sanctity of Enoch a man in the Bible who lived to be 365 years old. Enoch was pure enough that he walked with God and went to heaven without having to die first.
scintillating sparkling, bright, witty.
scourge a whip used for flogging.
scrofula a tuberculosis of the lymph glands in the neck.
scurrilous vulgar, indecent, abusive.
scurvy or ship-fever a disease caused by lack of vitamin C.
sedulous hardworking and diligent.
sexton a church officer or employee in charge of maintenance of the church property.
simples [Archaic] medicines from herbs or plants.
Sir Thomas Overbury and Dr. Forman the subjects of an adultery scandal in 1615 in England. Dr. Forman was charged with trying to poison his adulterous wife and her lover. Overbury was a friend of the lover and was perhaps poisoned.
skull-cap a light, closefitting, brimless cap, usually worn indoors.
Spanish Main the Caribbean.
spectral of, having the nature of, or like a specter; phantom; ghostly; supernatural.
sprit elf-like.
steel headpiece, a cuirass, a gorget, and greaves . . . gauntlets here, all parts of a suit of armor.
stigma mark or brand; usually shameful.
stripes [Archaic] welts on the skin caused by whipping.
sumptuary laws laws set up by the colony concerning expenses for personal items like clothing.
talisman anything thought to have magic power; a charm.
tankard a large drinking cup with a handle and, often, a hinged lid.
these iron men here, meaning the stern Puritan forefathers who make the rules.
tithing-men men who collect church taxes.
transitory stay a very brief stay, as in this life compared to an eternal one.
triple ruff an elaborate collar
utterance of oracles the telling of wise predictions about the future.
