Scientific name: (American) alligator mississippiensis and (Chinese) alligator sinensis
An alligator is a very large reptile, found in China and America. They are related to crocodiles but are generally darker in colour and have a broader snout. Alligators live in fresh water.
An alloy is a mixture of two or more metals, or one metal and something that isn't a metal. They are mixed together so well you cannot tell that the alloy is not a pure metal. Alloys typically have very different properties to the components that went into making the alloys. Alloys are often much, much stronger than their individual components. Many tools and machines are made from alloys because they need to be strong.
Scientific name: prunus dulcis
The almond is the seed inside the fruit of the almond tree. Almond trees grow up to 10 metres tall. They are related to plums, cherries and apricots. Most people think of almonds as a nut, not the seed of a fruit.
Almonds can be eaten raw or roasted and salted, or used in cooking cakes and puddings.
Scientific name: aloe vera
Aloe vera is a type of succulent plant, suited to arid regions. The plant is supposed to have many medicinal properties, and you often see aloe vera added to tissues - the aloe are supposed to stop your nose getting red if you have a cold and blow your nose a lot. Aloe vera is meant to be very good for your skin, and it helps burns heal faster.
Someone is alone if they are all by themselves, with no-one else around them. Sometimes alone is just a feeling - you may have people or things around you but you feel alone, and this can make you very sad.
Scientific name: vicugna pacos
An altar is a sacred place, often inside a church or shrine, where religious ceremonies take place.
Alum could refer to either a specific mineral, or a general class of similar ones. ( /?æl?m/) is both a specific chemical compound and a class of chemical compounds. The mineral usually referred to as alum is hydrated potassium aluminium sulfate.
Alum is an effective blood coagulant, and used to be sold in blocks as part of shaving kits. You use it to stop shaving cuts from bleeding.
Aluminium, also spelt aluminum, is the most common metal in the world, and the third most common element (after oxygen and silicon). It is durable and lightweight, and is a very important metal for making planes out of.
Aluminium is highly reactive and you cannot find pure aluminium in the same way you can find pure gold or copper, so it was once considered a rare precious metal. It is a very energy intensive process to refine aluminium.
Aluminium is used for building (particularly frames for doors and windows) and vehicle construction, household aluminium foil, masts on ships, walking sticks, and lots of household utensils and appliances.