A White Heron and Other Stories Glossary

Glossary of Terms

Agamenticus

mountain in Maine

Benediction

request for divine help

Dilatory

delaying, slow to act.

Divining

finding

Flying Dutchman

sailing ship believed to be perpetually in motion

Gallantly

courteously, politely

Gravity

seriousness

Hamadryads

tree nymphs

Indian pudding

traditional New England dessert of cornmeal, spices, milk and dried fruit

Knights of the Garter

the highest order of British chivalry

Mantilla

lace head dress associated with the Catholic faith

Meechin’

groveling

Opodeldoc

warming poultice

Pallor

unnatural pale coloring

Plaguy

annoying

Raillery

light teasing or banter

Reign of Terror

violent period of the French Revolution (September 1793-July 1794) symbolized by the guillotine

Routed horse and foot

military term meaning to be sent packing

Splint bottomed seat

wicker chair

Spudge up

get on with something, get stuck in.

Submarine telegraph

transatlantic cable capable of transmitting communications across oceans. Work on a transatlantic cable had begun to be realized in 1865.

Temperate man

teetotal man, one who does not consume alcohol

Thriftiness

economy/ careful with personal finances

Wayfarer

traveler

Whippoorwill

native bird, also called the night jar. Said to sense death or departing souls

Wistfully

sadly thoughtful