Verb
be a mystery causing feelings of confusion or helplessness
A black mother has baffled scientists after giving birth to three albino children. The parents are dark-skinned Afro-Brazilians, yet three of their five children are albinos.
Noun
idea that the universe began with a huge explosion between 10 and 20 billion years ago
The Big Bang theory says our universe was created when a tiny (billions X smaller than a proton), super-dense, super-hot mass exploded and began expanding very rapidly, eventually cooling into the stars and galaxies of today.
Far, far away, something amazing is brewing in space. Swirling around a giant star similar to our sun, astrophysicists have spotted the very early stages of a planet taking shape.
NASA's Kepler mission has discovered a planet that orbits two stars. The system poses multiple conundrums to scientists, and probably has some fantastic horizons.
Noun
method through which one loses apparent physical existence
Houdini was a famous magician renowned as an escape artist. Advertisements showed him escaping via dematerialization, but he never claimed to be aided by the supernatural.
Adjective
originating outside the limits of the earth
extra-terrestrial
The top-secret Area 51 is in south-central Nevada in the US. So many travelers have reported UFO observations and other strange alien activity along this road that it is officially called the "Extra-terrestrial Highway."
Reebok came to an agreement with the Federal Trade Commission over the hyped-up claims that its EasyTone shoes could tone leg and butt muscles better than regular shoes.
Some months ago, I proclaimed Google was beginning an epic war with traditional auto makers. Perhaps I engaged in a bit too much hyperbole. The product cycle is too long, the margins too thin and the labor costs too high.
Adjective
beyond the range of normal experience or scientific explanation
A Las Vegas cabbie enlists the help of a UFO expert to protect two siblings with paranormal powers from the clutches of an organization that wants to use the kids for their nefarious plans.