In my novel, the Spriggans are great lovers are language, something to which I must confess I have in common with them. In fact, the Spriggans were initially created to furnish the story with words and phrases that could not have been justified if I did not have the loquacious Spriggans there to articulate them. As the novel unfolded on the screen, I found myself growing incredibly fond of the Spriggans, especially the irrepressible Mulupo. It seems appropriate to name this glossary The Spriggan Dictionary as many of the words contained therein were spoken by Mulupo. I must acknowledge and thank the following sites and software houses for the assistance their technology gave me when researching this aspect of the book: Thinkmap's Visual Thesaurus, WordWeb and particularly The Phrontistery where the majority of the definitions on this page were found.
Paul Stewart, Author of 'Caliban's End'
Part One
Go to Part Two
A (Abaft - Automysophobia)
abaft: toward or at the stern of a ship; further aft
abasement: action of humbling or degrading
abasia: inability to walk due to lack of muscular coordination
abask: in genial warmth
abdominous: having a paunch or big belly
abiotrophy: degeneration; loss of physical vitality or ability retrogression
abnegate: to renounce or repudiate
aboulia: loss of ability to make decisions; loss of will power
aboulomania: pathological indecisiveness
absolutory: forgiving or absolving
abstruse: difficult to penetrate; incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge
acanaceous: bearing prickles or thistles; prickly
acanthous: spiny; prickly
acerbic: harsh or corrosive in tone
accoutred: provided with necessary articles of equipment for a specialized purpose
achromatic: having no hue
achromatopsia: colour-blindness
acidulent: being sour to the taste
acolyte: someone who assists a priest or minister in a liturgical service; a cleric ordained in the highest of the minor orders
acquiescence: acceptance without protest
adamantine: unbreakable; impenetrable
addle: putrid; barren; muddled
adhocracy: government in an unstructured fashion; an unstructured organization
adrift: afloat on the surface of a body of water
aeonian: lasting for an immeasurably long period of time
aerolith: stone that falls from the sky; meteorite
aery: characterized by lightness and insubstantiality; as impalpable or intangible as air
aethrioscope: instrument for measuring temperature variations due to sky conditions
affreightment: hiring of a vessel
afterdeck: deck behind a ship's bridge
afterguard: men who work the aft sails on the quarterdeck and poop deck
agrestic: of the fields; rural; unpolished
ahull: with sails furled and helm lashed to the lee-side
aichmophobia: fear of sharp or pointed objects
akinesia: loss of ability to move
alalia: loss of ability to speak
alb: long white robe worn by priests; a white linen liturgical vestment
albescent: becoming white; whiteness
alchemy: a pseudoscientific forerunner of chemistry in medieval times; the way two individuals or things relate to each other
aleberry: beverage made from ale, spices, and dried bread
algetic causing or producing pain
allicient: attracting something else
almoner: giver of alms; social worker in a hospital
alms: money or goods contributed to the poor
allotropy: of an element, having more than one form
alogism: illogical statement
altiloquence: pompous or high speech
amaranth: imaginary flower reputed never to fade
amaranthine: immortal; undying; deep purple-red colour
amicicide: murder of a friend
amidships: midway between the bow and stern of a ship
amorphous: having no definite form or distinct shape
amphisbaena: mythical two-headed serpent or lizard
anabiosis: return to life after apparent death
anaerectic: destructive
anaesthetic: a drug that causes temporary loss of bodily sensations
anchorite: one withdrawn from the world for religious reasons
anemograph: instrument for measuring pressure and velocity of wind
anencephalic: lacking a brain
anodyne: something that relieves pain or suffering
anomia: inability to remember names
anotic: lacking ears
anthropomorphism: suggesting human characteristics for animals or inanimate things
antimnemonic: damaging the memory; eliminating memories
antiphon: anthem sung as a response during church service
antithalian: opposed to mirth or fun
apse: rounded extension of church or other building A domed or vaulted recess or projection on a building especially the east end of a church; usually contains the altar
apotheosis: elevation to divine status; a perfect example
approbation: approval; consent
aquiline: of, like or pertaining to eagles; hooked like an eagle's beak
arbalest: type of crossbow
arboreal: inhabiting or frequenting trees
architrave: the moulding around a door or window
arciform: shaped like a bow
ardent: characterized by strong enthusiasm
arete: sharp mountain ridge
argent: the heraldic colour silver or white lustrous grey; covered with or tinged with the colour of silver
argosy: a large merchant ship; a rich supply
arthropod: invertebrate having jointed limbs and a segmented body with an exoskeleton made of chitin
artisan: skilled worker who practices some trade or handicraft
ascension: movement upward
asinine: of, like or pertaining to asses; stupid
astern: at the stern of a ship
atheist: someone who denies the existence of god
athermic: lacking heat
atrabilious: melancholy; splenetic; acrimonious, irritable,
aureate: having the deep slightly brownish colour of gold; elaborately or excessively ornamented
autocracy: government by one individual
autolatry: self-worship
automysophobia fear of being dirty
avian pertaining to or characteristic of birds
avionics science and technology of systems and devices for aeronautics and astronautics
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B (Baccate - Buss)
baccate: having berries; berry-like
bacciferous: bearing berries
baccivorous: eating berries, feeding on berries
bacciform: shaped like a berry
backstay: stay extending from ship's mastheads to the side of the ship
bagging: coarse fabric for making bags or sacks
baize: coarse napped cotton or wool fabric
balbriggan: knitted cotton fabric; used for underwear
baldaquin: covering or canopy over a throne or altar
baldric: shoulder strap for holding sword
balefire: bonfire or beacon-fire
balistraria: cross-shaped opening in wall for firing arrows
banausic: materialistic; merely mechanical; pertaining to workshops
bantling: brat; whelp; bastard child
baptistery: part of church reserved for performing baptisms
barbette: earthen terrace inside the parapet of a rampart
barbican: projecting watchtower over the gate of a castle
barkentine: three-masted vessel
baronial: impressive in appearance
bascule: apparatus of which one end rises as the other sinks
bastardy: the condition of being born of unwed parents; illegitimacy
baste: strike violently and repeatedly
bastion: tower at the corner of a fortification
batholith: large mass of intruded igneous rock
bathyscape: navigable deep diving vessel for underwater exploration
batten: timber used to fasten down a door or hatch
beadle: church caretaker or usher; mace-bearing official of an institution
beadsman: monk or almoner who prays for benefactor
beatific: marked by utter benignity; resembling or befitting an angel or saint
beaver: hinged face guard on a helmet
becket: large hook or bracket used to hold tackle or spars
beckets: rope handles
bedaggle: to soil by dragging along the wet ground
bedswerver: unfaithful spouse
behemoth: someone or something that is abnormally large and powerful
behest: an authoritative command or request
belay: to secure a rope by winding on a pin or cleat
benefic: kindly; benign; beneficent
besmirch: charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone
bethel: a place of worship for seamen; nonconformist chapel
bêtise: foolish act or situation
betwixt: between
bewray: to reveal; to betray; to divulge
bezel: oblique side or face of a cut gem
bibacious: overly fond of drinking
bibliophagist: one who devours books, literally or figuratively
bibulous: addicted to alcohol
bicorn: having two horns or points
bifid: divided in two by a deep split
bight: a wide bay; a bend or coil in a rope
bile: digestive juice secreted by the liver and stored in the gallbladder; aids in the digestion of fats
bilge: lower point of inner hull of a ship
bilious: ill-tempered; very unpleasant
binnacle: case in which a ship's compass is kept
binotonous: consisting or comprised of two musical tones
biocentric: having life as main principle
biolith: rock formed by living creatures
biped: an animal with two feet
biramous: forked; with two branches
birostrate: double-beaked
bisulcate: cloven-footed; cleft in two
bitts: posts mounted on a ship for fastening ropes
blackguard: to vituperate; to portray as a scoundrel
blazon: heraldic arms painted on knight's shield or surcoat
blench: to shrink or flinch
blithesome: carefree and happy and lighthearted
bloodletting: indiscriminate slaughter
bloviate: to write or speak windily
boatswain (or bosun): ship's crewmember in charge of equipment and maintenance; petty-officer on a merchantship who controls the work of other seamen
bobstay: rope used on ships to steady the bowsprit
bodement: prediction or prophecy
bola: a rope with weights attached to the ends; is thrown to entangle the legs of an animal
bolide: large meteor that bursts; a fireball
bollard: short post on a wharf or ship to which ropes are tied
boltrope: strong rope stitched to edges of a sail
bombastic: ostentatiously lofty in style
bombilating: make a buzzing sound
bore: tidal flow of water up estuaries
bovine: dull and slow-moving and stolid; like an ox; of or relating to or belonging to cattle
bower: anchor carried at bow of a ship
bowline: rope used to keep weather edge of a sail taut
bowsprit: spar that extends at bows of a ship
bracing stations: the job/position each crew-member takes on when bracing all the yards
brackish: saltish; very salty
brails: ropes on edge of sail for hauling up
branchial: of, like or pertaining to gills
branchiferous: having or bearing gills
branchiform: gill-shaped
brassard: badge worn on the arm; piece of armour for the arm
brattice: partition in mine shaft used to support walls and roof
brazier: large metal container in which coal or charcoal is burned; warms people who must stay outside for long times
bream: to clean a ship's bottom by burning off seaweed
bridge: upper deck where a ship is steered and the captain stands
brigandine: leather armour with metal scales
brigantine: two-masted ship
broadcloth: dense twilled wool or worsted fabric
broadsword: a sword with a broad blade and (usually) two cutting edges; used to cut rather than stab/p>
brocade: thick heavy expensive material with a raised pattern
brumal: characteristic of or relating to winter
brumous: foggy; wintry
bucolic: of, like or pertaining to the tending of cattle; rustic; rural
bullyrag: to assault with abusive language; to badger
bulwark: the side of a ship above the deck
bunt: middle of sail, fish-net or cloth when slack
buntline: rope attached to middle of square sail to haul it up to the yard
burlap: coarse plain-woven jute or hemp fabric
burnet: dark brown; dark woollen cloth
buss: rude or playful kiss
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C (Cabalistic - Cyprian)
cabalistic: having a secret or hidden meaning
cable: heavy rope or chain for mooring a ship
cabotage: shipping and sailing between points in the same country
cacotopia: a state in which everything is as bad as it can be
cadaver: the dead body of a human being
cadence: a recurrent rhythmical series
cadge: to beg or sponge from another
caitiff: base; cowardly; despicable
calefacient: warming; anything that warms
calico: plain white cotton
caliginous: misty; dark; dim; obscure
callow: unfledged; inexperienced
calorifacient: producing or generating heat
calumniate: to slander; misrepresent; besmirch
calumny: vile misrepresentation
camarilla: secret society of favourites of the king; a clique (often secret) that seeks power usually through intrigue
camber: slight arch or convexity to a beam or deck of a ship
cambric: fine thin white cotton or linen fabric
camlet: strong waterproof silk or wool fabric; originally made of silk and camel's hair
campanile: freestanding bell tower on church property
cancriform: shaped like a crab
candescent: glowing hotly
canescent: hoary; tending to become white or grey
cannonade: an attack with heavy artillery
canticle: short holy song or sung prayer
cantillate: to chant or intone
capstan: upright device for winding in heavy ropes or cables
capricious: determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason
captious: peevish; ready to take offence or find fault
capuchin: pointed hooded cloak for women
caravel: small vessel with broad bows, high, narrow poop, four masts, and lateen sails
carbuncle: an infection larger than a boil and with several openings for discharge of pus
cardinal: deep scarlet red colour
careen: to turn a ship on its side in order to clean or repair it
carinated: shaped like the prow or keel of a ship
carnassial: specially adapted for eating flesh
carpophagous: fruit-eating, feeding on fruit
carrack: galleon
carronade: short and light maritime cannon
cartilage: tough elastic tissue; mostly converted to bone in adults
cartiliginous: like or composed of cartilage
casque: helmet
cashmere: soft twilled fabric made of fine goat's wool
cassock: close-fitting ankle-length clergyman's garment
castellan: governor of castle or fortification
castellar: of, like or pertaining to a castle
castellated: having battlements or turrets
castophrenia: belief that one's thoughts are being stolen
cataphract: suit of mail; soldier in full armour; armoured ship
cathead: projection near the bow of a ship to which anchor is secured
cathedra: chair or throne of office for a bishop or other high official
catoptric: of, like or pertaining to reflection or reflected light
causeway: a road that is raised above water or marshland or sand
cauterized: burn, sear, or freeze (tissue) using a hot iron or electric current or a caustic agent
celeste: sky blue
cenobite: monk; member of religious group
cephalopod: creature with tentacles or limbs attached to head
cerebration: the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
cerise: sky-blue; dark blue; sea-green
cerulean: sky-blue; dark blue; sea-green
cetacean: type of aquatic mammal, including whales and dolphins
ceticide: killing of whales and other cetaceans
cetology: study of whales and dolphins
challis: soft lightweight silk, wool or cotton fabric (usually printed)
chancel: part of church containing altar and seats for choir
chancery: church office dealing with legal matters and archives
chantry: chapel or altar built for prayers for its benefactor's soul
chaplet: circlet or wreath for the head; short string of prayer beads
charnel: room where corpses are placed
chatoyant: with a changing lustre; iridescent
cheliferous: bearing pincers or claws
cheliform: shaped like a pincer
chelonian: of, like or pertaining to tortoises or turtles
chicanery: clever but misleading talk; deception
chide: censure severely or angrily
chilopod: multi-legged insect
chimerical: imaginary; fanciful
chine: the intersection of the middle and sides of a boat
chitin: tough semitransparent horny substance; the principal component of the exoskeletons of arthropods and the cell walls of certain fungi
chock: metal casting with curved arms for passing ropes for mooring ship
choler: a strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance
chromatophore: plastid containing pigments other than chlorophyll usually yellow or orange carotenoids
chthonian: of, like or pertaining to the earth or the underworld
cinerary: of, like or pertaining to ashes
cinerious: ashen; ash-grey
circadian: occurring every 24 hours
circinate: ring-shaped; rolled inwards; spiralling
circumabulate: walk around something
circumambient: going round about; encompassing
circumaviate: to fly around
circumboreal: comprising or throughout far northern regions
clandestine: conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods
claque: group of hired applauders or sycophants
cleat: a fastener (usually with two projecting horns) around which a rope can be secured
clepe: to name; to call
clerestory: upper storey of a church; windows near the roof of a building
clew: corner of sail with hole to attach ropes
clew-lines: ropes attached to the corners of sails
climacteric: critical time in a person's life; any critical turning point
clinquant: tinselly; glittering
clitter: to make a shrill rattling noise
cnidarian: of, like, or pertaining to invertebrates such as jellyfish and anemones
coalescence: the union of diverse things into one body or form or group; the growing together of parts
coaming: raised edge around ship's hatches to keep water out
cobalt: a shade of blue tinged with green
coeliac: of, like or pertaining to the abdomen
cofferdam: narrow vacant space between two bulkheads of a ship
cog: single-masted, square-sailed ship with raised stern
cogent: convincing; compelling
cognitive: of or being or relating to or involving cognition
col: depression or pass in a mountain range
colliery: a workplace consisting of a (coal) mine plus all the buildings and equipment connected with it
colloid: jelly-like
colonnade: row of evenly spaced column or trees
comburent: burning; causing combustion
comity: courteousness; civility
companionway: stairs from upper deck of ship to lower deck
company: military unit; usually two or three platoons
compendious: concise but comprehensive
complaisance: a disposition or tendency to yield to the will of others
compliance: the act of submitting; usually surrendering power to another
compunction: regret; remorse
conceit: feelings of excessive pride
concordance: a harmonious state of things in general and of their properties (as of colours and sounds); congruity of parts with one another and with the whole
concubine: a woman who cohabits with an important man
concupiscence: strong desire, appetite or lust
conflagration: very intense fire
connubial: of, like or pertaining to marriage
consignment: goods carried by a large vehicle
contumacious: stubborn; obstinate; opposing lawful authority
copacetic: very satisfactory; fine
coquettish: someone who talks or behaves amorously, without serious intentions
cordage: ropes in the rigging of a ship
coriaceous: having a leathery appearance; consisting, of, like or pertaining to leather
corium: skin layer
corpulent: excessively fat
coruscate: to sparkle; to throw off flashes of light
corvine: crow-like; of, like or pertaining to crows or ravens
counterphobic: seeking out situation that is feared
crepuscular: of, like or pertaining to twilight
cretaceous: of or resembling chalk; of a whitish colour
cretonne: heavy cotton or linen cloth
cringle: loop at corner of sail to which a line is attached
crinoline: stiff flax or cotton fabric
crosier: pastoral staff or crook held by bishop or abbot
crosslet: small cross with crossed arms used as heraldic bearing
crosstrees: horizontal crosspieces at a masthead used to support ship's mast
crow's nest: platform for a lookout at or near the top of a mast
cruciform: cross-shaped
culvert: a transverse and totally enclosed drain
cuneiform: shaped like a wedge
curate: assistant to a parish priest
cutaneous: of or related to the skin
cutter: a sailing vessel with a single mast set further back than the mast of a sloop
cyprian: lewd woman; prostitute
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D (Dalliance - Dystopia)
dalliance: playful behaviour intended to arouse sexual interest
damask: fine lustrous fabric with flat patterns and a satin weave
davit: device for hoisting and lowering a boat
deadhouse: mortuary
declivity: place that slopes downwards; inclination downwards
decorticate: to remove the bark, husk or peel of
defilade: to arrange fortifications against frontal attack
déjà vu: the experience of thinking that a new situation had occurred before
deleterious: harmful to body or mind
demiurge: creative spirit or entity
dermatoid: like or resembling skin
despoliation: despoiling; despoilment
desquamate: to scale or flake off
desuetude: state of inactivity
desultory: jumping from one thing to another; rambling; unplanned
detritus: waste or debris
dewlap: turkey's wattle; flap of skin under the throat
diametric: characterized by opposite extremes; completely opposed
diaphanous: transparent; translucent; so thin as to transmit light
diaphone: low-pitched fog signal consisting of two tones; a foghorn that makes a signal consisting of two tones
diffident: overly shy or modest
diluvial: of, like or pertaining to floods; especially mythical ones; connected with a deluge
dimity: sheer and stout white ; a strong cotton fabric with a raised pattern; used for bedcovers and curtains
dipsomania: abnormal craving for alcohol
dirigible: a steerable self-propelled aircraft
discombobulate: to disconcert; to upset
disingenuous: not straightforward or candid; giving a false appearance of frankness
disomus: monster with two bodies
dissimulate: to pretend; to feign; to fake
dissolute: of loose morals; debauched Unrestrained by convention or morality
distributary: branch of river that flows away from the main stream
dithyrambic: passionate; ecstatic; frenzied
diurnal: of or belonging to or active during the day
divagate: to digress; wander about
dogmatic: of or pertaining to or characteristic of a doctrine or code of beliefs accepted as authoritative
dogwatch: a short, evening period of watch duty on a ship
dolent: mourning; doleful
dolorous: showing sorrow
dorsal: belonging to or on or near the back or upper surface of an animal or organ or part
downhaul: rope for holding down or hauling down a sail or spar
dragoon: to compel by military bullying; to compel by force
dreamery: a place favourable to dreams
drollery: drollness; comic show; jest
drugget: coarse durable wool fabric; a rug made of a coarse fabric having a cotton warp and a wool filling
drumlin: long hill formed by glacial retreat
drygulch: to murder by pushing off a cliff
dubiety: doubtfulness
dullard: someone who is lacking in intelligence
duteous: devoted to duty; obedient
dyslogia: inability to express ideas due to mental incompetence
dysphoria: uneasiness; restlessness; general depression
dystopia: place where all is as bad as possible
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E (Earing - Eyot)
earing: line for fastening corner of a sail to the gaff or yard
ebullition: boiling over; agitation; outbreak; an unrestrained expression of emotion
ectoplasm: outer granule-free layer of cytoplasm
edacious: voracious; gluttonous; pertaining to eating; devouring or craving food in great quantities
edentate: toothless; without teeth; pertaining to aardvarks and sloths
educe: develop or evolve from a latent or potential state
edulcorate: to sweeten; to rid of soluble particles by washing
effete: weak or worn-out; degenerate
effluvium: invisible emanation; offensive exhalation or smell A foul-smelling outflow or vapour (especially a gaseous waste)
egoism: doctrine that the pursuit of self-interest is the highest good
egregious: conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible
eidolon: image, phantom or apparition; confusing reflected image
eldritch: horrifying; arcane; strange
elicitation: stimulation that calls up (draws forth) a particular class of behaviors
elucidate: make free from confusion or ambiguity; make clear
emesis: the act of vomiting The reflex act of ejecting the contents of the stomach through the mouth
emissary: someone sent on a mission to represent the interests of someone else
emollient: softening; making supple
emotivism: theory that moral statements are inherently biased
empyreal: of, like or pertaining to heaven; sublime; skyward
enceinte: in an advanced stage of pregnancy
encephalon: that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centres; enclosed within the skull
enclave: an enclosed territory that is culturally distinct from the foreign territory that surrounds it/p>
encomium: glowing and warmly enthusiastic praise
enervate: to weaken
enmesh: entangle or catch in (or as if in) a mesh
ensign: large naval flag
entablature: wall that rests on top of columns
entropic: a thermodynamic quantity representing the amount of energy in a system that is no longer available
envelope: the bag containing the gas in a balloon or airship.
envoy: someone sent on a mission to represent the interests of someone else; a diplomat having less authority than an ambassador
eolith: a crude stone artifact (as a chipped flint); possibly the earliest tools
ephemeron: creature that lives for only one day; an insect that lives only for a day in its winged form
epicene: having an ambiguous sexual identity
epidermis: outer layer of the skin covering the exterior body surface of vertebrates
epiphany: a moment of sudden understanding or revelation
eponym: personal name from which another name is derived
equanimity: evenness of mind or temper; calmness
equine: hoofed mammals having slender legs and a flat coat with a narrow mane along the back of the neck
equipoise: equilibrium; counterbalancing thing
equivocate: be deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead or withhold information
eradiate: to shoot out like a ray of light
ere: before
erelong: before long; soon
eremite: hermit; religious recluse
erewhile: until now
eristic: given to disputation for its own sake and often employing specious arguments
eruct: eject or send out in large quantities, also metaphorical
esbat: meeting of a witches' coven
escutcheon: shield on which coat of arms is represented
esurient: extremely hungry, fell into the esurient embrace of a predatory enemy (often followed by 'for') ardently or excessively desirous
etamine: light open-mesh cotton or worsted A soft cotton or worsted fabric with an open mesh; used for curtains or clothing etc.
ethereal: characterized by lightness and insubstantiality; as impalpable or intangible as air
etiolate: to become pale; to make pale by depriving of light
etymology: the study of the sources and development of words
evanescent: tending to vanish like vapour evanescent beauty
eviscerate: disembowel
execrate: to denounce or place under a curse; Find repugnant; Curse or declare to be evil or anathema or threaten with divine punishment
exenterate: to disembowel Remove the contents of (an organ)
exoskeleton: the exterior protective or supporting structure or shell of many animals (especially invertebrates) including bony or horny parts such as nails or scales or hoofs
expedite: speed up the progress of; facilitate
expiate: to make amends for wrong
expurgate: to purify or revise; to censor; edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate
extricate: release from entanglement of difficulty
eyot: small island in a lake or river
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F (Facia - Futtock)
facia: nameplate or sign above shop
factious: turbulent; given to faction; seditious; dissenting (especially dissenting with the majority opinion)
fain: in a willing manner
familial: relating to or having the characteristics of a family
fairlead: ring through which rope is led to change its direction without friction
fatalism: doctrine that events are fixed and humans are powerless
fatuous: silly; purposeless
fealty: the loyalty that citizens owe to their country (or subjects to their sovereign)
feckless: feeble; helpless; futile; ineffectual
felicitous: exhibiting an agreeably appropriate manner or style
felonious: involving or being or having the nature of a crime
felsenmeer: flat arctic area covered with angular boulders
fecund: intellectually productive
fetlock: the joint between the cannon bone and the pastern
fiddley: iron framework around hatchway opening
fiduciary: held in trust; depending on trust
filigree: delicate and intricate ornamentation (usually in gold or silver or other fine twisted wire)
fiscal: involving financial matters
fistula: long narrow passage or duct; an abnormal passage leading from a suppurating cavity to the body surface
firmament: the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected
flagellate: whip
flagitious: grossly wicked; guilty of heinous crimes; shockingly brutal or cruel
flagstaff: flag pole at stern of a ship
flagstone: stratified stone that splits into pieces suitable as paving stones
fleer: to mock; to jeer; to make faces in contempt
flotilla: a fleet of small craft
fluke: part of an anchor that fastens in the ground; either of the two lobes of the tail of a cetacean
flummery: anything insipid; empty compliment; humbug
flying buttress: a buttress that stands apart from the main structure and connected to it by an arch
foehn: dry wind that blows down from mountaintops; a warm dry wind that blows down the northern slopes of the Alps
foliaceous: of or pertaining to or resembling the leaf of a plant
forebitt: post for fastening cables at a ship's foremast
forecabin: cabin in fore part of ship
forecastle: short raised deck at fore end of ship; fore of ship under main deck
foredeck: the deck between the bridge and the forecastle
: foremost end of ship's keel
foremast: mast nearest the bow of a ship
foresail: lowest sail set on the foremast of square-rigged ship
forestay: stay leading from the foremast to the bow of a ship
forsooth: in truth; indeed
foulard: soft lightweight plain-woven or twilled silk fabric; a light plain-weave or twill-weave silk or silklike fabric
frap: to draw a sail tight with ropes or cables
frieze: rough heavy woollen cloth; a heavy woollen fabric with a long nap
freeboard: distance between waterline and main deck of a ship
frigate: a medium size square-rigged warship
frisson: shiver; shudder; thrill; an almost pleasurable sensation of fright
fulgent: shining; bright
furucle: painful sore with a hard core filled with pus
fuscous: brown; tawny; dingy; having a dusky brownish grey colour
fusiform: tapering at each end
fustian: coarse twilled cotton; a strong cotton and linen fabric with a slight nap
fustigate: to cudgel
futtock: rib of a ship
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G (Gabardine - Gybe)
gabardine: closely woven cotton or wool twill
gaff: spar on which head of fore-and-aft sail is extended
gaff-topsail: triangular topsail with its foot extended upon the gaff
gambit: a manoeuvre in a game or conversation
gangway: either of the sides of the upper deck of a ship
gantline: rope used in single-block hoist
gantry: a framework of steel bars raised on side supports to bridge over or around something; shelving for barrels or a shelf where drinks are displayed
garboard: plank on a ship’s bottom next to the keel
gastronomy: the art and practice of choosing and preparing and eating good food
gastropod: mollusks including snails; slugs; whelks
gaumless: stupid; witless; vacant
gelid: extremely cold
genoa: large jib that overlaps the mainsail
genocidist: someone who performs or is responsible for the systematic killing of a racial or cultural group
gentility: elegance by virtue of fineness of manner and expression
geophagy: practice of feeding on soil; dirt-eating; eating earth or clay or chalk; occurs in some primitive tribes or sometimes in cases of nutritional deficiency
gib: wedge-shaped piece of metal that holds another in place
gibe: laugh at with contempt and derision
gibbet: gallows
glaive: weapon consisting of a large blade fixed on the end of a pole, whose edge was on the outside curve
glaucous: sea-green; greyish-blue; having a frosted look from a powdery coating, as on plants
gloaming: period between sunset and full night; dusk; the time of day immediately following sunset
globule: a small globe or ball
glower: look angry or sullen, wrinkle one's forehead, as if to signal disapproval
glutinous: gluey; sticky
gores: piece of cloth that is generally triangular or tapering
gorget: piece of armour for the throat; armor plate that protects the neck
gormless: dull or unintelligent
gourmand: a person who is devoted to eating and drinking to excess
gouts: a mass or aggregate especially of something fluid often gushing or bursting forth
gowk: a fool
gramary: magic; enchantment
gramercy: expression of gratitude or surprise
granulomatomous: relating to or characterized by granulomas, a tumour composed of granulation tissue resulting from injury or inflammation or infection
grapnel: small anchor used for dragging or grappling ; a light anchor for small boats
gravid: pregnant
greaves: armour for the shin
grimoire: magician's book for summoning spirits
grinagog: one who is constantly grinning
grogram: coarse loosely woven silk fabric; a coarse fabric of silk mixed with wool or mohair and often stiffened with gum
grosgrain: heavy close-woven corded silk A silk or silklike fabric with crosswise ribs
grotto: a small cave
groundage: a charge on a ship in port
grout: to root or grub with the snout
guardhouse: a building occupied by a guard or used as a headquarters by soldiers on guard duty
gudgeon: metal pin or bearing connecting rudder to a boat
gullet: the passage between the pharynx and the stomach
gulpin: credulous person; simpleton
gunnery sergeant: noncommissioned officer ranking above a staff sergeant in the marines
gunwale: upper edge of the side of a ship
gybe: to swing a sail from one side to another
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H (Habergeon - Hystricine)
habergeon: sleeveless mail coat
haematic: blood-coloured
hallucinogen: a psychoactive drug that induces hallucinations or altered sensory experiences
halyard: rope or tackle for hoisting and lowering sails
hamartia: flaw in a character leading to his downfall
hank: series of rings or clips for attaching a jib or staysail to a stay
harbinger: something that precedes and indicates the approach of something or someone
hark: to pay close attention; to listen
harpagon: harpoon
harridan: sharp-tongued; scolding woman; a vicious old woman
hauberk: long chain mail coat
haunches: the hip and buttock and upper thigh in human beings
haversack: bag worn over the shoulder for carrying provisions
hawse: distance between ship's bow and its anchor
hawsehole: hole for ship's cable
hawser: large rope for mooring or towing a ship; large heavy rope for nautical use
headsail sail set forward of the foremast of a ship
heapstead: buildings and places around a mine shaft
hearth: an open recess at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built; an area near a fireplace (usually paved and extending out into a room)
hebetudinous: lacking in liveliness or animation
helm: steering mechanism for a vessel; a mechanical device by which a vessel is steered
helmsman: the person who steers a ship
helobious: living in marshes or moors
henotic: tending to unify or reconcile; promoting harmony
herbarium: collection of preserved plants and herbs
herdic: low-hung carriage with back entrance
hermaphrodite: of animal or plant; having both male female reproductive organs/p>
hetaera: paramour; prostitute; concubine
hexapod: animal having six feet
hibernal: of, like or pertaining to winter
hiemal: of, like or pertaining to winter
hillock: a small natural hill
hither: to this place
hoary: pale silver-grey colour; grey with age
hopsack: rough-surfaced loose fabric; a loosely woven coarse fabric of cotton or linen; used in clothing
hubris: overbearing pride or presumption
humgruffin: terrible person
hummock: pile or ridge of ice; a small natural hill; hillock
hyaline: glassy, of or like glass, transparent
hyperborean: an inhabitant of the extreme north
hyperemesis: excessive vomiting Severe and excessive vomiting
hypnagogic: sleep-inducing; pertaining to drowsiness or sleep
hystricine: of, like or pertaining to porcupines
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I (Iconoclasm - Issuant)
iconoclasm: attacking of established beliefs
incredulity: doubt about the truth of something
indigence: state of extreme poverty or destitution
invidious: tending to rouse ill will, animosity, or resentment; containing or implying a slight or showing prejudice
ignescent: capable of emitting sparks; of a volatile mood combustible
ignominious: (used of conduct or character) deserving or bringing disgrace or shame
immolation: to kill or destroy often by fire
immortelle: everlasting dried flower; mostly widely cultivated species of everlasting flowers having usually purple flowers
immure: to imprison; to shut in Lock up or confine, in or as in a jail
impedimenta: things that impede; baggage Any structure that makes progress difficult
impedimentary: hindering; obstructing
implacable: incapable of being placated
importune: to press or urge with repeated requests
imprecate: to call down by prayer; to curse; to invoke evil on Utter obscenities or profanities
imprudent: lacking wise self-restraint
inalienable: Incapable of being repudiated or transferred to another
inboard: inside the line of a ship's bulwarks or hull
insouciance: the cheerful feeling you have when nothing is troubling you
improvident: lacking foresight; thoughtless Not given careful consideration
incalescence: growing warm The property of being warming calefaction
incarnadine: carnation-coloured; blood-red
inchoate: undeveloped; just begun; only partly in existence; imperfectly formed
incipient: beginning; in an early stage
incorrigible: impervious to correction by punishment
indefatigability: tireless determination
indigo: having a colour between blue and violet
indolent: disinclined to work or exertion
indurate: to make hard, callous or unfeeling; become fixed or established
inert: unable to move or resist motion
inexpiable: that which cannot be expiated or atoned for; incapable of being atoned for
infantry: an army unit consisting of soldiers who fight on foot
infelicitous: inappropriate in application or expression
infuscate: clouded or tinged with brown; obscured; cloudy brown colour; darken with a brownish tinge, as of insect wings
inglorious: (used of conduct or character) deserving or bringing disgrace or shame
inimical: hostile; harmful
iniquity: wickedness; gross injustice
innoxious: harmless
insectivorous: eating insects (of animals and plants) feeding on insects
insipience: lack of wisdom; stupidity
insouciance: lighthearted and unconcerned
intemperate: not mild; subject to extremes
invertebrate: lacking a backbone or spinal column
irascible: becoming enraged or angry
irenic: conducive to or working towards peace
iridescent: varying in colour when seen in different lights or from different angles
issuant: issuing from; in heraldry, emerging from the bottom of a chief
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J (Jack-block - Jute)
jack-block: pulley system for raising topgallant masts
jackyard: spar used to spread the foot of a gaff-topsail
jackstay: iron or wooden bar running along yard of ship to which sails fastened
jaconet: stout cotton cloth, a lightweight cotton cloth with a smooth and slightly stiff finish; used for clothing and bandages
jib: small triangular sail extending from the head of the foremast
jibboom: spar forming an extension of the bowsprit
jibe: to change a ship's course to make the boom shift sides
joist: beam supporting boards of a floor or laths of a ceiling
judicious: marked by the exercise of good judgment or common sense in practical matters
judicature: power of dispensing justice by trial; the administration of law; the act of determining rights and assigning rewards or punishments
juggins: a simpleton
jumentous: like a horse, smelling strongly like an animal
juncture: an event that occurs at a critical time
jurymast: mast erected on ship in place of one lost
jute: plant fibre used in making rope or sacks
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K (Kedge - Kyphosis)
kedge: small anchor to keep a ship steady
keelhaul: to punish by dragging under keel of ship
keelson: lengthwise wooden or steel beam in ship for bearing stress
kelpie: mischievous water spirit
keratin: a fibrous scleroprotein that occurs in the outer layer of the skin and in horny tissues such as hair, feathers, nails, and hooves
ketch: small two-masted sailing vessel
keystone: central cohesive source of support and stability
khaddar: homespun cotton cloth made in India
kingpost: perpendicular beam in frame of roof
kish: solid graphite that separates from pig-iron
kirk: a church
knot: a unit of length used in navigation; exactly 1,852 meters; historically based on the distance spanned by one minute of arc in latitude
knout: to flog; to scourge; a whip with a lash of leather thongs twisted with wire; used for flogging prisoners
kobold: spirit of the mines
kora: musical instrument similar to a harp
kraurosis: shrivelling of the skin; atrophy and shriveling of the skin or mucous membrane
kyloe: small long-haired cattle
kyphosis: hunchbacked condition
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L (Labile - Lysis)
labile: adaptable; unstable; open to change; liable to change
lacertilian: of, like or pertaining to lizards
lachrymose: showing sorrow
lacuna: a blank space or missing part
lacustrine: of, like or pertaining to lakes
lambent: moving about as if touching lightly; flickering; glowing
lammergeier: giant vulture-like bird of prey
languor: listlessness; weariness; a feeling of lack of interest or energy
laniary: of teeth or claws designed for tearing (canine teeth)
lanyard: rope or line for fastening something in a ship
lapidarian: of, like or pertaining to stones; inscribed on stones
lapidarist: gem-cutter; an expert on precious stones and the art of cutting and engraving them
lapidate: to pelt with stones; to kill by stoning
lapideous: stony
lapifidication: petrifaction
lappet: fold or flap on a garment or headdress worn by priest
larboard: left side of a ship
larrup: to flog or thrash Give a spanking to; subject to a spanking
lascivious: driven by lust; preoccupied with or exhibiting lustful desires
lassitude: state of being tired or weary
lateen: triangular sail rigged on ship's spar
latitudinarian: one having tolerant or free religious views broad-minded
latitudinarianism: doctrine of broad liberality in religious belief and conduct
latitudinous: broad or wide interpretation
latten: metal in thin plates
laveer: to sail against the wind
lazar: leper or person with similar pestilential disease
lazuline: a light shade of blue
league: although a league is commonly thought to be roughly equal to 3 miles, Caliban's End employs the ancient Roman system for measurement wherein a league is 2.2 kilometres.
lectern: desk or stand from which church lessons are read
leeboard: wood or metal planes attached to hull to prevent leeway
leech: a vertical edge of a square sail
leister: three-pronged spear or trident used for fishing
legion: amounting to a large indefinite number
lenity: mildness; clemency
lentiginose: minutely dotted; freckled
lentiginous: relating to or covered with or resembling freckles
lentic: of or relating to or living in still waters (as lakes or ponds)
leprose: scaly; scurfy
leprosy: communicable disease occurring in tropical and subtropical regions; characterized by inflamed nodules beneath the skin and wasting of body parts
lesion: an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)
lethe: oblivion; forgetfulness
lienal: of, like or pertaining to the spleen
liaison: a usually secretive or illicit sexual relationship
limacoid: slug-like
limacine: of, like or pertaining to slugs
limpid: clear; transparent
lineolate: marked with fine lines
lissome: lithe; nimble; flexible
litany: prayer of supplication in responsive style
logomania: pathological loquacity; pathologically excessive (and often incoherent) talking
logorrhoea: excessive flow of words; uncontrollable garrulity
lollop: to bound about wildly; walk clumsily and with a bounce
longueur: period of dullness or tedium
lore: knowledge gained through tradition or anecdote
lowing: make a low noise, characteristic of bovinesake a low noise, characteristic of bovines
lubricious: slippery; lewd
lucent: shining; bright
lucifugal: light-avoiding
luculent: bright; clear; convincing (of language) transparently clear
luff: windward side of a ship; forward edge of fore-and-aft sail
lugsail: four-sided sail bent to an obliquely hanging yard
lugubrious: mournful; dismal
lupine: of, like or pertaining to wolves
lurid: red-yellow; yellow-brown
lutchet: fitting on ship's deck to allow mast to pivot to pass under bridges
lysis: disintegration; destruction Recuperation in which the symptoms of an acute disease gradually subside
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