GOREAN DICTIONARY

A B C D E F G H I J K L M
N P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

~ A ~

Afflicted Ones (noun): individuals who have Dar-Kosis, the holy disease. They wear yellow robes to conceal the disease and to identify themselves as having the disease. Most are confined to pits near the cities, where they are feed by the local population. There are some who travel around Gor, as they travel they must use a noise maker to alert all around them to their presence. (See: Dar-Kosis)

ah-il (noun): a unit of measure, the distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, c. 18"; analoguous to the Earth cubit; 10 ah-il equal one ah-ral

Ahn (noun): the Gorean hour, of which there are 20 in a Gorean day; it consists of 40 ehn (minutes)

ah-ral (noun): a unit of measure equalling 10 ah-il, or approx. 180"

al-ka (noun): first letter of the Gorean alpha- bet; corresponds to the Earth letter 'A'

All Comrades (noun): a warrior society of the Kaiila tribe of Red Savages; aka the Fighting Hearts

ar (noun): a letter of the Gorean alphabet; cap. the name of an important Gorean city-state

Arani (noun): a minor tribe of the Tahari; they are a vassal tribe of the Aretai

Aretai (noun): a major tribe of the Tahari; their vassal tribes are the Arani, Luraz, Raviri, Tajuks, Tashid, Ti, and Zevar; their war-cry is 'Aretai Victorious!"

Aria (adjective): of Ar

armored gatch (noun): a marsupial mammal which inhabits the rainforests inland of Schendi

Assassins, Caste of (noun): the caste of those who kill for pay; exists only in Ar; their caste color is black



TO TOP

~ B ~

Bakahs (noun): a minor tribe of the Tahari; they are a vassal tribe of the Kavars

bana (noun): jewelry, of precious metals and stones, worn by free persons

bara (command; lit. 'belly'?): at this command, a slavegirl will lie on her stomach, with her wrists crossed behind her back, ready for binding, and with her ankles crossed, ready for binding

barbarian (noun): a native of the planet Earth; usually used in a derogatory sense in reference to slavegirls from that planet

ba-ta (noun): second letter of the Gorean alphabet; corresponds to the Earth letter 'B'

Battle of Red Rock Oasis (History) (noun): a battle fought in the Tahari in 10,051 CA between the Aretai and the Tashid. The large sandstone shelf at the oasis was used by Hammaran the Aretai commander as a vantage point during the battle. The Tashid commander Ba'Arub died on that rock with ten men, trying to reach Hammaran. It is said he came to within ten yards of him, it is said he was a brave man. It is not remembered by either the Aretai or Tashid why the battle was fought, but the deeds there that day are still recounted by the fires.

Bazi Plague (noun): a deadly, rapidly- spreading disease with no known cure; its symptoms include pustules which appear all over the body, and a yellowing of the whites of the eyes

Bazi tea (noun): an herbal beverage served hot & heavily sugared; traditionally drunk 3 tiny cups at a time, in rapid succession

bina (noun, lit. 'slave beads'): slave jewelry, usually consisting of plain metals, colored string, wooden or cheap glass beads; sometimes used as a slave name

binding fiber (noun): stout twine made of strips of leather or of a fiber like hemp; a piece long enough to circle a slavegirl's waist 2-3 times is often used as a belt for her slave tunic

binding strap (noun): a strap 3/4" wide and 18" long commonly used for binding the wrists and/or ankles of prisoners and slaves

bint (noun): small carnivorous freshwater fish which inhabits the rivers of the rainforests inland of Schendi; a large school of bints can strip a carcass in minutes; similar to the piranha of Earth

black wine (noun): coffee; traditionally served with red and yellow sugars and powdered bosk milk, and in tiny cups

Blue-Sky Riders (noun): a warrior society of the Fleer tribe of Red Savages

bondage knot (noun): a knot, tied by a slavegirl in her hair on the right side of her face; it is a silent plea to her master that she be raped

bond-maid (noun): the term for a slavegirl used in Torvaldsland also called a girl whose belly lies under the sword

bond-maid gruel (noun): see slave porridge

bosk (noun): large, shaggy, long-honred bo- vine similar to the Earth cow; cattle

brak bush (noun): a shrub whose leaves have a purgative effect when chewed; traditionally, branches of it are nailed to house doors during the Waiting Hand to discourage the entry of bad luck into the house for the New Year

brand (noun): a mark burned into the flesh of animals and slaves to mark them as property; specific brands include the kef (common kajira brand), Dina, Palm, mark of Treve, mark of Port Kar, mark of the Tahari, mark of Torvaldsland etc.

brand, penalty (noun): small 1/4" brands that mark a convicted liar, thief, traitor, etc.

brand, thief's (noun): tiny 1/4", 3-pronged brand worn on the cheek of those of the Caste of Thieves

brand, Torsvaldsland (noun): symbolizes a woman who's belly lies beneath the sword. It is a half circle, 1 ½ inch wide, at its right tip, adjoining it, a steep diagonal line, about 1 1/4 inch in length.

branding rack (noun): a device to which a new slavegirl is chained for branding; her hands are chained above her head, but the rest of her body is free to move, except for whichever thigh is to be branded, this being held motionless in a large vise

Breaking A Well (Phrase) (noun): the act by an individual or group in destroying a well in the Tahari at an oasis. It is regarded as an almost inconceivable crime, the most heinous which might br perpetrated in the desert.

breeding wine (noun): a sweet beverage which counteracts the effects of slave wine, making a slavegirl fertile; also called second wine

Builders, Caste of (noun): the caste which includes architects, draftsmen, stonemasons, etc.; the Builders are one of the five High Castes included in the government of Gor; their caste color is brown


TO TOP

~ C ~

Camerius (noun): the third month of the Gorean calendar (in Ar and some other cities)

camisk (noun): simple, poncho-like slave garment, about 18" wide

camisk, Turian (noun): a style of camisk worn by slaves in the city-state of Turia; cloth shaped like an inverted 'T' with a beveled crossbar fastened behind the neck & falls before the wearer's body; the crossbar then passes between her legs & is then brought forward snugly at the hips ; it is held in place by a single cord that binds it at the back of the neck, behind the back, & in front at the waist

canjellne (verb): challenge

capture scent (noun): chloroform

carpet plant (noun): a plant of the rainforest area inland of Schendi, having tendrils that are sometimes used as a source of drinking water

Casmu Band (noun): a sub-group of the Yellow-Kaiila Riders

chain, common /march /trekking (noun): the configuration of how kajirae are placed in a coffle for movement. Usually the tallest girls lead the slave chain, the height decreasing gradually toward the end of the chain, where the shortest girl is placed.

chain, display / selling (noun): the arrangement of kajira on the chain may be determined by a variety of considerations, aesthetic and psychological. For example, blondes be alternated with brunettes, voluptuous girls with slim, vital girls, aristocratic girls with sweet, peasant wenches and so on. Sometimes a girl is placed between two who are less beautiful, to enhance her beauty.

chain luck (noun): the attempt to capture a slavegirl without having a particular target in mind

chalwar (noun): baggy pants of diaphanous silk, worn by slavegirls of the Tahari; similar to the harem trousers of Earth

Char (noun): a minor tribe of the Tahari; they are a vassal tribe of the Kavars

chatka (noun): the strip of black leather, some 6 inches by 5 feet long, worn like a breech- clout over the curla by the slavegirls of the Wagon Peoples

Cities of Dust (noun): the Gorean land of the dead, or underworld

Coin Girl (noun): a slavegirl who, with a coinbox and triangular flat bell chained around her neck, is sent out in the streets of a city to earn money from masters in return for her sexual use

coffle (noun): a method of chaining a line of slaves together for trekking; common methods are to link the slaves by the left ankle, left wrist, or throat; also, the line of slaves itself

collar (noun): any of several iron or steel devices that fit around the neck of a slave; in Torvaldsland, they are of iron, hinged, and fastened with a rivet

collar, dance (noun): a collar to which light- weight (but effective) chain has been attached in order to set off the dancer; a common type consists of a large oval of chain roughly 3 yds. in circumference, to which wrist cuffs and ankle cuffs are attached; once the two sides of the oval have been attached to a ring on the collar, the chain gives about 36" of play for each hand, and 18" play for each foot; much used in the Tahari

collar, lock (noun): a hinged collar easily removed by the use of a key; usually of flat stock, c. 1-1/2" to 2" high; usually worn by trained slaves; the lock has one pin for each of the letters in the word 'kajira'

collar, plate (noun): collar of flat stock which is hammered about a slave's neck; usually worn by untrained slaves

collar, Turian (noun): a slave collar of cylin- drical stock, rather than the normal flat stock of northern lock collars; fits more loosely that a lock collar, enabling it to turn around the wearer's neck

Collaring Feast (noun): a private feast for a young tarnsman and his family and friends; held to celebrate the capture of his first slavegirl; during it, the girl formally submits to him as his slave, then proceeds to serve him at the Feast and afterwards in his quarters

Companionship Price (noun): the gift, in money or goods, given by a man to the father of the woman he wishes to take in Free Companionship

con (conj.): from

contasta (adv.; lit. 'from the founding of'): means of determining chronology; equivalent to the Earth term AD (Anno Domini)

Cosian Songfish (noun): A type of fish that lives in the Thassa, part of their mating rituals brings them to the surface and they call to one another with strange lovely sounds.

Council of Captains (noun): the governing body of the city of Port Kar

curla (noun): the red waist cord worn slave- girls of the Wagon Peoples; supports the chatka

Cur-lon Fiber (noun): fiber spun by the Swamp Spiders (Spider People) and used in the textile mills of Ar

Curulean (noun): the most prestigious slave auction house in the city of Ar

czehar (noun): musical instrument consisting of a flat, oblong box, having 8 strings which are played with a horn pick; similar to a Japaniese koto


TO TOP

~ D ~

da (conj.): here

dar (adj.): holy; priest

Dar-Kosis (noun; lit. 'holy disease'): an incurable, wasting disease akin to the Earth disease of leprosy. Individuals must wear the yellow robes of the Afflicted Ones and use a noise maker when traveling through Gor to alert all who are about to their presence. (See: Afflicted One)

Degraded Woman (noun): a woman of Tharna that once wore the silver mask but became slave due to infraction of rules set in the city of Tharna.

degradation stripe (noun): a 2"-wide band shaved into the hair of men captured by talunas, or panther girls; it runs from the forehead to the nape of the neck

dina (noun): a small, short-stemmed flower indigenous to hillsides; sometimes called the 'slave flower', it is often used as a design for slave brands; sometimes used as a slave name

display slave (noun): a slavegirl whose primary purpose is for the display of her beauty to reflect the affluence of her master; often chained in coffle with other display slaves behind the palanquin or other transport of her master

djellaba (noun): desert garb. A loose long sleeve hooded robe.

dock eel (noun): a black freshwater fish, 4' long & weighing 8-10 lbs.; carnivorous; they inhabit the shallow waters around the dock and wharves of river ports

Double Knowledge (noun): the two forms of knowledge provided on Gor; the simpler knowledge is taught to the lower castes, the more esoteric knowledge is taught to the higher castes

Dust Legs (noun): a tribe of Red Savages which inhabits the Barrens; so called because they were the last tribe to domesticate kaiila


TO TOP

~ E ~

Ehn (noun): the Gorean minute, of which there are 40 in an ahn (hour); it consists of 80 ihn (seconds)

en (adj.): first

energy bulb (noun): light bulb

En'Kara (noun; lit. 'first turning'): the first month of the Gorean calendar, that of the vernal equinox, which is the Gorean new year; roughly equivalent to the Earth calendar month of March

En'Var (noun; lit. 'first resting'): the fourth month of the Gorean calendar, that of the summer solstice, roughly equivalent with the Earth calendar month of June

eta (noun): a letter of the Gorean alphabet; corresponds to the Earth letter 'E' (?); apparently adapted from the Greek alphabet; sometimes used as a name for slavegirls


TO TOP

~ F ~

face-strip (verb): to remove the veil(s) worn by a free woman; to do so usually means that she is to be enslaved

Fighting Hearts (noun): see All Comrades

fire-maker (noun): a small device consisting of a small reservoir of tharlarion oil, a wick, a thumb-activated, ratcheted steel wheel, and a splinter of flint; not unlike an old-fashioned cigarette lighter

First Killing (Dis adj): a term used by the assassin guild to indicate that they are going to kill somebody for somebody else. (See Second Killing)

First Knowledge (noun): the education available to the lower castes, such as the Peasants; it is practical, if occasionally deliberately erroneous (i.e. it purports that Gor is a flat disk)

First Spear (noun): A term used for a member of a larl hunting group (usually from Ar), the first in a file, usually the best spear thrower of the group. He is the first to throw his spear at an attacking mountain larl, then he drops to the ground and covers himself with his shield. This allows the next member a clean throw at the beast. (See Last Spear)

flahdah (noun): a tree of the Tahari It is shaped like a flat top umbrella on crooked sticks, not more than 20 ft high. They are narrow branched with lanceolate leaves. They are normally found around small oasis.

Flame Death (noun): a form of capital punishment imposed by the Priest-Kings and triggered from the Sardar; in it, the victim seems to spontaneously erupt in blue flames

flaminium (noun): a largish scarlet flower having 5 petals

fleer (noun): large, hook-billed bird which hunts at night

Fleer (noun): a tribe of Red Savages which inhabits the Barrens

fleer, prairie (noun): yellow bird with long wings and a sharp bill; sometimes called the 'maize bird' or 'corn bird' from the belief that it is usually the first bird to find food

Foot (noun): a unit of measurement equal to 10 horts, or 12 1/2 Earth inches

fora (noun): chain; pl. fori - chains

Frame of Humiliation (noun): wooden frame to which the condemned person is tied before it is set adrift in the Vosk River, so that he may die of exposure and/or dehydration, if he is not eaten by tharlarion or other carnivorous reptiles

Free Companion (noun): spouse; consort


Free Companionship (noun): the Gorean equivalent of marriage; must be renewed annually

fruit tindel (noun): a bird? which inhabits the rainforests of the Schendi area


TO TOP

~ G ~

gant, jungle (noun): a bird, related to the marsh gant, which inhabits the rainforests inland of Schendi

gant, marsh (noun): a long-legged marsh bird with a piping cry; similar to a curlew?

giani (noun): a large mammal of solitary habits which inhabits the rainforests inland of Schendi

gieron (noun): a drug, an allergen, which causes a yellowing of the whites of the eyes; in combination with sajel, it reproduces the symptoms of the Bazi plague

gim, horned (noun): a small owl-like bird, c. 4 ozs. in weight, which inhabits the forests of northern Gor, its normal color is purple and it has an unusual sweet call.

gim, lang (long?) (noun): an insectivorous bird which inhabits the rainforests inland of Schendi

gim, yellow (noun): a bird, related to the horned gim, which inhabits the rainforests inland of Schendi

gint (noun): a tiny (6") freshwater fish which inhabits the rivers of the rainforests inland of Schendi; it has bulbous eyes & flipper-like fins; is amphibious, having both lungs & gills; is capable of walking on its pectoral fins; often found in the comp any of tharlarion, feeding off the scraps of their kills

gint, giant (noun): a large cousin of the gint found in western Gor, similar in appearance, but with a 4-spined dorsal fin; is also amphibious and capable of walking on its pectoral fins

girl-yoke (noun): a narrow piece of wood c. 5' long with holes drilled in the middle and at each end; to secure a girl in this yoke, a thong is tied around one wrist, the end of the thong then being passed through the hole in one end of the yoke; thong is then passed through the middle hole of the yoke, wrapped around the girl's neck 5 times, then passed back out through the same hole, after which it is passed through the hole at the other end of the yoke, so that her other wrist may be tied to the yoke; shorter (2 1/2' long) versions are sometimes used while the girl is serving her master's pleasure; used mostly among the Red Savages of the Barrens

Glass of the Builders (noun): telescope

Golden Beetle (noun): an insect, roughly the size of a rhinoceros, which lives in the caverns below the Nest of the Priest-Kings in the Sardar Mountains; its prey is the Priest-Kings them- selves

Gor (noun): Home Stone

grub borer (noun): an insectivorous bird which inhabits the rainforests inland of Schendi

grunt (noun): a large, carnivorous, salt-water fish which inhabits Thassa; is often attracted by the blood of a wounded creature; similar to the shark of Earth

grunt, blue (noun): a small, voracious, carnivorous freshwater fish, related to the Thassa grunt; like its larger cousin, it is attracted by blood

grunt, white bellied (noun): a large game fish which hunts the plankton beds in the northern Thassa to feed on parsit fish. They can be caught with hook and line using vulo livers for bait.

Guard of the Dunes (Title) (noun): another name for the Salt Ubar of the Tahari. Prior to 10,123 CA the position was held by Ibn Saran, brother of Haroun, Ubar of the Kavar tribe.

Gur (noun): thin, white honey-like liquid secreted in the Nest by a large, grey domesticated arthropod which feeds on Sim plants; when fermented in the social stomachs of somnolent Priest-Kings, ritually fed to the Mother of the Nest on the Feast of Tola

Gur Carriers (noun): mutated Muls who can climb walls and who gather the fermented Gur for the Feast of Tola


TO TOP

~ H ~

haik (noun): female garb worn in the Tahari. Black in color it covers the woman from head to toe. At the eyes, there is a tiny bit of black lace, through which she may see. Usually worn with soft black non-heeled slippers with curled toes.

hand (noun): the Gorean week, consisting of five (5) days

Harl ring (noun): form of slave chain which consists of an ankle ring with a welded ring in back and a chain in front; the chains terminate in a locking device which can be attached to another Harl ring, around a post, or to itself in order to secure a slave

har-ta! (command): faster!

haruspex (noun): soothsayer; omen-taker

herlit (noun): Gorean eagle, has wingspan of 6-8 feet; is carnivorous, and has yellow feathers tipped with black; also called 'Sun-Striker' or 'out-of-the-sun-it-strikes', from its habit of striking with the sun above and behind it; inhabits the Barrens

Hersius (noun): the planet Jupiter; named for a legendary hero of Ar

hinti (noun, plural): small, flea-like insects; unlike fleas, they are not parasites

hith (noun): huge python-like snake

homan (noun): a letter of the Gorean alphabet; derived from the Cretan alphabet

Home Stone (noun): 1) a stone, often circular and flat, that is sacred to each dwelling, and is to be defended ferociously by even the meanest peasant; 2) a similar stone that represents the soul of a city; to be without a Home Stone is to lack citizenship

hook-billed gort (noun): a carnivorous hunting bird of the rainforests inland of Schendi; preys on ground urts

hort (noun): a measure of distance equal to 1- 1/4 inches

house veil (noun): the next-to-last veil worn by free women, esp. when in the company of men not of her own family; worn over the pride veil, and under the street veil upon leaving the house

huda (noun): a unit of measure equalling 5 tefa

hurt (noun): a kangaroo-like animal whose wool is used for cloth


TO TOP

~ I ~

I ask your favor (phrase): Gorean phrase equivalent to 'Please'

I wish you well (phrase): Gorean phrase of farewell

Ihn (noun): the Gorean second, of which there are 80 in an ehn (minute)

ina (noun): a letter of the Gorean alphabet

Inititates, Caste of (noun): the representa- tives of the Priest-Kings in Gorean society; the Initiates are one of the five High Castes, and are the religious branch of the government; their caste color is white

initiatory whipping (noun): the beating, usually of about 10 strokes, which a slavegirl receives upon being brought into a new house- hold, to remind her that she is a slave and under discipline

iron pens (noun): the subterranean retention facilities in a Slaver's house where slaves are kept for training and prior to sale

Isbu Band (noun): a sub-group of the All Comrades

~ J ~

jard (noun): a small, yellow-winged scavenger bird of the rainforest inland of Schendi

jarl (noun): the title for a leader of warriors in Torvaldsland; also, the title by which all free men of Torvaldsland are addressed by slaves

jit monkey (noun): a simian mammal which inhabits the rainforests inland of Schendi


TO TOP

~ K ~

kaffiyeh (noun): desert garb. A small squarish scarf folded over into a triangle, placed over the head, 2 points at the side of the shoulders, one in back to protect the neck. It is bound to the head by several loops of cord called an Agal. The color of the cording indicates his tribe and district.

kaiila (noun): large (20-22 hands), carnivorous mammal with long neck and silky fur; its eyes have 3 lids; is vivaparous, has incredible stamina, and can be domesticated for riding in spite of its vicious temper.

kaiila, desert Tahari (noun): differs from its southern the variety in several ways. It is usually tawny in color and on occasions black. It suckles its young and is omnivorous. Its long hair is used to make rope. The paws of the desert variety are much broader, and the digits are webbed and heavily padded.

Kaiila (noun): a tribe of Red Savages which inhabits the Barrens; their language is related to that of the Dust Legs

kailiauk (noun): stocky ruminant, tawny with red and brown markings on haunches, having 3 horns; stands c. 20-25 hands at the shoulder

Kailiauk (noun): a tribe of Red Savages which inhabits the Barrens; their language is a dialect of Kaiila

Kaissa (noun; lit. 'the game'): a boardgame much favored on Gor; the board is marked with 100 squares, colored alternately red and yellow; there are 20 pieces per side, which represent Ubar and Ubara, Initiates, Riders of the High Tharlarion, Tarnsmen, Scribes, Builders, Spearmen or Spear Slaves, and the Home Stone; it is played much like chess, the object being to capture one's opponent's Home Stone; in Torvaldsland, the Ubar, Ubara, tarnsman, Initiate, and Scribes are replaced by the Jarl, Jarl's Woman, Ax, Rune-Priest, and Singer, respectively

kajira (noun): slavegirl; pl. kajirae

kajirus (noun): male slave; pl. kajiri

Kajuralia (noun; lit. 'holiday of slaves'): a festival, similar to the Feast of Fools, is which slaves trade places with their masters and have much freedom to play tricks on free persons; celebrated in most cities on the last day of the 12th Passage Hand, but in Ar and some other cities on the last day of the 5th month, the day before the Love Feast

Ka-la-na (noun): 1) a tree with very strong yellow wood, used for making bows; 2) a very potent dry white or red wine, made from the fruit of the Ka-la-na tree

kal-da (noun): alcoholic beverage made of ka- la-na wine diluted with citrus juices and mixed with strong spices, and served hot

kalika (noun): musical instrument having a long neck and hemispheric soundbox, its 6 strings being plucked; similar to a banjo

kalmak (noun): vest of black leather worn by the slavegirls of the Wagon Peoples

kan-lara (noun): slave brand

Kashani (noun): a minor tribe of the Tahari; they are a vassal tribe of the Kavars

kaska (noun): a small hand drum

katch (noun): a leafy vegetable grown in the Tahari at the oases

Kavars (noun): a major tribe of the Tahari; their vassal tribes are the Ta'Kara, Bakahs, Char, and Kashani; their war-cry is 'Kavars Supreme!'

kanda (noun): a shrub of the Gorean desert; a lethal poison can be extracted from its roots, while chewing the leaves has an addictive narcotic effect

kara (noun): turning

Kassars (noun): one of the 4 tribes of the Wagon Peoples; also called the Blood People; their standard is a scarlet bola which hangs from a lance. Their brand is three circles joined together at the center by lines.

Kataii (noun): one of the 4 tribes of the Wagon Peoples, whose members are negroid; their standard is a yellow bow bound across a black lance. Their brand is a bow facing to the left.

kef (noun): a letter of the Gorean alphabet, analogous with the Earth letter 'K'; the first letter of the Gorean words for male and female slaves, and hence often used as a brand

Keleustes (noun): a member of a Gorean galley who beats out the rowing time with leather covered wooden malletts on a copper covered drum. His wrists are usually wapped in leather and is normally a very strong man.

kennel (noun): a small, concrete room, usu. 3'x3'x4', having an iron grill for a door, in which a slavegirl may be confined at night

kes (noun): a shrub whose salty, blue secondary roots are a main ingredient in sullage

kes (noun): short tunic of black leather worn by the male slaves of the Wagon Peoples

kettle-and-mat girl (noun): a slavegirl whose function is divided between household tasks and sexual servitude

ki (adv.): no, not; also indicates a negative (ex. 'la ki kajira' - I am not a slavegirl)

kirtle (noun): the common dress of bond-maids in Torvaldsland. It is usually of Verr wool, cut ankle length, sleeveless and split to the belly on each side.

Ki-Var (noun): the Gorean equivelent of South, refering to the direction of the Sardar mountains. (See Ta-Sardar-Var)(Var)

Klima (Place)(noun): a hidden oasis in the Tahari, ruled over by the slaves that work there. It lies SE of Red Rock Oasis and is noted for its brine pits where salt is produced for the rest of Gor. Prior to the death of Ibn Saran the Salt Urbar it was controlled by him. After his death it became independent and self ruled.

ko-lar (noun): slave collar

koora (noun): strip of red fabric worn as a headband by the slavegirls of the Wagon Peoples

ko-ro-ba (noun): village market (obsolete); cap. a major city-state, often referred to as the 'Towers of the Morning'

kort (noun): a rinded fruit of the Tahari; served sliced with melted cheese and nutmeg

kosis (noun): disease


Kur (noun; lit. 'beast'; pl. kurii; a corruption of their name for themselves): a large (8-9') furred, mammal having 4 legs, which can stand upright or on all fours; each paw has 6 multiply-jointed digits with retractable claws and an opposing thumb, so that it can grip; it has 2 rows of teeth; they are incredibly strong and ferocious, and are carnivorous, even to eating humans. They have a flat snout with wide nostrils. The trailing capacities are not as superb as those of the sleen, but they are equal to a larl. Their hearing is acute again equal to a larl. Their day vision is equal to man but their night vision is infinitely superior. They normally weigh between 700 and 900 pounds.

kurdah (noun): a small, light, semi-circular tent, c. 3' in diameter and 4' high, carried by a pack kaiila, in which women (slave or free) may ride; the frame is of tem-wood and is covered with layers of white rep-cloth; used mainly in the Tahari

kurt (noun): the five-bladed slave whip


TO TOP

~ L ~

la (phrase; fem): I am; you are

lar (adj.): central

larl (noun): a large (7 ft. at shoulder) feline, tawny red or black in color, having a black mane; carnivorous; similar to a lion

larma (noun): succulent fruit, rather like an apple; sometimes sliced and fried, and served with browned-honey sauce; offering a larma, real or imagined, by a slavegirl to her master is a silent plea for the girl to be raped

Lar-Torvis (noun; lit. 'central fire'): the sun

Last Spear (noun): the last member of a larl hunting party, usually the worse spear thrower. After he throws his spear he remains standing to draw the attention of the larl. Thus when the larl is killing him the rest of the party may escape. (See First Spear)

last veil (noun): the innermost of the five veils worn by free women; it is worn under the veil of the citizeness, and is often very sheer

leading position (noun; used as a command): posture of a slave girl, bending forward at the waist, with her head at a master's hip, so that he may grab her hair and guide her where he wishes her to go

leech plant (noun): a hemovorous plant that fastens two hollow, fang-like thorns into its victim, through which it can suck the blood that nourishes it

leg-spreader (noun): devices of various complexity designed to keep a slavegirl's legs spread while being used sexually by her master(s); sometimes used on male captives as an indication of humiliation; used mostly among the Red Savages of the Barrens

lelt (noun): a small (5-7") blindfish with fernlike filaments at either side of the head which are its sensory organs; white, with long fins, it swims slowly, and is the main food of the salt shark; inhabits the brine pits such as those at Klima in the Tahari. It feeds on tiny segmented creatures predominantly isopods. The brain is unusual in that it has overdeveloped odor-perception and vibration reception centers. It's balance organ is also unusually large.

lesha (command; lit. 'leash'): at this command, the slavegirl stands with her hands behind her back, ready for binding, and with her head back and chin to the left, ready to have a leash snapped onto her collar

liana vine (noun): a rainforest plant which can be used as a source of drinking water

lit, common (noun): a bird found in the rainforests of the Schendi area

lit, crested (noun): a bird found in the rainforests of the Schendi area

lo (phrase; masc.): I am; you are

long ship (noun): a swift, maneuverable ship having 2 rudders, 1 removable lateen-rigged mast, and a keel-to-beam ratio of 8:1; often used in military actions; some are fitted as ram-ships

Love Feast (noun): common name for the 5th Passage Hand, occuring in late summer, which time is the greatest period for the sale of slaves, esp. slavegirls

love furs (noun): soft furs spread thickly on the floor at the foot of a master's sleeping couch, on which a slavegirl is most often raped

Luck Girl (noun): a slavegirl who acts as mascot onboard ship; her use is usually reserved for the captain of the ship, but she may be shared with the crew, usually as a disciplinary measure

Luraz (noun): a minor tribe of the Tahari; they are a vassal tribe of the Aretai


TO TOP

~ M ~

mamba (noun): large, predatory river tharlarion which inhabits the rivers of the rainforests inland of Schendi; they have long, log-like bodies, with short, powerful legs & a long snout & tail; similar to Earth crocodiles

marking stick (noun): a writing implement rather like a pen

mast Shield (noun): a signal device that is raised and lowered on a serpents mast to signal approaching ships. A white shield indicates peace and a red war. Other colors mean other situations.

matok (noun): a Priest-King term, it refers to an inhabitant of the Nest which is in the Nest but not of the Nest

Merchants, Caste of (noun): the caste of those who deal in merchandise and trading; their caste colors are white and gold

mindar (noun): a short-winged, yellow & red bird of the rainforests inland of Schendi; with its sharp bill, it digs in the bark of flower trees for larvae & bugs

Mistress Kiss (verb): a Mistress bites her male slave diagonally across the mouth and lips. The teeth marks are evident for days with the bruising and swelling. This way other women see that the male slave has been used sexually by his Mistress.

mul (noun): a Priest-King term for a human slave


TO TOP

~ N ~

nadu (command; lit. 'kneel): at this command, a slavegirl will kneel back on her heels, with her knees spread wide, back straight, hands on thighs with palms up, head up, eyes lowered; ie: to assume the position of a Pleasure Slave

needle tree (noun): a tree of the Thentis region, whose oil is used in perfumes

Nest (noun): the colony and home of the Priest-Kings in the Sardar; the ruler of the Nest is the Mother, from whose eggs the Priest-Kings are hatched

Nest Feasts (noun): annual festivals of the Priest-Kings. Consists of three separate gatherings which are the Feast of Tola (Anniversary of the Nuptial Flight) , the Feast of Tolam ( Disposition of the First Egg) and the Feast of Tolama (Hatching of the First Egg).

Nest Trust (noun): the Priest-King equivalent of 'friendship'

nu (noun): a letter of the Gorean alphabet; corresponds to the Earth letter 'N' (?); apparently adapted from the Greek alphabet

nykus (noun): victory; from the Greek nike


TO TOP

~ O ~

Oasis, of Four Palms (Place)(noun): a small oasis in the Tahari, that lies South of Red Rock Oasis, it is a Kavar outpost.

Oasis, of Lame Kaiila (Place)(noun): an out of the way tiny oasis in the Tahari.

Oasis, of the Nine Wells (Place)(noun): one of the larger oasis in the Tahari, ruled over by the Aretai tribe. It has a population of around 20 thousand, mostly farmers, craftsmen, and their families. There are two public bath houses at the oasis.

Oasis, of Red Rock (Place)(noun): an out of the way oasis in the Tahari, ruled over by the Tashid tribe, a vassal tribe of the Aretai. Its kasbah has 4 towers and sits on the NE rim of the oasis. It has 5 date palm groves with a small pond that lies among them. On the east side of the oasis is a pomegranate orchard. Standing near the oasis is a large shelf of red sandstone, which lends its name to the oasis. (See Battle Red Rock Oasis).

Oasis, of Sand Sleen (Place)(noun): an out of the way oasis in the Tahari, ruled over by the Kavar tribe.

Oasis, of Two Scimitars (Place)(noun): an out of the way oasis in the Tahari, ruled over by the Bakahs tribe, a vassal tribe of the Kavars.

Omen Year (noun): once every 10 years the 4 tribes of the wagon people gather together to meet and see if the omens are favorable to choose a Uber San, a leader that would rule over all 4 tribes of wagon people. .

omnion (noun): a letter of the Gorean alphabet

Or (noun): a term to describe a military unit of the wagon people. Consisting of 10 able-bodied men. This unit is part of a larger unit called an Orlus. A commander of an Or is saluted with a lance striking the shield one time.(See Orlu and Oralu)

Orlu (noun): a term to describe a military unit of the wagon people. Consisting of ten Or, a total of 100 warriors. This unit is part of a larger unit called an Oralu. A commander of an Orlu is saluted with a lance striking the shield twice. (See Or and Oralu)

Oralu (noun): a term to describe a military unit of the wagon prople. Consisting of ten Orlu, a total of 1000 warriors. This is the largest managable unit of the wagon people's warriors. A commander of an Oralu is saluted with a lance striking the shield three times. (See Or and Orlu)

ost (noun): tiny snake, about 12" long, bright orange in color; its venom causes extremely painful death within seconds; the ost of the rainforests inland of Schendi are red with black stripes


TO TOP

~ P ~

paga (noun; abbr. of Pagar-Sa-Tarna, lit. 'pleasure of the life-daughter'): a grain-based, distilled hard liquor akin to whiskey; sometimes served warm

paga attendant (noun): a male employee of a paga tavern, who supervises the serving of paga by slavegirls, and collects payment for the paga and the use of the slavegirls

paga tavern (noun): an establishment where food and alcoholic beverages, esp. paga, are sold; in addition, the use of the serving slave is included in the price of the paga bought

pagar (noun): pleasure

pagar kajira (noun): pleasure slave

Paravaci (noun): one of the 4 tribes of the Wagon Peoples; also called the Rich People; their standard is a boskhead-shaped banner made of jewels strung on gold wire. Their brand is a symbolic representation of a bosk head, a semi-circle resting on an inverted isoceles triangle.

parsit fish (noun): a silvery fish having brown stripes that feed on the vast plankton banks of the northern Thassa in the warm water current known as Torvald

pasang (noun): measure of distance equalling .7 miles

Passage Hand (noun): the 5-day period between Gorean months, which consist of 5 5- day weeks

passion slave (noun): a slavegirl who has been bred, rather captured; specifically, one that has been bred for a particular trait, such as beauty or slave heat or the shape of her lips

Peasants, Caste of (noun): the basic caste of Gor; they refer to themselves as the 'Ox on Which the Home Stone Rests'

Physicians, Caste of (noun): the caste which practices the healing arts; the Physicians are one of the five High Castes which make up the Gorean government; their caste color is green

pierced-ear girl (noun): a slavegirl whose ears have been pierced; as piercing a girl's ears is consider the ultimate degradation, it virtually guarantees that the girl will never be freed; the practice first became popular in Turia, but is gaining acceptance in the northern cities, esp. Ar

plank collar (noun): a two-piece board hinged at one end and capable of being locked at the other, similar in operation to the stocks of 18th-century America and England; it has two or more semi-circular holes cut in each side so that it may fit around the necks of more than one slavegirl or captive free woman at one time

Player (noun): a member of a caste-like society who plays Kaissa professionally; their caste colors are red and yellow

Pleasure Garden (noun): an area in which wealthy Gorean men keep their slavegirls; roughly akin to the harem of the Arab countries of Earth

pleasure rack (noun): a device, ranging in complexity from a grid of ropes in a wooden frame to a moveable, adjustable frame with chains, for the display and sexual use of slavegirls and captive free women

pleasure silk (noun): sheer, clingy form of silk worn only by slavegirls; wraps like a pareau, with a disrobing loop at the left shoulder

Pleasure Slave (noun): a slavegirl whose main function is sexual servitude to her master; traditionally, she kneels with her knees spread wide, and her hands either resting on her thighs or, in some cities, crossed behind her, ready for binding

pot girl (noun): a slavegirl whose main function is cooking and other menial tasks; used disparagingly

Pride (noun): a military unit consisting of 100 Warriors

pride veil (noun): the third veil worn by free women; worn under the house veil and over the veil of the citizeness

Priest-King (noun): the Earth translation of the Gorean term 'Sardar'


Prition (noun): title of a treatise on bondage written by Clearchus of Cos

Protection Tax (noun): a tax levied on merchants in the Tahari by the keepers of the oases. If the caravan is of a certain length, normally of more than 50 Kaiila, the tax is payed to defray the cost of maintaining soldiers, who, nominally, police the desert around the oasis.


TO TOP

~ Q ~

quala (noun): small, dun-colored, 3-toed mammal with a stiff, brushy mane of black hair; pl. qualae

quiva (noun): a weapon of the wagon people. A balanced throwing knife about a foot in length, doubled edged and tapered to a point like a dagger. They are commonly carried on the saddles of the warriors of the wagon people.

~ R ~

ram-berries (noun): small, succulent berries

ram-ship (noun): war galley, having up to 3 banks of oars as well as masts and sails; named for the battering rams on the prow

rarius (noun): warrior pl. rarii

Raviri (noun): a minor tribe of the Tahari; they are a vassal tribe of the Aretai

ravishment lamp (noun): a small tharlarion- oil lamp, found in the chamber of a master; its soft glow is sufficient to illuminate a slavegirl as she is raped

Red Hunters (noun): the peoples who inhabit the Gorean arctic; in appearance and culture, they are similar to the Eskimos of Earth

Red Savages (noun): the peoples to inhabit the plains area (Barrens) of Gor; in appearance and culture, they are similar to the American Indians of Earth

rence (noun): a tufted, reed-like plant that grows in the marshes; used for making paper

rence paper (noun): papyrus like paper for making scrolls with

rep (noun): a fiber plant similar to cotton

repcloth (noun): rough fabric woven from the fibers of the rep plant; analogous to cotton muslin?

river shark (noun): a narrow, black, vicious, carnivorous fish with a triangular dorsal fin, which inhabits the rivers of Gor

Robes of Concealment (noun): the mode of dress favored by free women in some of the larger city-states (i.e. Ar, Ko-ro-ba, Turia, etc.); it consists of one or more hooded robes of heavy brocade, or other opaque fabric, plus up to five face veils

round ship (noun): heavy cargo & passenger ships, having up to 3 banks of 10 oars to a side; not as swift or maneuverable as ram- ships, having a keel-to-beam ratio of 6:1; has 2 rudders, and 2 permanent, lateen-rigged masts; carries a crew of 20-25 free men, plus up to 200 oar-slaves


TO TOP

~ S ~

sa (noun): life

sa (noun): daughter

Sa-eela (noun): one of the most sensual and erotic of slave dances; it consists of five distinct portions; belongs to the class of slave dance known as Lure Dances of the Love- Starved Slavegirl

sajel (noun): a drug which causes harmless pustules to erupt on the body; in combination with gieron, it reproduces the symptoms of the Bazi plague

salt shark (noun): a long-bodied (12' or more) carnivorous fish having gills situated under the jaw, several rows of triangular teeth, a sickle- like tail, and a sail-like dorsal fin; inhabits brine pits such as those of the Tahari

san (adj.): one; fem. sana

sa'ng (adj.): without

sa-fora (noun; lit. 'chain-daughter'): slavegirl

sa'ng-fori (noun; lit. 'without chains'): freedom

Salerian Confederation (noun): an alliance of 4 cities - Ti, Port Olni, Lara, and Vonda - formed to rid the Olni River of pirates & to protect inland shipping

sar (noun): king

Sardar (noun): priest-kings, large (c. 8 ft. tall) intelligent insects who are the true rulers of Gor; the mountain range where the Priest- Kings live

Sardar Fairs (noun): huge fairs held 4 times each year at the foot of the Sardar Mountains; they coincide with the equinoxes and solstices (En'Kara, En'Var, Se'Kara, & Se'Var); for the during of the Fair, the area is neutral territory: no one may be enslaved at the Fair (though slaves captured elsewhere may be sold), & no blood may be spilled; serves as a trading point for information and merchandise; every Gorean is required to visit the Fair at least once before the age of 25

Sa-Tarna (noun; lit. 'life-daughter'): grain, specifically wheat

Sa-Tassna (noun; lit. 'life-mother'): meat; food in general

Scar Codes (noun): brightly colored tatoos on the faces of the warriors of the wagon people. Each tatoo is a different color to show that the warriors status in the tribe. Such as the red scar being a courage scar. There are also yellow, blue and black tatoos. They run diagonally in pairs from the side of the head to the nose and chin.

Schendi (noun): a port city just south of the equator, having a population of c. 1 million citizens; is the base of operations for the League of Black Slavers


Scribes, Caste of (noun): the caste concerned with history, accounting, record-keeping, etc.; one of the five High Castes which make up Gorean government; their caste color is blue

se (adj.): second

Second Killing (Disc Adj): a term used by the assassin guild to indicate that they are going to kill someone for revenge, the assassin uses the words "I hunt!" to indicate he is on a revenge mission, for a First killing. (See First Killing)

Second Knowledge (noun): the education available to the higher castes; it is more esoteric, and includes knowledge of Earth

second slave (phrase): referring to the serving of black wine, it indicates that the consumer prefers to drink it without sugar or milk; from the fact that the sugar and milk are placed in the cup by one slave before the beverage is poured into the cup by a second slave

second wine (noun): see breeding wine

Se'Kara (noun; lit. 'second turning'): the seventh month of the Gorean calendar, that of the Second Killing (Disc Adj): a term used by the assassin guild to indicate that they are going to kill someone for revenge, the assassin uses the words "I hunt!" to indicate he is on a revenge mission, for a First killing. (See First Killing)autumnal equinox, roughly equivalent to the Earth calendar month of September

Selnar (noun): the third month of the Gorean calendar (in Ko-ro-ba and some other cities)

sereem diamonds (noun): a transparent mineral which is precious because of its rarity; is red with flecks of white

Serpents (noun): another name used for the longships of the people of Torvaldsland

Se'Var (noun; lit. 'second resting'): the tenth month of the Gorean calendar, that of the winter solstice, roughly equivalent with the Earth calendar month of December

she-urts (noun; short for 'she-urts of the wharves'): homeless free girls - runaways, vagabonds, orphans, etc. - who live near the canals in port cities, surviving by scavenging, begging, stealing, and sleeping with paga attendants; they sleep wherever they find space, and usually wear a brief tunic instead of Robes of Concealment

shipping collar (noun): a loose, generic collar worn by slaves when being shipped as cargo

shu (noun): a letter of the Gorean alphabet; derived from oriental calligraphy; represents the sh sound

sidge (noun): a letter of the Gorean alphabet; derived from cuneiform

side-block girl (noun): a slavegirl sold for a fixed price from the side block of a slave auction house, instead of auctioned from the main block; used disparagingly

silk girl (noun): term used by those of Torvaldsland to denote a slavegirl from the southern cities; often used disparagingly

silk slave (noun): a male pleasure slave; usually in attendance on a free woman

sim plant (noun): a rambling, tangled vine-like plant with huge, rolling leaves, raised in the pasture chambers of the Nest

sip root (noun): a bitter root whose extract is the active ingredient in slave wine

sirik (noun): a arrangement of chains used to display a slavegirl rather than confine her; it consists of a collar, to which about five feet of chain is attached; part-way down the chain is a pair of manacles, and the chain terminates in a set of shackles

slave bells (noun): tiny bells which give off a sensual shimmer of sound; threaded by the dozen on thongs or chains, they may be tied or locked around a girl's ankles or wrists, or attached to her collar; are worn or removed only at the whim of a master

slave belly (noun): the area of the abdomen around the navel; so called because only slavegirls expose their navels

slave box (noun): 1) small, square (3x3') iron box, with a door having a viewing aperture of 7"x1/2" in the middle, and a pass-through of 12x2" at the base; a punishment device for slaves; 2) a small ventilated box, barely large enough to contain a slave, sometimes used in the transport & delivery of slaves after purchase

slave bracelets (noun): manacles; there are 3 links between the wristrings

slave cage (noun): a small cage, just big enough for a slavegirl to sit or curl up, in which she may be placed as cargo

slave dance (noun): any of the sensuous and lascivious dances performed by slavegirls to entertain their masters; designed to display the sexual heat of the performer, and invite her use by masters; dances include the Belt Dance, Chain Dance, Dance of the 6 Thongs, Sa-eela, Tile Dance (performed on red tiles), Tether Dance

slave goad (noun): an electrical device, much like a cattle prod, used for controlling and disciplining slaves

slave heat (noun): the intense need and passion of a slavegirl

slave hobble (noun): a chain consisting of a wrist-ring and an ankle-ring joined by 7" of chainl it is fastned on one ankle and the opposite wrist

slave hood (noun): a leather hood, having no opening for eyes, mouth, or ears, which covers a slave's entire head; usually has a gag attachment

slave lips (noun): the pursing of a slavegirl's lips as for kissing; often used as a command

slave mat (noun): a course mat to which area a slavegirl may be ordered for discipline or rape; the girl may not leave the mat unless permitted by her master

slave oval (noun): a method of chain a slavegirl consisting of a hinged iron loop which locks around her waist, with two sliding wrist- rings and a welded ring in the middle of the back

slave pole (noun): imaginary pole that 'transfixes' a dancing girl, by which she is 'held' during her dance

slave porridge (noun): a cold, unsweetened mixture of water and Sa-Tarna meal, on which slaves are fed; in Torvaldsland, it is called 'bond-maid gruel', and often mixed with pieces of chopped parsit fish

slave perfume (noun): perfumes designed to be worn by slavegirls; they are heavier and more sensual than those designed for free women

slave rag (noun): see Ta-Teera

slave rape (noun): the sexual use of a slavegirl; may be either tender or brutal, casual or deliberate

slave ring (noun): a heavy iron ring, c. 1' in diameter, to which a slave may be secured for security, discipline, or any other reason; often found in floors, interior & exterior walls (either 1' or 3' above the ground), attached to the foot of a master's sleeping couch, etc.

slave steel (noun): generic term for collars, chains, siriks, etc. worn by slaves

slave strap (noun): heavy strap or belt which buckles behind the wearer's back; in front, there is a metal plate with a welded ring, through which passes the 4 hort (5") chain of a pair of slave bracelets; designed to keep the wearer's hand before his body

slave veil (noun): a small triangle of diaphanous yellow silk, worn across the bridge of the nose and covering the lower half of the face; it parodies the heavy veils worn by free women, as it conceals nothing and often arouses the lust of masters

slave wagon (noun): a flat-bedded, barred wagon, like a large cage with a door in the rear, in which many slaves may be transported at one time, their ankles chained to a bar that runs down the center of the floor; tarpaulins are often used to cover the cage & hide the cargo; analogous to an old-fashioned Earth circus wagon

slave wine (noun): a black, bitter beverage that acts as a contraceptive; its effect is instantaneous and lasts for well over a month; can be counter-acted with a another, sweet-tasting beverage


Slavers, Caste of (noun): the sub-caste of the Merchants, one who deals in human merchandise; their caste colors are blue and yellow

Slaver's Caress (noun): a method of touching, without warning, a slavegirl who is being sold in order to exhibit her slave heat for potential buyers; also known as the Whip Caress, as it is commonly done using a coiled whip

Slavers, League of Black (noun): a branch of the Caste of Slavers; they work out of Schendi and its environs

Slaver's Necklace (noun): fanciful term for a coffle of slavegirls

slee (noun): a rodent which inhabits the rainforests inland of Schendi

sleen (noun): a ferocious feline, some 20 feet long, having 6 legs and 2 rows of teeth; there are four types: the prairie sleen, which is tawny; the forest sleen, which is black or brown; the aquatic sea sleen; and the white snow sleen; can be domesticated for herding and tracking

Sleen (noun): a tribe of Red Savages which inhabits the Barrens

slime worm (noun): a long, slow, blind worm which inhabits the caverns below the Nest in the Sardar; scavenges the remains of the Golden Beetles kills

sorp (noun): a shellfish, common esp. in the Vosk river, similar to an oyster; like an oyster, it manufactures pearls

Spider People (noun): a race of large arachnids that are rational and intelligent (see Swamp Spiders)

Stabilization Serums (noun): a series of medical injections which, among other things, retards the aging process; an invention of the Priest-Kings, approved by them for use by humans; administered in 4 injections

stimulation cage (noun): an ornate, fairly roomy cage, furnished comfortably with fabrics of all kinds, furs, cosmetics, perfumes, jewelry, etc. in which a naked slavegirl in training may be housed; its purpose is to awaken her senses, esp. the tactile senses, to everything in the world around her, so that she may be more pleasing to masters; in addition, it is just too short for her to stand upright, so that her head is always inclined in a gesture of submission

Stone (noun): a unit of measurement equal to 4 Earth pounds

Stones (noun): a guessing game in which one player must guess whether the number of stones hed in the fist of the second player is odd or even

Street of Brands (noun): the street or area in a given city where slavers conduct their business

Street of Coins (noun): the street or area in a given city where banking and other financial transactions take place

street veil (noun): the outermost veil worn by free women; worn over the house veil when leaving the house

submission mat (noun): a scarlet mat, used in Tharna, on which a free woman, naked and bound with yellow cords, must submit as slave to her master, first hearing him recite a ritual poem, then yielding physically

sul (noun): starchy, golden-brown, vine-borne fruit; principal ingredient in sullage

sul (noun): a tuberous vegetable similar to the potato; often served sliced and fried

sul paga (noun): alcoholic beverage made from suls; akin to vodka

sula (command; lit. 'back'): at this command, a slavegirl will lie on her back, her hands at her sides, palms up, and with her legs spread wide

sullage (noun): a soup made prinicipally from suls, tur-pah, and kes, along with whatever else may be handy

Sun Lances (noun): a warrior society of the Sleen tribe of Red Savages

Swamp Spiders (noun): man-sized arachnids which inhabit the swampland near the city of Ar; they can communicate in human speech via the mechanical translators they wear around their abdomens; they spin Cur-lon Fiber, which is used in the textile mills of Ar


TO TOP

~ T ~

Ta-Teera (noun): a one-piece, sleeveless, short slave garment; also called the slave rag

Ta-Thassa (phrase; lit. 'to the sea'): ritual phrase invoked during a libation offering of wine, oil, and salt made to Thassa

tabor (noun): a small drum

tabuk (noun): a kind of antelope, being yellow in color and having a single horn

Taharic (noun): the written language of the inhabitants of the Tahari that has a somewhat floral appearance. It differs from standard Gorean, in that it only has four of the nine vowel sounds. The vowel sounds which are represented have tiny marks near them, like accent marks. Vowel sounds which are not explicitly represented, must be inserted by the reader. At one time in Taharic, apparently, no vowel sounds were represented. Some Taharic scholars, purists, refuse to continence vowel signs, regarding their necessity as a convenience for illiterates. Anyone who can read printed Taharic will have no difficulty in following cursive Taharic. The men of the Tahari are content to form their letters carefully and beautifully, being fond of them. To scribble is generally regarded not as proving oneself a swift efficient fellow, but something of a boor, insensible to beauty.

Tajuks (noun): a minor tribe of the Tahari. They are a culturally united but mixed race people, many of whom are characterized by the epicanthic fold. More than 200 hundred years ago a wandering Tajuk was rescued in the desert by Aretai riders, who treated him well, and had given him water and a Kaiila. The man found his way back to the tribe. Since that time the Tajuks are self ruled but have always fought for the Aretai.

Ta'Kara (noun): a minor tribe of the Tahari; they are a vassal tribe of the Kavars

Tal (phrase; lit. 'greetings'): used by Free Persons when they meet. When used between warriors it is often accompanied with a salute performed by raising the right hand to shoulder level, palm inward

talender (noun): delicate, yellow-petaled meadow flower, symbolic of feminine love and beauty; a crown of talendars is often worn by a free woman during the Companionship ceremoney; worn in a slavegirl's hair, it is a silent plea for her to be raped

talmit (noun): a sewn headband worn by tarnsmen while in flight.

talu (noun): a unit a measure equalling 2 gallons

taluna (noun; lit. 'panther girl'): a free woman who lives as a hunter in small tribes of 15-100 members; they roam the northern forests of Gor

tar (preposition): to

Tar-Sardar-Gor (lit. 'To the Priest-Kings of Gor'): ritual phrase recited during the pre- banquet libation in which a few grains of meal, colored salt, and a few drops of wine are placed in a fire; the equivalent of saying grace

Ta-Sardar-Var (noun): referencing the direction a compass needle points. North, which all Gorean compasses to the Sardar Mountains, home of the Priest-Kings, there are 8 cardinal points on a Gorean compass, in order clockwise: Ror (NE) Rim (E) Tun (SE) Vask or Verus Var (S) Cart (SW) Klim (W) and Kail (NW).

tarn (noun): crested, hawk-like bird large enough to be ridden; used in battle and in racing

tarn cot (noun): building in which domes- ticated tarns are housed

tarn disk, copper (noun): the basic unit of currency on Gor.

tarn disk, gold (noun): a unit of currency, of the highest value on Gor; also made in double- weight; many cities on Gor mint their own money, but the gold tarn disk of Ar is the standard for much of Gor

tarn goad (noun): an electrical device, much like a cattle prod, used for controlling tarns; is c. 20" long

tarn ship (noun): a type of ram-ship, being long and narrow, with a shallow draft, a straight keel, a single lateen-rigged mast, and a single bank of oars; at the prow, below the waterline, is a ram shaped like a tarn's head; it also carries light catapults, shearing blades, and other weaponry

tarn wire (noun): razor wire strung between the walls of a city and the cylinders to protect it from aerial attack

tarna (noun): daughter

tarsk (noun): 1) porcine animal akin to the Earth pig, having a bristly mane which runs down its spine to the base of the tail; 2) copper coin that is the whole coin of least value, equalling 10 tarsk bits

tarsk, giant (noun): large cousin of the tarsk, sta nding 10 hands high at the shoulder

tarsk, silver (noun): a coin worth 40 copper tarsks

tarsk bit (noun): a copper coin worth from 1/10 to 1/4 of a copper tarsk, depending on the city which mints the coin

Tashid (noun): a minor tribe of the Tahari; they are a vassal tribe of the Aretai

Tassa powder (noun): a reddish powder, usually mixed with red wine, which renders the consumer unconscious

tassna (noun): mother

tasta (noun): founding, as of a city

Ta-Teera (noun): similar to a slave tunic, but more ragged and revealing; often referred to as the 'slave rag'

tatrix (noun): title of the female ruler of the city of Tharna

tau (noun): a letter of the Gorean alphabet; corresponds to the Earth letter 'T' (?)

tef (noun): a unit of measure, consisting of a handful of whatever produce (such as dates) is being weighed; 6 tefs equal one tefa

tefa (noun): 1) a unit of measure equalling 6 tefs, or handfuls; 5 tefas equal 1 huda; 2) a small basket

telekint (noun): a plant of the Tahari; its roots, mashed & mixed with water, provide a red dye

tem (noun): a tree which produces a black wood that is very strong; ebony?

tenth ahn (noun): tenth 'hour', the Gorean noon

teslik (noun): a plant whose extract is the active ingredient in breeding wine

tharlarions (noun): one of several types of large, carnivorous reptiles, some of which have been domesticated; it's fat is rendered to provide lamp oil; see also mamba

tharlarion, broad (noun): sluggish tharlarion used as draft animals; herbivorous

tharlarion, high (noun): agile tharlarion used as a mount for riding; like T. rex, they have very short, almost useless, forlegs; carnivorous

tharlarion, river (noun): extremely large, herbivorous, web-footed lizards used by bargemen of the Cartius River to pull barges

tharlarion, rock (noun): a small reptile of the Tahari

tharlarion boots (noun): high boots of soft leather worn by riders of high tharlarion to protect their legs from the abrasive hides of their mounts

Thassa (noun): the sea

Third Knowledge (noun): that which, if it exists, is reserved for the Priest-Kings

Thieves, Caste of (noun): the caste of those who make their living by stealing, robbery, picking pockets, etc.; exists only in Port Kar

Thrall (noun): a male slave in service in Torvaldsland to a Jarl.

Ti (noun): a minor tribe of the Tahari; they are a vassal tribe of the Aretai

tibit (noun): a small, thin-legged bird which lives on tiny mollusks found on the shores of Thassa; sandpiper?

Tola, Feast of (noun): the Priest-King festival celebrating the anniversary of the Nuptial Flight of the Mother

Tolam, Feast of (noun): the Priest-King festival celebrating the anniversary of the Deposition of the First Egg

Tolama, Feast of (noun): the Priest-King festival celebrating the anniversary of the Hatching of the First Egg

toos (noun): a crab-like organism with overlapping plating; inhabits the Nest and scavenges on discarded fungus spores

tor (noun): light

Tor-Tu-Gor (noun; lit. 'light upon the Home Stone'): the sun

Torvald (noun): the legendary hero and founder of the people of the northern lands of Gor. Also the name of the warm water current that flows near the coast of Torvaldsland that is said to have been a gift from the god Thor to Torvald

torvis (noun): fire

tospit (noun): a bitter, juicy citrus fruit

Tower Slave (noun): a state slavegirl in any of the cities of Gor; her duties in the apartment cylinders are largely domestic; traditionally, she kneels with her knees together & with her wrists crossed in front of her, as if for binding

Translator (noun): a mechanical device that can be used for various non-Gorean languages. It is about the size of a portable typewriter and capable of holding up to 4 different languages at a time.

tu (noun): on; upon

tu (prhase): you are

Tuchuk (noun): one of the four tribes of the Wagon Peoples; their standard is a representation of 4 bosk horns

tufted fisher (noun): a waterbird which inhabits the rivers of the rainforests inland of Schendi

tumit (noun): large flightless bird, about the size of an ostrich, having an 18'-long hooked beak; carnivorous

tun (noun): a letter of the Gorean alphabet; derived from demotic Egyptian

tur (noun): a reddish tree having a large trunk

Turia (noun): a major city-state of Gor, located south of the equator; named for the single Tur tree found at the bank of the stream by which it was built; celebrates the New Year at the summer solstice; often referred to as the 'Ar of the South'

tur-pah (noun): an edible tree parasite with curly, red, ovate leaves; grows on the tur tree; a main ingredient in sullage

twentieth ahn (noun): twentieth 'hour', the Gorean midnight


TO TOP

~ U ~

Ubar (noun): war chief

Ubar San (noun, lit. 'one ubar'): war chief chosen to be supreme commander of the 4 tribes of the Wagon Peoples

Ubara (noun): the Free Companion (consort) of a ubar

ubarate (noun): the territory governed by a ubar

ul (noun): giant carnivorous pterodactyl

urt (noun): a small, silken-furred rodent akin to the Earth rat; it has three rows of teeth, two tusks, and two horns

urt, ground (noun): a small rodent which inhabits the floor of the rainforests inland of Schendi

urt, leaf (noun): a small tree-dwelling rodent, having 4 toes, which inhabits the rainforests inland of Schendi; tree sloth?

urt, tree (noun): a small tree-climbing rodent found in the rainforests inland of Schendi

Urt Soldiers (noun): a warrior society of the Yellow Knife tribe of Red Savages


TO TOP

~ V ~

val (noun): a letter of the Gorean alphabet; derived from demotic Egyptian

var (noun): resting

var (conj.): where

Var (noun): the Gorean equivelent of North, refering to the direction of the Sardar mountains. (See Ta-Sardar-Var)(Ki-Var)

vart (noun): blind, bat-like flying rodent, about the size of a small dog

vart, jungle (noun): a relative of the northern vart, it inhabits the rainforests inland of Schendi

veck (verb): stand

veil (noun): a covering or coverings for the face, worn by free women in many city-states; up to five are worn see also house veil, last veil, pride veil, street veil, veil of the citizeness

veil of the citizeness (noun): the second of the veils worn by free women; worn under the pride veil and over the last veil

veminium (noun): a bluish wildflower commonly found on the lower ranges of the Thentis mountains; used in perfumes

veminium, desert (noun): small, purplish flower found in the Tahari; is gathered in shallow baskets and carried to a still, and are boiled in water. The vapor which boils off is condensed into oil. This oil is used to perfume water. This water is not drunk but is used in middle and upper class homes to rinse the eating hand, before and after the evening meal.

verr (noun): a mountain goat indigenous to the Voltai Mountains; wild, agile, ill-tempered, with long hair and spiraling horns; source of a form of wool; it milk is potable, as well as being used for cheese

viktel (noun): triumph

vint (noun): a small insect that inhabits the Tahari. It is sand color and eats the scraps left around by humans. It is prey for cell spiders.

virgin bell (noun): free girls, not yet companions, but of an age appropriate for the companionship, sometimes signal their availability to possible swains by belling their left ankles. The note of this bell, which is bright and clear, is easily distinguished from normal slave bells.

Vosk League (noun): an alliance of 19 towns (Fina, Forest Port, Hammerfest, Iskander, Jasmine, Jort's Ferry, Point Alfred, Port Cos, Ragnar's Hamlet, Sais, Siba, Sulport, Tafa, Tancred's Landing, Tetrapoli, Turmus, Ven, Victoria, White Water) formed to keep the Vosk River clear of pirates & to promote trade

Voyages of Acquisition (noun): voyages made to Earth by the Priest-Kings to gather biological samples; this perhaps accounts for the similarity in many animals, as well as in language and culture, between Earth and Gor

vulo (noun): a tawny-colored poultry bird, similar to a pigeon, which also exists in the wild; used for meat and eggs


TO TOP

~ W ~

wader, ring-necked (noun): a variety of waterbird which inhabits the rivers of the rainforests inland of Schendi

wader, yellow-legged (noun): a variety of waterbird which inhabits the rivers of the rainforests inland of Schendi

Wagon Peoples (noun): four nomadic tribes that wander the Plains of Turia with their immense herds of bosk

Waiting Hand (noun): the 5-day period between the 12th Passage Hand and the beginning of the New Year, which begins on the Vernal Equinox

walking chains (noun): adjustable chains fastened on the ankles of a slavegirl to train her to walk with the length of stride preferred by her master

Warriors, Caste of (noun): the caste which includes infantry, tharlarion cavalry, and tarnsmen; one of the five High Castes which make up Gorean government, and as such the military branch of the government; their caste color is red

Warrior's Pace (noun): a slow jog that can be maintained for hours

Weight (noun): a unit of measurement equal to 10 Stone, or 40 Earth pounds

Whip Caress (noun): see Slaver's Caress

Whip of the Furs (noun): a method of disciplining slavegirls by rape rather than by flogging; esp. popular in Torvaldsland

Whip Knife (noun): a whip with razors embedded in the tip

wingfish (noun): tiny blue salt-water fish with 4 poisonous spines on its dorsal fin; found in the waters off Port Kar; its liver is considered a delicacy in Turia


TO TOP

~ Y ~

Yellow-Kaiila Riders (noun): a warrior society of the Kaiila tribe of Red Savages

Yellow Knives (noun): a tribe of Red Savages which inhabits the Barrens

 


TO TOP

~ Z ~

zad (noun): a large, broad-winged, black-&- white bird with a long, narrow, yellowish, hooked beak, found in the Tahari; they scavenge on carrion; similar to the Earth vulture

zad, jungle (noun): a cousin of the Tahari zad; found in the rainforest inland of Schendi

zadit (noun): a small, tawny-feathered, sharp- billed bird of the Tahari; insectivorous, feeding on sand flies and other similar insects; they often land a kaiila and spend long periods hunting the sand flies that infest the host animal

Zar (noun): a boardgame of the Tahari; the board is marked like a Kaissa board, but the pieces - 9 per player, and called 'pebbles' - are placed at the intersections of the lines; movement is somewhat like that of checkers, but without capturing of pieces the object of the game is to effect a complete exchange of the original placement of the pieces

Zarlit Fly (noun): a large harmless insect, similar to a dragonfly, purple, about 2 feet long with 4 translucent wings, that span about 3 feet each. It has pad like feet that allow it to walk on the surface of the water.

zeder (noun): a small, sleen-like, carnivorous mammal which inhabits the rainforests inland of Schendi, esp. along the Ua River; grows to c. 2' and weighs 8-10 lbs; is diurnal, can swim very well, & builds a stick-&-mud nest in the branches of a tree, where it spends the night

Zevar (noun): a minor tribe of the Tahari; they are a vassal tribe of the Aretai

TO TOP