Ugly
A person between the ages of 12 and 16, who has yet to undergo the major cosmetic operation that renders one a pretty.
New Pretty
A person over the age of 16 who has undergone the first of three major cosmetic surgeries.
Middle Pretty
A person who has aged out of being a new pretty (exact age indeterminate) and undergone the second of three major cosmetic operations.
Crumbly
A person who has aged out of being a middle pretty (exact age indeterminate) and undergone the last of the three major cosmetic operations.
Special
A person who has been surgically altered to possess superhuman speed, strength, eyesight, and hearing, and whose face has been surgically reconstituted so that it looks regal and predatory, engendering terror in others. It is the responsibility of Specials to protect the city from inside and outside dangers.
Spagbol
A dehydrated meal of Spaghetti Bolognese.
Smokie
A person who resides in the Smoke.
The Smoke
A rebellious settlement of unknown location somewhere in the wilderness outside the city.
Rusties
The name given to historic peoples dated back to before the founding of the current regime. Their civilization is likely meant to recall our own.
Uglyville
The place where uglies, or children aged 12-16, live.
New Pretty Town
The town where new pretties live, notable for its beauty and its celebratory spirit.
The 'burbs
The place where middle pretty families and their children (Littlies, aged 0-12) reside.
Interface Ring
A ring citizens must wear at all times, which both provides them access to the city's smart technology and tracks the individual's location.
The Rusty Ruins
The remains of an erstwhile civilization, located just outside the city, often used as a destination for school trips. It is also the place rebellious uglies use to signal to David that they would like to join the Smoke.
Special Circumstances
The name of the secret governmental branch that guards the interests of the city and protects it from inside and outside threats. This term is also used to indicate the headquarters where the branch is located.
Biological Zero
The temperature (5°C) at which the microbiological activity in normal soil will mostly stop; more broadly, soil that cannot support plant life.
Monoculture
The cultivation of a single crop in a given area.
Pugnacious
Eager or quick to argue, quarrel, or fight.
Incompetent
Not having or showing the necessary skills to do something successfully.
Hippocratic Oath
An oath stating the obligations and proper conduct of doctors, formerly taken by those beginning medical practice. Parts of the oath are still used in most medical schools.
