Key terms & definitions

A takeover opposed by the management of the business being bought.

Storing websites, files or other content on a server so that clients can access them over a network.

The organism in or on which another organism or pathogen lives; during a human infection, the patient is the host organism.

An ecosystem in a hot, arid region, typically receiving less than 250 mm of precipitation each year.

Transferring foil onto paper or board using a heated die and pressure to produce a decorative pattern.

A direct communications link established between Washington and Moscow after the Cuban Missile Crisis to help leaders communicate quickly during emergencies.

A hot climate with limited, unreliable rainfall, generally below 500 mm annually, but more rainfall than a hot desert.

A hot biome dominated by grasses with scattered trees, where seasonal rainfall and a prolonged dry season limit plant growth.

A region with high temperatures and limited, often seasonal rainfall, where water shortages restrict vegetation growth.

An area of volcanic activity supplied by rising hot material from within the mantle, which can occur away from a plate margin.

A legally recognised pursuit of stolen goods in the borderlands, begun within six days of a raid and openly announced with signals such as a horn and burning turf.

Shaping heated metal while it remains solid, using forces such as bending, hammering or pressing.

A highly trained professional household soldier serving an Anglo-Saxon king or noble, often equipped with a large battleaxe.

Highly trained professional warriors who formed the core of an Anglo-Saxon king’s army and fought on foot, often using large battle-axes.

The family, servants and officials attached to a lord or lady, sometimes travelling between residences with them.

The family, servants, possessions and property that make up a household; in the Odyssey, defending the household also means defending its authority and reputation.

One person living alone, or a group of people living at the same address and sharing facilities; members need not be related.

A person who maintains a household, a position associated with responsibility and social respectability.

A person who fulfils family, work and social responsibilities while pursuing a spiritual life.

Family life in which spiritual duties are fulfilled through ordinary responsibilities, work and relationships rather than withdrawal from society.

The Hindu stage of life associated with marriage, family life and responsibilities towards dependants and society; also called grihastha.

An agricultural arrangement in which a household worked allocated, collectively owned land, met a required delivery quota and could keep or sell its remaining produce.

The number of people living in a household, including adults and children rather than only the children born to a woman.

The right to vote based on being the householder occupying a home, subject to any further legal qualifications.

The maintenance and organisation tasks needed to keep a computer system in good working order.

The elected chamber of Parliament, whose members are MPs and which approves taxation, spending and legislation.

The elected chamber of the UK Parliament, whose MPs represent constituencies. A UK government must be able to command its confidence.

An institution where people considered idle or disorderly could be confined and made to work.

The powerful Anglo-Saxon aristocratic family of Earl Godwin, including Harold, Tostig, Gyrth, Leofwine and Edith.

The unelected chamber of Parliament, dominated in this period by hereditary peers, which could reject legislation before its powers were restricted in 1911.