Chapter 101 - The Decanter — Vocabulary

Vocabulary Words from Chapter 101 - The Decanter

gam (noun)

A social meeting or visit between the crews of two whaling ships at sea.

flip (noun)

A hot alcoholic drink made from beer, rum, and sugar, heated with a hot iron.

forecastle (noun)

The forward part of a ship below the deck, traditionally used as the crew's living quarters.

anker (noun)

A Dutch unit of liquid measure, approximately 10 gallons, used for wine or spirits.

firkin (noun)

A small cask or unit of measurement for butter, typically equal to about 56 pounds.

anti-scorbutic (adjective)

A substance that prevents or cures scurvy, a disease caused by vitamin C deficiency.

unctuous (adjective)

Having a greasy or oily quality; excessively or ingratiatingly flattering.

scuttle (noun)

A small hatch or opening in a ship's deck or hull, often fitted with a cover.

Leviathanic (adjective)

Of or relating to a leviathan; enormous or whale-like in scale.

indefatigable (adjective)

Persisting tirelessly; untiring in effort or action.

bestirred (verb)

Roused to action; made an effort after a period of inactivity.

truck (noun)

The wooden cap at the top of a ship's mast.

convivial (adjective)

Fond of feasting, drinking, and good company; festive and sociable.

transcendental (adjective)

Relating to abstract or spiritual thought beyond ordinary experience; in philosophy, concerned with the a priori basis of knowledge.

stock-fish (noun)

Unsalted fish, especially cod, dried by cold air and wind on wooden racks.