abeam at right angles to a ship's length or keel.
acanthus any of a genus of thistlelike plants with lobed, often spiny leaves and long spikes of white or colored flowers, found in the Mediterranean region.
adjutant an assistant.
aegis a shield borne by Zeus and, later, by his daughter Athena and occasionally by Apollo.
affrighted [Archaic] frightened; terrified.
appease to pacify or quiet, esp. by giving in to the demands of.
auguries divinations from omens.
augury divination from omens.
auspices omens, such as may be revealed in the flight of birds.
auspicious of good omen; boding well for the future; favorable; propitious.
availed was of use, help, worth, or advantage (to), as in accomplishing an end.
baleful harmful or threatening harm or evil; ominous; deadly.
bastion any fortified place; strong defense or bulwark.
bedew to make wet with or as if with drops of dew.
bemused muddled, stupefied, or preoccupied.
benefactions acts of doing good or helping others.
bestriding [Archaic] striding over or across.
bier a platform or portable framework on which a coffin or corpse is placed.
bilge the rounded, lower exterior part of a ship's hull.
biremes galleys of ancient times, having two rows of oars on each side, one under the other.
biremes galleys of ancient times, having two rows of oars on each side, one under the other.
blandishment a flattering or ingratiating act or remark, etc., meant to persuade.
blandishments flattering or ingratiating acts or remarks meant to persuade.
blazon showy display.
boon [Archaic] kind, generous, pleasant, etc.
brutish of or like a brute; savage, gross, stupid, sensual, irrational, etc.
buffeted beaten back as by repeated blows; thrust about.
bullocks young bulls.
caldron a violently agitated condition like the boiling contents of a large kettle.
caparisoned covered with ornamental trappings.
careering moving at full speed; rushing wildly.
carnage bloody and extensive slaughter, esp. in battle; massacre; bloodshed.
carrion the decaying flesh of a dead body, esp. when regarded as food for scavenging animals.
castigate to punish or rebuke severely, esp. by harsh public criticism.
chaplets wreaths or garlands for the head.
circumscribe to trace a line around; encircle; encompass.
clambered climbed with effort or clumsily, esp. by using the hands as well as the feet.
colloquies conversations; esp., formal discussions.
combers large waves that roll over or break on a beach, reef, etc.
conflagration a big, destructive fire.
conflagrations big, destructive fires.
contentious always ready to argue; quarrelsome.
copse a thicket of small trees or shrubs; coppice.
coracle a short, roundish boat made as of animal skins or canvas waterproofed and stretched over a wicker or wooden frame.
cortege a ceremonial funeral procession.
cowled wearing or having a cowl; hooded.
cozening cheating or deceiving.
cudgel a short, thick stick or club.
cuirass a piece of closefitting armor for protecting the breast and back, orig. made of leather.
cuirass a piece of closefitting armor for protecting the breast and back, orig. made of leather.
curvets in equestrian exhibitions, a movement in which a horse rears, then leaps forward, raising the hind legs just before the forelegs come down.
