Key terms & definitions

Replacing a numerical value with a nearby value at a chosen level of precision, such as the nearest second.

The amount to which a value has been rounded, such as the nearest 1 cm, 10 kg or 0.01 second.

The degree to which a sediment particle has smooth, curved edges rather than sharp corners.

The total time taken for a wave to travel to a reflecting surface and return.

Gathering scattered cattle together so they could be sorted by ownership, branded or prepared for a drive.

A disorderly defeat in which soldiers flee rather than maintain their formation.

A disorderly retreat after defeat. Wells extends this military idea to civilisation itself as the population flees.

A map emphasising routes and connections between places, such as a road, railway or bus network.

A networking device that forwards data packets between different networks towards their destination.

A sequence of programmed instructions that performs a particular task.

Removing material from timber or manufactured board using a high-speed rotating cutter to produce features such as grooves, rebates, profiles or cut-outs.

A paste made by cooking flour with fat, used as the starting point for a starch-thickened sauce.

A company chartered in 1672 with a monopoly over English trade with Africa, including the trafficking of enslaved Africans across the Atlantic.

An official responsible for distributing the monarch’s charitable gifts. Wolsey became Henry VIII’s Royal Almoner in 1509, giving him access to the king.

The monarch’s formal approval of legislation, normally required for a bill to become an Act of Parliament.

The monarch’s formal approval of a bill, which completes its passage into law.

The monarch’s power to govern, enforce laws and expect obedience from subjects.

A formal document issued by a monarch granting an organisation particular rights and powers.

The group of senior advisers who helped the monarch govern.

The monarch’s household and the people attending her, including nobles, advisers, officials, ladies-in-waiting and servants; a centre of political power as well as royal social life.

Land retained by the king for his own use, including farming, hunting and renting out.

Records of activities at Alexander’s court, cited by Arrian when describing the king’s final illness.

A record of events at Alexander’s court that Arrian draws on when describing his final illness.

A naval base with facilities for building, repairing, maintaining and supplying warships.

The support and trust of a monarch, which could give a minister power but could also be withdrawn.

People particularly trusted and rewarded by a monarch, whose influence could cause resentment among other nobles.

The income, borrowing and expenditure used to pay for the king’s government and activities.

An area placed under special laws to protect royal hunting animals and their habitat; it could include open land as well as woodland.

An order issued under royal authority. Henry VIII’s religious injunctions instructed clergy about church teaching and practice.

Orders issued under the monarch’s authority; those of 1559 gave instructions for implementing Elizabeth’s religious changes.