Glossary
All 694 key words from the building pages, with what each one means and where to read more. Free to print and share for teaching.
3
- 3D printer
- A machine that builds objects layer by layer. Fabrication shop · Robotic Future
- 3D printing
- Building an object layer by layer from a digital design. Printed shelter · Robotic Future
A
- Abba
- An Aramaic word for "father". Prayer chapel · Heavenly City
- Abrasive
- Rough enough to scratch or wear things down. Airlock and suit hangar · Robotic Future
- Abseil
- To lower yourself down on a rope. Tree tower home · Green World
- Accessible
- Easy for everyone to reach and use. School · Modern Town
- Acoustics
- How sound behaves in a space. Open-air theater · Green World
- Acoustics
- How sound behaves in a space. School · Modern Town
- Aerarium
- The state treasury. Treasury (Temple of Saturn) · Ancient Rome
- Aerial root
- A root that grows above the ground. Great tree hall · Green World
- Aid to navigation
- Any marker that helps ships find their way. Lighthouse · Modern Town
- Airlock
- A small room with two doors for moving between different air pressures. Airlock and suit hangar · Robotic Future
- Aisle
- A side passage separated by columns. Basilica · Ancient Rome
- Algae
- Simple plant-like living things that grow in water. Sunlight hall · Green World
- Amphitheater
- A round or oval open-air venue with rising seats. Open-air theater · Green World
- Amphora
- A two-handled clay jar for oil or wine. Warehouse (horrea) · Ancient Rome
- Amphora
- A two-handled clay jar. Olive grove · Ancient Rome
- Amphora
- A two-handled clay jar for oil or wine. Donkey cart · Ancient Rome
- Analog mission
- A practice mission on Earth that copies conditions in space. Printed shelter · Robotic Future
- Analog study
- A study on Earth that copies space conditions. Tree pod habitat · Robotic Future
- Angel
- A messenger from God. Angel statue · Heavenly City
- Apostle
- One of the twelve friends Jesus chose and sent out. Banquet hall · Heavenly City
- Apse
- A curved, half-domed space at the end of a building. Basilica · Ancient Rome
- Aquifer
- Underground rock or soil that holds water. Water system · Modern Town
- Arborist
- A person trained to care for trees. Treetop village · Green World
- Arcade
- A row of arches. Aqueduct · Ancient Rome
- Archaeologist
- Someone who studies the past by digging up objects and places. Snack bar (thermopolium) · Ancient Rome
- Archive
- A collection of historical records. Cultural center · Modern Town
- Archive
- A collection of records. Records office (tabularium) · Ancient Rome
- Arena
- The sandy floor where the shows took place (from the Latin for sand). Amphitheater · Ancient Rome
- Arrest
- To take someone prisoner. Prayer chapel · Heavenly City
- Art Deco
- A bold, decorative style from the 1920s and 1930s. Skyscraper · Modern Town
- Artificial gravity
- A force that feels like gravity, created by spinning or speeding up. Spinning gravity arena · Robotic Future
- Artificial intelligence
- Computer systems that can learn and make decisions. Robot monument · Robotic Future
- Artificial turf
- A surface of plastic grass. Sports field · Modern Town
- Ascension
- Jesus going up into heaven. Cloud island · Heavenly City
- Assembly line
- A factory system where a product moves past workers who each add one part. Family car · Modern Town
- Atmosphere
- The layer of gas around a planet or moon. Drone taxi · Robotic Future
- Atomic clock
- An extremely accurate clock based on atoms. Clock tower · Modern Town
- Atrium
- A tall, open central space in a building. Tree pod habitat · Robotic Future
- Atrium
- The main hall, open to the sky. Town house (domus) · Ancient Rome
- Auriga
- A chariot driver. Chariot · Ancient Rome
- Aurora
- Glowing lights in the sky near the poles. Space weather station · Robotic Future
- Authority
- The right and power to lead or decide. Light crane · Heavenly City
- Autonomous
- Able to work without being controlled step by step. Robotics factory · Robotic Future
- Autonomous
- Able to work without a person in control. Cargo pod · Robotic Future
- Axle
- The rod that joins two wheels. Ox cart · Ancient Rome
B
- Bamboo
- A fast-growing giant grass with strong, hollow stems. Living crane · Green World
- Bandwidth
- How much data can be sent at once. Communications relay · Robotic Future
- Banquet
- A large, special meal for many guests. Feast hall · Ancient Egypt
- Baptize
- To dip in water or pour water over someone, as a sign of a new start with God. Dove statue · Heavenly City
- Barcode
- Lines a scanner reads to identify a product. Warehouse · Modern Town
- Barley
- A grain used to make bread. Sharing pavilion · Heavenly City
- Barter
- Trading goods for other goods, without money. Market · Ancient Egypt
- Bastet
- An Egyptian goddess shown as a cat. Cat statue · Ancient Egypt
- Battlements
- The notched top of a wall for defenders to shelter behind. City walls and towers · Ancient Rome
- Bedrock
- The solid rock under the soil and sand. Great Sphinx · Ancient Egypt
- Betray
- To turn against a friend. Banquet hall · Heavenly City
- Biga
- A chariot pulled by two horses. Chariot · Ancient Rome
- Bill
- A proposed law. Capitol building · Modern Town
- Biodiversity
- The variety of life in a place. Deer statue · Green World
- Biodiversity
- The variety of living things in a place. City park · Modern Town
- Bioluminescence
- Light made by living things. Firefly tower · Green World
- Biomimicry
- Copying ideas from nature. Breathing spire · Green World
- Biomimicry
- Learning from nature's designs to solve human problems. Nature's materials · Green World
- Biophilia
- A love of, or need for, the natural world. Leafy cottage · Green World
- Bioreactor
- A container where living things are grown to make something useful. Sunlight hall · Green World
- Bioregenerative
- Using living things to recycle air, water and food. Greenhouse dome · Robotic Future
- Biosphere
- All the parts of the Earth where life exists. Greenhouse dome · Robotic Future
- Bless
- To ask for God's goodness on someone. Marble cottage · Heavenly City
- Blessed
- Happy because God is pleased with you. Lantern circle · Heavenly City
- Blind zone
- An area around a vehicle the driver can't see. Pickup truck · Modern Town
- Bone density
- How solid and strong bones are. Low-gravity gym · Robotic Future
- Book of the Dead
- A collection of spells meant to help the dead in the next life. Garden villa · Ancient Egypt
- Booster
- The large first stage of a rocket. Spaceport · Robotic Future
- Border
- The line where one country ends and another begins. Watchtower · Ancient Egypt
- Breeze
- A gentle wind. Rooftop house · Ancient Egypt
- Brine
- Very salty leftover water. Water recycler · Robotic Future
- Bronze
- A tough metal often used for statues. Public art · Modern Town
- Building code
- Rules that make buildings safe. Family house · Modern Town
- Bulk material
- Material needed in large amounts, like soil or concrete. Space building materials · Robotic Future
C
- Caldarium
- The hot room. Public baths · Ancient Rome
- Canal
- A man-made channel for water. Palm grove · Ancient Egypt
- Canopy
- A cloth or reed cover that gives shade. Rooftop house · Ancient Egypt
- Canopy
- The top layer of a forest, formed by branches and leaves. Treetop village · Green World
- Canopy
- The upper layer of a forest. Canopy climbing course · Green World
- Canopy cover
- How much of an area is shaded by trees. Tiny forest · Green World
- Capacity
- How many people a place can hold. Stadium · Modern Town
- Capital
- The top part of a column. Hall of columns · Ancient Egypt
- Caravan
- A group of travelers and animals journeying together. Camel rider · Ancient Egypt
- Carbon dioxide
- A gas made of carbon and oxygen; most of Mars' air. Oxygen factory · Robotic Future
- Carbon nanotube
- A tiny tube of carbon atoms that is extremely strong. Space elevator anchor · Robotic Future
- Carbon storage
- Keeping carbon locked away instead of in the air. Timber family house · Green World
- Carceres
- The starting gates. Chariot racetrack (circus) · Ancient Rome
- Cardio
- Exercise that works the heart and lungs. Recreation center · Modern Town
- Cargo bike
- A bicycle built to carry loads. Flower cart · Green World
- Cargo bike
- A bicycle built to carry loads. Delivery van · Modern Town
- Carillon
- A set of at least 23 bells played from a keyboard. Bell tower · Heavenly City
- Carriage
- A vehicle for carrying people. Cloud carriage · Heavenly City
- Casing
- The smooth outer layer of stone on a pyramid. Pyramid · Ancient Egypt
- Castellum
- A building where incoming water was divided into pipes. Aqueduct · Ancient Rome
- Caupona
- An inn or tavern. Roadside inn · Ancient Rome
- Cella
- The inner room holding the god's statue. Temple · Ancient Rome
- Census
- An official count of the people in a country. Welcome hall · Heavenly City
- Centrifuge
- A machine that spins things very fast. Spinning gravity arena · Robotic Future
- Certification
- Proof that something meets certain standards. Timber family house · Green World
- Certified
- Checked to meet a standard. Repair workshop · Green World
- Chariot
- A light two-wheeled vehicle pulled by horses. Chariot arena · Ancient Egypt
- Chariot
- A light two-wheeled vehicle pulled by horses. Chariot · Ancient Egypt
- Chariot
- A light two-wheeled vehicle pulled by horses. Golden chariot · Heavenly City
- Checklist
- A list of steps to follow. Settlement operations center · Robotic Future
- Chisel
- A tool with a sharp edge for cutting stone or wood. Building materials · Ancient Egypt
- Christ
- From the Greek for "anointed one": the King God promised to send. Bell tower · Heavenly City
- Circadian rhythm
- The body's daily cycle of sleeping and waking. Community plaza · Robotic Future
- Circular economy
- Keeping materials in use instead of throwing them away. Repair workshop · Green World
- Circumference
- The distance all the way around a circle or sphere. Great Library · Ancient Egypt
- Citizen science
- Research that anyone can help with. Seasons tower · Green World
- Closed loop
- A system that reuses its materials over and over. Water recycler · Robotic Future
- Cob
- A building mix of clay, sand and straw. Forest cottage · Green World
- Coffer
- A sunken panel in a ceiling. The Pantheon · Ancient Rome
- Colonnade
- A row of columns holding up a roof. Spring pool · Heavenly City
- Colonnade
- A row of columns, often with a roof. Forum · Ancient Rome
- Colossus
- A statue much larger than life (plural colossi). Twin colossi · Ancient Egypt
- Comitium
- An open meeting space in front of the curia. Senate house (curia) · Ancient Rome
- Commissioner
- A person given a special public duty. Palace of the long future · Green World
- Commons
- Resources shared by a group. Council terrace · Green World
- Communion
- Sharing bread and wine to remember Jesus's death. Banquet hall · Heavenly City
- Community
- A group of people who share a place and look out for each other. Community plaza · Robotic Future
- Commute
- The regular trip between home and work. Suburban house · Modern Town
- Compassion
- Deep care for someone who is hurting. Golden track · Heavenly City
- Composite
- A material made of two or more materials combined. Mushroom carriage · Green World
- Composite bow
- A bow made of layers of wood, horn and sinew. Archery range · Ancient Egypt
- Compost
- Rotted plant waste that feeds the soil. Harvest market hall · Green World
- Compost
- Rotted plant waste that feeds the soil. Community garden · Modern Town
- Compostable
- Able to break down naturally into soil. Mushroom cottage · Green World
- Compound
- A group of buildings inside one wall. Courtyard villa · Ancient Egypt
- Consensus
- An agreement reached by a whole group. Council terrace · Green World
- Console
- A workstation with screens and controls. Mission control · Robotic Future
- Consul
- One of the two highest officials of the Roman Republic. Records office (tabularium) · Ancient Rome
- Core
- The strong central part holding elevators and stairs. Residential tower · Modern Town
- Coronal mass ejection
- A huge cloud of charged gas thrown out by the Sun. Space weather station · Robotic Future
- Council
- A group of elected people who make local decisions. Town hall · Modern Town
- Countermeasure
- Something done to prevent a harmful effect. Low-gravity gym · Robotic Future
- Counterweight
- A weight that balances a load. Lifting lever · Ancient Egypt
- Counterweight
- A weight that balances another. Space elevator anchor · Robotic Future
- Counterweight
- A heavy weight that balances a load. Tower crane · Modern Town
- Courtyard
- An open space surrounded by buildings or walls. Courtyard villa · Ancient Egypt
- Courtyard
- An open space surrounded by buildings or walls. Garden villa · Heavenly City
- Covenant
- A solemn promise or agreement. Rainbow pavilion · Heavenly City
- Creation
- Everything God made. Tree of life · Heavenly City
- Crew
- The people who work a boat together. Rowing pool · Ancient Egypt
- Cross
- Wooden beams on which the Romans put people to death. Sky bridge · Heavenly City
- Cross-laminated timber
- Layers of wood glued crosswise into strong panels. Building materials · Modern Town
- Crowd management
- Planning how large crowds move safely. Stadium · Modern Town
- Crucify
- To put to death on a wooden cross, a Roman punishment. Victors' arena · Heavenly City
- Cumulus
- A puffy, white, heaped-up cloud. Cloud island · Heavenly City
- Curb ramp
- A slope from sidewalk to road (also called a curb cut). Streets and crosswalks · Modern Town
- Current
- The flow of water in a river. Nile sailing boat · Ancient Egypt
- Curriculum
- What a school teaches. School · Modern Town
- Cursus publicus
- The Roman state transport service. Donkey cart · Ancient Rome
- Curtain wall
- A non-structural outer wall, often of glass. Office building · Modern Town
- Cygnet
- A young swan. Swan boat · Heavenly City
D
- Dacia
- An ancient kingdom in what is now Romania. Victory column · Ancient Rome
- Date
- The sweet fruit of the date palm. Palm grove · Ancient Egypt
- Deben
- An Egyptian weight, about 91 grams, used to measure value. Royal treasury · Ancient Egypt
- Deben
- An Egyptian weight used to measure value. Market · Ancient Egypt
- Debt
- Something owed; in the Lord's Prayer, the wrong we have done. School of wisdom · Heavenly City
- Defensible space
- A cleared area around a home that slows fire. Fire lookout tower · Modern Town
- Den
- A simple shelter. Forest school · Green World
- Denarius
- A Roman silver coin. Treasury (Temple of Saturn) · Ancient Rome
- Density
- How many people or homes are in an area. Apartment building · Modern Town
- Depot
- A place where parcels are sorted and vans are based. Delivery van · Modern Town
- Diagnose
- Work out what illness someone has. Medical bay · Robotic Future
- Digital divide
- The gap between people who can and cannot get online. Public library · Modern Town
- Disciple
- A follower and learner of Jesus. Cloud island · Heavenly City
- Disinfection
- Killing germs in water. Water system · Modern Town
- Distillation
- Boiling a liquid and collecting the vapor to purify it. Water recycler · Robotic Future
- District heating
- Heating many buildings from one shared source. Warm gathering circle · Green World
- Dock
- A platform where boats tie up. Rowing pool · Ancient Egypt
- Dolium
- A very large clay storage jar (plural dolia). Farmhouse (villa rustica) · Ancient Rome
- Dolium
- A large clay jar; snack bars set them into their counters (plural dolia). Snack bar (thermopolium) · Ancient Rome
- Dome
- A rounded roof like half a ball. The Pantheon · Ancient Rome
- Domesticated
- Tamed and bred by people over many generations. Deer sleigh · Green World
- Domus Aurea
- Nero's "Golden House". Imperial palace · Ancient Rome
- Drainage
- Carrying water away. Hillside home · Green World
- Drainage
- Removing water from the ground. Sports field · Modern Town
- Drill
- A practice of an emergency procedure. Settlement operations center · Robotic Future
- Dromedary
- A camel with one hump. Camel rider · Ancient Egypt
E
- Earth-sheltered
- Partly covered by soil. Hillside home · Green World
- Easter
- The day Christians celebrate Jesus rising from the dead. Garden of light · Heavenly City
- Ecosystem
- Living things and their environment working together. Greenhouse dome · Robotic Future
- Ecosystem engineer
- An animal that changes its habitat in big ways. Deer statue · Green World
- Eden
- The garden where the Bible's first people lived. Tree of life · Heavenly City
- Electrolysis
- Splitting a substance using electricity. Life support dome · Robotic Future
- Electrolysis
- Splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen with electricity. Ice mine and water works · Robotic Future
- Electrum
- A natural mix of gold and silver. Obelisk · Ancient Egypt
- Embodied carbon
- Emissions from making and moving materials. Nature's materials · Green World
- Embodied carbon
- The emissions from making and transporting materials. Building materials · Modern Town
- Emissions
- Gases released, for example from an exhaust pipe. Family car · Modern Town
- Envelope
- The walls, roof, windows and floor that separate inside from outside. Older brick house · Modern Town
- Enzyme
- A molecule that speeds up a chemical reaction. Firefly tower · Green World
- Epiphyte
- A plant that grows on another plant, such as an orchid on a branch. Canopy climbing course · Green World
- Epitaph
- Words written on a tomb. Mausoleum (round tomb) · Ancient Rome
- Escape velocity
- The speed needed to break free of a world's gravity. Launch pad · Robotic Future
- Estate
- A large area of land owned by one person or family. Farmhouse (villa rustica) · Ancient Rome
- Eternal life
- Life with God that never ends. Lamp tower · Heavenly City
- Exhibit
- Something displayed for people to explore. Science center and observatory · Modern Town
- Expandable habitat
- A home that is launched folded and inflated later. Pod home · Robotic Future
- Expedition
- A long journey made for a purpose. Desert camp · Ancient Egypt
- Eyes on the street
- Jane Jacobs's idea that watchful people make streets safer. Shops with homes above · Modern Town
F
- Faction
- A racing team. Chariot racetrack (circus) · Ancient Rome
- Famine
- A time when there is not enough food. Granary · Ancient Egypt
- Fare
- The price of a trip. Taxi · Modern Town
- Far side
- The side of the Moon that always faces away from Earth. Far-side radio telescope · Robotic Future
- Filament
- The plastic thread a 3D printer melts. Fabrication shop · Robotic Future
- Fire pit
- A safe, contained place for a fire. Outdoor gathering circle · Modern Town
- Fire separation
- Walls and floors built to stop fire spreading. Apartment building · Modern Town
- Fisherman
- Someone who catches fish for a living. Swan boat · Heavenly City
- Fission
- Splitting atoms to release energy. Power tower · Robotic Future
- Flame trench
- A channel that carries rocket exhaust away. Launch pad · Robotic Future
- Flight director
- The leader of a mission control team. Mission control · Robotic Future
- Floodlights
- Bright lights for evening play. Sports field · Modern Town
- Fodder
- Food for farm animals. Rooftop house · Ancient Egypt
- Food bank
- A place that gives free food to people who need it. Sharing pavilion · Heavenly City
- Food desert
- An area where it is hard to buy fresh, affordable food. Corner store · Modern Town
- Footprint
- The area of ground a building covers. Treetop village · Green World
- Forgive
- To let go of a wrong someone has done. Sky bridge · Heavenly City
- Fort
- A strong building where soldiers live and keep guard. Watchtower · Ancient Egypt
- Forum
- A town's main public square. Forum · Ancient Rome
- Foundation
- The solid base a building stands on. Light crane · Heavenly City
- Foundation
- The base that spreads a building's weight into the ground. Family house · Modern Town
- Fourfold
- Four times as much. Hall of treasures · Heavenly City
- Fragmentation
- Breaking habitat into separate pieces. Stag crossing · Green World
- Frankincense
- A sweet-smelling tree resin, burned as incense. Lotus garden · Ancient Egypt
- Frankincense
- A sweet-smelling tree resin, burned like incense. Palace of light · Heavenly City
- Fresco
- A painting made on fresh, wet plaster. Garden courtyard · Ancient Rome
- Fresnel lens
- A lens made of rings of prisms that focuses light. Lighthouse · Modern Town
- Friction
- The force that slows things rubbing together. Stone sledge · Ancient Egypt
- Friction
- The force that slows things that rub together. Hover car · Robotic Future
- Frieze
- A long band of carved or painted decoration. Victory column · Ancient Rome
- Frigidarium
- The cold room. Public baths · Ancient Rome
- Frontier
- The edge of a country or empire. City walls and towers · Ancient Rome
- Fuel depot
- A place to store and supply fuel. Spaceport · Robotic Future
- Fungus
- A living thing, like a mushroom or mold, that is neither plant nor animal. Mushroom cottage · Green World
- Future generations
- People who will live after us. Palace of the long future · Green World
G
- Gate
- An opening in a wall that can be closed. City walls and towers · Ancient Rome
- Gene
- Instructions inside a cell that shape how a living thing grows. Firefly tower · Green World
- Generation
- People born and living at about the same time. Family house · Ancient Egypt
- Generator
- A machine that turns motion into electricity. Waterfall tower · Green World
- Genetic diversity
- Differences in genes within a species. Seed library · Green World
- Geothermal
- Heat from inside the Earth. Warm gathering circle · Green World
- Gilded
- Covered with a thin layer of gold. Statue of the emperor · Ancient Rome
- Glove box
- A sealed box with built-in gloves for handling things safely. Science lab · Robotic Future
- Governance
- How decisions are made and rules enforced. Civic dome · Robotic Future
- Governor
- A ruler sent to govern a region. Victors' arena · Heavenly City
- Gradient
- How steeply something slopes. Aqueduct · Ancient Rome
- Grafting
- Joining parts of plants so they grow together. Great tree hall · Green World
- Grammaticus
- A teacher of literature and language. School · Ancient Rome
- Granary
- A building for storing grain. Granary · Ancient Egypt
- Granite
- A very hard, speckled rock. Obelisk · Ancient Egypt
- Granite
- A very hard, speckled rock. Building materials · Ancient Egypt
- Green exercise
- Physical activity in natural places. Forest training grove · Green World
- Green infrastructure
- Using plants and soil to manage water. Rain garden court · Green World
- Green roof
- A roof covered with growing plants. Green-roof cottage · Green World
- Grove
- A small group of trees. Olive grove · Ancient Rome
- Guideway
- The track a maglev train floats along. Hover car · Robotic Future
H
- Habitat
- The home of a living thing. Pollinator meadow · Green World
- Hallowed
- Treated as holy and honored. School of wisdom · Heavenly City
- Harbor
- A sheltered place where boats can stop. Pharaoh's palace · Ancient Egypt
- Harbor
- A sheltered place where ships can stay safely. Lighthouse · Ancient Rome
- Harvest
- The time when crops are gathered. Granary · Ancient Egypt
- Harvest
- Gathering ripe crops. Farmhouse (villa rustica) · Ancient Rome
- Haul truck
- A huge truck for moving rock in a mine. Cargo pod · Robotic Future
- Headland
- A point of land sticking out into the sea. Lighthouse · Ancient Rome
- Headrest
- A curved stand for the head, used instead of a pillow. House with a porch · Ancient Egypt
- Heal
- To make well again. Spring pool · Heavenly City
- Hearth
- A fireplace, the center of a home. Temple of Vesta · Ancient Rome
- Heat pump
- A machine that moves heat from one place to another. Warm gathering circle · Green World
- Heat pump
- A machine that moves heat from one place to another. Older brick house · Modern Town
- Heatwave
- A period of unusually hot weather. Canopy market · Green World
- Herder
- A person who looks after a herd of animals. Deer sleigh · Green World
- Heritage
- Traditions and history passed down through generations. Cultural center · Modern Town
- Hieratic
- A quick, joined-up form of Egyptian writing. Scribe school · Ancient Egypt
- Hinder
- To get in the way or stop. Marble cottage · Heavenly City
- Hippodrome
- A Greek racetrack for horses and chariots. Chariot arena · Ancient Egypt
- Hologram
- A 3D image made with light. Hologram hall · Robotic Future
- Horizon
- The line where the land seems to meet the sky. Temple gateway · Ancient Egypt
- Horrea
- Warehouses or storehouses. Warehouse (horrea) · Ancient Rome
- Horse logging
- Using horses to move felled trees. Flower cart · Green World
- Hortus
- A garden, often for vegetables and herbs. Garden courtyard · Ancient Rome
- Hosanna
- A Hebrew word meaning "Save us!", shouted as praise. Donkey with fruit · Heavenly City
- Hull
- The main body of a boat. Boat workshop · Ancient Egypt
- Humanoid
- Shaped like a human. Robot monument · Robotic Future
- Humble
- Not proud; not thinking you are better than others. Donkey with fruit · Heavenly City
- Hybrid work
- Splitting time between home and the workplace. Office building · Modern Town
- Hydroponics
- Growing plants in water and nutrients without soil. Indoor farm · Robotic Future
- Hyksos
- Rulers from western Asia who controlled northern Egypt around 1650 to 1550 BC. Chariot arena · Ancient Egypt
- Hymn
- A song of praise to God. Harp workshop · Heavenly City
- Hypocaust
- An underfloor heating system using hot air. Public baths · Ancient Rome
- Hypogeum
- The underground rooms below the arena. Amphitheater · Ancient Rome
- Hypostyle
- A hall whose roof rests on many columns. Hall of columns · Ancient Egypt
I
- Imbrex
- A curved roof tile (plural imbrices). Building materials · Ancient Rome
- Immanuel
- A name that means "God with us". Angel statue · Heavenly City
- Impluvium
- The pool that catches rainwater. Town house (domus) · Ancient Rome
- Incense
- Sweet-smelling resin burned in temples. Market · Ancient Egypt
- Inclusive
- Welcoming to everyone. Cultural center · Modern Town
- Inclusive
- Designed so everyone can join in. Treehouse playground · Modern Town
- Inertia
- An object's resistance to starting or stopping. Robotic crane · Robotic Future
- Inherit
- To receive property from someone who has died. Family house · Ancient Egypt
- Inscription
- Words carved into stone. Twin colossi · Ancient Egypt
- Inscription
- Words carved into stone. Triumphal arch · Ancient Rome
- Insula
- An apartment block (Latin for island). Apartment block (insula) · Ancient Rome
- Insulation
- Material that slows heat moving in or out. Family house · Modern Town
- Interference
- Unwanted signals that get in the way. Far-side radio telescope · Robotic Future
- Isolation
- Being cut off from other people and places. Tree pod habitat · Robotic Future
- Isolation
- Being cut off from others. Community plaza · Robotic Future
- ISRU
- In-situ resource utilization: using local resources. Oxygen factory · Robotic Future
J
- Jailer
- The person in charge of a prison. Harp workshop · Heavenly City
- Jib
- The long horizontal arm of a crane. Tower crane · Modern Town
K
- Kilowatt
- A unit of power: 1,000 watts. Power tower · Robotic Future
- Kiosk
- An open pavilion with columns. Temple kiosk · Ancient Egypt
L
- Lacus
- Latin for a public water basin. Public fountain · Ancient Rome
- Lamb
- A young sheep; in Revelation, a name for Jesus. Pearl gate · Heavenly City
- Landlord
- Someone who rents out property. Apartment block (insula) · Ancient Rome
- Lanista
- The owner or manager of a troupe of gladiators. Gladiator school · Ancient Rome
- Last mile
- The final step of a delivery, to the door. Delivery van · Modern Town
- Latency
- Delay in sending and receiving signals. Hologram hall · Robotic Future
- Launch pad
- The platform a rocket lifts off from. Launch pad · Robotic Future
- Lectica
- A Roman litter. Litter · Ancient Rome
- Lecticarius
- A litter bearer. Litter · Ancient Rome
- LED
- A light-emitting diode, an efficient kind of light. Indoor farm · Robotic Future
- Leftovers
- Food that is left after a meal. Sharing pavilion · Heavenly City
- Legislature
- An elected body that makes laws. Capitol building · Modern Town
- Lending
- Letting people borrow things for a while. Public library · Modern Town
- Lever
- A bar that turns on a fixed point to help lift a load. Lifting lever · Ancient Egypt
- Levitation
- Floating in the air without support. Hover car · Robotic Future
- Life support
- Systems that keep people alive in a hostile place. Life support dome · Robotic Future
- Light pollution
- Too much artificial light at night. Star dome · Green World
- Light pollution
- Artificial light that hides the stars. Science center and observatory · Modern Town
- Lime plaster
- A breathable plaster made from lime. Forest cottage · Green World
- Linen
- A light cloth made from the flax plant. Feast hall · Ancient Egypt
- Linen
- Cloth made from the flax plant. Building materials · Heavenly City
- Literacy
- Being able to read and write. Public library · Modern Town
- Living architecture
- Structures made partly from living plants. Great tree hall · Green World
- Living wall
- A wall covered with growing plants. Leafy cottage · Green World
- Load chart
- A table of how much a crane can safely lift. Tower crane · Modern Town
- Loading dock
- A platform where trucks load and unload. Warehouse · Modern Town
- Local business
- A business owned by people in the community. Corner store · Modern Town
- Logistics
- Organizing how goods are moved and stored. Warehouse · Modern Town
- Long-term
- Over a long time, such as decades. Palace of the long future · Green World
- Lotus
- The blue water lily of the Nile. Lotus garden · Ancient Egypt
- Lotus
- The blue water lily of the Nile. Lotus pool · Ancient Egypt
- Lotus effect
- Self-cleaning caused by water rolling off a bumpy surface. Nature's materials · Green World
- Ludus
- A gladiator training school (also the Latin word for game). Gladiator school · Ancient Rome
- Lute
- A stringed instrument with a long neck. Feast hall · Ancient Egypt
M
- Magi
- Wise men from the east who studied the stars. Palace of light · Heavenly City
- Maglev
- Short for magnetic levitation: floating on magnets. Cloud carriage · Heavenly City
- Manger
- A box that holds food for animals. Welcome hall · Heavenly City
- Mansio
- An official rest stop for government travelers. Roadside inn · Ancient Rome
- Mansion
- A very large house. House of many rooms · Heavenly City
- Marsh
- Low, wet land where reeds grow. Papyrus boat · Ancient Egypt
- Mass
- How much matter an object has. Robotic crane · Robotic Future
- Mass timber
- Large panels and beams made from layers of wood. Timber family house · Green World
- Mausoleum
- A large, grand tomb. Mausoleum (round tomb) · Ancient Rome
- Mayor
- The leader of a town or city. Town hall · Modern Town
- Memorial
- Something built to remember people or events. Memorial · Modern Town
- Memorial temple
- A temple where a king was honored after his death. Twin colossi · Ancient Egypt
- Merciful
- Kind and forgiving to people who do not deserve it. Lantern circle · Heavenly City
- Methane
- A powerful greenhouse gas. Harvest market hall · Green World
- Mezzanine
- A low floor between two main floors. Street shop (taberna) · Ancient Rome
- Microbe
- A living thing too small to see without a microscope. Wetland fountain · Green World
- Micrometeoroid
- A tiny, fast-moving piece of space rock. Pod home · Robotic Future
- Mid-rise
- A building of about four to twelve floors. Apartment building · Modern Town
- Migrant
- A person who moves to live in another place. Ox cart · Ancient Egypt
- Migration
- Animals traveling between places with the seasons. Seasons tower · Green World
- Milestone
- A stone marking distance along a road. Roadside inn · Ancient Rome
- Milestone
- A stone marking the distance along a road. Ox cart · Ancient Rome
- Milky Way
- Our galaxy, seen as a band of stars. Star dome · Green World
- Millstone
- A heavy stone used to grind grain. Street shop (taberna) · Ancient Rome
- Miracle
- An amazing act of God's power. Garden villa · Heavenly City
- Mixed-use
- Combining homes, shops and work in one place. Shops with homes above · Modern Town
- Mock
- To make fun of someone cruelly. Victors' arena · Heavenly City
- Moderate activity
- Exercise that makes you breathe faster but still able to talk. Recreation center · Modern Town
- Module
- One section of a larger structure. Moon base home · Robotic Future
- Mold
- A frame that gives something its shape. Mud-brick house · Ancient Egypt
- Monitoring
- Checking what is happening over time. Council terrace · Green World
- Mosaic
- A picture made of small colored stones or glass. Country villa · Ancient Rome
- Mouseion
- A Greek "home of the Muses", a place of study and the origin of the word museum. Great Library · Ancient Egypt
- Mud brick
- A brick made of mud and straw, dried in the sun. Mud-brick house · Ancient Egypt
- Mule
- The offspring of a donkey and a horse. Donkey cart · Ancient Rome
- Multi-purpose
- Designed for many uses. Community center · Modern Town
- Mummy
- A body preserved by drying and wrapping. Cat statue · Ancient Egypt
- Mural
- A large painting on a wall. Public art · Modern Town
- Mycelium
- The network of thread-like roots of a fungus. Mushroom cottage · Green World
- Mycelium
- The root-like threads of fungi. Mushroom carriage · Green World
- Myrrh
- A fragrant tree resin used in perfume and medicine. Palace of light · Heavenly City
N
- Nacre
- The shiny material that makes pearls and lines shells. Pearl gate · Heavenly City
- Native plant
- A plant that grows naturally in an area. Pollinator meadow · Green World
- Native species
- Plants and animals that belong naturally in a place. Tiny forest · Green World
- Natural fiber
- A fiber from a plant or animal, such as flax or wool. Mushroom carriage · Green World
- Nautical chart
- A map for sailors. Lighthouse · Modern Town
- Nave
- The long main hall of a church, where people sit. Church · Modern Town
- Nave
- The wide central space of a hall. Basilica · Ancient Rome
- Necropolis
- A "city of the dead", a large cemetery. Mausoleum (round tomb) · Ancient Rome
- Net
- A mesh of knotted string for catching fish. Papyrus boat · Ancient Egypt
- Net
- A mesh of knotted string for catching fish. Swan boat · Heavenly City
- Noble
- A person of high rank. Garden villa · Ancient Egypt
O
- Oar
- A long pole with a flat blade for rowing. Rowing pool · Ancient Egypt
- Oasis
- A green place in a desert, with water. Desert camp · Ancient Egypt
- Obelisk
- A tall four-sided stone pillar with a pointed top. Obelisk · Ancient Egypt
- Obelisk
- A tall, four-sided stone pillar with a pointed top. Memorial · Modern Town
- Observatory
- A building with telescopes for studying the sky. Science center and observatory · Modern Town
- Oculus
- A round opening at the top of a dome. The Pantheon · Ancient Rome
- Offering
- A gift given to a god. Cat statue · Ancient Egypt
- Official
- A person who works for the government. House with a porch · Ancient Egypt
- Official
- A person with an important job in a government. Golden chariot · Heavenly City
- Olive press
- A machine that squeezes oil out of olives. Prayer chapel · Heavenly City
- On demand
- Made when needed. Fabrication shop · Robotic Future
- Open plan
- A large space without many walls. Office building · Modern Town
- Operations
- The day-to-day running of something. Settlement operations center · Robotic Future
- Orphan
- A child whose parents have died. Marble cottage · Heavenly City
- Ostracon
- A piece of pottery or stone used for writing (plural ostraca). Scribe school · Ancient Egypt
- Ostracon
- A piece of pottery or stone used for writing. Village house · Ancient Egypt
- Otium
- Leisure time for rest, reading and thinking. Country villa · Ancient Rome
- Outdoor learning
- Lessons that happen outside. Forest school · Green World
- Outdoor learning
- Lessons that happen outside. Outdoor gathering circle · Modern Town
- Overflow
- Extra water that spills over the edge. Public fountain · Ancient Rome
- Overpass
- A bridge that crosses over a road. Stag crossing · Green World
- Ox
- A cow or bull trained to work (plural oxen). Ox cart · Ancient Egypt
- Oxidizer
- The oxygen a rocket burns with its fuel. Oxygen factory · Robotic Future
P
- Pack animal
- An animal that carries loads. Camel rider · Ancient Egypt
- Palatine
- One of Rome's seven hills. Imperial palace · Ancient Rome
- Palm Sunday
- The Sunday before Easter, remembering Jesus's ride into Jerusalem. Donkey with fruit · Heavenly City
- Papyrus
- A tall reed that grew in Nile marshes. Hall of columns · Ancient Egypt
- Papyrus
- A tall marsh reed, and the writing material made from it. Papyrus boat · Ancient Egypt
- Papyrus
- A paper-like material made from a river plant. Library · Ancient Rome
- Parable
- A short story Jesus told to teach about God. Golden track · Heavenly City
- Paradise
- A word for heaven, the garden of God. Sky bridge · Heavenly City
- Parasol
- A shade, like an umbrella. Canopy market · Green World
- Passive cooling
- Keeping cool without machines. Breathing spire · Green World
- Passover
- A yearly feast remembering how God freed Israel from slavery in Egypt. Hall of wisdom · Heavenly City
- Payload
- The cargo a vehicle carries. Cargo pod · Robotic Future
- Payload
- How much weight a vehicle can carry. Pickup truck · Modern Town
- Peacemaker
- Someone who helps people stop fighting and get along. Lantern circle · Heavenly City
- Pediment
- The triangle shape above the columns at the front. Temple · Ancient Rome
- Pendulum
- A swinging weight that keeps a clock steady. Clock tower · Modern Town
- Pentecost
- A feast fifty days after Passover, when the Holy Spirit came on Jesus's followers. Golden chariot · Heavenly City
- Perish
- To die or be lost. Lamp tower · Heavenly City
- Peristyle
- A garden surrounded by columns. Town house (domus) · Ancient Rome
- Peristyle
- A garden surrounded by a colonnade. Garden courtyard · Ancient Rome
- Permanently shadowed crater
- A crater where sunlight never reaches the floor. Moon base home · Robotic Future
- Permeable
- Letting water pass through. Rain garden court · Green World
- Permit
- Official permission to do something, like build. Town hall · Modern Town
- Pharaoh
- A king of ancient Egypt. Pyramid · Ancient Egypt
- Pharaoh
- A king of ancient Egypt. Pharaoh's palace · Ancient Egypt
- Pharos
- A lighthouse, named after the one at Alexandria. Lighthouse · Ancient Rome
- Phenology
- The study of when natural events happen. Seasons tower · Green World
- Photosynthesis
- How plants use sunlight to make food from water and carbon dioxide. Sunlight hall · Green World
- Pile
- A long column driven into the ground to support a building. Residential tower · Modern Town
- Planetary protection
- Preventing contamination between worlds. Science lab · Robotic Future
- Planter
- A container for growing plants. Tree tower home · Green World
- Plaster
- A smooth paste spread on walls that dries hard. Pharaoh's palace · Ancient Egypt
- Plaustrum
- A heavy Roman farm wagon. Ox cart · Ancient Rome
- Playworker
- An adult trained to support children's free play. Treehouse playground · Modern Town
- Plaza
- An open public square. Public square and fountain · Modern Town
- Plinth
- A base that a statue stands on. Public art · Modern Town
- Plot
- A small piece of land. Community garden · Modern Town
- Plumb line
- A string with a weight, used to check that something is upright. Building materials · Ancient Egypt
- Plume
- A large feather worn for decoration. Chariot · Ancient Egypt
- Podium
- The high platform a temple stands on. Temple · Ancient Rome
- Pollinator
- An animal that carries pollen between flowers. Pollinator meadow · Green World
- Pollinator
- An animal that carries pollen from flower to flower. Lily garden · Heavenly City
- Pomegranate
- A round fruit full of juicy red seeds. Garden villa · Ancient Egypt
- Porch
- A covered area at the entrance of a house. House with a porch · Ancient Egypt
- Port
- A town with a harbor for ships. Warehouse (horrea) · Ancient Rome
- Portrait
- An image of a real person. Statue of the emperor · Ancient Rome
- Pozzolana
- Volcanic ash used in Roman concrete. Building materials · Ancient Rome
- Press
- A machine for squeezing out liquid. Olive grove · Ancient Rome
- Pressurized
- Filled with air at a pressure people can breathe. Moon base home · Robotic Future
- Pressurized
- Holding air at a pressure people can breathe. Rover test track · Robotic Future
- Pressurized
- Holding air at a pressure people can breathe. Pressurized rover · Robotic Future
- Prevention
- Stopping illness before it starts. Health clinic · Modern Town
- Primary care
- Everyday health care, usually the first place people go. Health clinic · Modern Town
- Procession
- A group moving along a route for a ceremony. Temple kiosk · Ancient Egypt
- Promise
- Saying you will certainly do something. Cloud carriage · Heavenly City
- Propaganda
- Images or messages designed to shape what people think. Statue of the emperor · Ancient Rome
- Propellant
- Fuel and oxygen burned by a rocket. Ice mine and water works · Robotic Future
- Prophet
- A person who speaks God's messages. Rainbow pavilion · Heavenly City
- Public space
- A place open to everyone. Public square and fountain · Modern Town
- Pulley
- A wheel with a rope that helps lift loads. Treadwheel crane · Ancient Rome
- Purple
- An expensive dye linked with emperors. Imperial palace · Ancient Rome
- Pylon
- A temple gateway with two sloping towers. Temple gateway · Ancient Egypt
Q
- Quadriga
- A chariot pulled by four horses. Triumphal arch · Ancient Rome
- Quadriga
- A chariot pulled by four horses. Chariot · Ancient Rome
- Quaestor
- An official in charge of public money. Treasury (Temple of Saturn) · Ancient Rome
- Quarry
- A place where stone is cut from the ground. Pyramid · Ancient Egypt
R
- Rabbi
- A Jewish teacher. Lamp tower · Heavenly City
- Rabboni
- A Hebrew word meaning "my teacher". Garden of light · Heavenly City
- Radiation
- Energy that travels as waves or fast particles. Radiation storm shelter · Robotic Future
- Radiator
- A panel that gets rid of heat. Power tower · Robotic Future
- Radio telescope
- A telescope that detects radio waves. Far-side radio telescope · Robotic Future
- Rain garden
- A planted dip that soaks up rainwater. Rain garden court · Green World
- Rain garden
- A planted dip that soaks up rainwater. City park · Modern Town
- Raised bed
- A garden bed built up above the ground. Community garden · Modern Town
- Ramp
- A sloping surface that joins a lower and a higher level. Lifting lever · Ancient Egypt
- Ration
- A fixed amount of food given out regularly. Village house · Ancient Egypt
- Rebirth
- Being born again into new life. Lotus pool · Ancient Egypt
- Recirculating
- Water that is pumped round and reused. Public square and fountain · Modern Town
- Redundancy
- Having spare systems in case one fails. Life support dome · Robotic Future
- Reflect
- Bounce back. Open-air theater · Green World
- Regolith
- The loose, dusty soil on the Moon or Mars. Pod home · Robotic Future
- Regolith
- Loose soil and dust covering rock on the Moon or Mars. Space building materials · Robotic Future
- Reinforced concrete
- Concrete with steel bars inside. Building materials · Modern Town
- Relay
- Passing a message along. Communications relay · Robotic Future
- Relief
- A carving that stands out from a flat surface. Temple gateway · Ancient Egypt
- Relief
- A carving that stands out from a flat surface. Victory column · Ancient Rome
- Relief
- A carving that stands out from a flat surface. Treadwheel crane · Ancient Rome
- Remedy
- A medicine or treatment. House of Life · Ancient Egypt
- Remembrance
- The act of remembering, often together. Memorial · Modern Town
- Renewable
- Able to grow back or be replaced naturally. Living crane · Green World
- Reservoir
- A lake used to store water. Spring circle · Green World
- Resistance exercise
- Exercise that works muscles against a force. Low-gravity gym · Robotic Future
- Resource
- Something useful that can be gathered. Ice mine and water works · Robotic Future
- Resurrection
- Rising from death to life again. Garden of light · Heavenly City
- Retrofit
- Adding new technology to an existing building. Older brick house · Modern Town
- Reusable
- Able to be used more than once. Spaceport · Robotic Future
- Revelation
- Something made known; also the name of the Bible's last book. Pearl gate · Heavenly City
- Rewilding
- Letting nature restore itself, often by bringing back key species. Deer statue · Green World
- Rhetoric
- The art of persuasive speaking. School · Ancient Rome
- Ride-hailing
- Booking a car ride with an app. Taxi · Modern Town
- Righteousness
- Being right with God and doing what is right. Lily garden · Heavenly City
- Right to repair
- Rules that make it easier to fix things you own. Repair workshop · Green World
- Risky play
- Play that is exciting and a little challenging, managed safely. Forest school · Green World
- Ritual
- A ceremony done in a set way. House of Life · Ancient Egypt
- Robotic arm
- A machine arm that can grip, lift and move things. Robotics factory · Robotic Future
- Rostra
- The speakers' platform in the Roman Forum. Forum · Ancient Rome
- Rotation
- Turning around a center. Spinning gravity arena · Robotic Future
- Rotor
- A set of spinning blades that lifts an aircraft. Drone taxi · Robotic Future
- Rotorcraft
- An aircraft lifted by rotors, such as a helicopter or drone. Drone taxi · Robotic Future
- Rover
- A vehicle that drives across another world. Robot monument · Robotic Future
- Rover
- A vehicle for driving on another world. Rover test track · Robotic Future
- Rudder
- A paddle or blade used to steer a boat. Nile sailing boat · Ancient Egypt
- Rudis
- A wooden practice sword. Gladiator school · Ancient Rome
- Run-of-the-river
- Hydropower without a big dam. Waterfall tower · Green World
- Runner
- A long smooth strip under a sledge. Stone sledge · Ancient Egypt
- Runner
- The smooth strip a sled slides on. Deer sleigh · Green World
- Runoff
- Rainwater that flows over surfaces instead of soaking in. Green-roof cottage · Green World
S
- Sabbath
- The weekly day of rest. Scroll library · Heavenly City
- Sacred
- Holy, set apart for the gods. Lotus pool · Ancient Egypt
- Safety surfacing
- Soft ground that cushions falls. Treehouse playground · Modern Town
- Salvation
- Being saved and made right with God. Hall of treasures · Heavenly City
- Samaritan
- A person from Samaria, a region between Galilee and Judea. Fountain of life · Heavenly City
- Sample
- A small piece collected for study. Science lab · Robotic Future
- Savior
- Someone who saves or rescues. Bell tower · Heavenly City
- Scaffolding
- A temporary frame that builders stand on. Living crane · Green World
- Scholar
- A person who studies a subject deeply. Great Library · Ancient Egypt
- Scout
- A person sent ahead to look around. Watchtower · Ancient Egypt
- Scribe
- A person whose job was writing and keeping records. Scribe school · Ancient Egypt
- Scribe
- Someone who copies texts by hand. Library · Ancient Rome
- Scroll
- A long roll of papyrus with writing on it. House of Life · Ancient Egypt
- Scroll
- A long roll of writing material. Scroll library · Heavenly City
- Scroll
- A long rolled-up sheet used as a book. Library · Ancient Rome
- Seal
- A mark or fastening that shows something must not be opened. Building materials · Heavenly City
- Season
- One of the parts of the year. Palm grove · Ancient Egypt
- Sedan chair
- A later, chair-shaped litter. Litter · Ancient Rome
- Sedum
- A tough, low-growing plant often used on green roofs. Green-roof cottage · Green World
- Seed bank
- A place where seeds are stored to protect plant varieties. Seed library · Green World
- Senate
- A council of leading citizens (from senex, old man). Senate house (curia) · Ancient Rome
- Senator
- A member of the Senate. Senate house (curia) · Ancient Rome
- Senet
- An ancient Egyptian board game. Family house · Ancient Egypt
- Servant
- Someone who serves and obeys another. Angel statue · Heavenly City
- Setback
- A step back in the face of a building as it rises. Skyscraper · Modern Town
- Shaduf
- A pole with a bucket and a weight, for lifting water. Lotus garden · Ancient Egypt
- Shepherd
- A person who looks after sheep. Spring pool · Heavenly City
- Shielded light
- A lamp covered so that light shines down. Star dome · Green World
- Shielding
- Material placed between people and danger. Radiation storm shelter · Robotic Future
- Shinrin-yoku
- Japanese for "forest bathing". Forest training grove · Green World
- Shipwright
- A person who builds ships. Boat workshop · Ancient Egypt
- Shopfront
- The front of a shop facing the street. Shops with homes above · Modern Town
- Shrine
- A small holy place for a god's statue. Temple kiosk · Ancient Egypt
- Sightline
- A clear view from a seat to the field. Stadium · Modern Town
- Sign
- In John's Gospel, a miracle that points to who Jesus is. Garden villa · Heavenly City
- Signal delay
- The time it takes for a message to arrive. Communications relay · Robotic Future
- Simulant
- A material made on Earth to copy lunar or Martian soil. Space building materials · Robotic Future
- Simulation
- A practice exercise that imitates a real situation. Mission control · Robotic Future
- Sin
- Doing wrong against God and other people. Tree of life · Heavenly City
- Sinew
- Tough tissue that joins muscle to bone. Archery range · Ancient Egypt
- Sinner
- Someone who has done wrong against God. Golden track · Heavenly City
- Sintering
- Heating powder until its grains fuse together. Printed shelter · Robotic Future
- Sky lobby
- A floor where people change between elevators. Skyscraper · Modern Town
- Sledge
- A vehicle that slides on runners instead of wheels. Stone sledge · Ancient Egypt
- Soil compaction
- Squashing soil so roots and water can't get through. Flower cart · Green World
- Solar flare
- A sudden burst of energy from the Sun. Space weather station · Robotic Future
- Solar particle event
- A burst of energetic particles from the Sun. Radiation storm shelter · Robotic Future
- Solomon
- A king of Israel famous for his wisdom and riches. Lily garden · Heavenly City
- Soul house
- A clay model of a house placed in a tomb. Town house · Ancient Egypt
- Source water
- Water before it is treated. Spring circle · Green World
- Spare part
- A replacement for a broken piece. Robotics factory · Robotic Future
- Spectrum
- The band of colors that white light splits into. Rainbow pavilion · Heavenly City
- Sphinx
- A creature with a lion's body and a human head. Great Sphinx · Ancient Egypt
- Spina
- The central barrier the chariots raced around. Chariot racetrack (circus) · Ancient Rome
- Spire
- A tall, pointed top of a tower. Church · Modern Town
- Spoke
- A bar joining the middle of a wheel to its rim. Chariot · Ancient Egypt
- Spout
- A short pipe or opening that water pours out of. Public fountain · Ancient Rome
- Stack effect
- Warm air rising and drawing cool air in below. Breathing spire · Green World
- Stature
- Height and growth. Hall of wisdom · Heavenly City
- Stela
- An upright stone slab with writing or pictures. Great Sphinx · Ancient Egypt
- Stocks
- A wooden frame that held a prisoner's feet. Harp workshop · Heavenly City
- Story
- One floor or level of a building, as in "a three-story house". Town house · Ancient Egypt
- Story
- One floor of a building. Apartment block (insula) · Ancient Rome
- Straw bale
- A tight block of straw used like a giant brick. Forest cottage · Green World
- Strength training
- Exercise that builds muscle. Recreation center · Modern Town
- Stress
- The body's response to pressure or worry. Forest training grove · Green World
- Strigil
- A curved tool for scraping oil and dirt off skin. Public baths · Ancient Rome
- Strike
- When workers stop working to protest. Village house · Ancient Egypt
- Stylus
- A pointed tool for writing on wax. School · Ancient Rome
- Suburb
- A mainly residential area on the edge of a city. Suburban house · Modern Town
- Suburb
- A mainly residential area on the edge of a city. Family car · Modern Town
- Suitport
- A hatch where a spacesuit attaches to the outside of a vehicle or habitat. Airlock and suit hangar · Robotic Future
- Suitport
- A hatch where a spacesuit is attached to the outside of a vehicle. Pressurized rover · Robotic Future
- Supervision
- Watching to keep people safe. Outdoor gathering circle · Modern Town
- Suspension
- Springs that smooth out bumps. Pressurized rover · Robotic Future
- Swaddling cloths
- Strips of cloth wrapped snugly around a baby. Welcome hall · Heavenly City
- Synagogue
- A Jewish meeting place for prayer and reading the Scriptures. Scroll library · Heavenly City
T
- Taberna
- A shop or workshop. Street shop (taberna) · Ancient Rome
- Tabula
- A writing tablet. Records office (tabularium) · Ancient Rome
- Tactile paving
- Bumpy paving that blind people can feel. Streets and crosswalks · Modern Town
- Tailgate
- The door at the back of the cargo bed. Pickup truck · Modern Town
- Target
- A mark to aim at. Archery range · Ancient Egypt
- Tax
- A payment people make to the government. Royal treasury · Ancient Egypt
- Tax collector
- Someone who collects money that people must pay to the government. Hall of treasures · Heavenly City
- Taximeter
- A device that calculates the fare. Taxi · Modern Town
- Telemedicine
- Medical care given at a distance using technology. Medical bay · Robotic Future
- Telepresence
- Technology that makes you feel present somewhere else. Hologram hall · Robotic Future
- Temple
- The great house of worship in Jerusalem. Hall of wisdom · Heavenly City
- Tempt
- To try to get someone to do wrong. Dove statue · Heavenly City
- Temptation
- Something that pulls you toward doing wrong. School of wisdom · Heavenly City
- Tenon
- A tongue of wood that fits into a slot to join two pieces. Boat workshop · Ancient Egypt
- Terrace
- A flat outdoor space, often on a roof. Town house · Ancient Egypt
- Territory
- Land claimed by a country. Civic dome · Robotic Future
- Tether
- A long, strong cable. Space elevator anchor · Robotic Future
- Thermal mass
- Heavy material that stores heat and slows temperature change. Hillside home · Green World
- Thermopolium
- A modern name for a Roman snack bar (from Greek for "hot drink shop"). Snack bar (thermopolium) · Ancient Rome
- Third place
- A social space outside home and work. Community center · Modern Town
- Thirst
- The need to drink. Fountain of life · Heavenly City
- Tholos
- A round building with columns. Temple of Vesta · Ancient Rome
- Threshing
- Separating grain from the stalks. Ox cart · Ancient Egypt
- Time zone
- A region that uses the same standard time. Clock tower · Modern Town
- Tomb
- A room or cave where a dead body is laid. Building materials · Heavenly City
- Torrent
- A fast, powerful rush of water. Light crane · Heavenly City
- Traction
- Grip between wheels and ground. Rover test track · Robotic Future
- Travertine
- A hard, pale limestone. Building materials · Ancient Rome
- Treadwheel
- A wheel turned by people or animals walking inside it. Treadwheel crane · Ancient Rome
- Treaty
- A formal agreement between countries. Civic dome · Robotic Future
- Triangulation
- Finding a location from two or more directions. Fire lookout tower · Modern Town
- Triumph
- A victory parade for a Roman general. Triumphal arch · Ancient Rome
- Troubled
- Worried and upset. House of many rooms · Heavenly City
- Truth
- What is real and right. House of many rooms · Heavenly City
- Tuned mass damper
- A heavy weight that reduces swaying. Residential tower · Modern Town
- Turbine
- A wheel turned by flowing water, wind or steam. Waterfall tower · Green World
- Turquoise
- A blue-green stone used in jewelry. Desert camp · Ancient Egypt
U
- Ultrasound
- A scan that uses sound waves to see inside the body. Medical bay · Robotic Future
- Upstream
- Against the flow of a river. Nile sailing boat · Ancient Egypt
- Urban forest
- All the trees in a town or city. Tiny forest · Green World
- Urban heat island
- When cities are hotter than the countryside around them. Canopy market · Green World
- Urban heat island
- When cities are hotter than the surrounding countryside. City park · Modern Town
V
- Vaccine
- A medicine that trains the body to fight a disease. Health clinic · Modern Town
- Variety
- A particular type of a plant, like a kind of apple. Seed library · Green World
- Velarium
- A giant awning for shade. Amphitheater · Ancient Rome
- Vertical farm
- An indoor farm with crops in stacked layers. Indoor farm · Robotic Future
- Vertical forest
- A tall building planted with many trees. Tree tower home · Green World
- Vestal
- A priestess of Vesta. Temple of Vesta · Ancient Rome
- Veto
- Refusing to sign a law. Capitol building · Modern Town
- Villa
- A large house, often with gardens. Courtyard villa · Ancient Egypt
- Villa
- A country house. Country villa · Ancient Rome
- Vision Zero
- A goal of no deaths or serious injuries on the roads. Streets and crosswalks · Modern Town
- Volunteer
- Someone who helps without being paid. Community center · Modern Town
W
- Wages
- Payment for work. Royal treasury · Ancient Egypt
- Walkway
- A raised path or bridge. Canopy climbing course · Green World
- Wastewater
- Used water from homes and businesses. Wetland fountain · Green World
- Wastewater
- Used water from homes and businesses. Water system · Modern Town
- Watershed
- All the land that drains into one river or lake. Spring circle · Green World
- Weight
- The force of gravity pulling on an object. Robotic crane · Robotic Future
- Well
- A deep hole dug to reach water underground. Fountain of life · Heavenly City
- Wellbeing
- Feeling healthy and happy. Leafy cottage · Green World
- Wetland
- Land covered with shallow water, like a marsh. Wetland fountain · Green World
- Whitewash
- A white paint made from lime. Mud-brick house · Ancient Egypt
- Wilderness
- Wild, empty land where few people live. Dove statue · Heavenly City
- Wildfire
- An uncontrolled fire in nature. Fire lookout tower · Modern Town
- Wildlife corridor
- A strip of habitat that links wild areas. Stag crossing · Green World
- Worship
- Praising and honoring God. Church · Modern Town
Z
- Zero waste
- Aiming to send nothing to landfill. Harvest market hall · Green World
- Zoning
- Rules about what can be built where. Suburban house · Modern Town
- Zoning
- Rules about what can be built where. Corner store · Modern Town