African Pursuit

by David Alric

  carnage n. slaughter; massacre

  carpe diem phrase (Latin) seize the day; take action; go for it

  cassava n. a tropical plant, also called manioc, with an edible starchy root

  cataract n. a rough waterfall, often across rocks; rapids

  causeway n. a raised road or path crossing water, mud, swamp, etc

  cavort v. to jump around; to caper; to prance

  cf. abbrev. (Latin) confer; compare; see. Used to guide the reader to another source of information

  chassis n. the steel frame of a vehicle

  cite v. to refer to; to mention; to quote

  cliché n. a word or expression that has lost its force through overuse

  cluster v. to gather round in a close group

  coarse adj. Chapters 2, 18: vulgar; indelicate; ribald; adj. Chapters 4, 15: rough; unrefined

  cock-a-hoop adj. boastful; crowing; in high spirits

  cocktail n. a drink mixed from different elements, usually alcoholic and usually drunk before meals

  coincidence n. the simultaneous chance occurrence of events that are apparently connected

  commonplace n. ordinary; everyday; common

  commune v. to communicate closely

  compass n. an instrument used to find direction by means of a magnetized needle that points north

  comply v. to agree with or submit to rules, conditions or requirements; to be obedient

  composure n. calmness; serenity; tranquillity

  comprehension n. understanding

  compromise n. a settlement arrived at by choosing something between two extremes

  compunction n. mercy; regret; remorse

  concession n. a right to land, or to conduct a certain activity, granted by a government or other authority

  concierge n. a caretaker or attendant

  concur v. to agree

  condone v. to pardon; to overlook; to forgive

  condor n. a species of large vulture found (principally) in the South American Andes

  confer v. to bestow upon; to endow; to grant

  confidential adj. secret; private

  conscience n. the feeling of what is right or wrong; a sense of morality

  conscript v. to enrol for military service

  conservateur n. (French) warden; guardian; custodian

  console v. to comfort; to bring solace

  consternation n. worry; concern; anxiety

  contorted adj. twisted

  contrive v. to arrange; to manage

  convalescence n. a period of recovery from illness

  conviction n. a state of feeling convinced; feeling sure or certain about something

  coordinates n. sets of numbers that define an exact location

  cope v. to manage; to deal with a situation; to succeed (often in the face of difficulty)

  coy adj. shy; demure, usually in a provocative manner

  crackdown n. a policy of strict enforcement; the imposition of severe measures

  craton n. a part of the earth’s crust that has been geologically stable for many millions of years

  credence n. belief (in); acceptance

  Cretaceous Period n. the last period of the Mesosoic era, between the Jurassic and Tertiary periods, 144–65 million years ago

  crucial adj. decisive; critically important

  crustacean n. one of a class of animals having a carapace or shell

  cryptid n. a cryptozoological term for a creature rumoured to exist but not recognized by mainstream science

  crystal n. a substance with a characteristic regular shape that results from the specific internal arrangement of its atoms or molecules

  culminate v. to end; to bring to a final stage

  curator n. person in charge of a museum, department, etc.

  dastardly adj. cowardly; sneaky; mean; contemptible

  data pl.n. facts; measurements; observations; recordings

  daunting adj. frightening; disheartening; intimidating

  dejected adj. downcast; despondent; miserable

  demise n. death

  denizen n. a person or animal living in a place; an inhabitant; a resident

  desperado n. a desperate or reckless person

  destination n. the place where a journey is planned to end

  deterrent n. something that deters or puts off; something that prevents or restrains

  devour v. to eat greedily or voraciously; to consume

  diplomatic adj. Chapter 12: sensitive; delicate; tactful; adj. Chapter 20: pertaining to diplomacy or affairs of state

  disable v. to put out of action; to make ineffective

  disarming adj. reducing or counteracting suspicion; reassuring

  disembodied adj. without a body; lacking a body

  disparaging adj. contemptuous; insulting; belittling

  dispel v. to drive away; to disperse

  disperse v. to leave a gathering; to break up; to scatter

  distort v. to twist out of shape; to deform; to contort

  distraught adj. very upset; agitated; distracted

  divert v. to change the direction of someone or something; to turn aside

  DNA n. deoxyribonucleic acid. The substance in cells of which genes are made and which can be used to identify species and individuals

  dock v. to subtract or remove

  domain n. land or area owned or dominated by a person, family or group

  double take n. a repeated, delayed, or exaggerated reaction to a given event or situation

  dough n. (slang) money

  down a peg phrase “to take down a peg” means to diminish another’s self-esteem or importance

  DRC abbrev. Democratic Republic of Congo

  dugout canoe n. a boat made by hollowing out a log

  dung n. droppings; excrement; faeces; ‘poo’

  duo n. a pair; a twosome

  duplicity n. deception; doubledealing

  e.g. abbrev. exempli gratia (Latin). This means ‘for example’. Now frequently simplified to e.g.

  ebb v. to fall away; to recede; to decline

  ebony adj. a hard, black wood

  edible adj. eatable

  eerie adj. mysteriously frightening; spooky

  elaborate v. to give more detail in a story or account; to expand upon

  elation n. extreme happiness; joy

  elevated adj. high up

  eloquent adj. fluent and persuasive

  emanate (from) v. to come from; to originate from

  embarrass v. to cause to feel self-conscious; to disconcert; to fluster

  embed v. to fix in firmly; to stick into

  embellishment n. an improving detail or adornment

  ember n. glowing fragment of wood (etc.) in a dying fire

  emphatic adj. forceful; definite

  en route adv. (French) on the journey; along the way

  encounter n. a meeting, especially one that is unexpected

  encroach v. to intrude or spread gradually

  endeavour v. to try; to attempt to attain something

  energize v. to provide with energy; to stimulate

  engulf v. to completely surround; to overwhelm; to swallow up

  enigmatic adj. puzzling; mysterious

  enlist v. to engage support or service for a task or venture

  enmity n. hostility; discord; ill will; antagonism

  enthral v. to enchant; to spellbind

  entice v. to attract with a reward; to allure

  entreaties pl.n. pleas; earnest requests; supplications

  epilogue n. a short postscript

  equator n. an imaginary circle around the middle of the Earth at 0 degrees latitude. It divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres

  erode v. to wear away

  erstwhile adj. former. In Chapter 9 his erstwhile companions means the people who used to be his companions

  erudite adj. learned; scholarly

  escarpment n. a long, broad, very steep slope

  espionage n. spying


  esteem n. respect; high regard

  etc. abbrev. et cetera (Latin). This means ‘and the rest’; ‘and so forth’; ‘and the others’

  eventuality n. a possible event or outcome; a contingency

  eviscerate v. to remove all internal organs; to disembowel

  excavate v. to dig out; to remove (earth, etc.); to make a hole or cavity

  exile v. to expel from home or country; to banish

  exotic adj. possessing strange beauty or quality; having unusual allure

  expansively adv. extravagantly; all-inclusively; widely

  explore v. to travel into unknown territory

  expostulation n. argument; reasoning

  exquisite adj. particularly beautiful; attractive with delicate, refined qualities

  extort v. to obtain money (or favours) by threats, intimidation or violence

  extraction n. taking out; removal; withdrawal

  extra-curricular adj. taking plavce outside the normal course of duties or activities

  fabulous adj. based upon fable or myth

  facilities pl.n. the equipment and buildings required for the conduct of some activity

  faculty n. a university department

  fading adj. slowly disappearing; diminishing

  fag n. (slang) cigarette

  fake adj. false; not genuine; spurious

  falter v. to speak hesitantly, haltingly, or with uncertainty; to stammer or stutter

  fauna n. all the animals living at a particular time, or in a particular place

  FCO n. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  feasible adj. possible

  feral adj. wild or savage, especially after being previously tame or domesticated

  ferret n. a variety of polecat used for hunting rabbits and rats, renowned for its ability to seek out hidden creatures. We use the phrase “ferret out” to mean the discovery of hidden information by persistent investigation

  feverishly adv. desperately; energetically; restlessly

  fiancée n. a female to whom one is engaged to be married (male: fiancé)

  fictitious adj. not real; made up; imaginary

  fiddle v. Chapter 8: to falsify; to cheat; v. Chapter 11: to rearrange; to experiment with the controls

  fitful adj. occurring in irregular spells. A fitful sleep (Chapters 1&2) is broken and restless

  flawless adj. without any defect or imperfection

  flora n. all the plant life living in a particular place or at a particular time

  flog v. (slang) to sell

  fogey n. an old-fashioned, fussy, “uncool” person

  foment v. to instigate; to stir up; to cause trouble

  foolhardy adj. rash; heedlessly adventurous

  forage v. to search for food

  ford v. to cross a river

  fortitude n. courage; endurance

  fortuitously adv. by happy circumstance; by accidental good fortune

  foster v. to bring up and care for another’s child

  fragment n. a portion of something larger; a broken-off piece

  Francophone n. one who speaks French

  fraternity n. brotherhood

  Frau n. a German title equivalent to Mrs.

  fray n. a disturbance; a fight or brawl

  freak n. an abnormal or deformed creature; a monstrosity

  frenzy n. wild excitement; frantic activity

  fret v. to worry; to be distressed

  frisk v. to feel or pat to check for concealed weapons

  frustrate v. to stop; to prevent; to hinder; to thwart; to annoy

  fuselage n. the main body of an aircraft

  gem n. a precious stone

  geology n. the study of the history, structure and composition of the Earth

  gesticulate v. to send a message or signal by using body movements (usually of the hands or head)

  gesture n. something done or said to make a point or to emphasize something

  get out of jail free card phrase a passport to freedom (derived from the name of a card in a popular board game)

  ghastly adj. horrible; hideous

  gig n. (informal) an event or performance

  gingerly adv. in a timid or cautious manner

  glade n. a clearing or open space in a wood

  glean v. to obtain in small pieces; to gather gradually; to garner

  gleeful adj. merry; happy, particularly because of another’s misfortune

  glimpse v. to catch sight of briefly or incompletely

  glitch n. a malfunction, often of unknown cause

  glossary n. an alphabetical list of terms relating to a particular subject, topic or field, with explanations and definitions

  glow v. to emit a steady light; to shine evenly

  gorge n. a deep ravine

  gouge v. to dig out; to scoop; to make a hole

  GPS n. global positioning system. A worldwide location and navigation system based upon satellite signals

  grapple v. to struggle in close combat; to come to grips with someone or something

  greypod see Lucy’s Lexicon

  grille n. a grating of metal bars that admits cooling air

  ground-breaking adj. novel; making a new advance

  gruesome adj. horrible; ghastly; repugnant

  guerrilla n. a member of an irregular group fighting against some official force

  gully n. a small valley; a channel; a fissure between rocks

  gung-ho adj. keen to engage in activity, often to excess

  guts pl.n. Chapter 10: intestines; bowels; entrails; pl.n. (slang) Chapter 19: courage; pluck; daring

  hack v. to gain unauthorized entry to a computer system

  hark v. (archaic) to listen

  harmony n. agreement; accord

  hassle n. trouble; worry; nuisance

  haughty adj. arrogant; exalted

  hazardous adj. dangerous; involving risk

  hearken v. (archaic) to listen; to pay attention

  heftier adj. bigger; stronger; bulkier

  henceforth adv. (archaic) from now on

  henchman n. a supporter; an attendant or servant

  hero-worship v. to feel intense admiration for; to adulate

  herpetological adj. relating to reptiles and amphibians

  hesitant adj. uncertain; irresolute; wavering

  hijack v. to take by force; to steal (particularly a vehicle)

  hinder v. to hamper; to prevent; to get in the way

  hist interj. (archaic) an exclamation attracting attention, or warning others to be silent

  hither adv. (archaic) towards this place; to here

  Hogwarts see notes on the names in the book

  Holy Grail n. the bowl or chalice used by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper. The phrase is now often used to describe something that is very highly sought after or aspired to

  homage n. an act or display of respect or allegiance to one of superior status

  Homo sapiens n. the scientific name of modern mankind

  hostage n. a person held captive as a security for a ransom or the fulfilment of stated conditions

  hot-wire v. (slang) to start an engine without a key by bypassing the ignition switch

  huddle v. to nestle closely together

  hue n. a colour or a shade of colour

  hue and cry n. the public pursuit of a suspected criminal

  huffily adv. resentfully; angrily

  hulk n. the abandoned body or frame of a vessel or vehicle.

  hunch v. Chapter 18: to crouch or bend; n. Chapter 21: an intuition; a guess

  hypnotism n. the process of inducing sleep or an altered state of mind

  immemorial adj. very ancient; from a time too long ago to be remembered

  impart v. to give to; to bestow upon

  impassive adj. not revealing any emotion

  impenetrable adj. not possible to get through

  imperial units pl.n. standards or definitions legally established in Great Britain for distances, weights, measures, etc.<
br />
  implicate v. to show to be involved

  implications pl.n. effects or results that might not at first be obvious

  import n. significance

  impregnable adj. unable to be broken into

  impunity n. immunity from unpleasant consequences

  inaccessible adj. not reachable; unapproachable

  inaudible adj. unable to be heard

  incessant adj. never stopping; continual

  incinerate v. to burn; to reduce to ashes

  inconspicuous adj. not easily seen

  incorporate v. to include

  incriminating adj. suggestive of guilt

  indigenous adj. belonging to a particular region or country; native to that part

  indisposed adj. sick, but usually not seriously so. In Chapter 7 the word is used in a slightly ironic sense

  initiate v. to start; to begin

  inexplicable adj. not possible to explain

  infamous adj. notorious

  inferiority complex n. a disorder in which a desire to be noticed conflicts with a fear of humiliation

  ingestion n. eating or drinking

  innocuous adj. harmless

  insurance policy n. a protection against a possible contingency

  insurgency n. uprising; rebellion

  insurrection n. insurgency; uprising

  intently adv. very attentively

  interminable adj. endless

  intervening adj. between

  interwoven adj. interlaced; entwined

  intravenous adj. into a vein; within the venous system

  intrepid adj. fearless; bold; daring

  intrusive adj. encroaching in an unpleasant manner

  intuitively adv. instinctively

  irksome adj. annoying; bothersome

  ironic adj. surprising or incongruous in a slightly amusing or sarcastic way

  IT abbrev. information technology

  ivory n. the hard, creamy dentine in the tusks of elephants, rhinos, walruses etc. Its value makes it highly sought after by poachers

  jail-bird n. one who has spent time in prison, especially repeatedly

  jeopardy n. danger; peril; risk

  jet lag n. the fatigue experienced after rapidly crossing several time zones

  kaleidoscope n. an optical toy which produces complex symmetrical patterns of frequently changing shapes and colours

  kidnap v. to abduct someone and keep them captive

  kimberlite n. an igneous rock often containing diamonds

  kin n. relatives; kindred; a group related by blood ties

  landline n. a wire or cable for telecommunications. It is usually more reliable than a mobile network

  lavish adj. extravagant; luxurious; prodigal