| alchemy |
an ancient exploration and practice of chemistry which flourished particularly during medieval times. Practitioners used chemical processes in the hope of, for example, producing gold from base metals, finding the key to eternal life, and uncovering a single cure for all disease. [1/2 definitions] |
| arbalest |
a medieval missile-launching weapon whose design is similar to that of a crossbow. |
| archangel |
a high-ranking celestial being, esp. in medieval Christian theology, a member of the nine orders of angels. [1/2 definitions] |
| astrolabe |
an instrument used by the ancient Greeks and medieval Arabs to determine the position of heavenly bodies, later replaced by the sextant. |
| bestiary |
a medieval collection of descriptions of or fables about real or mythical animals, in which each animal's nature is used to draw a moral point. |
| bourg |
a medieval town or village, esp. near a castle. [1/2 definitions] |
| Brunhild |
in the anonymous German medieval epic The Nibelungenlied, the queen of Iceland. |
| cabala |
a mystical system of scriptural interpretation that originated in Judaism and was conveyed throughout medieval Europe. [1/2 definitions] |
| casque |
armor for the head, esp. a conical, medieval helmet with a nose guard. [1/2 definitions] |
| chivalry |
the practices, principles, and spirit of medieval knighthood. [1/3 definitions] |
| clarion |
a medieval trumpet with a high clear tone. [1/3 definitions] |
| codex |
a handwritten book, esp. of classical, medieval, or religious texts. |
| constable |
in the medieval period, a high-ranking military officer serving a monarch. [1/2 definitions] |
| crusade |
(often cap.) any of the several attempts of medieval European Christians to recover and then defend the Holy Lands in and around Palestine from the Muslims. [1/4 definitions] |
| culverin |
a crude musket made in medieval times. [1/2 definitions] |
| Dies Irae |
(Latin) a medieval hymn, and its opening words, describing the Judgment Day. |
| Divine Comedy |
a rhymed medieval Italian epic poem written by Dante Alighieri, describing his imaginary progression from Hell through Purgatory to Paradise. |
| esquire |
in medieval times, a knight-candidate serving as a knight's attendant; squire. [1/4 definitions] |
| Everyman |
the title character of an anonymous medieval morality play, who unsuccessfully attempts to stave off death. [1/2 definitions] |
| falchion |
a short broad medieval sword with a slight curve in the blade near the point. |
| flail |
a medieval weapon of similar design but with heavy, often spherical and barbed weights instead of the short bar. [1/6 definitions] |