| 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. |
| census |
an official count of the people who live in a country or other area. A census is also used to collect information about these people, such as their job, age, or sex. |
| citation |
the act of citing or quoting, or the passage or source so cited. |
| commend |
to speak of with praise for some act or service. |
| contemplate |
to look at carefully for a long time. |
| data |
facts, figures, or other pieces of information that can be used to learn about something. The word "data" is the plural form of "datum," but is often used with a singular verb. |
| decisive |
able to make firm decisions or end arguments. |
| discriminate |
to judge or treat someone unfairly because he or she belongs to a particular group or category of people (usually followed by "against"). |
| dynamic |
full of energy and strength; lively; active. |
| implication |
something hinted at or suggested, but not said directly. |
| justification |
something that explains, rationalizes, or defends. |
| miser |
a greedy, stingy person who lives in a poor way in order to save money. |
| prognosis |
a forecast of the anticipated course of a disease, especially of the likelihood of recovery. |
| undergraduate |
a college or university student who has not yet earned a degree. |
| understandable |
able to be tolerated or sympathized with. |