The Library of Babel

The Library of Babel Glossary

ventilation

the provision of fresh air to a room, building, etc.

engender

cause or give rise to (a feeling, situation, or condition)

prefigure

be an early indication or version of (something)

axiom

a statement or proposition that is regarded as being established, accepted, or self-evidently true

ab aeternitate

for eternity

corollary

a proposition that follows from (and is often appended to) one already proved

demiurge

a being responsible for the creation of the universe; a heavenly being, subordinate to the Supreme Being, that is considered to be the controller of the material world and antagonistic to all that is purely spiritual

indefatigable

persisting tirelessly

semibarbarous

The quality or state of being half barbarous or uncivilized

homogeneous

of the same kind; alike

gnostic

relating to knowledge, especially esoteric mystical knowledge

apologia

a formal written defense of one's opinions or conduct

arcana

secrets or mysteries

sect

a group that has separated from an established church

ascetic

characterized by or suggesting the practice of severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons

execrate

feel or express great loathing for

zeal

great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective

transmogrify

transform, especially in a surprising or magical manner

deity

a god or goddess

ex hypothesi

according to the hypothesis proposed

tautology

the saying of the same thing twice in different words; a statement that is true by necessity or by virtue of its logical form

verbose

using more words than are needed to express something

epistle

a letter; a poem or other literary work in the form of a letter or series of letters

brigandage

refers to the life and practice of brigands: highway robbery and plunder

periodic

appearing or occurring at intervals