Science terms

1. Malaria
Spelling: M A L A R I A
Meaning: An intermittent and remittent fever caused by a protozoan parasite that invades the
red blood cells. The parasite is transmitted by mosquitoes in many tropical and subtropical
regions.
Etymology: Mid-18th century: from Italian, from mal'aria, contracted form of mala aria ‘bad
air’. The term originally denoted the unwholesome atmosphere caused by the exhalations of
marshes, to which the disease was formerly attributed.

2. Nucleus
Spelling: N U C L E U S
Meaning: The positively charged central core of an atom, consisting of protons and neutrons
and containing nearly all its mass.
Etymology: Early 18th century: from Latin, literally ‘kernel, inner part’, diminutive
of nux, nuc- ‘nut’.