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)
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)