abashed embarrassed, self-conscious.
abated made less in amount, degree, or force.
ablutions washing of the body, often ritualistic.
abridged condensed, shortened but keeping the main contents.
abstemious characterized by abstinence.
affidavit a written statement made under oath.
aft near or toward the stern (rear) of a ship.
Albatross a large, web-footed bird found chiefly in the South Seas; a burden (see Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner," 1798).
allured tempted with something desirable, enticed.
anathema a thing or person damned or greatly detested.
"And I only am escaped alone to tell thee" a biblical reference to Job 1:17.
anoint to put oil on in a ceremony of consecration.
anomalous deviating from the regular arrangement or general rule, abnormal.
Antilles the main island group of the West Indies, including all but the Bahamas.
apoplexy a brain hemorrhage or stroke, causing convulsions, paralysis, etc.
apothecary a pharmacist or druggist.
apotheosis deification or glorification of a person or thing.
apprised informed.
archipelagoes groups or chains of many islands.
aspersion a damaging or disparaging remark.
athwart at right angles to the keel of; crosswise.
audacious bold or daring.
auger a narrow tool for boring holes in wood.
aught to any degree.
august here, imposing, magnificent, inspiring awe.
ballast anything heavy carried in a ship to give stability.
Beelzebub a chief devil; sometimes used for Satan.
bilious bad-tempered, cross.
binnacle an upright, cylindrical stand holding the ship's compass.
blithe cheerful, carefree.
bodings here, ominous, foreboding thoughts.
boom a spar (pole) extending from a mast to hold the bottom of a sail outstretched.
boon a request for a favor; the favor granted.
bowsprit a large, tapered spar extending forward from the bow of a sailing vessel.
brace of dandies a pair of fops, men who pay too much attention to appearance.
buckler a small, round shield held by hand or worn on the arm.
bulwarks the part of a ship's side above the deck.
bumpkin an awkward or simple person from the country.
Canst thou fill … shaking of a spear." Old Testament, Job 41:7, 26–34.
Cape-Horner a ship that travels around Cape Horn at the southern tip of South America.
cataract a large waterfall or deluge that is difficult to see through.
celerity swiftness, speed.
Cellini Benvenuto Cellini (1500–71), Italian sculptor also known for his autobiography.
chowder a thick soup consisting of milk, various vegetables, salt pork, and clams or fish.
circumambulate to walk around.
citadel a fortress, usually on a commanding height.
concubines here, females in the harem.
confabulation talking together in an informal way, chatting.
conjurer a magician, sorcerer.
counterpane an embroidered quilt, here compared to Queequeg's tattooed skin.
cozening cheating, deceiving.
crucible a container that can resist great heat, used for melting ore; a test or trial.
cupidity avarice, greed.
