Key terms & definitions

Research collected first-hand for the particular investigation being carried out.

Economic activities that extract or collect natural resources, such as mining, farming and fishing.

The part of the economy concerned with extracting or harvesting natural resources, such as farming, fishing and mining.

The early learning of norms and values, mainly within the family.

Evidence produced during the period being studied, such as a contemporary photograph, census return or police report.

Evidence produced in the period being studied. Pliny’s letters are primary sources for Imperial Roman society, but this does not make every account impartial or eyewitness testimony.

The original natural resource from which a material is obtained, such as trees, metal ore or crude oil.

Memory that the CPU can access directly to obtain data and instructions.

A city that dominates a country's urban system through its size and economic and/or political importance.

A factor of a number that is also a prime number.

Writing a whole number greater than 1 as a product containing only prime numbers.

The head of the UK government, who selects government ministers.

The head of the UK government, responsible for leading the government and setting its overall policy direction.

The regular session in the House of Commons at which MPs question the Prime Minister.

A whole number greater than 1 with exactly two positive factors: 1 and itself.

An initial coating that prepares a surface so that subsequent paint coats adhere properly.

A basic data type representing a single value, such as an integer, real, Boolean or character.

Early, relatively simple photosynthetic organisms that used carbon dioxide and released oxygen.

An inheritance principle giving priority to the eldest child’s family line over younger branches. This supported John Balliol’s claim to the Scottish throne.

The practice of passing an estate principally to the eldest son, which could leave younger sons with smaller inheritances.

The most senior centurion in a legion, commanding the first century of the first cohort.

An Indian territory governed by a prince under treaty arrangements with Britain, rather than administered directly as a British province.

A title in Isaiah 9:6 which Catholics apply to Jesus as the Messiah who brings reconciliation and peace.

The senator placed first on the Senate's membership list, a position of considerable prestige rather than a separate military command.

In Propp’s theory, the person or thing that forms the goal or reward of the hero’s quest.

In Propp’s theory, a role associated with the princess or prize, often combined with the princess’s role or the dispatcher’s role.

The initial amount borrowed or invested on which interest is calculated.

The original amount borrowed, excluding interest.

The straight reference line passing through the optical centre and the principal foci of a lens.

The point where rays parallel to the principal axis meet after passing through a convex lens, or appear to come from after passing through a concave lens.