS
GEOLOGY: a science that deals with the history of the earth and its life especially as recorded in rocks
Elements
ARGON: a colorless odorless inert gaseous element found in the air and in volcanic gases and used especially in welding, lasers, and electric bulbsBORON: a metalloid chemical elementCOBALT: a magnetic metallic element that is used especially in alloys, in batteries, and as a pigment in paint and glassHALOGEN: any of the five elements fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine that form part of group VIIA of the periodic table and exist in the free state normally as diatomic moleculesINDIUM* : a silvery malleable fusible chiefly trivalent metallic element that occurs especially in sphalerite ores and is used especially as a plating material, in alloys, and in electronicsIODINE: a nonmetallic halogen element that is an essential nutrient in the human diet and is used especially in medicine, photography, and analytical chemistryIODIZE: to treat with iodine or an iodide (e.g., iodized salt)IODIZED: treated with iodine or an iodide (e.g., iodized salt)IODIZING: to treat with iodine or an iodide (e.g., iodized salt)KRYPTON: a colorless relatively inert gaseous element found in air in trace amounts and used especially in electric lamps
Gemstones, Lapidary, and Jewel Craft
BEZEL: the oblique side or face of a cut gem, or in jewelry, a usually metal rim of a piece of jewelry in which an ornament (such as a gem) is setBRILLIANT: a gem (such as a diamond) cut in a particular form with numerous facets so as to have special brightness or brillianceCAMEO: a gem carved in relief, esp.a small piece of sculpture on a stone or shell cut in relief in one layer with another contrasting layer serving as background, or a small medallion with a profiled head in reliefCARAT: M-W: variant spelling of karat, a unit of fineness for gold equal to ¹/₂₄ part of pure gold in an alloy; also, a unit of weight for precious stones equal to 200 milligramsCOLLET: a circle or flange in which a gem is setCONCH: any of various large spiral-shelled marine gastropod mollusks; also: its shell used especially for cameosDIAMOND: a native crystalline carbon that is the hardest known mineral, that is usually nearly colorless, that when transparent and free from flaws is highly valued as a precious stone, and that is used industrially especially as an abrasiveFACET: a small plane surface (as on a cut gem)FILL: to cover the surface of with a layer of precious metal (a gold-filled bracelet)FILLABLE: to cover the surface of with a layer of precious metal (a gold-filled bracelet)FILLED: to cover the surface of with a layer of precious metal (a gold-filled bracelet)FOIL: a thin piece of material (such as metal) put under an inferior or paste stone to add color or brillianceGEMMED*: to adorn with or as if with gemsGEMOLOGY: the science of gemsHYACINTH: a gem zircon or hessonite (hessonite is the yellow-orange to reddish orange variety of grossular garnet); also, a precious stone of the ancients sometimes held to be the sapphireJADE: either of two tough compact typically green gemstones that take a high polish: jadeite or nephriteKARAT: or carat: a unit of fineness for gold equal to ¹/₂₄ part of pure gold in an alloy [cf. definition at carat]LAPIDARY: a cutter, polisher, or engraver of precious stones usually other than diamonds; also, the art of cutting gems; also, of, relating to, or suggestive of precious stones or the art of cutting themLOUPE: a small magnifier used especially by jewelers and watchmakers
Geologic Time
AEON: M-W: chiefly British spelling of EON: a very large division of geologic time usually longer than an era; a unit of geologic time equal to one billion yearsEPOCH: a division of geologic time less than a period and greater than an ageGLACIAL: of, relating to, or being any of those parts of geologic time from Precambrian onward when a much larger portion of the earth was covered by glaciers than at present; Pleistocene
Glaciers
CALVE: of an ice mass: to separate or break so that a part becomes detachedDRIFT: a deposit of clay, sand, gravel, and boulders transported by a glacier or by running water from a glacierDRUM: short for drumlin, an elongate or oval hill of glacial driftGLACIAL: of, relating to, or produced by glaciersICEFALL: the mass of usually jagged blocks into which a glacier may break when it moves down a steep declivity
Landforms
BALD: a bare mountaintopBANK: the rising ground forming the edge of a cut or hollow, or a steep slope (as of a hill)BLUFF: adj.: rising steeply with a broad flat or rounded front; also (noun) a high steep bank: cliffBOWL: a natural formation or geographical region shaped like a bowlBUTTE: an isolated hill or mountain with steep or precipitous sides usually having a smaller summit area than a mesaCANON: cañon: a deep narrow valley with steep sides and often with a stream flowing through itCANYON: cañon: a deep narrow valley with steep sides and often with a stream flowing through itCAVE: a natural chamber or series of chambers in the earth or in the side of a hill or cliffCAVED: to form a cave in or underCHIMNEY: a narrow cleft or passage in rockCHOPPY: interrupted by ups and downs (choppy terrain, a choppy career)CLIFF: a very steep, vertical, or overhanging face of rock, earth, or ice: precipiceCONTINENT: one of the six or seven great divisions of land on the globeCONTOUR: (adj) following contour lines or forming furrows or ridges along them (contour flooding, contour farming)COVE: a deep recess or small valley in the side of a mountain or a level area sheltered by hills or mountainsCRAG: a steep rugged rock or cliffCRAGGY: a steep rugged rock or cliffDEFILE: a narrow passage (as between hills, rocks, or cliffs)DELL: a secluded hollow or small valley usually covered with trees or turfDEPTH: an abyss: an immeasurably deep gulf or great spaceDIKE: a tabular body of igneous rock that has been injected while molten into a fissureDIVIDE: a dividing ridge between drainage areasDOME: a form of crystal composed of planes parallel to a lateral axis that meet above in a horizontal edge like a roofDOME: an upward fold in rock whose sides dip uniformly in all directionsDOWN: an undulating usually treeless upland with sparse soil —used in pluralDRAW: a gully shallower than a ravineDROP: to descend from one line or level to another (the land drops to sea level)DROPPING: to descend from one line or level to another (the land drops to sea level)DRUM: short for drumlin, an elongate or oval hill of glacial driftEMINENCE: a natural elevationFIELD: an open land area free of woods and buildingsFLANK: the side of a hill or mountainFLAT: a stretch of land without obstacles, or a level surface of land —used in plural (tidal flats)FOLD: to bend (something, such as a layer of rock) into folds, or a bend or flexure produced in rock by forces operative after the depositing or consolidation of the rockFOLDED: to bend (something, such as a layer of rock) into foldsFOLDING: to bend (something, such as a layer of rock) into foldsGEOID: the surface within or around the earth that is everywhere normal to the direction of gravity and coincides with mean sea level in the oceansGLEN: a secluded narrow valleyGROTTO: a caveGROUND: the surface of a planet (such as the earth or Mars), especially: the surface of the earth or a particular part of it sometimes as contrasted with the air or seaGULF: a deep chasm: abyssGULLY: a small valley or gulchHEADLAND: a point of usually high land jutting out into a body of water: a promontoryHIGH: an elevated place or region: such as a hill, knoll; a highlandHIGHLAND: elevated or mountainous landHILL: a usually rounded natural elevation of land lower than a mountainHILLY: abounding in hillsHOLE: a cave, pit, or well in the groundHOLLOW: a depressed or low part of a surface especially: a small valley or basinHOODOO: a natural column of rock in western North America often in fantastic formHORN: a sharp mountain peak; a body of land shaped like a hornHUMP: a mound or hummock; a mountain or rangeINCLINE: an inclined plane: grade, slopeINCLINING: an inclined plane: grade, slopeINLAND: the interior part of a country; of or relating to the interior of a countryKETTLE: a pothole, a sizable rounded often water-filled depression in land; also, a steep-sided hollow without surface drainage especially in a deposit of glacial driftKNOB: a rounded usually isolated hill or mountainKNOLL: a small round hill: a moundLAND: the solid part of the surface of the earth; also: a corresponding part of a celestial body (such as the moon); also, the surface of the earth and all its natural resourcesLEDGE: a narrow flat surface or shelf, especially: one that projects from a wall of rockLEVEL: a practically horizontal surface or area (as of land) (the level of the plateau); the plane of the horizon or a line in it; parallel with the plane of the horizon: horizontal; having no part higher than another: conforming to the curvature of the liquid parts of the earth's surfaceLOWLAND: low or level country; of or relating to a lowland
Maps, Boundaries, Charts, and Data
ALPINE: often not capitalized: of, relating to, or resembling the Alps or any mountainsANTARCTIC: M-W “often capitalized” of or relating to the south pole or to the region near itARCTIC: M-W often capitalized: of, relating to, or suitable for use at the north pole or the region near itCHART: a map, especially one used for navigationGEOTAG: location information (such as GPS coordinates) added to a digital file or imageGLOBAL: of, relating to, or involving the entire world: worldwideHEIGHT: the extent of elevation above a level (e.g., feet above sea level)HIGH: relatively far from the equator (e.g., high latitude)HOMOLOGY: a branch of the theory of topology concerned with partitioning space into geometric components (such as points, lines, and triangles) and with the study of the number and interrelationships of these components especially by the use of group theoryJUVENILE: derived from sources within the earth and coming to the surface for the first time, used especially of water and gasLATITUDINAL: of or relating to latitude: angular distance from some specified circle or plane of reference: such as the angular distance north or south from the earth's equator measured through 90 degrees, or a region or locality as marked by its latitudeLEGEND: an explanatory list of the symbols on a map or chartLINE: a boundary of an area (the state line)LINE: a circle of latitude or longitude on a map; also, the equator; also, a mark (as on a map) recording a boundary, division, or contourLOCATE: to determine or indicate the place, site, or limits of (locate the lines of the property)LOCATOR: one that locates something (such as a mining claim or the course of a road)
Metals
ALKALI: an alkali metal, any of the monovalent mostly basic metals of group I of the periodic table comprising lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, and franciumALLOY: to reduce the purity of by mixing with a less valuable metal; also, the degree of mixture with base metals: fineness; also, also, a substance composed of two or more metals or of a metal and a nonmetal intimately united usually by being fused together and dissolving in each other when molten; also: the state of union of the componentsALLOYED: to reduce the purity of by mixing with a less valuable metal; also, the degree of mixture with base metals: fineness; also, also, a substance composed of two or more metals or of a metal and a nonmetal intimately united usually by being fused together and dissolving in each other when molten; also: the state of union of the componentsALLOYING: to reduce the purity of by mixing with a less valuable metal; also, the degree of mixture with base metals: fineness; also, also, a substance composed of two or more metals or of a metal and a nonmetal intimately united usually by being fused together and dissolving in each other when molten; also: the state of union of the componentsALUM: aluminum, a silver-white metallic chemical element with atomic number 13 that has good electrical and thermal conductivity, high reflectivity, and resistance to oxidationGILT: gold or something that resembles gold laid on a surfaceGOLD: a yellow metallic element that occurs naturally in pure form and is used especially in coins, jewelry, and electronicsINGOT: a mass of metal cast into a convenient shape for storage or transportation to be later processed; also, a mold in which metal is castIRON: a silver-white malleable ductile magnetic heavy metallic element …; of, relating to, or made of iron; resembling ironLEADEN: made of lead
Minerals
AGATE: a fine-grained variegated chalcedony having its colors arranged in stripes, blended in clouds, or showing mosslike formsANTIMONY: a mineral that consists of the trisulfide of antimony and occurs in orthorhombic lead-gray crystals of metallic luster or in massive form; stibniteCALCIFY: to make or become calcareous by deposit of calcium saltsCALCITE: a mineral CaCO3 consisting of calcium carbonate crystallized in hexagonal form and including common limestone, chalk, and marbleCINNABAR: a red mineral consisting of native mercuric sulfide HgS that is the only important ore of mercuryDIAMOND: a native crystalline carbon that is the hardest known mineral, that is usually nearly colorless, that when transparent and free from flaws is highly valued as a precious stone, and that is used industrially especially as an abrasiveFLINT: a massive hard dark quartz [mineral] that produces a spark when struck by steel; or, a piece of flintFLINTY: resembling flint in hardnessGALENA* : a bluish-gray cubic mineral with metallic luster consisting of lead sulfide and constituting the principal ore of leadHABIT: of a crystal: characteristic assemblage of forms at crystallization leading to a usual appearance: shapeHEMATITE: a reddish-brown to black mineral consisting of ferric oxide, constituting an important iron ore, and occurring in crystals or as earthy red ocherHORNY: of a mineral: compact and homogeneous with a dull lusterJADE: either of two tough compact typically green gemstones that take a high polish: jadeite or nephriteLICK: a natural salt deposit (such as a salt spring) that animals lick
Mining
AIRWAY: a passage for a current of air (as in a mine or to the lungs)BONANZA: in mining: an exceptionally large and rich mineral deposit (as of an ore, precious metal, or petroleum)DRIFT: a nearly horizontal mine passageway driven on or parallel to the course of a vein or rock stratum, or a small crosscut in a mine connecting two larger tunnelsDUFF: fine coal; slack, that is, the finest screenings of coal produced at a mine unusable as fuel unless cleanedEXCAVATE: EXCAVATED: FOOTWALL: the lower underlying wall of a vein, ore deposit, or coal seam in a mineLEAN: of ore: containing little valuable mineralLEANLY: of ore: containing little valuable mineralLEDGE: a lode (ore deposit) or vein (a bed of useful mineral matter)LEVEL: a horizontal passage in a mine intended for regular working and transportationLIFT: a set of pumps used in a mineLODE: an ore deposit
Rocks and Stones
ACID: rich in silica (e.g., acid rocks)BAND: a strip (as of living tissue or rock) differentiable (as by color, texture, or structure) from the adjacent material or areaCHALK: a soft white, gray, or buff limestone [rock] composed chiefly of the shells of foraminifersCOBBLE: a cobblestone: a naturally rounded stone larger than a pebble and smaller than a boulderEMBED: to enclose closely in or as if in a matrix (fossils embedded in stone)EMBEDDED: to enclose closely in or as if in a matrix (fossils embedded in stone)FLOW: to deform under stress without cracking or rupturing —used especially of minerals and rocksFLOWED: to deform under stress without cracking or rupturing —used especially of minerals and rocksFLOWING: to deform under stress without cracking or rupturing —used especially of minerals and rocksGEODE: a nodule of stone having a cavity lined with crystals or mineral matter, or the cavity in a geodeGRIT: any of several sandstonesGROUP: a bed or layer of rocks deposited during an eraJOINT: a fracture or crack in rock not accompanied by dislocationLAVA: molten rock that issues from a volcano or from a fissure in the surface of a planet (such as earth) or moon; also: such rock that has cooled and hardenedLEDGE: rock that is solid or continuous enough to form ledges: bedrock (the field was full of ledge)
Soils, Earths, and Deposits
ADOBE: a heavy clay used in making adobe bricks; broadly: alluvial or playa clay in desert or arid regions ALLUVIAL: relating to, composed of, or found in alluvium (clay, silt, sand, gravel, or similar detrital material deposited by running water); also, an alluvial depositAPRON: an extensive fan-shaped deposit of detritusCLAY: an earthy material that is plastic when moist but hard when fired, that is composed mainly of fine particles of hydrous aluminum silicates and other minerals, and that is used for brick, tile, and pottery; specifically: soil composed chiefly of this material having particles less than a specified size; also, earth or mudCLAYEY: an earthy material that is plastic when moist but hard when fired, that is composed mainly of fine particles of hydrous aluminum silicates and other minerals, and that is used for brick, tile, and pottery; specifically: soil composed chiefly of this material having particles less than a specified size; also, earth or mudCLOD: a lump or mass especially of earth or clayCOAL: a black or brownish-black solid combustible substance [sedimentary deposit] formed by the partial decomposition of vegetable matter without free access of air and under the influence of moisture and often increased pressure and temperature that is widely used as a natural fuelDIRT: loose or packed soil or sand: earthDIRTY: loose or packed soil or sand: earthDRIFT: a mass of matter (such as sand) deposited together by or as if by wind or water; rock debris deposited by natural agentsDUNE: a hill or ridge of sand piled up by the windFAMILY: a group of soils with similar chemical and physical properties (such as texture, pH, and mineral content) that comprise a category ranking above the series and below the subgroup in soil classificationGRIT: sand or gravel; also: material (as many abrasives) composed of such granulesGROUND: soil or earthHARDPAN: a cemented or compacted and often clayey layer in soil that is impenetrable by rootsHEAVY: of soil: full of clay and inclined to hold waterLAND: ground or soil of a specified situation, nature, or quality (dry land)LANDFILL: an area built up by landfillLEACH: to remove (nutritive or harmful elements) from soil by percolation (soil leached of its salts by torrential rains); to pass out or through by percolation (Nutrients leached out of the soil with rainwater.)LEACHED: to remove (nutritive or harmful elements) from soil by percolation (soil leached of its salts by torrential rains); to pass out or through by percolation (Nutrients leached out of the soil with rainwater.)LIGHT: coarse and sandy or easily pulverized (light soil)LOAM: soil; specifically, a soil consisting of a friable mixture of varying proportions of clay, silt, and sandLOAMY: soil; specifically, a soil consisting of a friable mixture of varying proportions of clay, silt, and sandLUNETTE: a low crescentic mound (as of sand) formed by the wind
Tectonics and Land Movement
ACTIVE: of a volcano: currently erupting or likely to eruptAVALANCHE: a large mass of snow, ice, earth, rock, or other material in swift motion down a mountainside or over a precipiceBOMB: a rounded mass of lava exploded from a volcanoCONE: the apex of a volcanoCOULEE: a thick sheet or stream of lavaDORMANT: of a volcano: temporarily devoid of external activityEJECTA: material thrown out (as from a volcano)EXTINCT: of a volcano: no longer burning; no longer activeFAULT: a fracture in the crust of a planet (such as the earth) or moon accompanied by a displacement of one side of the fracture with respect to the other usually in a direction parallel to the fracture; also, to produce a geologic fault in; to fracture so as to produce a geologic faultFAULTED: a fracture in the crust of a planet (such as the earth) or moon accompanied by a displacement of one side of the fracture with respect to the other usually in a direction parallel to the fracture; also, to produce a geologic fault in; to fracture so as to produce a geologic faultFLOW: a mass of material which has flowed when molten (an old lava flow)FOOTWALL: the lower wall of an inclined faultHEAVE: geology: horizontal displacement especially by the faulting of a rockLAVA: molten rock that issues from a volcano or from a fissure in the surface of a planet (such as earth) or moon; also: such rock that has cooled and hardened
Waters, Shores, and Waterways
AFFLUENT: a tributary streamAQUA: waterARROYO: a watercourse (such as a creek) in an arid region; a water-carved gully or channelATOLL: a coral island consisting of a reef surrounding a lagoonBANK: the rising ground bordering a lake, river, or sea; also, a large area of elevated sea floor; an undersea elevation rising especially from the continental shelfBAYOU: a creek, secondary watercourse, or minor river that is tributary to another body of water, or any of various usually marshy or sluggish bodies of waterBEACH: shore pebbles: shingle; a shore of a body of water covered by sand, gravel, or larger rock fragments; a seashore areaBEACHY: covered with pebbles or shingle; or characterized by beachesBENCH: a former wave-cut shore of a sea or lake or floodplain of a riverBIGHT: a bend in a coast forming an open bay; a bay formed by such a bendBILLOW: a wave; a great wave or surge of waterBILLOWING: a wave; a great wave or surge of waterBOTTOM: the surface on which a body of water lies (the bottom of the ocean); also, bottomland, the low-lying land along a watercourseBRANCH: a stream that flows into another usually larger streamBROOK: a creekBUBBLE: to flow with a gurgling soundBUBBLED: to flow with a gurgling soundBUBBLING: to flow with a gurgling soundBURBLING: to make a bubbling soundCANAL: channel, watercourse, or an artificial waterway for navigation or for draining or irrigating landCAPE: a point or extension of land jutting out into water as a peninsula or as a projecting pointCATARACT: a waterfall, esp. a large one over a precipice; or steep rapids in a river; or a downpour or floodCATCHMENT: something that catches water, or a geographical area over which water flows and is caught in rivers, etc. CHANNEL: the bed where a natural stream of water runs, or the deeper part of a river, harbor, or strait, or a strait or narrow sea between two close landmassesCHANNELED: to form, cut, or wear a channel in (“The river channeled a new course”)CHIMNEY: a tall column of rock on the ocean floor that is formed by the precipitation of minerals from superheated water issuing from a hydrothermal vent and rising through the column of rockCONFLUENCE: the flowing together of two or more streams; or the place of meeting of two streams; or the stream or body formed by the junction of two or more streams: a combined floodCOULEE: a small stream; a dry streambed; a usually small or shallow ravine; gullyCOVE: a small sheltered inlet or bayCRICK: a creek (dialectical)CUTOFF: the new and relatively short channel formed when a stream cuts through the neck of an oxbow; or a channel made to straighten a streamDEBACLE: a tumultuous breakup of ice in a riverDITCH: a long narrow excavation dug in the earth (as for drainage); or to dig a ditchDITCHED: a long narrow excavation dug in the earth (as for drainage); or to dig a ditchDRIFT: the flow or the velocity of the current of a river or ocean streamEBBED: to recede from the flood; the reflux of the tide toward the seaEBBING: to recede from the flood; the reflux of the tide toward the seaEDDIED: EDDY: EDDYING: EFFLUENCE: an outflowing branch of a main stream or lakeEFFLUENT: an outflowing branch of a main stream or lakeFALL: a precipitous descent of water: waterfall —Used in plural but singular or plural in constructionFILL: to cause to swell or billow (wind filled the sails)FILLABLE: to cause to swell or billow (wind filled the sails)FILLED: to cause to swell or billow (wind filled the sails)FIRTH: an estuary, a water passage where the tide meets a river current; especially: an arm of the sea at the lower end of a riverFLOE: floating ice formed in a large sheet on the surface of a body of water; or an ice floe, a usually large flat free mass of floating sea iceFLOW: a stream, river, or brook; also, to issue or move in a stream (rivers flow into the sea)FLOWED: a stream, river, or brook; also, to issue or move in a stream (rivers flow into the sea)FLOWING: a stream, river, or brook; also, to issue or move in a stream (rivers flow into the sea)FOAM: (poetic) the seaFONT: a fountain or source: a spring of water issuing from the earth; or a reservoir containing a liquid that can be drawn off as needed FORD: a shallow part of a body of water that may be crossed by wading; also, to cross (a body of water) by wadingFORK: a division into branches or the place where something divides into branches; a confluenceFOUNT: a fountain or source: a spring of water issuing from the earth; or a reservoir containing a liquid that can be drawn off as needed GLIDE: a calm stretch of shallow water flowing smoothlyGROIN: a rigid structure built out from a shore to protect the shore from erosion, to trap sand, or to direct a current for scouring a channelGULF: a part of an ocean or sea extending into the land; also, a whirlpoolGULLY: a trench which was originally worn in the earth by running water and through which water often runs after rainsGURGLING: to flow in a broken irregular currentHEAD: the source of a stream or riverHOLE: an unusually a position of owing or losing money (in the hole)deep place in a body of water (such as a river)HORN: a body of water shaped like a hornHYDROLOGY: a science dealing with the properties, distribution, and circulation of water on and below the earth's surface and in the atmosphereICEFALL: a frozen waterfallINLET: a bay or recess in the shore of a sea, lake, or river; also, a narrow water passage between peninsulas or through a barrier island leading to a bay or lagoon; also, a creekKILL: often capitalized: a channel or creek, used chiefly in place names in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New YorkLAGOON: a shallow sound, channel, or pond near or communicating with a larger body of waterLAKE: a considerable inland body of standing waterLAKEBED: the lake basin: the depression occupied by a lake, or the area from which drainage reaches a lakeLEDGE: an underwater ridge or reef especially near the shoreLIMB: extension, branch (a limb of the sea)LITTORAL: of, relating to, or situated or growing on or near a shore especially of the sea; a coastal region, especially: the shore zone between high tide and low tide pointLOCK: an enclosure (as in a canal) with gates at each end used in raising or lowering boats as they pass from level to level; also, to move or permit to pass (something, such as a ship) by raising or lowering in a lock; to go or pass by means of a lock (as in a canal)LOCKED: an enclosure (as in a canal) with gates at each end used in raising or lowering boats as they pass from level to level; also, to move or permit to pass (something, such as a ship) by raising or lowering in a lock; to go or pass by means of a lock (as in a canal)
GEOLOGY: a science that deals with the history of the earth and its life especially as recorded in rocks
Elements
ARGON: a colorless odorless inert gaseous element found in the air and in volcanic gases and used especially in welding, lasers, and electric bulbsBORON: a metalloid chemical elementCOBALT: a magnetic metallic element that is used especially in alloys, in batteries, and as a pigment in paint and glassHALOGEN: any of the five elements fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine that form part of group VIIA of the periodic table and exist in the free state normally as diatomic moleculesINDIUM* : a silvery malleable fusible chiefly trivalent metallic element that occurs especially in sphalerite ores and is used especially as a plating material, in alloys, and in electronicsIODINE: a nonmetallic halogen element that is an essential nutrient in the human diet and is used especially in medicine, photography, and analytical chemistryIODIZE: to treat with iodine or an iodide (e.g., iodized salt)IODIZED: treated with iodine or an iodide (e.g., iodized salt)IODIZING: to treat with iodine or an iodide (e.g., iodized salt)KRYPTON: a colorless relatively inert gaseous element found in air in trace amounts and used especially in electric lamps
Gemstones, Lapidary, and Jewel Craft
BEZEL: the oblique side or face of a cut gem, or in jewelry, a usually metal rim of a piece of jewelry in which an ornament (such as a gem) is setBRILLIANT: a gem (such as a diamond) cut in a particular form with numerous facets so as to have special brightness or brillianceCAMEO: a gem carved in relief, esp.a small piece of sculpture on a stone or shell cut in relief in one layer with another contrasting layer serving as background, or a small medallion with a profiled head in reliefCARAT: M-W: variant spelling of karat, a unit of fineness for gold equal to ¹/₂₄ part of pure gold in an alloy; also, a unit of weight for precious stones equal to 200 milligramsCOLLET: a circle or flange in which a gem is setCONCH: any of various large spiral-shelled marine gastropod mollusks; also: its shell used especially for cameosDIAMOND: a native crystalline carbon that is the hardest known mineral, that is usually nearly colorless, that when transparent and free from flaws is highly valued as a precious stone, and that is used industrially especially as an abrasiveFACET: a small plane surface (as on a cut gem)FILL: to cover the surface of with a layer of precious metal (a gold-filled bracelet)FILLABLE: to cover the surface of with a layer of precious metal (a gold-filled bracelet)FILLED: to cover the surface of with a layer of precious metal (a gold-filled bracelet)FOIL: a thin piece of material (such as metal) put under an inferior or paste stone to add color or brillianceGEMMED*: to adorn with or as if with gemsGEMOLOGY: the science of gemsHYACINTH: a gem zircon or hessonite (hessonite is the yellow-orange to reddish orange variety of grossular garnet); also, a precious stone of the ancients sometimes held to be the sapphireJADE: either of two tough compact typically green gemstones that take a high polish: jadeite or nephriteKARAT: or carat: a unit of fineness for gold equal to ¹/₂₄ part of pure gold in an alloy [cf. definition at carat]LAPIDARY: a cutter, polisher, or engraver of precious stones usually other than diamonds; also, the art of cutting gems; also, of, relating to, or suggestive of precious stones or the art of cutting themLOUPE: a small magnifier used especially by jewelers and watchmakers
Geologic Time
AEON: M-W: chiefly British spelling of EON: a very large division of geologic time usually longer than an era; a unit of geologic time equal to one billion yearsEPOCH: a division of geologic time less than a period and greater than an ageGLACIAL: of, relating to, or being any of those parts of geologic time from Precambrian onward when a much larger portion of the earth was covered by glaciers than at present; Pleistocene
Glaciers
CALVE: of an ice mass: to separate or break so that a part becomes detachedDRIFT: a deposit of clay, sand, gravel, and boulders transported by a glacier or by running water from a glacierDRUM: short for drumlin, an elongate or oval hill of glacial driftGLACIAL: of, relating to, or produced by glaciersICEFALL: the mass of usually jagged blocks into which a glacier may break when it moves down a steep declivity
Landforms
BALD: a bare mountaintopBANK: the rising ground forming the edge of a cut or hollow, or a steep slope (as of a hill)BLUFF: adj.: rising steeply with a broad flat or rounded front; also (noun) a high steep bank: cliffBOWL: a natural formation or geographical region shaped like a bowlBUTTE: an isolated hill or mountain with steep or precipitous sides usually having a smaller summit area than a mesaCANON: cañon: a deep narrow valley with steep sides and often with a stream flowing through itCANYON: cañon: a deep narrow valley with steep sides and often with a stream flowing through itCAVE: a natural chamber or series of chambers in the earth or in the side of a hill or cliffCAVED: to form a cave in or underCHIMNEY: a narrow cleft or passage in rockCHOPPY: interrupted by ups and downs (choppy terrain, a choppy career)CLIFF: a very steep, vertical, or overhanging face of rock, earth, or ice: precipiceCONTINENT: one of the six or seven great divisions of land on the globeCONTOUR: (adj) following contour lines or forming furrows or ridges along them (contour flooding, contour farming)COVE: a deep recess or small valley in the side of a mountain or a level area sheltered by hills or mountainsCRAG: a steep rugged rock or cliffCRAGGY: a steep rugged rock or cliffDEFILE: a narrow passage (as between hills, rocks, or cliffs)DELL: a secluded hollow or small valley usually covered with trees or turfDEPTH: an abyss: an immeasurably deep gulf or great spaceDIKE: a tabular body of igneous rock that has been injected while molten into a fissureDIVIDE: a dividing ridge between drainage areasDOME: a form of crystal composed of planes parallel to a lateral axis that meet above in a horizontal edge like a roofDOME: an upward fold in rock whose sides dip uniformly in all directionsDOWN: an undulating usually treeless upland with sparse soil —used in pluralDRAW: a gully shallower than a ravineDROP: to descend from one line or level to another (the land drops to sea level)DROPPING: to descend from one line or level to another (the land drops to sea level)DRUM: short for drumlin, an elongate or oval hill of glacial driftEMINENCE: a natural elevationFIELD: an open land area free of woods and buildingsFLANK: the side of a hill or mountainFLAT: a stretch of land without obstacles, or a level surface of land —used in plural (tidal flats)FOLD: to bend (something, such as a layer of rock) into folds, or a bend or flexure produced in rock by forces operative after the depositing or consolidation of the rockFOLDED: to bend (something, such as a layer of rock) into foldsFOLDING: to bend (something, such as a layer of rock) into foldsGEOID: the surface within or around the earth that is everywhere normal to the direction of gravity and coincides with mean sea level in the oceansGLEN: a secluded narrow valleyGROTTO: a caveGROUND: the surface of a planet (such as the earth or Mars), especially: the surface of the earth or a particular part of it sometimes as contrasted with the air or seaGULF: a deep chasm: abyssGULLY: a small valley or gulchHEADLAND: a point of usually high land jutting out into a body of water: a promontoryHIGH: an elevated place or region: such as a hill, knoll; a highlandHIGHLAND: elevated or mountainous landHILL: a usually rounded natural elevation of land lower than a mountainHILLY: abounding in hillsHOLE: a cave, pit, or well in the groundHOLLOW: a depressed or low part of a surface especially: a small valley or basinHOODOO: a natural column of rock in western North America often in fantastic formHORN: a sharp mountain peak; a body of land shaped like a hornHUMP: a mound or hummock; a mountain or rangeINCLINE: an inclined plane: grade, slopeINCLINING: an inclined plane: grade, slopeINLAND: the interior part of a country; of or relating to the interior of a countryKETTLE: a pothole, a sizable rounded often water-filled depression in land; also, a steep-sided hollow without surface drainage especially in a deposit of glacial driftKNOB: a rounded usually isolated hill or mountainKNOLL: a small round hill: a moundLAND: the solid part of the surface of the earth; also: a corresponding part of a celestial body (such as the moon); also, the surface of the earth and all its natural resourcesLEDGE: a narrow flat surface or shelf, especially: one that projects from a wall of rockLEVEL: a practically horizontal surface or area (as of land) (the level of the plateau); the plane of the horizon or a line in it; parallel with the plane of the horizon: horizontal; having no part higher than another: conforming to the curvature of the liquid parts of the earth's surfaceLOWLAND: low or level country; of or relating to a lowland
Maps, Boundaries, Charts, and Data
ALPINE: often not capitalized: of, relating to, or resembling the Alps or any mountainsANTARCTIC: M-W “often capitalized” of or relating to the south pole or to the region near itARCTIC: M-W often capitalized: of, relating to, or suitable for use at the north pole or the region near itCHART: a map, especially one used for navigationGEOTAG: location information (such as GPS coordinates) added to a digital file or imageGLOBAL: of, relating to, or involving the entire world: worldwideHEIGHT: the extent of elevation above a level (e.g., feet above sea level)HIGH: relatively far from the equator (e.g., high latitude)HOMOLOGY: a branch of the theory of topology concerned with partitioning space into geometric components (such as points, lines, and triangles) and with the study of the number and interrelationships of these components especially by the use of group theoryJUVENILE: derived from sources within the earth and coming to the surface for the first time, used especially of water and gasLATITUDINAL: of or relating to latitude: angular distance from some specified circle or plane of reference: such as the angular distance north or south from the earth's equator measured through 90 degrees, or a region or locality as marked by its latitudeLEGEND: an explanatory list of the symbols on a map or chartLINE: a boundary of an area (the state line)LINE: a circle of latitude or longitude on a map; also, the equator; also, a mark (as on a map) recording a boundary, division, or contourLOCATE: to determine or indicate the place, site, or limits of (locate the lines of the property)LOCATOR: one that locates something (such as a mining claim or the course of a road)
Metals
ALKALI: an alkali metal, any of the monovalent mostly basic metals of group I of the periodic table comprising lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, and franciumALLOY: to reduce the purity of by mixing with a less valuable metal; also, the degree of mixture with base metals: fineness; also, also, a substance composed of two or more metals or of a metal and a nonmetal intimately united usually by being fused together and dissolving in each other when molten; also: the state of union of the componentsALLOYED: to reduce the purity of by mixing with a less valuable metal; also, the degree of mixture with base metals: fineness; also, also, a substance composed of two or more metals or of a metal and a nonmetal intimately united usually by being fused together and dissolving in each other when molten; also: the state of union of the componentsALLOYING: to reduce the purity of by mixing with a less valuable metal; also, the degree of mixture with base metals: fineness; also, also, a substance composed of two or more metals or of a metal and a nonmetal intimately united usually by being fused together and dissolving in each other when molten; also: the state of union of the componentsALUM: aluminum, a silver-white metallic chemical element with atomic number 13 that has good electrical and thermal conductivity, high reflectivity, and resistance to oxidationGILT: gold or something that resembles gold laid on a surfaceGOLD: a yellow metallic element that occurs naturally in pure form and is used especially in coins, jewelry, and electronicsINGOT: a mass of metal cast into a convenient shape for storage or transportation to be later processed; also, a mold in which metal is castIRON: a silver-white malleable ductile magnetic heavy metallic element …; of, relating to, or made of iron; resembling ironLEADEN: made of lead
Minerals
AGATE: a fine-grained variegated chalcedony having its colors arranged in stripes, blended in clouds, or showing mosslike formsANTIMONY: a mineral that consists of the trisulfide of antimony and occurs in orthorhombic lead-gray crystals of metallic luster or in massive form; stibniteCALCIFY: to make or become calcareous by deposit of calcium saltsCALCITE: a mineral CaCO3 consisting of calcium carbonate crystallized in hexagonal form and including common limestone, chalk, and marbleCINNABAR: a red mineral consisting of native mercuric sulfide HgS that is the only important ore of mercuryDIAMOND: a native crystalline carbon that is the hardest known mineral, that is usually nearly colorless, that when transparent and free from flaws is highly valued as a precious stone, and that is used industrially especially as an abrasiveFLINT: a massive hard dark quartz [mineral] that produces a spark when struck by steel; or, a piece of flintFLINTY: resembling flint in hardnessGALENA* : a bluish-gray cubic mineral with metallic luster consisting of lead sulfide and constituting the principal ore of leadHABIT: of a crystal: characteristic assemblage of forms at crystallization leading to a usual appearance: shapeHEMATITE: a reddish-brown to black mineral consisting of ferric oxide, constituting an important iron ore, and occurring in crystals or as earthy red ocherHORNY: of a mineral: compact and homogeneous with a dull lusterJADE: either of two tough compact typically green gemstones that take a high polish: jadeite or nephriteLICK: a natural salt deposit (such as a salt spring) that animals lick
Mining
AIRWAY: a passage for a current of air (as in a mine or to the lungs)BONANZA: in mining: an exceptionally large and rich mineral deposit (as of an ore, precious metal, or petroleum)DRIFT: a nearly horizontal mine passageway driven on or parallel to the course of a vein or rock stratum, or a small crosscut in a mine connecting two larger tunnelsDUFF: fine coal; slack, that is, the finest screenings of coal produced at a mine unusable as fuel unless cleanedEXCAVATE: EXCAVATED: FOOTWALL: the lower underlying wall of a vein, ore deposit, or coal seam in a mineLEAN: of ore: containing little valuable mineralLEANLY: of ore: containing little valuable mineralLEDGE: a lode (ore deposit) or vein (a bed of useful mineral matter)LEVEL: a horizontal passage in a mine intended for regular working and transportationLIFT: a set of pumps used in a mineLODE: an ore deposit
Rocks and Stones
ACID: rich in silica (e.g., acid rocks)BAND: a strip (as of living tissue or rock) differentiable (as by color, texture, or structure) from the adjacent material or areaCHALK: a soft white, gray, or buff limestone [rock] composed chiefly of the shells of foraminifersCOBBLE: a cobblestone: a naturally rounded stone larger than a pebble and smaller than a boulderEMBED: to enclose closely in or as if in a matrix (fossils embedded in stone)EMBEDDED: to enclose closely in or as if in a matrix (fossils embedded in stone)FLOW: to deform under stress without cracking or rupturing —used especially of minerals and rocksFLOWED: to deform under stress without cracking or rupturing —used especially of minerals and rocksFLOWING: to deform under stress without cracking or rupturing —used especially of minerals and rocksGEODE: a nodule of stone having a cavity lined with crystals or mineral matter, or the cavity in a geodeGRIT: any of several sandstonesGROUP: a bed or layer of rocks deposited during an eraJOINT: a fracture or crack in rock not accompanied by dislocationLAVA: molten rock that issues from a volcano or from a fissure in the surface of a planet (such as earth) or moon; also: such rock that has cooled and hardenedLEDGE: rock that is solid or continuous enough to form ledges: bedrock (the field was full of ledge)
Soils, Earths, and Deposits
ADOBE: a heavy clay used in making adobe bricks; broadly: alluvial or playa clay in desert or arid regions ALLUVIAL: relating to, composed of, or found in alluvium (clay, silt, sand, gravel, or similar detrital material deposited by running water); also, an alluvial depositAPRON: an extensive fan-shaped deposit of detritusCLAY: an earthy material that is plastic when moist but hard when fired, that is composed mainly of fine particles of hydrous aluminum silicates and other minerals, and that is used for brick, tile, and pottery; specifically: soil composed chiefly of this material having particles less than a specified size; also, earth or mudCLAYEY: an earthy material that is plastic when moist but hard when fired, that is composed mainly of fine particles of hydrous aluminum silicates and other minerals, and that is used for brick, tile, and pottery; specifically: soil composed chiefly of this material having particles less than a specified size; also, earth or mudCLOD: a lump or mass especially of earth or clayCOAL: a black or brownish-black solid combustible substance [sedimentary deposit] formed by the partial decomposition of vegetable matter without free access of air and under the influence of moisture and often increased pressure and temperature that is widely used as a natural fuelDIRT: loose or packed soil or sand: earthDIRTY: loose or packed soil or sand: earthDRIFT: a mass of matter (such as sand) deposited together by or as if by wind or water; rock debris deposited by natural agentsDUNE: a hill or ridge of sand piled up by the windFAMILY: a group of soils with similar chemical and physical properties (such as texture, pH, and mineral content) that comprise a category ranking above the series and below the subgroup in soil classificationGRIT: sand or gravel; also: material (as many abrasives) composed of such granulesGROUND: soil or earthHARDPAN: a cemented or compacted and often clayey layer in soil that is impenetrable by rootsHEAVY: of soil: full of clay and inclined to hold waterLAND: ground or soil of a specified situation, nature, or quality (dry land)LANDFILL: an area built up by landfillLEACH: to remove (nutritive or harmful elements) from soil by percolation (soil leached of its salts by torrential rains); to pass out or through by percolation (Nutrients leached out of the soil with rainwater.)LEACHED: to remove (nutritive or harmful elements) from soil by percolation (soil leached of its salts by torrential rains); to pass out or through by percolation (Nutrients leached out of the soil with rainwater.)LIGHT: coarse and sandy or easily pulverized (light soil)LOAM: soil; specifically, a soil consisting of a friable mixture of varying proportions of clay, silt, and sandLOAMY: soil; specifically, a soil consisting of a friable mixture of varying proportions of clay, silt, and sandLUNETTE: a low crescentic mound (as of sand) formed by the wind
Tectonics and Land Movement
ACTIVE: of a volcano: currently erupting or likely to eruptAVALANCHE: a large mass of snow, ice, earth, rock, or other material in swift motion down a mountainside or over a precipiceBOMB: a rounded mass of lava exploded from a volcanoCONE: the apex of a volcanoCOULEE: a thick sheet or stream of lavaDORMANT: of a volcano: temporarily devoid of external activityEJECTA: material thrown out (as from a volcano)EXTINCT: of a volcano: no longer burning; no longer activeFAULT: a fracture in the crust of a planet (such as the earth) or moon accompanied by a displacement of one side of the fracture with respect to the other usually in a direction parallel to the fracture; also, to produce a geologic fault in; to fracture so as to produce a geologic faultFAULTED: a fracture in the crust of a planet (such as the earth) or moon accompanied by a displacement of one side of the fracture with respect to the other usually in a direction parallel to the fracture; also, to produce a geologic fault in; to fracture so as to produce a geologic faultFLOW: a mass of material which has flowed when molten (an old lava flow)FOOTWALL: the lower wall of an inclined faultHEAVE: geology: horizontal displacement especially by the faulting of a rockLAVA: molten rock that issues from a volcano or from a fissure in the surface of a planet (such as earth) or moon; also: such rock that has cooled and hardened
Waters, Shores, and Waterways
AFFLUENT: a tributary streamAQUA: waterARROYO: a watercourse (such as a creek) in an arid region; a water-carved gully or channelATOLL: a coral island consisting of a reef surrounding a lagoonBANK: the rising ground bordering a lake, river, or sea; also, a large area of elevated sea floor; an undersea elevation rising especially from the continental shelfBAYOU: a creek, secondary watercourse, or minor river that is tributary to another body of water, or any of various usually marshy or sluggish bodies of waterBEACH: shore pebbles: shingle; a shore of a body of water covered by sand, gravel, or larger rock fragments; a seashore areaBEACHY: covered with pebbles or shingle; or characterized by beachesBENCH: a former wave-cut shore of a sea or lake or floodplain of a riverBIGHT: a bend in a coast forming an open bay; a bay formed by such a bendBILLOW: a wave; a great wave or surge of waterBILLOWING: a wave; a great wave or surge of waterBOTTOM: the surface on which a body of water lies (the bottom of the ocean); also, bottomland, the low-lying land along a watercourseBRANCH: a stream that flows into another usually larger streamBROOK: a creekBUBBLE: to flow with a gurgling soundBUBBLED: to flow with a gurgling soundBUBBLING: to flow with a gurgling soundBURBLING: to make a bubbling soundCANAL: channel, watercourse, or an artificial waterway for navigation or for draining or irrigating landCAPE: a point or extension of land jutting out into water as a peninsula or as a projecting pointCATARACT: a waterfall, esp. a large one over a precipice; or steep rapids in a river; or a downpour or floodCATCHMENT: something that catches water, or a geographical area over which water flows and is caught in rivers, etc. CHANNEL: the bed where a natural stream of water runs, or the deeper part of a river, harbor, or strait, or a strait or narrow sea between two close landmassesCHANNELED: to form, cut, or wear a channel in (“The river channeled a new course”)CHIMNEY: a tall column of rock on the ocean floor that is formed by the precipitation of minerals from superheated water issuing from a hydrothermal vent and rising through the column of rockCONFLUENCE: the flowing together of two or more streams; or the place of meeting of two streams; or the stream or body formed by the junction of two or more streams: a combined floodCOULEE: a small stream; a dry streambed; a usually small or shallow ravine; gullyCOVE: a small sheltered inlet or bayCRICK: a creek (dialectical)CUTOFF: the new and relatively short channel formed when a stream cuts through the neck of an oxbow; or a channel made to straighten a streamDEBACLE: a tumultuous breakup of ice in a riverDITCH: a long narrow excavation dug in the earth (as for drainage); or to dig a ditchDITCHED: a long narrow excavation dug in the earth (as for drainage); or to dig a ditchDRIFT: the flow or the velocity of the current of a river or ocean streamEBBED: to recede from the flood; the reflux of the tide toward the seaEBBING: to recede from the flood; the reflux of the tide toward the seaEDDIED: EDDY: EDDYING: EFFLUENCE: an outflowing branch of a main stream or lakeEFFLUENT: an outflowing branch of a main stream or lakeFALL: a precipitous descent of water: waterfall —Used in plural but singular or plural in constructionFILL: to cause to swell or billow (wind filled the sails)FILLABLE: to cause to swell or billow (wind filled the sails)FILLED: to cause to swell or billow (wind filled the sails)FIRTH: an estuary, a water passage where the tide meets a river current; especially: an arm of the sea at the lower end of a riverFLOE: floating ice formed in a large sheet on the surface of a body of water; or an ice floe, a usually large flat free mass of floating sea iceFLOW: a stream, river, or brook; also, to issue or move in a stream (rivers flow into the sea)FLOWED: a stream, river, or brook; also, to issue or move in a stream (rivers flow into the sea)FLOWING: a stream, river, or brook; also, to issue or move in a stream (rivers flow into the sea)FOAM: (poetic) the seaFONT: a fountain or source: a spring of water issuing from the earth; or a reservoir containing a liquid that can be drawn off as needed FORD: a shallow part of a body of water that may be crossed by wading; also, to cross (a body of water) by wadingFORK: a division into branches or the place where something divides into branches; a confluenceFOUNT: a fountain or source: a spring of water issuing from the earth; or a reservoir containing a liquid that can be drawn off as needed GLIDE: a calm stretch of shallow water flowing smoothlyGROIN: a rigid structure built out from a shore to protect the shore from erosion, to trap sand, or to direct a current for scouring a channelGULF: a part of an ocean or sea extending into the land; also, a whirlpoolGULLY: a trench which was originally worn in the earth by running water and through which water often runs after rainsGURGLING: to flow in a broken irregular currentHEAD: the source of a stream or riverHOLE: an unusually a position of owing or losing money (in the hole)deep place in a body of water (such as a river)HORN: a body of water shaped like a hornHYDROLOGY: a science dealing with the properties, distribution, and circulation of water on and below the earth's surface and in the atmosphereICEFALL: a frozen waterfallINLET: a bay or recess in the shore of a sea, lake, or river; also, a narrow water passage between peninsulas or through a barrier island leading to a bay or lagoon; also, a creekKILL: often capitalized: a channel or creek, used chiefly in place names in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New YorkLAGOON: a shallow sound, channel, or pond near or communicating with a larger body of waterLAKE: a considerable inland body of standing waterLAKEBED: the lake basin: the depression occupied by a lake, or the area from which drainage reaches a lakeLEDGE: an underwater ridge or reef especially near the shoreLIMB: extension, branch (a limb of the sea)LITTORAL: of, relating to, or situated or growing on or near a shore especially of the sea; a coastal region, especially: the shore zone between high tide and low tide pointLOCK: an enclosure (as in a canal) with gates at each end used in raising or lowering boats as they pass from level to level; also, to move or permit to pass (something, such as a ship) by raising or lowering in a lock; to go or pass by means of a lock (as in a canal)LOCKED: an enclosure (as in a canal) with gates at each end used in raising or lowering boats as they pass from level to level; also, to move or permit to pass (something, such as a ship) by raising or lowering in a lock; to go or pass by means of a lock (as in a canal)