African Pursuit

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