attributed to D Cavalieri and W Chang
© J M Pett 2025
K
Kappa Venturi; eleventh planet in the Venturi system, only one inhabited. Own mineral rights for the asteroid belt, but do deals with miners to get the goods to trade. Polite locals, but not welcoming. (Cavalieri-Chang, Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822 edition)
L
Lanthanides. n. A term for a group of precious metals known as ‘rare earth’ metals, with properties extremely useful in electronics and materials science. Mined extensively in asteroid belts and younger rocky planets. (Cavalieri-Chang, Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822 edition)
Lichen n. An ubiquitous form of life found on many, if not all, planetary bodies with an atmosphere. Lichens are ancient vegetation formed by a moss and an alga living in symbiosis. The current hypothesis is that they were spread on rock fragments such as asteroids, comets and meteors to all parts of the universe as it expanded. This does not explain why they need planets with an atmosphere now. (Cavalieri-Chang, Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822 edition)
Lifedroid, n. syn. life raft. A variety of pod installed exclusively for emergency evacuation of a spacecraft. Usually with automatic systems providing life support and emergency signals, and (rarely) with navigation and propulsion. Use only in dire straits. (Cavalieri-Chang, Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822/4 edition)
Lyra, n. Star named in ancient times, with three habitable planets: V’iola, D’Bass and P’csion. Music is the main cultural heritage of the Lyran system. See The Federation. (Cavalieri-Chang, Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822 edition)
M
Magna Lepus: n. Official space station of the Imperium, guarding the entrance to the Gamma Quadrant from the Sleeve.(Cavalieri-Chang, Modern Universal Word Usage, 2824 edition)
Margarita, n. Main planet of the Bacchus system, designation BCH A. The ancients were amused to name each planet of the system after a variety of alcoholic drink. The most Earth-like of Type E planets, and noted as a place of harmony, entertainment and leisure. Best place in the galaxy for vacations, according to the Imperium Senate. Many senators keep villas, or own islands on Margarita. (Cavalieri-Chang, Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822 edition)
Maturia: a rocky planet at the Alpha end of the Sleeve; Maturians exact tolls for passage to the Gamma Quadrant. Inhabitants live underground. Nominally part of the Imperium, but suspected to be pirates, since they trade with the Federation. (Cavalieri-Chang, Modern Universal Word Usage, 2824 edition)
medichair, also medibed, n. Equipment to ascertain the well-being or ill-health of a patient, equipped to deliver various programmable procedures, such as inoculations, bone-setting, birthing, life support, and euthanasia. Programs are typically bought as packages appropriate to the medical conditions that might be encountered in the installation location. (Cavalieri-Chang, Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822 edition)
Monarch system: see York
Monazite. n. Valuable phosphate-type rock, due to a high probability of containing lanthanides. Igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic types with differing trace elements. Some are radioactive, if containing thorium. Occurs on most rocky planets and asteroids in small quantities. (Cavalieri-Chang, Modern Universal Word Usage, 2824 edition)
monogamy; n. despite different strategies for reproduction and raising offspring, the most common system remains monogamy, as practised by descendants of the Old Earth Exodus. Partnerships may be for life or for a given number of years, usually the duration of the child-raising period. The partnership is customarily indicated by the exchange of rings, mostly worn on the third digit of either hand, or the left ear, or the right nostril. (Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2824 edition)
N
Nadia n. Planet in the Comeneci system, CMN A, about two light years from Farsight. Temperate climate. Makes a good recreation planet, offering sea surfing, mountain climbing, hiking, and civilised city sightseeing and entertainment. Popular base for service industries unwilling to pay Farsight prices, and for regional offices of Teleman-based corporations. (Cavalieri-Chang, Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822 edition)
New Indonesia. n. System in sector D7, consisting of four planets, two habitable on the same orbital band, New Java NWD A1, and Lombok NWD A2. People settled there to be out of the way of trouble. So apart from pirates, they rarely see anyone else. (Cavalieri-Chang, Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822 edition)
news media, n. In principle, all citizens of the Imperium access news via their preferred feed continuously. In practice, many receive a digest from official sources, and pay attention to their local, or unofficial news media, for items that affect them directly. Some Imperium members select appropriate feeds for their planets. In very backward areas, news and commentaries are circulated through old-fashioned plaspaper sheets commonly referred to as ‘newspapers’ or ‘rags’. (Cavalieri-Chang, Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822 edition)
O
Old Earth: n. Legendary and historical planet in the Sol system SOL C. Uninhabitable due to radioactivity. Most databases carry its history, so far as the records from the Diaspora have survived. Origin of 80% of human (A-C 1-5) life forms. Several other life forms claim descent from survival ships, including Aspoid, Porcus, Delphinia, and Pingu, plus some avian species. Various domestic breeds have survived or developed from Diaspora seed stock. Anyone interested in pre-history should visit the University of the First Age on Telemann. (Cavalieri-Chang, Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822 edition)
Orichalcum: n. a rare metallic element (chemical symbol Oh), much prized for its malleability, ductile strength, and conductivity. Principal uses in the civilised universe are for components with instantaneous communication capability, those with super-sensitivity to heat-cold and esper radiation, and works of art. Naturally occurring in certain types of asteroid, generally a long way from civilised parts. Legendary use: as coinage in Old Earth-Ancient Greece (pre-Exodus), for weapons with strange powers, and as a power source. Contrary to some descriptions in legendary uses, orichalcum emits a green aura, not red. (Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822 edition)
P
paleoxenology; n. see: archeo-astronomy
Pankut: n. A small sun and planet in the Hell’s Gate system. Green and pleasant independent planet famed for its livestock industry. 80% of racing equines are raised here. Holds special licence to enable training of sentient species lower than Class C. (Class E and below requires no permit). Semi-feudal governance system. (Cavalieri-Chang, Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822 edition)
Pavanian: n. A native of Pavane, RUF E, or Rufus 6, RUF F, a system at the heart of the Federation. Human grade E1. Typically of stocky build and swarthy, or leathery, skin, Pavanians encountered outside their home system are reputed to be ferocious fighters and extremely thick-skinned, making them difficult to wound. They also have dense skeletons, leading to an ill-considered reputation for hard-headedness. Temperamentally volatile; it is unwise to upset a Pavanian. (Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822 edition)
Peninsular Prime: n. Imperium space colony and trading centre of considerable size (est 5,000 inhabitants) a few lightyears inside the Gamma Quadrant. Access from the Sleeve (AG-TS (Maturia)). Protection from Magna Lepus. (Cavalieri-Chang, Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822 edition)
Perihelix, n. One of several legendary swords of invincibility that pepper the literature of various backward civilizations. Other stories use names such as pexihelu, parahelix, popihexa, apparently as synonyms. There is no evidence for its existence, let alone any magical powers. (Cavalieri-Chang, Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822 edition)
planetary economies; n. Unless the principal community entity is anarchy or a dictatorship, a planet develops some sort of barter system. Most planets intending to trade with others join the Inter-Galactic Banking Finance Network, which sets protocols for goods and services. A planetary system can use whatever barter system it wants, but most link into the IGBFN via the Galactic Exchange. (Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2824 edition)
planetary engineering: n. A subject taught in college to various levels. Anyone serious about a career in the subject will be a graduate of Farsight Academy. The usage of the former terminology, terraforming, is frowned upon, since it implies a lack of consideration for any indigenous species on the planet. (Cavalieri-Chang, Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822 edition)
planetary governance systems; n. all Imperium planets have the same form of benevolent governance, tried and tested over the centuries. The planetary manager, informed and guided by an elected parliament of representatives, discusses relevant issues with the designated Imperium Senator. The Federation corrals their subjects into a governance led by strict rules set by the Federation. Independent worlds vary from fiefdom and dictatorship, to anarchy. (Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2824 edition)
planetary moons; n. planetary moons are so common as to be completely unworthy of an entry in a word usage lexicon. Not even when they are the main inhabited body in the system, as is the case with Ulric. As Ulric is so minor it does not merit an entry, it proves the point. (Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2824 edition)
planetary surveys; n. original Old Earth planetary surveys were carried out by hundreds of probes and manned scout ships. Aim: to find planets hospitable to human habitation without unnecessary dangers—specifically indigenous lifeforms; climate, temperature and/or weather extremes; surface stability, and orbital stability. Modern planetary surveys focus on planetary composition, indigenous life forms and suitability for mineral extraction and geoengineering—wholesale terraforming is now barred through galactic treaty XXVI. (Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2824 edition)
plasglass: n. a strong, building material with variable flexibility, that can be clear, opaque or coloured. Some versions can change colour according to temperature, or absorb solar radiation to release to battery systems. Used in craft and art setting as well as functional requirements. Manufactured mainly on Pilkst and Tiffany. See also plexglass. flexible
plastech printing; n. technology involving polymer granules, together with other additives (e.g. plexglass, bucky-balls…), used in mobile units such as spacecraft to produce space-worthy components on a 3-D plasprinter. Requires appropriate computer-aided component technology unique specifications (CACTUS plans) to produce spare parts. (Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2824 edition)
Pleasant Valley; n. principal planet of the Viridian System VIR C1, in double orbit with Sunset Strip. Planetary indices range 0.9 to 1.1.. Only settled planet with a spaceport and a space station in this backward system at the edge of the galaxy. Surprisingly good facilities. Mainly semi-desert conditions. Dry as hell, but good beer. Governance: arbitrary. Handles freight and trade for both third orbit planets, also arranges incoming tourism. Main export: orichalcum. (Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2824 edition)
plexglass: n. The most common strong, lightweight, transparent building material in the Alpha quadrant. Manufactured on Pilkst, Bwanga and Pyrextra. See also plasglass. [Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822 edition]
Pod: n. A self-contained living unit for a small number of people. Usually expandable by joining one to another to accommodate more people or add working space. Also used in space parlance to denote a self-contained unit capable of independent flight—either space-orbit only or space-to-ground. Space pods are usually intermediate between droids and shuttles, and are housed within a space ship when not in use. [Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822 edition]
popular beverages; n. there are probably as many brewed or fermented drinks as the number of inhabited planets. Brewmasters are valued; galactic travel means specialised establishments offer a range of exotic brews alongside local ones. Forms of beer, derived from a plant called a ‘hop’ (humulus lupulus, exported from Old Earth) are the most popular and ubiquitous beverage. (Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2824 edition)
Q
quadrants, n. For the purposes of navigation, the galaxy is divided into four quadrants, Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta, plus Central, the core area where navigation and communications are nearly impossible. Alpha quadrant is the most settled and civilised region. (Cavalieri-Chang, Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822 edition)
R
R’llnian, n. An ancient language used by several texts in the remnants of an empire that preceded the Imperium. It may have already been extinct before the Great Exodus. Nevertheless, it appeals to scholars and semanticists, who say it gives evidence of a link between many intelligent societies in certain parts of the Alpha quadrant. For further information see Homecoming by Sue Ann Bowling, or contact the University of the First Age. (Cavalieri-Chang, Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822 edition)
Religious cult: n. A group of people who decide to live by strict rules in devotion to some deity or other object revered for a property or properties real or imagined. Often a refuge for misguided women refusing to conform to Imperium standards. (Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822 edition)