by David Alric
league n. an old unit of distance equal to 3 miles (4.8 kilometres)
legacy n. money, property or possessions, handed down as an inheritance from a deceased relative or predecessor
legend n. a traditional story from long ago that may or may not be true
lest conj. in case; for fear that
liana n. a tropical climbing plant; a woody vine
liberation n. freedom
Lingala n. the common vernacular (qv) language of Kinshasa and much of the Congo
locality n. an area or neighbourhood
location n. situation; position; site
Loch Ness Monster see notes on the names in the book
lode n. a vein of ore in a rock stratum
lope v. to walk or run with a long, easy movement
lore n. accumulated knowledge on a specialised subject or topic
lucidity n. clarity; normality
lumber v. to move in an awkward or ungainly fashion
lurch v. to pitch suddenly forwards or to one side
mahogany n. a hard, reddish-brown wood
maiden name n. a woman’s surname before marriage
makeshift adj. something found or put together to use when a proper tool is unavailable
malevolent adj. wishing evil on others, or appearing to do so
malignant adj. causing harm or evil
manipulate v. to handle or control, often skilfully
manoeuvre v. to move into a suitable position
maraud v. to roam or wander in search of spoils; to raid; to harry
maroon v. Chapters 5,7,8: to abandon; to leave isolated; adj. Chapter 22: a dark, purplish-red colour
masquerade n. disguise; pretence
massacre n. the indiscriminate killing of a large number of people
melanistic adj. black
Memsahib n. a term of respect for a married woman, especially one who is an employer.
metamaterial n. a material with properties that depend upon its structure rather than on its composition. The term is used particularly to describe artificial materials with properties not found in naturally occurring substances
metric units n. the decimal units used in measurement systems based upon the metre
midwife n. a person who assists in the delivery of a baby
militia n. a group of citizen soldiers (not a professional army)
millennium n. a period of one thousand years (plural: millennia)
mobilize v. to organize and marshal in preparation for war
modest adj. self-disparaging; unpretentious; understating one’s achievements or ability. The word is used in its true sense in Chapters 18 & 20, and in an ironic sense in Chapter 17; Chapter 22: small; not large
momentous adj. of great significance
monotonous adj. boring; tedious; dull
morsel n. a small piece; a little bit (usually of food)
motley adj. made up of disparate elements; mixed
mph abbrev. miles per hour
mucus n. the slimy secretion from a mucous membrane
muse v. to think; to ponder
musings pl.n. contemplative thoughts
muslin n. a finely-woven cotton fabric
mya abbrev. million years ago
myriad adj. very many; innumerable
myth n. someone or thing whose existence is unproven
naïve adj. innocent; credulous; ingenuous
naught n. (archaic) nothing
navigate v. to plot the position and direct the path taken, during a journey
neologism n. a new word
nick v. (slang) to steal
nigh adv. (archaic) near
nihil nisi bonum de mortuis phrase (Latin) speak nothing but good of the dead
nil desperandum phrase (Latin) don’t despair!
Nobel prize n. a famous international prize named after the Swedish scientist and philanthropist, Alfred Nobel. It is awarded for outstanding contributions in a number of fields, including physics – Lucinda’s subject
nonchalant adj. casual; unconcerned
notwithstanding prep. despite; in spite of
nudge n. to give a gentle poke or push to attract attention; to jog someone
nuzzle v. to rub or push gently with the snout
obstetric adj. to do with childbirth
opt v. to choose; to show preference (for)
optical adj. to do with light or the eye
optics n. the study of light and vision
optimistic adj. hopeful; confident; expecting a good outcome
option n. choice; decision
orb n. something spherical; in Chapter 11 this means the hawk’s eyeball
ore n. a mineral or mixture of minerals from which useful materials such as metals, gems, salts, etc. can be extracted
oresome adj. there is no such word in the English language! It is a neologism (qv) used as a pun in the title of Chapter 7. The chapter is about ore and the developments are awesome
ostensibly adv. to all outward appearances; apparently; seemingly
outcrop n. a protruding section of rock
PA n. abbreviation for personal assistant
pact n. an agreement, usually bringing mutual benefit to the parties making it
palpable adj. capable of being touched; tangible
pang n. a sudden, sharp, brief sensation, usually unpleasant (such as of pain or hunger)
paracetamol n. a pain-relieving drug; an analgesic
patio n. a paved area adjoining a house
pendant n. an ornament hanging from a necklace
pensive adj. deeply thoughtful, often with an element of sadness
perfidious adj. treacherous; deceitful; faithless
perilous adj. very dangerous; extremely hazardous
perplex v. to puzzle; to confuse; to bewilder
peruse v. to study; to read carefully; to scrutinize
pestilential adj. troublesome; annoying; harmful
peter out v. to diminish and finally cease; to gradually die out
photogyraspar see notes on the names in the book
pick-up n. a truck with an open rear body and low sides
pillage v. to rob, especially during a war
placate v. to pacify; to calm; to appease
plesiosaur n. an extinct marine reptile
plod n. (slang) a disparaging term for a policeman
plumage n. a bird’s feathers
plummet v. to descend rapidly; to drop down; to plunge
poacher n. one who hunts illegally
pockmark n. a pitted scar; a small depression in a surface
ponder v. to think thoroughly and deeply about something; to give careful consideration to something
pot v. to shoot
potentate n. a ruler; one with power
potential n. unrealised capacity; latent possibility
potentially adv. possibly
pothole n. a deep hole in a road
precambrian adj. relating to the earliest geological period, which lasted for 4 billion years, ending roughly 600 million years ago
preceding adj. foregoing; former; coming before
precipice n. a sheer, steep cliff face
predator n. a carnivorous (meat-eating) animal; a hunter–killer
predominant adj. principal; prevailing; most important or obvious
preface n. foreword; introductory statement
preoccupied adj. absorbed in one’s thoughts; engrossed
preserve v. to save; to protect
prestigious adj. having status or importance; impressive
primitive adj. early; crude; undeveloped
proclaim v. to announce in public
prodigious adj. very great; vast
profusely adv. abundantly; copiously
prologue n. an introductory section to a story, play, speech, etc.
prospector n. one who searches for valuable minerals
prototype n. a preliminary or experimental version of something
proven
ance n. place of origin
psychological adj. to do with the mind
pterodactyl n. any of a large variety of extinct flying reptiles belonging to the order Pterosauria. Pterodactyl species existed over an immense span of time: 228–65mya
pterosaur (see pterodactyl)
pugmark n. pawprint of an animal; spoor
pun n. a joke that relies on a play on words; usually words that sound the same but have different meanings
punctuate v. to interrupt frequently
purportedly adv. supposedly; allegedly
pursuit n. a chase; the act of following
quagmire n. bog; mire; marsh; swamp
quaver v. to tremble; to quiver
query n. a question
qv abbrev. quod vide (Latin). This means ‘which see’ and is used to denote a cross-reference
RAC abbrev. Royal Automobile Club. An organization that gives assistance to car drivers
radioactive adj. emitting radiation spontaneously from atomic nuclei (includes alpha-, beta- and gamma-radiation)
rampage n. destructive or violent behaviour
randomly adv. haphazardly
ransack v. to plunder and pillage; to take apart
ransom n. the price demanded for someone’s release
rapprochement n. (French) the resumption of peaceful relations
raptor n. a bird of prey
raucous adj. hoarse; loud; harsh
ravage v. to destroy; to damage
ravenously adv. very hungrily; voraciously
ravine n. a deep, narrow valley
reagent n. a substance used in chemical tests or reactions
realm n. field or area of interest
realm n. kingdom; domain
rebel v. to rise up against authority or an established institution
recess n. a space that is set back; an alcove; a niche
recipient n. one who receives
recollections pl.n. memories
reconciliation n. the settlement of a quarrel; the re-establishment of friendly relations
reconnoitre v. to inspect; to survey; to examine; to explore
recount v. to tell; to describe; to narrate
recumbent adj. lying down; reclining
reflection n. careful thought or consideration
refuge n. a place of safety; somewhere providing shelter or protection
regale v. to give pleasure or amusement
rehabilitation n. restoration
reminiscences pl.n. memories; recollections
remnant n. vestige; surviving trace
remorse n. sorrow; regret; compunction
remote adj. far away; distant; out-of-the-way
rendezvous n. (from French) a pre-arranged meeting
renegade n. outlaw; rebel
repercussion n. consequence; result
replenish v. to restore that which has been used up; to replace
repressive adj. restraining; suppressing; subjugating
research v. to obtain information or collect facts about a subject; to study in detail
reserve n. an area of land set aside for the conservation of animals, plants, etc.
respiratory adj. to do with breathing
respite n. a pause; a rest interval
rest my case your honour phrase a legal phrase indicating that one has finished presenting evidence to a judge. In Chapter 9 Clare uses the phrase to indicate that she thinks she has delivered a powerful argument
retch v. to heave as if to vomit; to vomit ineffectually
retract v. to draw in; to be drawn in
retribution n. punishment, especially as vengeance
retrieve v. to recover something; to get something back
rev up v. to increase the speed of an engine ( from revolutions per minute)
revel v. to take pleasure or delight in
revelation n. something revealed or disclosed, usually in a surprising way
roam v. to wander; to move about with no fixed objective
Rolex adj. (trade name) an expensive brand of wristwatch
rottweiler n. a species of robust dog with a reputation for being fierce
round the corner adj. phrase soon; imminent
rueful adj. sorrowful; repentant
ruffian n. a villain; a violent person
rummage v. to search carelessly or untidily
ruthless adj. hardhearted; merciless
sack v. (slang) to dismiss from employment
safari n. an expedition into the bush or wilderness, often in search of animals and especially in Africa
sarcastic adj. mocking; ironic; stating the opposite of what is really intended
sardonic adj. derisive; mocking
saunter v. to stroll at a leisurely pace
savannah n. open grassland, studded with trees and bushes
saved my bacon phrase an expression indicating great relief at having been rescued from a difficult situation
scam n. (slang) a swindle; a method of cheating
sceptical adj. disbelieving; doubtful; mistrustful
scree n. a heap of rock fragments
scrutiny n. close observation
seam n. a linear deposit or stratum of rock, ore, etc.
secure adj. safe; free from danger; carefree
seduce v. to entice; to attract; to lure
senhor n. a Portuguese courtesy title equivalent to Mr or Sir
serpentine adj. snake-like
shades pl.n. suggestions; memories
shale n. fine-grained sedimentary rock deposit
shudder v. to shake violently in fear or horror
SI units n. The Système International D’Unités is an international system of units used in science and technology
sibling n. brother or sister
slander n. defamatory statement; falsehood; calumny
slang n. a word or phrase that is not standard language but is used informally; jargon
sojourn n. a period of temporary residence; a limited stay
specimen n. an object of interest, collected and kept for future study or display
spectacle n. an unusual or interesting sight; a phenomenon
spellbound adj. fascinated; enthralled
spiral v. to move along a helical course
spit n. a long rod on which meat or a carcass is skewered for roasting over an open fire
spooky adj. eerie; ghostly; supernaturally frightening
sporadic adj. intermittent; every now and then
sprawl v. to spread out; to straggle
stalk v. to prowl stealthily towards prey
stammer v. to speak hesitantly
static adj. stationary; unmoving
steed n. a horse upon which one rides. In Chapter 15 Neema’s ‘steed’ is an elephant
stifle v. to cover up or suppress a sound
stifling adj. oppressive; stuffy
stimulate v. to arouse; to generate activity
stipulation n. a condition, usually one upon which an agreement depends
straddle v. to stretch across something with gaps or intervals between the supporting structures
strand v. to leave helpless; to maroon
strata n. the plural of stratum (qv)
strategic adj. relating to the conduct of a project or mission, especially one to do with war
strategy n. a plan of action
stratum n. a layer (especially of rock)
stunning adj. (slang) amazing; astonishing; very impressive
stupefaction n. bewildered amazement; astonishment
stupor n. unconscious state; torpor
subdued adj. not harsh or bright; dimmed
subside v. to settle down; to sink to a lower level
subtle adj. not very obvious; difficult to detect. Clare’s use of the word in Chapter 21 is, of course, sarcastic
suburb n. a district on the outskirts of a town or city, usually residential (where people live)
succulent adj. juicy
sullenly adv.
morosely; gloomily
suppress v. to hold back; to keep in check; to restrain
surmise v. to conjecture; to infer
surmount v. to rise above
surveillance n. the act of watching; observation; scrutiny
sustained adj. suffered; undergone
Swahili n. a language used in Kenya, Tanzania and many other East African countries
swamp n. an area of ground that is permanently waterlogged; marsh; quag
swarm n. a large group of small animals, especially bees and other insects
sympathy n. emotional feelings for others (compassion, anguish, etc.)
syndicate n. a business group undertaking a project
synopsis n. summary; condensed review
talent n. ability; aptitude
talons pl.n. the hooked claws of a bird, especially a raptor
tan n. a yellowish-brown colour
tangle v. to twist together; to mix up; to snarl; to make confused
tarpaulin n. a sheet of tough, waterproof fabric used as a cover
temporarily adv. for a short period; transiently
tentatively adv. hesitantly; cautiously; uncertainly
terrain n. ground (when describing the geography or topography of an area)
tersely adv. shortly; curtly; abruptly
thee pronoun (archaic) you, the objective form of thou
thermal n. Chapter 11: a column of rising air produced by uneven heating of the ground and local area, often used by birds or gliders to gain height with minimum effort; adj. Chapters 13, 19: relating to heat or temperature
thicket n. an area of dense vegetation composed of small trees, bushes, shrubs, brambles,etc.
thine adj. (archaic) belonging to you; yours
thou pronoun (archaic) you; the one addressed
throng n. a large crowd gathered closely together
thug n. a violent individual
thumbs-up phrase a gesture indicating success; pleasure; approval; etc.
tidings pl.n. news; information
to and fro adv. back and forth
toerag n. (slang) an unpleasant, despicable or contemptible person
tormented adj. anguished; tortured
torso n. the trunk of the body
transcript n. a reproduction or copy of a document
transfixed adv. rendered motionless by shock, fear or horror
transversely adv. crossways
traverse v. to cross; to go over
trek v. to make a journey, often a long and difficult one
tributary n. a river or stream that joins a larger one
trilogy n. a series of three associated works
trio n. a group of three
trivial adj. unimportant; petty
truculently adv. aggressively; obstreperously