Tabernacle
Tabes
Tablier
Taboo
Tabu
Tachograph
Tachometer
Tack
Tackle
Tact
Tael
Taffeta
Taffy
Tai-Ping Rebellion
Tailor
Taj Mahal
Tallow
Tally
Talma
Talmud
Tam-o-shanter
Tamal
Tambour
Tambourine
Tambourine
Tammany Society
Tammy
Tampion
Tampon
Tandem
Tang
Tango
Tangram
Tankard
Tanner
Tannery
Tannin
Tantalum
Taoism
Taper
Tapestry
Tapioca
Tappet
Tapu
Tar
Tarantass
Tarantella
Tarantism
Taraxacin
Tarboosh
Tarbrush
Tariff
Tarlatan
Tarn
Tarsia-work
Tartan
Tartar
Tartaric Acid
Tartrate
Tasmanite
Tassel
Tatting
Tatty
Tavla
Taxi
Taxidermy
Taximeter
TB
Technetium
Tectonics
Teetotum
Telegony
Telegraphy
Telephone
Telephony
Telescope
Television
Tellurium
Telpherage
Telugu
Tempera
Tempering
Temple
Tempo
Tendril
Tennis
Tenure
Teocalli
Tepee
Teratology
Terbium
Tercel
Terpene
Terpenes
Terra Cotta
Terra di Sienna
Terrine
Tessera
Tester
Tetanus
Tetra-Ethyl-Lead
Tetrahedron
Tetrode
Textile
Thalidomide
Thallium
Thalweg
Thanksgiving
Thatch
Thatching
Thaumatrope
The Court of Criminal Appeal
The Five Mile Act
The Gentleman's Magazine
The Great Fire Of London
The Spectator
The Test Act
The Tropics
Theine
Theobromine
Theodolite
Theology
Theosophy
Thermion
Thermionics
A tabernacle is a temporary or slightly built dwelling, such as a hut, booth or tent.
Tabes is a slow progressive emaciation.
Historically, a tablier was the apron-like part of a woman's dress.
Taboo (tabu, tapu) is a Polynesian word meaning "thou shall not....". It is a system of prohibitions and an elaborate code of things which may not be done, touched or approached.
see "Taboo"
A tachograph is a device fitted to a motor vehicle which records its speed and distances travelled. Tachographs are often called the spy in the cab by lorry drivers who are restricted in how long they may drive for by law.
A tachometer is a device for measuring the velocity of machines or the rate of flow of liquids.
A tack is a small sharp nail, usually with a large flat head. They are used for fitting a light or thin object to a more solid one, such as carpet to the floor.
Tackle is a term used to describe the equipment used in a sport, especially fishing. In nautical terms, tackle refers to ropes and pulleys used for hoisting weights, sails etc.
Tact is the intuitive perception of what is correct or fitting especially in the context of knowing the right thing to say or how to behave in a situation.
Tael (also called liang) is a Chinese weight. It was based upon the weight of a non-existent silver coin and was used in commerce between China and foreign countries around the turn of the century.
Taffeta is a fine plain-woven usually glossy fabric of silk or mother material.
Taffy is a colloquial nickname for a Welshman. It derives from the supposed Welsh pronunciation of the name Davy.
The Tai-Ping Rebellion was a civil war which took place in China from 1850 to 1866. The rebellion was led by Hung Siu-tsuan, who proclaimed himself the founder of a Tai-ping dynasty.
A tailor is a maker of men's outer garments or of women's garments which have similar characteristics such as coats, suits and riding-clothes.
The Taj Mahal is a white marble mausoleum built at Agra by Shah Jehan in memory of his favourite wife who died in 1629. It took 20000 men 20 years to build.
Tallow is the fat of animals, especially sheep and ox, separated by melting and clarifying and used for making soap, candles and other things.
Originally, a tally was a piece of wood scored across with notches representing an amount of debt or payment. The wood was then split in half lengthways and each party kept half.
A talma was a long cape or cloak worn by both men and women during the early part of the 19th century.
Talmud is a collection of works, containing the laws and ceremonies of Rabbinical Judaism together with commentaries, put into writing between the 2nd and 6th centuries.
A tam-o-shanter is a round woollen or cloth cap with a flat baggy top much wider than the head band. It is named after the hero of Burn's poem "Tam o' Shanter".
Tamal is a Mexican dish of crushed maize with pieces of meat or chicken, red pepper etc., wrapped in corn husks and baked or steamed.
A tambour is a device used in embroidery. It is comprised of two hoops which fit closely one inside the other. Fabric is stretched over the tambour which then holds it fast so that it may be embroidered.
A tambourine is a musical percussion instrument.
A tambourine is a long narrow drum used in music.
The Tammany Society was founded in the USA in 1789 for the purpose of preserving democratic ideas against Alexander Hamilton's aristocratic doctrine.
Tammy is a fine woollen or wool and cotton textile fabric often with a glazed finish.
A tampion is a plug for the top of an organ pipe or a cover for the muzzle of a gun.
A tampon is a plug inserted into a wound or body orifice to absorb secretions or stop haemorrhaging.
A tandem is a bicycle with two or more seats one behind the other.
A tang is a projection of a knife or other metal tool by which it is secured to its handle.
The tango was a dance from central Africa which was taken to Central America by African slaves and from there it became popular in Argentina where it was influenced by European rhythms and developed into a fashionable ballroom dance in around 1910.
A tangram is a Chinese geometrical puzzle comprised of a square which is divided into 5 triangles, a square and a rhomboid which can then be fitted together to form many figures.
A tankard is a large, one-handled drinking vessel.
Tanner is an old English slang expression for a sixpence. More properly, a tanner is someone who tans hides.
A tannery is a place where hides are tanned.
Tannin is a substance used to tan hides, that is convert them into leather. Tannin is extracted from oak-galls and various barks.
Tantalum is a metal element with the symbol Ta.
Taoism is an ancient Chinese system of philosophy.
A taper is a slender wax candle. The term is often used for a long wax coated or wooden wick used to light candles or fires at a safe distance.
A tapestry is a thick hand-woven fabric, usually of wool, with a pictorial or ornamental design formed by the weft-threads.
Tapioca is a starchy granular foodstuff prepared from cassava and used in puddings. The name comes from the Brazilian word tipioca which translates as juice of cassava.
A tappet is an arm, collar or cam within a machine which imparts intermittent motion.
see "Taboo"
Tar is a thick viscid inflammable black liquid obtained by the distillation of wood, coal or other organic substances. It is used for preserving timber amongst other purposes.
A tarantass was a large covered travelling carriage without springs, but balanced on long poles which served instead, and without seats. Tarantass were used a lot in Russia around the beginning of the 20th century.
Tarantella is a swift, whirling Italian dance in six-eight measure.
Tarantism was an obscure illness which was epidemic in southern Italy between the 15th and 17th centuries. It manifested itself in melancholy and an overwhelming desire to dance. It was popularly believed to be caused by the bite of the tarantula.
Taraxacin is a bitter substance found in the milky juice of the dandelion. It was formerly used as a tonic and diuretic.
A tarboosh is a man's brimless cap resembling a fez and worn alone or as part of a turban by Muslims in some eastern Mediterranean countries.
Tarbrush is an alternative name for a fez.
A tariff is a list of articles upon which duties are charged when exported or imported.
Tarlatan was a thin and fine fabric of cotton mostly used for making women's ball dresses around 1900. It was cheap, but did not withstand washing.
A tarn is a small moorland or mountain lake.
Tarsia-work was a kind of marquetry popular in 15th century Italy. It consisted of pieces of different coloured woods inlayed into a panel of walnut so as to represent landscapes, figures, fruits etc.
Tartan is a woollen cloth with stripes of various colours crossing at right angles especially in the distinctive pattern of a Highland clan.
Tartar (potassium tartrate) is a white crust deposited in wine casks during fermentation. The purified crystals are used in cooking, and often called cream of tartar. The term is also used for the concretion deposited upon teeth from saliva and comprised of phosphate of lime.
Tartaric Acid is a popular name for dihydroxysuccinic acid. It occurs in many plants, particularly in the grape and is easily obtained from tartar.
Tartrate is a salt of tartaric acid.
Tasmanite is a translucent, reddish-brown fossil resin found in Tasmania.
A tassel is a tuft of loosely hanging threads or cords designed as an ornament for a cushion, cap or other object.
Tatting is a type of knotted lace made from sewing-thread with a small flat shuttle-shaped instrument.
A tatty is a cuscus grass mat which is hung in a doorway, or window and kept wet to cool the air in the building.
Tavla is the national game of Turkey. It is called backgammon in Europe.
see "Hackney Coach"
Taxidermy is the art of preparing and mounting the skins of animals in a lifelike manner. In colloquial terms, stuffing dead animals.
A taximeter is an apparatus by means of which the legal fare is shown to passengers in a taxi.
see "Tuberculosis"
Technetium is an artificial element with the symbol Tc.
Tectonics is the study of rock movements.
A teetotum is a top spun with the fingers, rather than a whip or cord.
Telegony is the theory of pre-paternal influence on offspring. That is, that a previous male mate may pass characteristics to an offspring conceived by the same mother, but a different father. No evidence has been furnished to support the theory, but never the less, it was a popular belief amongst animal breeders.
Originally the term telegraphy refereed to any form of signalling. With the advent of electronic telegraph systems the term became more specific to electronic signalling, and more recently to the transmission of data, as distinct from telephony which signals voice, electronically. E.G.: Morse code by radio wave or through a telephone line.
The telephone is an instrument for reproducing speech at a distance from the source. It was invented by Alexander Graham Bell. Long distance telephony was developed in the 1920s following the experiments of Dr. H. W.Nichols, with links between major cities in the continents introduced in 1927.
Telephony refers to the reproduction of speech at a distance from the source. Telephony may occur with the use of a telephone, or through wireless apparatus such as radio equipment.
A telescope is an instrument which magnifies distant objects. The telescope was first invented in 1609 and in 1610 Galileo using his own made telescope discovered the satellites of Jupiter.
Television is a system for seeing distant objects through the intermediary of electro-magnetic waves transmitted through space or over wires. It was first developed during the 1920s.
Tellurium is a semi-metallic element with the symbol Te.
Telpherage is a system of traction by aerial ropeway used for the conveyance of minerals over rough country. A stout steel cable supported on poles forms the track and on this are hung small trolleys with wheels running on the cable. A second cable conveys electric current to the trolleys which are driven by motors.
Telugu is one of the Dravidian languages of India, spoken by the inhabitants of the area between Madras, Bellary and Orissa.
Tempera is a process of spreading a mixture of paint and a glutinous material on a flat surface. It is a process which was popular with early Italian artists.
Tempering is the process of heating up steel until red hot and then suddenly cooling it in water. The result is to harden the steel.
A temple is a building dedicated to the service of a deity or deities.
Tempo is the pace at which a piece of music is played.
A tendril is a slender, thread-like organ or appendage of a plant which stretches out and attaches itself to some other object so as to support the plant.
Tennis is a game for two or four players played by striking a ball with a racket over a net stretched across a rectangular court.
Tenure is the right or title by which property is held.
A Teocalli is an Aztec or other early Mexican temple. They are usually built in the form of a pyramid.
A tepee is a conical tent, hut or wigwam used by North American Indians.
Teratology is the science concerned with the occurrence of monstrosity in organic life.
Terbium is a metal element with the symbol Tb belonging to the series known as rare earths.
Tercel is the term for a male hawk.
Terpene is a chemistry term for any of a large group of cyclic hydrocarbons which form the chief constituents of the volatile oils obtained by distilling plant material (Turpentine).
Terpenes are an important group of hydrocarbons with the formula C10H16. Many occur naturally in the essential oils of various plants.
Terra Cotta is a baked clay, or burned earth material similar to that from which pottery is made. It was extensively used in ancient times. Terra Cotta consists of potters' clay and fine powdered silica.
see "Burnt Sienna"
A terrine is an earthenware vessel sold containing some table delicacy such as pate.
A tessera was a Greek or Roman small tablet (of wood or Ivory) used as a token or tally.
A tester is the canopy over a four-poster bed.
Tetanus (lockjaw) is a disease affecting the nervous system caused by a bacteria found mainly in soil.
Tetra-Ethyl-Lead is an organo-metalic compound widely used as an anti-knock agent in leaded petrol.
A tetrahedron is a geometric solid figure with four triangular faces.
A tetrode is an electronic amplifying valve with 4 main electrodes.
A textile is a woven fabric. The manufacture of textiles is one of the oldest human arts already well developed before history began, with loom weights and combs found with the remains of Iron Age Man.
Thalidomide was a sedative drug prescribed to pregnant women during the 1960s. It caused deformity of the foetus resulting in children born with severely stunted or non-existent limbs.
Thallium is a metal element with the symbol Tl.
Thalweg is a term of German origin signifying the lowest contour line of a valley, and therefore the natural direction of a stream or dried watercourse.
Thanksgiving is an annual festival in the USA, celebrated on the last Thursday in November, since it was so fixed by President Lincoln in 1864. The custom dates from the thanksgiving day set aside by the Mayflower Pilgrims after their first harvest in 1621, and was later adopted by the various colonies and States.
A thatch is a roof made by thatching.
Thatching is a method of roofing used to protect buildings and ricks. The material most commonly used is straw, but bracken, gorse, heather and reeds may serve a similar purpose.
A thaumatrope is a card or disc with two different figures drawn one each side. These images apparently merge when the card or disk is rotated rapidly. Thaumatropes are used to demonstrate the persistence of visual impressions.
The Court of Criminal Appeal is an English court with jurisdiction to hear appeals by persons convicted on indictment, criminal information, coroner's inquisitions and by persons dealt with at Quarter Sessions as incorrigible rogues. It was established in 1907.
The Five Mile Act was a statute of 1592, repealed in 1844 after a long period of disuse, forbidding popish recusants convicted of not going to church from moving above 5 miles from their usual place of abode.
The Gentleman's Magazine was the first magazine produced. It was a monthly publication founded in 1731 by Edward Cave and survived in its original form until 1868. It contained historical and biographical articles.
The Great Fire Of London broke out in Pudding Lane, near London Bridge on September 2nd 1666 and raged until September 6th destroying London from the Tower to the Temple and from the Thames to Smithfield.
The Spectator was a journal founded in 1711 by Sir Richard Steele and contributed to largely by Addison. It lapsed in 1714 but the title was resuscitated in 1828 by Robert Rintoul. At first the journal was non-political, then during the 19th century it adopted Liberal tendencies.
The Test Act of 1673 decreed that all who held public offices in England must receive the Church of England sacrament and renounce Transubstantiation. It thus excluded Nonconformists and Roman Catholics. The act was repealed in May 1828.
The Tropics are the region between 23 degrees 30 minutes north and 23 degrees 30 minutes south of the equator at which the sun's rays are vertical at noon.
Theine is an alternative name for caffeine.
Theobromine (dimethyl-xanthine) is the active principal of the cacao or cocoa bean. It is a crystalline powder with a bitter taste closely resembling caffeine and sometimes used as a diuretic.
A theodolite is an instrument used in surveying for measuring horizontal and vertical angles.
Theology is a science dealing with ascertainable truths about God and his relations with the world and mankind.
Theosophy is an intuitive or ecstatic mode of enunciating doctrines.
A thermion is an electrically charged particle emitted from a heated body.
Thermionics is a branch of physics dealing with the emission of ions by hot bodies. The first thermionic observation, though not understood at the time, was made by Edison, and is known as the Edison effect.