Ch. 1-4 Vocab

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Medieval

Relating to the Middle Ages in Europe.

Spice

A plant used to add flavor to food.

Archipelago

A chain of islands.

Rain shadow

An area that gets less rain because it is on the protected side of a mountain.

Navigational

related to controlling the movement of a ship.

Trader

A person who buys and sells goods.

Monopoly

A situation in which one person, country, or company has complete control of the supply of a good or service.

Trading center

A place where people buy and sell goods.

Merchant

A person who buys and sells goods to earn money.

Negotiate

To discuss the terms of an agreement.

Mongol

A native of the Asian nation of Mongolia.

Porcelain

A type of fine potter.

Diplomatic mission

(phrase) A group of people who serve as representatives of their government in another country.

Motive

The reason for taking a specific action.

Cure

To preserve meat, fish, or other food by smoking, drying, or salting it.

Navigation

The act of planning and directing the movement of a ship, plane, or other vehicle.

Uncharted

Never mapped.

Hull

The sides and bottom of a boat.

Rig

To prepare for sailing.

Astrolabe

A navigational tool used to determine the position of the sun, a star, or other object in the sky.

Sextant

A navigational instrument that uses a telescope and scale to determine latitude and longitude.

Magnetic compass

A device that uses a magnetized pointer to show direction.

Hourglass

A glass device that measures time using the flow of sand.

Expedition

A special journey taken by a group that has a clear purpose or goal.

Interpreter

A person who translates from one language to another.

Moor

A North African follower of Islam during the Middle Ages.

Fleet

A group of ships sailing together with the same purpose and under the control of the same leader.

Landfall

The reaching of land, after a trip by sea.

Trade wind

A wind that almost always blows in a particular direction.

Scurvy

A disease caused by a lack of vitamin C.

Iron ore

Rock from which iron can be obtained.

league

A unit of distance equal to approximately three mile.

Log

A written record of a ship’s progress.

Mutiny

The rebellion of a ship’s crew against the captain.

Royal standard

A flag that represents a king or queen.

Diplomat

Someone who represents the government of one country in another country.

Indigenous

Native to a particular region or environment.