| 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. |
| bard |
in ancient Celtic times, a person who composed and recited or sang epic poetry. |
| camouflage |
a way of hiding something by covering or coloring it so that it looks like its surroundings. The military uses camouflage to hide people, buildings, or vehicles from the enemy. |
| concordance |
an alphabetical index of all the main words in a book or in the entire work of an author, listing the contexts in which each word occurs and giving page references for each occurrence. |
| fray |
to wear or rub thin. |
| illuminate |
to light up; make bright with light. |
| irritate |
to anger or bother. |
| monitor |
to observe in order to check on. |
| motherly |
of or like a female parent. |
| oust |
to force out; expel. |
| pact |
an agreement or a sworn promise. |
| subsist |
to stay alive or obtain the necessities of life (usually followed by "on"). |
| tantalize |
to tease or torment with the sight or prospect of something desirable but unattainable. |
| woe |
great suffering or sorrow. |
| zest |
a sense of great pleasure or enjoyment. |