A Sea of Words

by Dean King

  Ali Pasha (1741-1822) A Turkish brigand known as the Lion of Janina (or Iannina, presently Ioánnina, Greece), he used ruthless means to become the PASHA of Janina in 1788 and held power over much of Albania and Macedonia and beyond. He intrigued with England and France during the Napoleonic wars. Byron and others described his barbaric yet cultured court.

  aliquid amari Something bitter or disagreeable (Latin).

  allegro One of the five grades of musical pace and character: brisk, lively, the quickest after presto.

  allowance In military use, money paid for various purposes or services and distinct from pay.

  Almack’s Club A club in London’s Pall Mall, founded by pub owner William Almack in 1762 to provide meals, newspapers, and gambling. It split into two other clubs, BOODLE’S and BROOKS’S, in 1764.

  almoner An official distributor of the alms of another. The name of a functionary in a religious house or in the household of a bishop, prince, or other person of rank. Sometimes applied to the chaplain of a hospital or other institution.

  Almoravian draught The name of this medicine is derived from that of the Berber dynasty, which ruled much of North Africa and Spain from 1056 to 1145. Its ingredients are not known.

  alopecia A medical term for baldness.

  Altair The eagle star, found in the northern constellation Aquila. One of the three stars that form the Summer Triangle (the three brightest stars in the summer sky).

  Altiplano The high tableland that lies between the western and eastern cordilleras of the Andes in Bolivia, Peru, and Argentina.

  altitude The height of a body in the heavens expressed by its angular distance above the horizon, a measure once taken at sea using a QUADRANT or SEXTANT and used to help determine a ship’s longitude and latitude.

  altumal The mercantile style or dialect. Altumal cant is the language of petty traders and tars. It derives from the Latin word altum, “the deep,” i.e., the sea.

  amaranth A purple color, that of the foliage of Amaranthus, a genus of ornamental plants with purplish or greenish flowers.

  Amati A violin, viola, or violoncello from the workshops of the Amati family in Cremona, Italy, which operated from about 1550 to 1700. Nicolo Amati (1596-1684) trained the masters Antonio Stradivari and Andrea Guarneri.

  amber Found chiefly along the southern shores of the Baltic, a yellowish translucent fossil resin that often entombs the bodies of insects. When rubbed it becomes noticeably electric, and when burned produces a pleasant smell. Often used for jewelry.

  ambergris A waxlike substance of marbled ashy color produced in the intestines of the sperm whale and found floating in tropical seas. It is odoriferous and used in perfumery.

  Amboyna A seaport in Indonesia’s Molucca Islands that was taken from the Portuguese by the Dutch in 1605. In 1623, English traders who had settled there were killed by the Dutch in the Massacre of Amboyna. The port was captured by the British in 1796 and again in 1810.

  Amethyst, H.M.S. A fifth rate built in 1799 and wrecked in 1811.

  amidships In the middle or toward the middle of a vessel.

  Amiens, Peace of The treaty between Britain and France that marked the end of the War of the French Revolution. Most of the conquests that each side had made since 1793 were to have been returned. The peace lasted only a short time, with the Napoleonic War breaking out in 1803.

  amor vincit omnia Love conquers all (Latin).

  Amphion, H.M.S. A fifth rate built in 1798. The previous Amphion, also a fifth rate, blew up on September 22, 1796, in Hamoaze, Plymouth, most of her crew perishing.

  Amphitrite In Greek mythology, goddess of the sea, wife of Poseidon, and mother of Triton.

  ampulla A small bottle or flask.

  Anabaptist A Protestant sect that arose in Germany in the 16th century. Its members advocated the baptism of adult believers only and the separation of church and state.

  anan An expression used when a listener has failed to catch the speaker’s words or meaning and would like him to repeat what he said; the same as “I beg your pardon.”

  anastomosis Intercommunication between vessels, channels, or distinct branches of any kind by a connecting cross branch. First applied to communications between arteries and veins in animals.

  anchor-ring The large ring on the shank of an anchor for attaching the anchor CABLE.

  Andalusia A southern province of Spain, the last stronghold of Moorish Spain.

  andante A musical movement that is moderately slow and distinct.

  Andromeda A constellation of the northern hemisphere, representing the mythical Andromeda, daughter of Cepheus and Cassiopeia and wife of Perseus, who rescued her from a sea monster.

  anemometer An instrument for measuring the force of a wind; a wind gauge.

  an-end In the direction of the length; directly ahead.

  anfractuosity Sinuosity, circuitousness, as in a winding channel or passage.

  Angelus A devotional exercise said by Roman Catholics at morning, noon, and sunset that commemorates the mystery of the Incarnation and consists of short verses and responses and the Angelic Salutation repeated three times.

  anguli scapulae The lower, sharper angle of the shoulder blade.

  anhidrotic A medicine or action that inhibits perspiration.

  anhinga Any bird of the genus Anhinga, fish-eaters related to the cormorant but with long, slender necks and pointed bills, especially the American snake-bird.

  animalculae Tiny, usually microscopic, organisms.

  anisette A liqueur flavored with aniseed.

  anker A measure of wine and spirits, used primarily in Northern Europe, varying in amount from country to country, but in England equal to ten old imperial gallons (equivalent to ten U.S. gallons).

  annelid A member of the phylum Annelida, usually elongated, segmented invertebrates such as earthworms, various marine worms, and leeches.

  Anson, Admiral George (1697-1762) While attacking Spanish shipping in 1743 during the War of the Austrian Succession, Admiral Anson took a treasure-laden MANILA galleon called Nuestra Señora de Cobadonga with 1,313,843 PIECES OF EIGHT. His PRIZE share enriched him for life. In 1744 at SPITHEAD, Anson finished his three-year and nine-month circumnavigation of the globe, the first part of which is chronicled by his chaplain, Richard Walter, in A Voyage Round the World (1748). (The voyage also provides the historical setting for Patrick O’Brian’s first seafaring novel, The Golden Ocean.) Anson served as First Lord of the Admiralty from 1751 to 1756 and from 1757 to 1762.

  antaphrodisiac An agent, usually a medicine, that counteracts carnal desire.

  Antares The red supergiant star, the brightest in the constellation Scorpius and in the southern sky. Antares is said to be the heart of the scorpion.

  Antilles Arc of tropical islands in the Caribbean Sea from the southern point of Florida to the coast of South America, also known as the WEST INDIES.

  antimonials Drugs made with various salts of antimony. Because they caused vomiting, catharsis, and sweating, they were thought to disperse fever and strengthen the body.

  antimony A metallic element used to make many medicines, especially tartar emetic, prescribed for the treatment of fevers. It causes vomiting, sweating, and catharsis, depending on the dose and the chemical form specified.

  antinomy A contradiction in a law or between two equally binding laws, statutes, or principles.

  antiphlogistic An anti-inflammatory treatment used in the early stages of most fevers; see “Stephen Maturin and Naval Medicine in the Age of Sail,” page 31.

  antiphon A short verse or sentence sung by one choir in response to another.

  Antipodes A term used in Britain to refer to Australia and New Zealand, so called because they lie at the opposite end of the earth (or antipodes) from England. Also, specifically, the Antipodes Islands, a group of uninhabited rocky islands in the South Pacific Ocean, 350 miles off the southeastern coast of New Zealand.

  antiscorbutic Of use against scurvy.

  an
ti-trades Winds that blow steadily in the opposite direction to the TRADE WINDS. In the northern hemisphere the anti-trades blow from the southwest; in the southern hemisphere, from the northwest.

  Apicius, Marcus Gabius (first century) A Roman gourmet who squandered away his fortune on feasts and then, faced with a need to economize, killed himself instead.

  apogee The point in the orbit of the moon at which it is farthest from the earth; by extension, the highest point.

  Apollo The sun god of the Greeks and Romans, and the god of music and poetry.

  aponeurosis A fibrous white membrane that sometimes sheathes a muscle and sometimes connects a muscle to a tendon.

  apoplexy Usually called a “stroke.” Caused by sudden obstruction of a blood vessel or hemorrhage within the brain, the syndrome can produce fainting, unconsciousness, and loss of speech and muscle function. The damage may be permanent or temporary.

  Apothecaries’ Hall On Blackfriars Lane, the hall of the Apothecaries’ Society, a city livery company (guild).

  appetence A natural affinity, as between chemicals. Thus, appetite or desire.

  apse A semicircular or polygonal recess, arched or dome-roofed, especially at the end of the choir, aisles, or nave of a church.

  aqua regia A mixture, produced by heating four parts of hydrochloric acid and one part of nitric acid, that can dissolve gold or platinum.

  Aragon A region and former kingdom of northeastern Spain.

  Arcades ambo Two people of the same tastes, professions, or character, often used derogatorily. The Latin means literally “both Arcadians,” i.e., two pastoral poets or musicians.

  Arcadian Referring to Arcadia, a mountainous district in the Greek Peloponnesus idealized as a place of rural contentment. Thus, ideally rural or rustic. Also, a person living a simple, quiet life.

  Arcturus The brightest star in the northern constellation Bootes; formerly, also, the whole constellation, and sometimes Ursa Major, the Great Bear, near which it is located.

  arcus senilis A narrow opaque band encircling the cornea in the eye, common in old age.

  Ardea goliath A very large heron, known as the goliath heron, reaching 59 inches in height and having a reddish head and neck. The goliath heron lives in Africa and feeds during the day.

  Argand lamp Invented by Aime Argand in the 1780s, a lamp with a cylindrical wick, allowing a current of air to pass to both inner and outer surfaces of the flame and thus providing better combustion and brighter light.

  argosy A merchant vessel of the largest size and burden, especially those of Ragusa (now Dubrovnik) and Venice.

  Arma virumque cano I sing of arms (that is, warfare) and man (Aeneas, the Trojan prince who escaped and founded Rome); Latin, the opening words of Virgil’s Aeneid.

  Armenian bole Pale red earth originally said to come from Armenia, used in astringent medicines and in tooth powders.

  Arminian Of, belonging to, or following the doctrine of Jacobus Arminius, a Dutch Protestant theologian who opposed the views of Calvin, especially on predestination. After Arminius’s death in 1609, his doctrines were condemned by the synod of Dort in 1618-1619, but they quickly spread and were accepted by many of the reformed churches.

  armourer A maker of armor or manufacturer of arms. An official who has charge of the arms of a ship.

  arrack In Eastern countries, a liquor usually distilled from fermented coconut-palm sap or from rice and sugar fermented with coconut juice.

  arrowroot A tropical American plant with tuberous roots native to certain West Indian islands. Especially Maranta arundinacea, an herb with fleshy and nutritious tubers.

  arsy-versy Backside foremost, upside down, contrariwise.

  arthropod Invertebrate animals with segmented bodies and limbs, such as insects, arachnids, and crustaceans.

  ARTICLES OF WAR

  The Articles of War were regulations of the Royal Navy that first appeared officially in 1652 and were revised in 1661, 1749, and 1866. They comprised a varied collection of admonitions and rules that dealt mainly with the misconduct of officers and were later expanded to seamen. The Articles of War were supposed to be posted in every ship of the Royal Navy and read once a month to the ship’s company.

  According to Falconer’s Marine Dictionary (1815): “After reciting several acts of parliament relating to the government and discipline of the navy, and declaring them to be repealed, it [the Articles of War] states: That, for the regulating and better government of his Majesty’s navies, ships of war, and forces by sea, whereon, under the good providence of God, the wealth, safety, and strength of this kingdom chiefly depend; be it enacted by the king’s most excellent Majesty ... [t]hat from and after the 25th day of December, 1749, the articles herein following, as well in time of peace as in time of war, shall be duly observed and put in execution, in manner herein after mentioned.”

  The Articles of War paraphrased:

  Article One states that all commanders, captains, and officers shall cause the public worship of Almighty God, according to the liturgy of the church of England established by law, to be solemnly, orderly, and reverently performed in their respective ships; and shall take care that prayers and preaching be performed diligently and that the Lord’s Day be observed according to law.

  Article Two condemns profane oaths, cursings, execrations, drunkenness, uncleanness, and other scandalous actions “in derogation of God’s honour, and corruption of good manners.”

  Article Three states that any person who “shall give, hold, or entertain intelligence to or with any enemy or rebel” without proper authority and is convicted by a COURT-MARTIAL will be punished by death.

  Article Four states that any letter or message from the enemy or a rebel must be conveyed to a superior officer within 12 hours of the opportunity to do so.

  Article Five condemns all spies and anyone who aids a spy or conspires to help an enemy or rebel.

  Article Six states that no person in the fleet shall give an enemy or rebel money, victuals, powder, shot, arms, ammunition, or any other supplies whatsoever, upon pain of death or such other punishment as the court-martial shall think fit to impose.

  Article Seven states that all original papers of any ship taken as a PRIZE must be preserved and delivered to the Court of Admiralty or other authorized commissioner to determine that the prize is a lawful capture.

  Article Eight states that nothing should be removed from a prize, except to better secure it, until it is lawfully condemned.

  Article Nine states that when any ship or vessel is taken as a prize, none of the officers, mariners, or others aboard her will be stripped of their clothes or in any way pillaged, beaten, or abused.

  Article Ten condemns any FLAG OFFICER, captain, or COMMANDER who upon the likelihood of engagement fails to make the necessary preparations and encourage his inferior officers and men to fight courageously, and states that any person who treacherously or cowardly yields or cries for QUARTER will suffer death.

  Article Eleven forbids any person to disobey orders of a superior officer in time of action.

  Article Twelve condemns any person who through cowardice, negligence, or disaffection withdraws or stays back in time of action, or who does not do his utmost to take or destroy every ship that it is his duty to engage.

  Article Thirteen forbids anyone because of cowardice, negligence, or disaffection not to pursue an enemy, pirate, or rebel or come to the aid of a friend.

  Article Fourteen forbids any person in the fleet from delaying or discouraging an action or service “upon pretence of arrears of wages, or upon any pretence whatsoever.”

  Articles Fifteen and Sixteen set death as the punishment for deserters to the enemy and forbid any captain to harbor a deserter from another ship of the Royal Navy

  Article Seventeen commands all officers, seamen, and ships convoying merchant ships to do so faithfully and condemns any sort of extortion.

  Article Eighteen forbids His Majesty’s ships and their officers and men from r
eceiving and transporting goods or merchandise for personal commercial purposes.

  Articles Nineteen and Twenty forbid mutinous assembly, sedition, failure to report anyone who utters mutinous words, and contemptuous behavior to a superior officer.

  Article Twenty-one orders that any “complaint of the unwholesomeness of the victuals, or upon other just ground,” be quietly made known to a superior officer and that the officer should then do whatever is in his power to rectify the situation.

  Article Twenty-two forbids quarreling with, striking, drawing a sword on, or offering to draw swords with a superior officer.

  Article Twenty-three forbids quarreling and fighting between the men.

  Article Twenty-four forbids the waste and embezzlement of a ship’s stores and provisions.

  Article Twenty-five sets as death the punishment for arson of anything not belonging to an enemy, pirate, or rebel.

  Article Twenty-six orders the punishment of anyone who willfully or through negligence grounds or strands a ship.

  Article Twenty-seven forbids sleeping on WATCH and negligence in performing duty.

  Article Twenty-eight orders death as punishment for anyone convicted of murder.

  Article Twenty-nine orders death as punishment of the “unnatural and detestable sin of buggery or sodomy with man or beast.”

  Article Thirty condemns any form of robbery.

  Article Thirty-one forbids any officer or other person in the fleet to make or sign a false MUSTER or MUSTER-BOOK, to command someone else to make a false muster, or to aid or abet another person in making or signing such.

  Article Thirty-two orders all provost-martials belonging to the fleet to apprehend criminals and detain prisoners as ordered to the best of their ability; all others in the fleet “shall do their endeavour to detect, apprehend, and bring to punishment all offenders, and shall assist the officers appointed for that purpose.”

  Article Thirty-three states that any flag officer, captain, commander, or LIEUTENANT belonging to the fleet, convicted of behaving in a scandalous, infamous, cruel, oppressive, or fraudulent manner, unbecoming the character of an officer, shall be dismissed from His Majesty’s service.