In addition, large-scale climate events like El Nino and La Nina redistribute vast water masses among Earth's ocean, atmosphere and land. Scientists care because, to put movements of Earth's crust into proper context, they need a frame of reference to evaluate them against.
Adj. 1. operant-having influence or producing an effect; many emotional determinants at work; an operant conscience. operative-being in force or having or exerting force; operative regulations; the major tendencies operative in the American political system. 1  Facebook.
taunt verb [T]. âº to intentionally âannoy and âupset someone by making âunkind âremarks to them, âlaughing unkindly, etc.: The other âkids used to taunt him in the âplayground because he was âfat and âwore âglasses. taunt noun [C] uk us âº The âprotesters âshouted taunts at the âpolice.