Jerusalem: A Novel

Jerusalem: A Novel Glossary

acolyte

A follower of a leader or movement; an assistant or participant during a religious ceremony

admonish

To strongly reprimand or criticize someone for their behavior

angelus

A Christian prayer, also called the "Hail Mary"

annihilate

Completely destroy

brigand

A member of a group of highwaymen or robbers

chagrin

To feel distressed or humiliated

colloquy

A meeting to discuss theology and religion

colporteur

A book or newspaper seller

crofter

A person who farms an arable plot of land

dalecarlian

A group of runic Scandinavian languages spoken primarily in Dalarna County, Sweden

delirious

An uncomprehending or disturbed state of mind, often from drunkenness or illness

diffident

Modesty due to low self-esteem

disparaging

Having an overly critical or unkind view of someone or something

dissension

Disagreements that cause disharmony in relationships or community

droll

Provoking dry amusement

envinced

Indicated or gave evidence for

firmament

The sky or heavens

forecastle

A crew's living quarters on a ship below the deck

germinating

Growing during a period of dormancy

harangue

To lecture someone in an aggressive manner

heretic

A person holding or practicing beliefs opposed to orthodox and mainstream religion

Holy of Holies

In the Hebrew Bible, the Holy of Holies is the inner sanctuary of a temple where God's presence dwells; in colloquial language, the most sacred part of a space

ingratiating

Attempting to join a group or community to gain approval or favor

kroner

Norweigan currency

obtrusiveness

Being overly conspicuous and noticeable

parson

A member of the religious clergy

Providence

God's plan or will for humanity and the world

Raising the Deuce

Intentionally causing mischief or strife

rebuke

Express strong disapproval or criticism

ribald

Referring to sexuality in a coarse or irreverent way

rostrum

A raised platform used for public speeches or ceremonies

Sabbath

A holy day observed on Saturday in the Jewish tradition and Sunday in the Christian tradition

salutary

Beneficial or producing good effects, especially from something unwelcome, unpleasant, or painful

slander

To spread false, damaging information to damage another's reputation

sect

A branch of a larger movement

sluice

The act of rinsing with water

stupor

A state of insensibility, often caused by drunkenness

succor

Assistance or support during difficult periods or in distressing situations

surplice and cassock

Ceremonial garments worn during religious ceremonies, particularly by priests, deacons, and altar servers

taciturn

Reserved or uncommunicative, especially in an offputting way

temerity

Audacity; excessive or unearned confidence

temperance

Moderation or restraint of indulging in appetites and passions

The Banns

A formal declaration of betrothal

The Salvation Army

A Protestant Christian church and charitable organization aligned with the 19th-century Wesleyan-Holiness movement

trepidation

Tension, unease

unction

The act of anointing during a religious ceremony

vestry

A room in a church used for administrative tasks or changing into ritual vestments

Zion

A hill in Jerusalem; colloquially used to refer to a holy place

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