Chapter 108 - Ahab and the Carpenter — Vocabulary

Vocabulary Words from Chapter 108 - Ahab and the Carpenter

joist

A supporting beam or structural piece, here referring to the ivory shaft being shaped into Ahab's leg.

ferrule

A metal cap or band placed on the end of a stick or post for reinforcement.

cogent

Powerfully compelling or forceful; here used to describe the strength of the vice's grip.

imprimis

A Latin term meaning "in the first place," used to introduce the first item in a formal list.

Prometheus

In Greek mythology, the Titan who shaped humans from clay and stole fire from the gods to animate them, for which he was eternally punished.

impious

Showing a lack of respect for God or sacred things; irreverent.

dismasted

Having lost a mast; used metaphorically for a person who has lost a limb.

uninterpenetratingly

Without physically merging or passing through; occupying the same space without material contact.

inter-indebtedness

Mutual obligation and dependence among people; the state of owing debts to one another.

Praetorians

The elite imperial guard of ancient Rome; here referencing the historical auction of the Roman Empire by the Praetorian Guard in 193 AD.

compendious

Containing all essential information in a brief, condensed form; concise and compact.

vertebra

A single bone segment of the spinal column; Ahab uses it to represent the most reduced possible version of himself.

spavined

Lame or afflicted with spavin (a disease of horse joints); worn out or broken down.

Mogulship

A mock-honorific title suggesting a great ruler or mogul; the carpenter's irreverent way of referring to Ahab.

thief-catcher

A slang term for a lantern, since lanterns were used to catch thieves at night.