epidemic
a disease affecting many persons at the same time, and spreading from person to person in a locality where the disease is not permanently prevalent.
survivalist
a person who makes preparations to survive a widespread catastrophe, such as an atomic war or anarchy, especially by storing food and weapons in a safe place.
halogens
any of the electronegative elements, fluorine, chlorine, iodine, bromine, and astatine, that form binary salts by direct union with metals.
avatar
a graphical image that represents a person, as on the Internet.
malnourished
poorly or improperly fed; suffering from malnutrition
tarry
to remain or stay, as in a place; sojourn
ferals
those having reverted to a wild state
magnitude
the size or extent of something
torpor
sluggish inactivity or inertia
fissures
narrow openings produced by cleavage or separation of parts
culling
the act of picking out and putting aside as inferior
infirmary
a place in a large institution for the care of those who are ill
sequestered
isolated and hidden away: a wild sequestered spot.
gardenias
a tree or shrub of the bedstraw family, with large fragrant white or yellow flowers. Native to warm climates, it is widely cultivated.
remnant
a small remaining quantity of something
banality
the fact or condition of being banal; unoriginality
archaeologist
a person who studies human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts and other physical remains
fedora
a low, soft felt hat with a curled brim and the crown creased lengthwise.
midwife
a person (typically a woman) trained to assist women in childbirth.
pestilential
relating to or tending to cause infectious diseases
