Key terms & definitions

How easily a substance ignites and burns.

How readily a material ignites and burns.

A substance that catches fire and burns readily.

Describes a substance that catches fire easily.

A projecting part of a structural section, such as the top or bottom horizontal part of an I-beam.

The side of an army or military formation; an attack on a flank can threaten troops whose main attention is directed forwards.

The side of a military formation, which may be vulnerable to an attack that avoids its front.

An attack against the side of an enemy force rather than directly against its front.

The sides of an army or battlefield position; an attack on a flank threatens troops from the side rather than the front.

An open-bottomed ring used to support the sides of a pastry case on a baking sheet.

A young woman associated with the 1920s who challenged traditional expectations through her appearance and behaviour, including short hair, shorter skirts, smoking and public dancing.

Young women associated with the 1920s who challenged traditional expectations through their clothing, appearance and social behaviour.

Excess material squeezed out at the edges where the halves of a mould meet, which may need trimming.

An interruption of the present sequence of events to recount earlier events. Small’s retrospective story explains the origins of the London mystery.

A move away from the main narrative time to show an earlier event.

A return to earlier events within a narrative, interrupting its current chronological sequence.

A move to an earlier event within a narrative.

A sequence showing events earlier than the current point in the story.

Editing using very brief shots and rapid cuts, which can create intensity or disorientation.

Flooding that develops rapidly, often after intense rainfall, leaving little time to prepare or evacuate.

Flooding that develops rapidly, often following intense rainfall, with fast-flowing water.

A movement ahead to events later than the narrative’s current point in time.

Non-volatile electronic memory used in SSDs, USB flash drives and memory cards.

A river with discharge that rises rapidly after rainfall, usually because water reaches its channel quickly.

A broad, relatively thin bone, such as a rib or the sternum, that can protect a vital organ.

A follower with a flat contact face that slides against the cam; it can carry heavy loads but cannot follow tight contours accurately.

An organisational structure with few levels of hierarchy, usually a short chain of command and wide spans of control.

Excessive praise intended to please someone or gain their favour; at Alexander’s court, this could involve exaggerating his achievements and belittling others.

The Roman imperial dynasty established by Vespasian in AD 69, followed by his sons Titus and Domitian.

The combined experience of a food’s taste, aroma and sensations such as texture and temperature.