The Pillowman

The Pillowman Glossary

commandant (noun)

An officer in charge of a particular institution/force.

enquiries (noun)

official questionings in an investigation.

peripheral vision (noun)

side vision; what is seen on the side by the eye when looking straight ahead.

axe to grind (idiom)

a strong personal opinion about something that one wants people to accept.

abattoir (noun)

a slaughterhouse.

next of kin (noun)

a person's closest living relative or relatives.

lily-livered (adjective)

weak and cowardly.

gibbet (noun)

a gallows.

cleaver (noun)

a tool with a heavy, broad blade, used by butchers for chopping meat.

retard (noun)

An offensive term for a person who has a mental disability (often used as a general term of abuse).

upstart (noun)

A derogatory term for a person who has risen suddenly to wealth or high position, especially one who behaves arrogantly.

truncheon (noun)

a short, thick stick carried as a weapon by a police officer.

the heath (noun)

an area of open uncultivated land, especially in Britain, with characteristic vegetation of heather, gorse, and coarse grasses.

abomination (noun)

a thing that causes disgust or hatred.

petrol (noun)

a light fuel oil that is obtained by distilling petroleum and used in internal combustion engines; gasoline.

bloke (noun)

British slang for a man.

discus (noun)

a heavy thick-centered disk thrown by an athlete, in ancient Greek games or in modern field events.

asinine (adjective)

extremely stupid or foolish.

rescind (verb)

revoke, cancel, or repeal (a law, order, or agreement).

electrodes (noun)

a conductor through which electricity enters or leaves an object, substance, or region.