The Valley of the Ancients

by David Alric

  latrine n. a lavatory; toilet;WC. The term is usually applied in an institution (camp, barracks, prison, etc.)

  lead n. a clue; something giving guidance or direction

  league n. an old unit of distance equal to 3 miles (4.8 kilometres). ‘In league with’ (Chapter 4) means working with; planning with; conspiring with

  leer n. an unpleasant, suggestive look or smile

  leg n. a section of a journey

  legitimate adj. legal; lawful; authorized

  lepidosiren n. Lepidosiren paradoxa. An eel-like South American lungfish

  lest conj. in case; for fear that

  leviathan n. a huge, powerful monster

  liana n. a tropical climbing plant; a woody vine

  liberation n. freedom; liberty

  limpid adj. clear; unobscured; transparent

  literate adj. able to read and write; educated

  loathsome adj. disgusting; abhorrent

  locality n. an area or neighbourhood

  Loch Ness Monster (see Animal Anthology)

  log v. to cut down trees for timber; to fell

  longitude (line of) n. an imaginary line (meridian) passing at right angles to the equator and used in geography, navigation, etc. The prime meridian, 0 degrees, passes through Greenwich, near London. The position of any other meridian is expressed in degrees to the east or west of this line, i.e. the angle between the plane of the prime meridian and the one being described

  loom n. Chapter 8: a machine for weaving yarn into a fabric or textile; v. Chapters: 10, 14: to approach with a threatening or ominous aspect; to come close; to overhang

  lucrative adj. profitable; financially rewarding

  lumber n. Chapter 8: sawn timber; wood for construction and carpentry; v. Chapters 3, 17, 18, 22: to move in an awkward or ungainly fashion

  lumberjack n. one who cuts down trees

  luminescence n. light emitted at low temperatures as from phosphorescence or chemical processes. The context in which the term is used by the professor in Chapter 8 is nonsense; he is just using a big word to do with light to impress the villains

  lungfish n. a freshwater fish with both gills and an air-breathing lung

  lurch v. Chapter 13: to pitch suddenly forwards or to one side; Chapter 22: to stagger or stumble

  lurk v. to move or lie in wait in a concealed way, usually for an evil purpose

  mace n. a medieval weapon consisting of a spiked club

  Macrauchenia (see Animal Anthology)

  macroscopic adj. visible to the naked eye (cf microscopic)

  magnitude n. size or extent

  maiden name n. a woman’s surname before marriage

  mainstream adj. in agreement with current thought or attitudes; conventional; orthodox

  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

  malodorous adj. foul-smelling

  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. to abandon; to leave isolated

  materialize v. to appear; to take shape; to become visible

  matter-of-fact adj. without apparent emotion or excitement

  mean (time) n. in Chapter 23 the mean time referred to is Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). This is the solar time at the Greenwich meridian (0 degrees longitude). Because of the Earth’s tilt and elliptical orbit, the position of the sun at noon at Greenwich may vary in time, which is why the value is calculated as an average or mean time

  medic n. (informal) a doctor, medical student or medical assistant

  menace v. to threaten with violence or danger

  menagerie n. a zoo

  mentor n. a trusted adviser

  meridian n. a line of longitude

  mess hut n. a dining hut (usually for soldiers etc.)

  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

  metaphor n. a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is used in a non-literal sense, to denote a resemblance to the situation described, e.g. ‘She froze with fear’ (compare with simile)

  metric units n. the decimal units used in measurement systems based upon the metre

  miasma n. an unwholesome or noxious atmosphere

  microscopic adj. only visible under a microscope

  Middle Ages n. a period in history commonly regarded as lasting from the end of classical antiquity in AD 476 (the deposition of the last western Roman emperor) to the Renaissance in AD 1453 (the fall of Constantinople). The sale of indulgences alluded to in the Appendix occurred from about the twelfth century onwards

  midst n. in their midst (Chapter 19) means ‘in the middle of them’; ‘among them’

  midwife n. a woman who assists in the delivery of a baby

  migration n. the movement of animals between different habitats

  millennium n. a period of one thousand years

  mind-blowing adj. (slang) stunning; psychedelic; overwhelming

  minder n. (slang) bodyguard or protector, especially of a criminal

  Minhocão (see Animal Anthology)

  miniature adj. small; minute; reduced in size

  minimize v. to reduce to the smallest possible amount or to the least possible degree

  miscalculation n. a wrong judgement

  miscellany n. a miscellaneous collection; a mish-mash; a hotch-potch

  miscreant n. a villain or wrongdoer

  misfortune n. bad luck

  misleading adj. deceptive; confusing

  mission n. a task to fulfil; an objective; a quest

  mock adj. Chapter 23: pretend; sham; v. Chapter 19: to ridicule; to treat with contempt or scorn

  modest adj. self-disparaging; unpretentious; understating one’s achievements or ability. The word is used in its true sense in Chapter 23 and in an ironic sense in Chapters 8 and 23

  mole wrench n. (trademark) An adjustable tool which can be locked into a vice-like grip

  molest v. to disturb for an unpleasant or evil purpose; to accost; to attack

  momentarily adv. for a very short period; temporarily

  momentous adj. having great significance

  moon (time) n. a lunar month (i.e. 28 days, being the time from one full moon to the next)

  morose adj. unhappy; gloomy; peevish; ill-tempered

  mortal adj. deadly

  mortar n. a bowl in which substances are ground or pulverized with a pestle

  mould n. type or character. He ‘fits the mould’ in Chapter 13 means that he conforms to a particular type

  mull v. to ponder

  municipal adj. to do with a town, city, borough, etc.

  mutual adj. in common; shared

  myriad adj. very many; innumerable

  naïve adj. innocent; credulous; ingenuous

  Nature n. a famous scientific journal

  naught n. (archaic) nothing

  navigate v. to plot the position and direct the path taken, during a journey

  Neanderthal man n. Homo neanderthalensis, a primitive man who lived in the late Palaeolithic period

  neologism n. a new word

  nerd n. (slang) a stupid person or, in more recent usage, an intensely focused or dedicated person, with few interests outside a narrow field

  New World n. the transatlantic countries of the western hemisphere; the Americas

  Newton’s rings pl.n. an interference pattern caused by the reflection of light between two surfaces differing in shape. See ‘Notes on the names in the book’

  niche n. a particular and suitable position or space

  nicotine n. an alkaloid found in tobacco that causes yellow
ish-brown stains on the fingers and teeth of heavy smokers

  nigh adv. (archaic) near

  nimble adj. quick; agile; moving neatly

  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 – Professor Strahlung’s subject

  nocturnal adj. to do with the night

  nomen dubium n. (Latin) This means ‘doubtful name’. It indicates a name that is not recognized by mainstream science

  nonchalant adj. casual; unconcerned

  nonplussed adj. stuck for an answer; at a loss; confounded; perplexed

  northern hemisphere n. that half of the Earth lying north of the equator

  nostalgia n. desire or yearning for past events, places, etc.

  Notoceratops see Animal Anthology

  notorious adj. famous for something bad; infamous

  nuclear fission n. the splitting of an atomic nucleus with (usually) the release of energy

  nuclear fusion n. the combination of two nuclei with the release of energy

  nuclear waste n. waste radioactive material resulting from nuclear processing

  obliging adj. helpful; ready to assist; agreeable

  oblivious adj. unaware (of); taking no notice

  obscured adj. hidden; covered

  obsessed adj. completely absorbed in or preoccupied by something

  obstacle n. something in the way; a blockage

  oedema n. an excess of fluid in body tissues or a body part

  Old World n. the world as it was known before the discovery of the Americas

  opaque adj. not transmitting light

  optics n. the study of light and vision

  optimistic adj. hopeful; confident; expecting a good outcome

  opulent adj. wealthy; plentiful; abundant; extravagant

  ordeal n. a stressful experience

  ore n. a mineral from which valuable constituents such as metals can be extracted

  orthodox adj. conventional; conforming with mainstream standards or norms

  orthopaedics n. a surgical speciality concerned with bones and joints

  ostensibly adv. to all outward appearances; apparently; seemingly

  outcrop n. a protruding section of rock

  outlandish adj. conspicuously or grotesquely unconventional; bizarre

  overburden v. to overload with weight or work

  overcast adj. cloudy; obscured; covered over

  overhang n. part of a formation that protrudes beyond or hangs over, the rest

  pageant n. a parade; an elaborate procession

  palaeontologist n. one who studies fossils

  panorama n. an extensive, unbroken view

  Pantanal n. a vast area of wetlands in South America, famous for its flora and wildlife

  paparazzi pl.n. photographers who invade the privacy of celebrities to obtain compromising or ‘candid’ shots

  paracetamol n. a pain-relieving drug; an analgesic

  parallel adj. separated equally at every point

  parole n. freedom given prematurely to a prisoner which is conditional upon good conduct

  partial adj. incomplete

  patronizing adj. condescending; in a superior manner

  pax interj. (Latin). Peace

  peal n. a long, loud sound

  pecking order n. the hierarchy in a flock of birds. The phrase is commonly used metaphorically, as in Chapter 4

  peddle v. to deal in illegal drugs

  peeping Tom n. one who hides and spies on another or others; a voyeur

  peg it v. (slang) to die (also: peg out)

  penetrate v. to enter; to pierce; to find a way into or through something

  pensive adj. deeply thoughtful, often with an element of sadness

  perfidious adj. treacherous; deceitful; faithless

  perfunctory adj. cursory; superficial; without great attention

  perilous adj. very dangerous; extremely hazardous

  periphery n. the outer edge of an area or group; the boundary

  perish v. to die

  pernicious adj. seriously harmful

  pertain v. to relate (to); to have reference or relevance (to)

  perturb v. to disturb; to trouble; to discomfit; to discompose

  pervade v. to spread throughout; to permeate

  pessimistic adj. expecting the worst; anticipating trouble

  pestle n. a club-shaped implement for pounding or grinding. Often used with a mortar (qv)

  phenomenal adj. outstanding; extraordinary

  phenomenon n. an unusual or remarkable occurrence

  philosophical adj. learned; wise; relating to philosophy

  phosphorescence n. a light that persists after the radiation causing it has ceased, or a light produced at low temperatures by a chemical reaction

  pick-up n. a truck with an open rear body and low sides

  piece of the action phrase in Chapter 21 everyone wants a piece of the action means that everyone would like to join in and participate

  pinch v. (slang) to steal

  piton n. a metal spike that is driven into rock or ice to secure a climbing rope

  placate v. to pacify; to calm; to appease

  placid adj. calm; unexcited

  plateau n. a flat area on raised land

  plausible adj. believable; credible; apparently reasonable

  Pleistocene epoch n. the first epoch of the Quaternary period. It lasted from 1.8 million years ago to 10 000 years ago

  Pliocene epoch n. the last epoch of the Tertiary period. It lasted from 5 to 1.8 million years ago, the start of the Pleistocene epoch

  pliers pl.n. a gripping tool with hinged arms and serrated jaws

  plight n. a situation of danger or great hardship

  plutonium n. a toxic, metallic element that is used as a reactor fuel in nuclear weapons and nuclear power stations

  poignantly adv. sadly; distressingly

  policy n. Chapters 2, 3: a plan of action; Chapter 19: an insurance document or contract

  polyamide n. a synthetic polymeric material such as nylon

  poncho n. a South American cloak consisting of a piece of material with a single hole through which to put the head

  ponderous adj. slow; laborious

  pool n. billiards

  port n. the left side of a ship or an aircraft (when looking forwards). Also known as larboard

  portable adj. easily carried

  post-traumatic stress n. stress or worry following an unpleasant or damaging experience

  potent adj. very strong; powerful; forceful

  potential n. unrealized capacity; latent possibility

  potentially adv. possibly

  precaution n. safety measure; an action taken to prevent or ward off trouble

  preceding adj. foregoing; former; coming before

  precipice n. a sheer, steep cliff face

  precipitate v. to cause to happen; to bring on earlier than expected

  precipitous adj. very steep

  predation n. predatory behaviour

  predator n. a carnivorous (meat-eating) animal; a hunter–killer

  predicament n. a very difficult situation

  prehensile adj. adapted for grasping

  preliminary adj. preparative; introductory

  premature adj. happening before the expected time

  pretence n. make-believe; a false or misleading display

  pretty pass n. a sad or bad state of affairs

  primate n. a mammal belonging to the order Primates which includes anthropoids and prosimians. Primates are characterized by advanced binocular vision, large brains and specialized digits for grasping

  prime n. the period of life in which one has maximum power and vigour

  primitive adj. early; crude; undeveloped

  primordial adj. existing from the earliest time; primeval

  priority n. something that requires early attention, that takes pre
cedence

  privilege n. a special benefit; an advantage

  problematic adj. posing or constituting a problem; questionable

  proceeds pl.n. profits or returns from a venture or transaction

  prodigious adj. very great; vast

  profound adj. deep; extensive; far-reaching

  progeny n. descendant(s)

  progressively adv. increasingly

  project n. Chapters 5, 8, 13 and Appendix: a task; a plan; a job; v. Chapter 21: to throw one’s voice (or, in Lucy’s case, a thought) so that it can be heard at a distance

  prologue n. an introductory section to a story, play, speech, etc.

  prompt v. to urge to start or continue

  prong n. a projecting point

  proposal n. plan

  prospect n. Chapter 4: a view or sight; Chapters 9, 17, 20: an expectation

  prostrate adj. lying flat

  protocol n. code of behaviour; etiquette

  prototype n. a preliminary or experimental version of something

  protrude v. to stick out; to project beyond a surface

  proximity n. nearness; closeness

  Psittacosaurus see Animal Anthology

  psychological adj. to do with the mind

  pterodactyl see Animal Anthology

  pterosaur see pterodactyl

  pulverize v. to reduce something to fine particles or dust by pounding, grinding or crushing

  pun n. a joke that relies on a play on words; usually words that sound the same but have different meanings

  pungent adj. having a very strong or acrid smell or taste

  punctuate v. to interrupt frequently

  purchase n. Chapter 5: the act of buying; n. Chapter 21: a firm foothold ( in this case ‘hoofhold’!)

  purist n. one who insists on a correct style

  putrefactive adj. having a disgusting smell of decomposition

  pygmy marmoset n. Callithrix (Cebuella) pygmaea. The world’s smallest monkey, weighing approximately 130 g. It lives in the forests of South America

  quadruped n. an animal that walks on four legs

  quandary n. a puzzling situation; a predicament

  quarry n. something hunted or pursued

  quartz n. a colourless mineral with an hexagonal crystalline structure that is found in rocks. It is composed of silicon dioxide

  quick on the uptake phrase (informal) quick to understand; smart

  qv abbrev. quod vide (Latin). This means ‘which see’ and is used to denote a cross reference

  rack (one’s brains) v. to try very hard to remember something, or to think of a solution to a problem

  radioactive adj. emitting radiation spontaneously from atomic nuclei (includes alpha, beta and gamma radiation)