fouling
Polluting the water
Fouling is the accumulation of unwanted material on a surface, degrading its function.
Ship hulls collect marine fouling—barnacles and algae that slow vessels.
Heat exchangers suffer fouling from mineral deposits.
In sports, fouling means committing fouls: He kept fouling and eventually fouled out.
A gun barrel can foul with residue.
The propeller was fouled with fishing line.
Loose dry earth
- grimeIngrained surface dirt
- filthFoul, accumulated matter
- stainLasting surface discoloration
- muckFilthy wet dirt
mud · smudge · tarnish · residue · soot · grease · discoloration · smear
Shell-armored marine clingers
- algaePrimitive aquatic photosynthesizers
- musselsEdible marine bivalves
- biofilmAdhesive layer of microorganisms
- slimeThick wet gunk
seaweed · shipworms · oysters · hull · propeller · antifouling · larvae · coral
Environmental harm from waste
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- smogSunlight-activated urban pollution
- emissionsSubstances released into air
- toxinsHarmful biological substances
effluent · particulates · waste · discharge · runoff · sewage · chemicals · acid rain
Obstruction halting movement
- clogBlock or wooden shoe
- congestionExcessive accumulation causing blockage
- jamCooked fruit spread
- impedimentThing that obstructs progress
occlusion · chokepoint · bottleneck · stoppage · plug · snarl · stagnation · obstruction
Measure of relative size
- limeAcidic green citrus
- calcificationMineral hardening of tissue
- tartarHardened dental plaque
- sedimentationParticles settling in liquid
mineral deposits · concretion · hard water · limescale · precipitate · crystallization · salt deposits
Carry on person
- corrosionChemical wearing away
- degradationDecline in condition
- abrasionShallow surface wound
- erosionGradual wearing away
pitting · scoring · seizure · binding · jamming · galling · fretting
Official sporting misconduct warning
- red cardMatch ejection notice
- free kickUnobstructed restart after foul
- bookingAdvance arrangement secured
- suspensionTemporary halt or exclusion
ejection · sin bin · penalty box · power play · unsportsmanlike conduct · misconduct · caution · send-off
Breaking of rules
- infractionMinor rule breach
- chargingRestoring electrical power
- reach-inFoul by extending arm
- hackShortcut or breach
dirt
Loose dry earth
muck · mud · smudge · tarnish · residue · soot · grease · discoloration · smear · spot
barnacles
Shell-armored marine clingers
- algaePrimitive aquatic photosynthesizers
- musselsEdible marine bivalves
- biofilmAdhesive layer of microorganisms
slime · seaweed · shipworms · oysters · hull · propeller · antifouling · larvae · coral · crustaceans
pollution
Environmental harm from waste
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- smogSunlight-activated urban pollution
- emissionsSubstances released into air
toxins · effluent · particulates · waste · discharge · runoff · sewage · chemicals · acid rain · oil spill
blockage
Obstruction halting movement
- clogBlock or wooden shoe
- congestionExcessive accumulation causing blockage
- jamCooked fruit spread
impediment · occlusion · chokepoint · bottleneck · stoppage · plug · snarl · stagnation · obstruction · backup
scale
Measure of relative size
- limeAcidic green citrus
- calcificationMineral hardening of tissue
- tartarHardened dental plaque
sedimentation · mineral deposits · concretion · hard water · limescale · precipitate · crystallization · salt deposits
wear
Carry on person
- corrosionChemical wearing away
- degradationDecline in condition
- abrasionShallow surface wound
erosion · pitting · scoring · seizure · binding · jamming · galling · fretting
yellow card
Official sporting misconduct warning
- red cardMatch ejection notice
- free kickUnobstructed restart after foul
- bookingAdvance arrangement secured
suspension · ejection · sin bin · penalty box · power play · unsportsmanlike conduct · misconduct · caution · send-off · disciplinary action
violation
Breaking of rules
- infractionMinor rule breach
- chargingRestoring electrical power
- reach-inFoul by extending arm
- basketballbasketball, rebound, dunk, basketball camps, dribble
- contaminationpolluting, contaminating, tainting, poisoning, infecting
- dirtyingsoiling, dirtying, staining, smearing, smudging
- dirty playcheap shot, cheap shots, dirty play, late hit, low blow
- Filtrationfilter paper, air filters, oil filters, carbon filters, HEPA filtration
- chemical engineeringchemical engineer, chemical engineering, reactors, distillation, heat transfer
foulingcleaning
Removing dirt and mess
cleansing · purifying · sanitizing · decontaminating · purging
- fouling upMaking errors that spoil
- fouling outExceeding allowed violations
- fouling one's own nestHarming one's own environment
foul, fowl, fouled, fouls, foulness, befoul, waterfowl, fouler, foulest