The curse of Kalaan (37 page)

[36]
              Ahlan: Welcome (in Arabic).

[37]
              Council room on a frigate: room at the stern of the ship, under the poop deck, next to the captain’s room, the place where the captain and his officers had meetings and took their meals.

[38]
              Diskiant: Insane (in Breton).

[39]
              Gouelle: Breton word for seagull- can also mean ogre or glutton.

[40]
              Moutik: Cutie or sweetie  in Breton.

[41]
              Ar kaerelle-vras: a weasel or a snoop in Breton.

[42]
              Muhammad-Ali: Viceroy of Egypt from 1804 to 1849.

[43]
              Grisette: Hairstyle with hair parted in the middle, with a bun at the back and ringlets falling over the ears.

[44]
              Mor Breizh: The English Channel (sea) in Breton.

[45]
              Gunwale: (nautical term) the thick outside planking around the edge of a boat.

[46]
              Scull: Maneuver a boat with only one oar, placed at the back. This propels the boat by making it move rapidly from side to side.

[47]
              La, shoukran: No thank you, in Arabic.

[48]
              Kerkalon: Dear heart in Breton. One of the Croz family’s properties.

[49]
              Satordellik: What the devil! (in Breton).

[50]
              Dinner: During the 19th century dinner was the midday meal and supper, the evening one.

[51]
              In 1828, this is the beginning of the “romantic” style and puff sleeves, also called gigot
.

[52]
              Sidhes: Enchanted knolls of the Celtic gods – Their paradise.

[53]
              Dousik: Gently (in Breton).

[54]
              Satordelli: Devil (in Breton).

[55]
              Kouign-amann: a Breton specialty, a round crusty cake made with bread dough containing layers of salty butter and sugar folded in, similar to puff pastry. It is baked slowly the butter puffs up the dough and the sugar caramelizes it. Served warm, fresh from the oven. A true delight.

[56]
              Cellaret: Small cabinet fitted for liquor bottles and glasses.

[57]
              Chukchis: Indigenous people (Eskimos) living in the northeastern peninsula of Siberia, on the Bering Sea.

[58]
              Boued: Food, in Breton.

[59]
              Eugène-François Vidocq: (1775-1857) Founder and first director of the Parisian police; also founder of the first ever detective agency.

[60]
              Va digarez, c'hwiltouz: I’m sorry, kid (in Breton).

[61]
              Nʼeo ket strikt: It’s of no importance (in Breton).

[62]
              Kenavo: ‘til we meet again, or goodbye (in Breton).

[63]
              Trugarez: Thank you (in Breton).

[64]
              Ma kariadez: My dearest (in Breton).

[65]
              Blandish: (old verb)
Flatter and cajole.

[66]
              Lenn Emrodenn:
Em
erald Lake
(in Breton).

[67]
              Chouchenn:Breton alcoholic beverage made from fermenting buckwheat honey in apple juice.

[68]
              Mabig: Son (in Breton).

[69]
              Nann: No (in Breton).

[70]
              Tussilago: Commonly known as coltsfoot.
Plant native to Europe and parts of central and western Asia, used to treat disorders of the respiratory tract.

[71]
              Poisoners’ Guild: Also called the Council of Ten; was a guild of alchemists and Poisoners created in the 15th century. They murdered people for money – the original contract killers.

[72]
              Cantarella:
Po
ison Borgia, also called "sugar of lead" based on arsenic, phosphorus and lead acetate.

[73]
              Rien du tout: Nothing at all, in French.

[74]
              Netra: Nothing,in Breton.

[75]
              Kenavo: Goodbye or adieu, in Breton.

[76]
              Demat: Hello, in Breton.

[77]
              Mor Breizh: The English Channel  or the Breton Sea, in Breton.

[78]
              Konradin Christophe d’Abel: 1750-1823 - German minister to the Court of France, buried in section 28 of Père-Lachaise cemetery.

[79]
              Père Lachaise cemetery: a famous cemetery in Paris named after Father François de la Chaise, confessor to Louis XIV.

[80]
              Dumb canes: diffenbachia.

[81]
              French law requires all couples who marry to have a civil ceremony officiated by the mayor of their legal residence.

[82]
              Biniou: Bagpipes in Breton.

[83]
              Bombarde: Breton alto wind instrument, similar to an oboe.

[84]
              Bagad: Group (in Breton), in this case it’s short for ‘bagad sonerien’ (group of bell ringers).

[85]
              Awen: A word hard to define precisely meaning- flowing spirit or inspiration- and often used to close Druid prayers.