Glossary
For now this is a partial glossary and will have ammendments as new words make their way into the manuscript. I am unsure as to whether or not a separate glossary will be needed when I get to book two in the series.
There are several words from both of the Gaelics, as well as other languages and cultures. This glossary is provided as a resource for those that are unfamiliar with a word or tend to forget foreign words. As language is something that fascinates me, I always try to work other vocabulary than English in when there is space and it fits properly with the story flow. This is also, in part, a tribute to the countless authors that introduced me to words that I would likely have never learned if they had not done similar.
Ainsley – Scottish habitational surname transferred to unisex forename use, composed of the Old English elements ansetl "hermitage" and leah "meadow, pasture," hence "hermitage meadow."
Arten – Stone
Colcanon – similar to Bubble and Squeak, a fry dish made of leftovers from the previous day.
Compánach – Companion.
Corsantóir – Defender, protector, guardian.
Cowan – Pagan and Wiccan word for outsider.
Deosil – Clockwise.
Draiganpáirc – Dragon Park. This is a location in Ireland that exists much as Seal Point does. It is part of the world, but only accessible though certain routes. The division between the plains is also very thin. This is the stronghold of Brigid’s Well and Forge and the seat of the O’Drake family. Some members of this family can be met in the Dragon Shaman series.
Dunstan – Anglo-Saxon name composed of the elements dun "black, dark" and stan "stone," hence "black stone" or "dark stone."
Erebus – Latin form of Greek Erebos, meaning "darkness." In mythology, this is the name of the offspring of Chaos, brother of Nyx, and father of Æther. He is the personification of primordial darkness. In later legends Erebos became the name of a place in Hades, the underworld.
Gerwulf – German name composed of the elements ger "spear" and wulf "wolf," hence "spear-wolf."
Guirmean – Scots. Blue
Hame – Home.
Hemming – Scandinavian name derived from Old Norse hamr, meaning "shape." The name may have originated as a byname for a "shape-shifter" or "werewolf."
Hir – This is not a typo, but intentional as a combination of his and her for use with the gender-strange deity.
Ken – Know, understand, grasp.
Leannán – Lover.
Leòmhann – Scots Gaelic for Lion.
Máthair – Irish Gaelic for Mother.
Pagan – Originally meant country dweller.
Rok – Old Danish form of Old Norse Hrókr, meaning "crow, rook."
Schneiengert – Germanic. Lit. strong spear.
Seanmhuintir – Irish Gaelic for Grandparents.
Sevrin – Severe, strict
Shi – This is not a typo but is intentional to denote a combination of he and she. The i was used to make it more obviously different than she.
Slainte – Health
Tomtra – a type of fairy that takes care of horses. Mine like to disguise themselves as small animals such as mice. Whiskers, for example, has a red cap. Traditionally they like green caps.
Widdershins – Counterclockwise.
Ainsley – Scottish habitational surname transferred to unisex forename use, composed of the Old English elements ansetl "hermitage" and leah "meadow, pasture," hence "hermitage meadow."
Arten – Stone
Colcanon – similar to Bubble and Squeak, a fry dish made of leftovers from the previous day.
Compánach – Companion.
Corsantóir – Defender, protector, guardian.
Cowan – Pagan and Wiccan word for outsider.
Deosil – Clockwise.
Draiganpáirc – Dragon Park. This is a location in Ireland that exists much as Seal Point does. It is part of the world, but only accessible though certain routes. The division between the plains is also very thin. This is the stronghold of Brigid’s Well and Forge and the seat of the O’Drake family. Some members of this family can be met in the Dragon Shaman series.
Dunstan – Anglo-Saxon name composed of the elements dun "black, dark" and stan "stone," hence "black stone" or "dark stone."
Erebus – Latin form of Greek Erebos, meaning "darkness." In mythology, this is the name of the offspring of Chaos, brother of Nyx, and father of Æther. He is the personification of primordial darkness. In later legends Erebos became the name of a place in Hades, the underworld.
Gerwulf – German name composed of the elements ger "spear" and wulf "wolf," hence "spear-wolf."
Guirmean – Scots. Blue
Hame – Home.
Hemming – Scandinavian name derived from Old Norse hamr, meaning "shape." The name may have originated as a byname for a "shape-shifter" or "werewolf."
Hir – This is not a typo, but intentional as a combination of his and her for use with the gender-strange deity.
Ken – Know, understand, grasp.
Leannán – Lover.
Leòmhann – Scots Gaelic for Lion.
Máthair – Irish Gaelic for Mother.
Pagan – Originally meant country dweller.
Rok – Old Danish form of Old Norse Hrókr, meaning "crow, rook."
Schneiengert – Germanic. Lit. strong spear.
Seanmhuintir – Irish Gaelic for Grandparents.
Sevrin – Severe, strict
Shi – This is not a typo but is intentional to denote a combination of he and she. The i was used to make it more obviously different than she.
Slainte – Health
Tomtra – a type of fairy that takes care of horses. Mine like to disguise themselves as small animals such as mice. Whiskers, for example, has a red cap. Traditionally they like green caps.
Widdershins – Counterclockwise.
Last updated: August 28, 2013