Key terms & definitions

A system in which the main authority is concentrated in the ruler and officials act under that ruler’s control.

Managing resources or tasks from a central location rather than separately on each computer.

Government in which authority is concentrated in the ruler and central administration rather than widely shared with local powers.

An economic system in which the state determines production targets and directs the allocation of resources, rather than leaving these decisions mainly to producers and customers.

The brain and spinal cord, which receive information and coordinate responses.

The brain and spinal cord, which coordinate responses to information from receptors.

The brain and spinal cord, which process information and coordinate the body's responses.

The brain and spinal cord, which process information and coordinate responses.

The brain and spinal cord, which coordinate nervous responses.

An economic system in which the government decides production priorities, allocates resources and sets targets.

The First World War alliance comprising Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire.

The computer component responsible for processing data and executing instructions.

A measure describing the centre or typical value of a dataset, such as the mean, median or mode.

The centre or typical value of a dataset, summarised using a measure such as the mean, median or mode.

The fixed point that is the same distance from every point on a circle.

A fixed point from which distances to corresponding points are multiplied during an enlargement.

The single point at which an object's weight may be considered to act.

The single point at which an object's weight may be considered to act.

The fixed point about which a shape is rotated.

A pointed tool struck with a hammer to make an indentation that locates a drill tip on metal.

The resultant force on an object moving in a circle, directed towards the centre of that circle.

The resultant force towards the centre of a circle that keeps an object moving in a circular path.

An officer in the Roman army commanding a unit of soldiers called a century.

A professional officer responsible for leading and disciplining a century of Roman soldiers.

An officer in the Roman army. In Mark’s crucifixion account, a centurion recognises Jesus as God’s Son and later confirms his death to Pilate.

A division of Roman citizens used for military organisation and voting; its name does not establish that it always contained exactly 100 men.

A Roman army unit normally consisting of 80 soldiers under a centurion. In the Imperial navy, the term could also describe a ship's crew, regardless of its size.

An ordinary free person in Anglo-Saxon society, often a peasant farmer. Ceorls could still owe rent or work to a lord.

Free peasants in Anglo-Saxon England who farmed land and could have obligations such as rent and military service.

A hard, heat-resistant, non-metallic material made by shaping or forming raw material and then heating it.