Dæmon
In classical mythology, daemons are animate spirits of nature, sometimes considered to be guiding spirits for humans. Pullman spells the term with the ligature form of the diphthong “ae” (æ), which is no longer in use in English but was used in Old English and is still used in Danish, Norwegian, and other Nordic languages. This helps root the novel’s mythological universe in England’s Anglo-Saxon past.
Decanter
A glass dish used in fine dining to prepare wine for serving by increasing its surface area, allowing more air to touch the liquid.
Poppy
A beautiful red flower used in medicine for pain relief. The pod of the poppy can be refined and concentrated to form opium, which is used to treat pain but can also be highly addictive.
Chaplain
The staff member in charge of Christian religious services at a live-in institution like a college or military base.
Anbaric
Electrical.
Trepanning
A surgical technique of cutting a circular hole in a skull.
Tartars
The people of a 13th and 14th century empire in Central Asia and Eastern Europe, on the lands conquered by Genghis Khan.
Alethiometer
A fictional device designed to answer questions about the future, from the Greek word "aletheia" which means truth.
Oblation
A religious offering, sometimes a sacrifice made to a God.
Papacy
The office of the Pope, representing the power that the Pope exercises.
Heresy/heretical
Against Church teachings, and therefore prohibited and harshly punishable.
Precentor
Somebody who leads a congregation in singing.
Perennial
Present or alive all year round, as opposed to only during one season.
Catacombs
An underground cellar for storing dead bodies.
Skraeling
The Viking word for the indigenous peoples they encountered upon arriving in Greenland and North America. In The Golden Compass the word refers to certain far-northern tribes.
Raggamuffin
A person, usually a child, who dresses in old, dirty clothes.
Panserbjorn
An invention of Pullman’s for the Golden Compass universe, they are a highly intelligent race of armored bears that live in the far north. Panserbjorn literally means “armored bear” in Danish.
Parley
A discussion between opposing sides in a conflict, usually to discuss the terms of a truce.
Foc’s’le
Abbreviated form of forecastle, the front part of the lower deck of a ship, usually where the crew lives.
Oilskin
A heavy cloth made of cotton that is treated with oil, making it warmer and waterproof.
Malevolent
Having a desire to do harm to others.
Samoyed
An indigenous people who live in far northern Siberia. The traditional Samoyed way of life is based on herding reindeer.
Eiderdown
The small, soft feathers from the breast of a special duck called an Eider.
Sundered
Separated, or split apart.
Zeppelin
A flying machine used for transportation before airplanes took their place. It consists of a massive balloon filled with helium from which a small passenger cabin hangs. Also known as a blimp.
Anorak
A waterproof jacket with a hood, used in the far north. It is originally a Greenlandic word.
Phantasmagoria
A series of images that produces a dream-like effect.
Bivouac
A temporary shelter with very limited materials.
Ballast
Heavy material used to weigh down a ship or flying machine.
Popinjay
A boastful, proud person who crafts an appearance that is grander than his or her real personality.
Besotted
Strongly attracted to, almost as if intoxicated or drunk.
Carapace
The hard top of a turtle’s shell.
Dynamo
An electrical generator which turns mechanical energy (movement) into electric energy (electricity).
Prodigal
Wasteful.
