The Alchemist's Pursuit (38 page)
Read The Alchemist's Pursuit Online
Authors: Dave Duncan
cavaliere servente
a married woman's male attendant (and possibly gigolo)
a married woman's male attendant (and possibly gigolo)
Circospetto
popular nickname for the chief secretary to the Council of Ten
popular nickname for the chief secretary to the Council of Ten
clarissimo
“most illustrious,” form of address for a nobleman
“most illustrious,” form of address for a nobleman
Constantinople
the capital of the Ottoman (Turkish) Empire, now Istanbul
the capital of the Ottoman (Turkish) Empire, now Istanbul
cortigiana onesta
a courtesan trained in art, music, literature, etc.
a courtesan trained in art, music, literature, etc.
Council of Ten
the intelligence and security arm of the government, made up of the doge, his six counselors, and ten elected noblemen
the intelligence and security arm of the government, made up of the doge, his six counselors, and ten elected noblemen
doge
(“duke” in Venetian dialect) the head of state, elected for life
(“duke” in Venetian dialect) the head of state, elected for life
ducat
a silver coin, equal to 8 lira or 160
soldi
, and roughly a week's wages for a married journeyman laborer with children (unmarried men were paid less)
a silver coin, equal to 8 lira or 160
soldi
, and roughly a week's wages for a married journeyman laborer with children (unmarried men were paid less)
fante
(pl:
fanti
)
a minion of the Ten
(pl:
fanti
)
a minion of the Ten
felze
a canopy on a gondola (no longer used)
a canopy on a gondola (no longer used)
fondamenta
a footpath alongside a canal
a footpath alongside a canal
fraterna
under Venetian law, brothers held family property in common unless they agreed otherwise; a joint-stock company in modern terms
under Venetian law, brothers held family property in common unless they agreed otherwise; a joint-stock company in modern terms
giovane
(pl:
giovani
)
a youth or young man (note:
Giovanni
= John)
(pl:
giovani
)
a youth or young man (note:
Giovanni
= John)
Great Council
the noblemen of Venice in assembly, the ultimate authority in the state
the noblemen of Venice in assembly, the ultimate authority in the state
khave
coffee (a recent innovation)
coffee (a recent innovation)
lira (pl: lire)
a coin equal to 20
soldi
a coin equal to 20
soldi
lustrissimo
“most illustrious,” honorific given to wealthy or notable citizens
“most illustrious,” honorific given to wealthy or notable citizens
magazzen
a tavern that does not sell food and stays open around the clock
a tavern that does not sell food and stays open around the clock
marangona
the great bell in the campanile San Marco, which marked the main divisions of the day
the great bell in the campanile San Marco, which marked the main divisions of the day
messer
(pl:
messere
)
my lord
(pl:
messere
)
my lord
Missier Grande
the chief of police, who carries out the orders of the Ten
the chief of police, who carries out the orders of the Ten
Molo
the waterfront of the Piazzetta, on the Grand Canal
the waterfront of the Piazzetta, on the Grand Canal
padrino
(pl:
padrini
)
literally a “godfather”; in the War of Fists, a leader and also umpire
(pl:
padrini
)
literally a “godfather”; in the War of Fists, a leader and also umpire
Piazza
the city square in front of the Basilica of San Marco
the city square in front of the Basilica of San Marco
Piazzetta
an extension of the Piazza, flanking the palace
an extension of the Piazza, flanking the palace
riva
a broad quay or street flanking water; literally a “shore”
a broad quay or street flanking water; literally a “shore”
salone
a reception hall
a reception hall
salotto
a living room
a living room
sbirro
(pl:
sbirri
)
a police constable
(pl:
sbirri
)
a police constable
scuola
(pl:
scuole
)
a charitable confraternity open to both citizens and nobles
(pl:
scuole
)
a charitable confraternity open to both citizens and nobles
sequin
a gold coin equal to 440
soldi
(22 lire)
a gold coin equal to 440
soldi
(22 lire)
Serenissima, la
the Republic of Venice
the Republic of Venice
Signori di Notte
young aristocrats elected to run the local
sbirri
young aristocrats elected to run the local
sbirri
soldo
(pl:
soldi
)
see ducat
(pl:
soldi
)
see ducat
Ten
see COUNCIL OF TEN
see COUNCIL OF TEN
Three
the state inquisitors, a subcommittee of the Council of Ten
the state inquisitors, a subcommittee of the Council of Ten
traghetto
a permanent mooring station for public-hire gondolas; also the association of gondoliers that owns it and ferries that dock at the station
a permanent mooring station for public-hire gondolas; also the association of gondoliers that owns it and ferries that dock at the station
Veneziano
the language of Venice
the language of Venice
vizio
Missier Grande
's deputy
Missier Grande
's deputy
Dave Duncan is the author of more than forty books of fantasy and science fiction. He and Janet, his wife of more years than they care to admit, have three children and four grandchildren. They live in Victoria, British Columbia, the only city in Canada with a bearable climate. You can find him at
www.daveduncan.com
.
www.daveduncan.com
.
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