Peter and the Starcatcher Definitions

Blowhard (pg. iii) n., slang: an exceptionally boastful and talkative person
Frigate (pg. iii) n.: a fast naval vessel of the late 18
th
and early 19
th

centuries, generally having a lofty ship rig and heavily armed on one or two
decks
Malodorous (pg. iv) adj.: having an unpleasant or offensive odor; smelling
bad
Hirsute (pg. iv) adj.: hairy; shaggy
Insufferable (pg. 3) adj.: not to be endured; intolerable; unbearable
Portsmouth (pg. 4) place: southern coast of England; significant naval port
for centuries and is still in use today
Poop (pg. 5) n.,: as in poop deck; a deck that forms the roof of a cabin built
in the rear (aft) part of the superstructure of a ship
Foretop (pg.7) n., platform at the head of a fore lower mast of a ship
Hold (pg. 7) n., the cargo space in the hull (the hollow, lowermost portion of
a ship, floating partially submerged and supporting the remainder of the
ship) of a vessel
Swabber (pg. 7) n.: one who uses a large mop used on shipboard for
cleaning decks, living quarters, etc.
Manacle (pg. 7) n.: a shackle for the hand, handcuff
Shroud (pg. 7) v.: to cover; hide from view
Jigger (pg. 7) v.: to manipulate or alter, especially in order to get something
done illegally or unethically
Futtock (pg. 7) n.: any of a number of timbers forming the lower, more
curved portion of the frame in a wooden hull
Capstan (pg. 7) n.: any of various windlasses (a device for raiding or hauling
objects), rotated in a horizontal plane by hang or machinery, for winding in
ropes, cables, etc.
Squadron (pg. 7) n.; a portion of a naval fleet or a detachment of warships; a
subdivision of a fleet
Zenith (pg. 11) n.: the highest point or state; culmination
Antipodes (pg. 12) place: island off the coast of New Zealand
Picaroon (pg. 13) n.: a rogue, vagabond, thief; a pirate
Furrow (pg. 14) v.: to create a narrow groove or trenchlike depression
Jib (pg. 14) n.: triangular sails set forward of a forestaysail or fore-topmast
staysail
Salad Days (pg. 15) phrase: a youthful time
Galley (pg. 16) n.: kitchen facilities on a ship
Smelt (pg. 16) n.: any of various small, silvery food fishes of the family
Osmeridae, of cold northern waters
Gangway (pg. 18) n.: a passageway, especially a narrow walkway
Bilge (pg. 18) n.: either of the rounded areas that form the transition
between the bottom and the sides on the exterior of a hull, where seepage
collects
Port (pg. 18) n.: the left-hand side of a vessel, facing forward
Belay (pg. 20) v.: to cease; also meaning to fasten a rope by winding around
a pin or short rod
Conspiratorially (pg. 24) adv.: agree together, especially secretly, to do
something wrong, evil or illegal
Aft (pg. 31) adj.: situated toward or at the stern or tail
Winsome (pg. 33) adj.: sweetly or innocently charming; winning; engaging
Panache (pg. 33) n.: grand or flamboyant manner; flair
Amenable (pg. 36) adj.: ready or willing to answer, act, agree, or yield; open
to influence, persuasion, or advice; agreeable
Perpend (pg. 42) v.: to consider; ponder; deliberate
Bow (pg. 53) n.: the forward end of a vessel
Billow (pg. 54) v.: to puff up
Starboard (pg. 56) n.: the right-hand side of or direction from a vessel,
facing forward
Nattering (pg. 55) v.: to talk incessantly; chatter
Reef (pg. 56) v.: to reduce the length of (a topmast, etc.) as by lowering,
sliding inboard, or the like
Expedient (pg. 56) n.: a means to an end
Guano (pg. 56) n.: a natural manure composed chiefly of the excrement of
sea birds
Gunter (pg. 56) n.: a jib-headed sail fastened to a vertical spar that is
attached to a short mast, usually by two rings, in such a way that the spar can
slide up the mast to spread the sail
Twit (pg. 57) n. a foolish or stupid person; idiot
Fortnums (pg. 57) place: very famous tea salon in London
Devon cream (pg. 57) n.: thick clotted cream essential to afternoon tea
Fop (pg. 57) n.: a man who is excessively vain and concerned about his
dress, appearance, manners.
Phalanx (pg. 58) n.: a number of individuals united for a common purpose
Melee (pg. 58) n.: confusion; turmoil; jumble
Slough (pg. 60) place: town in Berkshire, England
Despond (pg. 60) n.: a state of unhappiness and low spirits. Combined with
Slough to reference slough of despond; a swamp of despair in John
Bunyons allegory The Pilgrims Progress character sinks under the weight
of his sins and the guilt he feels for them
Claggy (pg. 60) adj.: stickily clinging
Pike (pg. 60) n.: a hill or mountain with a pointed summit
Stem (pg. 61) n.: the forward part of a vessel
Stern (pg. 61) n.: the backward part of a vessel
Appellation (pg. 65) n. name
Yardarm (pg. 65) n.: either of the outer portions of the yard of a square sail
Flotsam (pg. 76) n.: the part of the wreckage of a ship and its cargo found
floating on the water
Vino Bianco (pg. 78) n.: white wine; specifically can be made as a sauce
with chicken
Trebbiano (pg. 78) n. white wine grape, most widely planted grape in the
world
Moscat (pg. 78) moscato wine
Cannelloni (pg. 79) a cylindrical type of pasta, normally baked with a filling
and covered by a sauce
Chianti (pg. 79) a type of wine from Chianti region of Tuscany
Vino Rosso (pg. 79) n.: red wine
Montepulciano (pg. 79) n.: red Italian wine grape variety
Leviathan (pg. 93) n.: a sea monster
Garret (pg. 101) n.: an attic, usually a small, wretched one
Swot (pg. 112) n. a person who studies to the exclusion of all other
activities
Hyacinth (pg. 112) n. a bulbous plant of the lily family
Piccadilly (pg. 112) place: a road in London, or referring to the circus
Mangroves (pg. 116) n.: any tropical tree or shrub of a specific genus
Parry (pg. 119) v.: to ward off, as in fencing
Attaque coul (pg. 119) phrase: attack, coul being an attack or feint that
slides along the opponents blade
Balestra (pg. 119) n.: a forward hop or jump, typically followed by an attack
such as a lunge or fleche (attack where leap off leading foot, attempt hit, then
pass opponent at a run)
Opine (pg. 123) v.: to hold or express an opinion