| alchemy |
an ancient exploration and practice of chemistry which flourished particularly during medieval times. Practitioners used chemical processes in the hope of, for example, producing gold from base metals, finding the key to eternal life, and uncovering a single cure for all disease. |
| burial |
the act of putting a dead body underground or in the sea. |
| commendation |
something, especially an award, that confers honor or distinction. |
| comply |
to do what is asked or demanded; act in agreement with a rule (sometimes followed by "with"). |
| disadvantage |
a condition or situation that makes it more difficult to succeed. |
| ecosystem |
a community of living things, together with their environment. |
| epidemic |
an outbreak of disease that spreads rapidly to many people in one area. |
| equate |
to make or consider to be equal or equivalent. |
| integrate |
to bring together and mix into a whole. |
| motherly |
of or like a female parent. |
| progressive |
moving steadily forward. |
| quarantine |
the keeping of a person, animal, or thing away from others to stop a disease from spreading. |
| theoretical |
relating to or consisting of an explanation based on abstract reasoning and speculation rather than facts and evidence; hypothetical. |
| variable |
something that can change or that has no fixed value. |
| vulnerable |
able to be hurt or injured. |