War and Peace Glossary

Glossary of Terms

adjutant

A military officer who serves as a secretary or administrative assistant to a higher officer – in this novel, that higher officer is usually a general

borzoi

A large Russian hunting dog similar to a greyhound

britzka

A large, luxurious horse-drawn carriage

caisson

A rolling ammunition container

caleche

A large woman's hood

calumny

Malicious lies or slander

corvée

In feudalism, a corvée is the tribute that peasants pay to their landlord instead of taxes

flèche

A group of soldiers in battle, i.e., a flank

gabion

A metal framework filled with metal or rocks, used as a foundation for a building or other structure

Hofkriegsrath

The Austrian military council

hussar

A light cavalry regiment, or a member thereof

jabot

A lace ruffle on the front of a shirt

kaftan

A long belted tunic worn by Russian peasants in the nineteenth century

mazurka

A fast, lively Polish dance

muzhik

The Russian term for a peasant, who may or may not be indentured to a particular estate

samovar

An ornate tea-urn, often used by wealthy and middle-class families in Russia

shako

A distinctive, tall hat worn as part of the Russian military uniform

sutler

A merchant who sells food and supplies to the military

troika

A type of carriage pulled by three horses

uhlan

A hussar or cavalrymen whose main weapon is a lance