Lesson 12

hard or painful work

The artist's masterpiece was the result of years of hard travail.

to move across or through in a specified direction

To reach the remote village, they had to traverse dense forests and cross several rivers on their expedition.

an exaggerated and humorous imitation of a serious subject

The comedian often performs a travesty of political speeches.

to heat a liquid and turn it into gas then cool it and make it liquid again in order to purify it

The chemist is currently distilling the solution to isolate the pure compound.

a product resulting from heating a liquid until it changes to vapor and then allowing it to change back to liquid

Perfume makers often use a distillate of flowers to create their fragrances.

the changing process of a liquid to a gas and then cooling it which results in the forming of a purified liquid

In the laboratory, distillation is often used to isolate specific chemicals from a mixture.

a company or a person that produces strong alcoholic drinks through a process in which a liquid is formed after cooling vapors

The distiller crafted a unique blend of whiskey that became very popular in local bars.

to attribute a particular quality, cause, or origin to someone or something

Many historians ascribe the fall of the empire to a combination of economic and military factors.

a person who lives a strict life and avoids physical pleasures, particularly due to religious beliefs

As an ascetic, she rejected worldly comforts and dedicated herself entirely to prayer.

to determine something with certainty by careful examination or investigation

The detective ascertained the identity of the culprit through fingerprint analysis.

having great importance and requiring immediate attention or action

It is imperative that we address climate change to ensure the well-being of future generations.

related to the characteristics or actions of an empire or emperor

The imperial dynasty ruled over vast territories and diverse peoples.

(of a person) rudely bold in speech or behavior

She couldn't believe how impertinent Tom was for questioning her authority in front of everyone.

consistently calm, restrained, and composed

The imperturbable captain led his crew through the storm without a hint of fear.

to preserve something, like food, by ridding it of all its moisture

She desiccated the herbs to use them in cooking throughout the year.

a chemical substance used to dry something

Desiccants are essential in keeping moisture-sensitive materials dry during storage.

to write or speak about a subject and include much detail

When asked about his travels, he expatiated enthusiastically, describing every location in vivid detail.

a person who lives outside their native country, often by choice, whether for work, lifestyle, or personal reasons

She's a Danish expatriate living in Spain.

a collection of selected writings by various authors, often on a similar theme or subject

The university library boasts an extensive anthology of classical literature.