Glossary of Terms

A

Abba
"Father," also used as the term of tender endearment by a beloved child — i.e. in an affectionate, dependent relationship with their father; "daddy," "papa."
Acre
A piece of land, containing 160 square rods, or 4,840 square yards, or 43,560 square feet.
Aijeleth
a doe — hind. "Some think they find Christ in the title of this psalm, upon Aijeleth Shahar—The hind of the morning... But others think it denotes only the tune to which the psalm was set." (Matthew Henry).
Alamoth
Girls, i.e. the soprano or female voice, perhaps falsetto.
Alas
An exclamation expressive of sorrow, grief, pity, concern, or apprehension of evil; sometimes followed by day or while; alas the day, like alack a day; or alas the while, expressing an unhappy time.
Al-taschith
Thou must not destroy; probably the opening words to a popular song. "Some make it to be only some known tune to which this psalm was set; others apply it to the occasion and matter of the psalm" (Matthew Henry).
Amen
1) Firm, i.e. (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it) — amen, verily.
2) As a verb, it signifies to confirm, establish, verify; to trust, or give confidence; as a noun, truth, firmness, trust, confidence; as an adjective, firm, stable.
Amerce
To inflict a penalty at mercy; to punish by a pecuniary penalty, the amount of which is not fixed by law, but left to the discretion or mercy of the court; as, the court amerced the criminal in the sum of one hundred dollars.
Anathema
A (religious) ban or (concretely) excommunicated (thing or person) — accused, anathema, curse, great.
Apace
With a quick pace; quick; fast; speedily; with haste; hastily.
Apostasy
An abandonment of what one has professed; a total desertion, or departure from one's faith or religion.
Apostate
One who has forsaken the church, sect, or profession to which he before adhered; one who has abandoned his religion.
Assarion
A Roman bronze coin valued at 1/10 of a denarius.
Assiduous, or assiduously
Constant in application or attention; devoted; attentive; unremitting.
Assuage
To soften, in a figurative sense; to allay, mitigate, ease or lessen, as pain or grief; to appease or pacify, as passion or tumult.
Atone
1) To stand as an equivalent; to make reparation, amends or satisfaction for an offense or a crime, by which reconciliation is procured between the offended and offending parties.
2) To expiate; to answer or make satisfaction for.
Atonement
1) Expiation; satisfaction or reparation made by giving an equivalent for an injury, or by doing or suffering that which is received in satisfaction for an offense or injury.
2) In theology, the expiation of sin made by the obedience and personal sufferings of Christ.
Avouch
To declare or assert positively and as matter of fact; to affirm openly. To acknowledge deliberately; to admit; to confess; to sanction.
Awl
An iron instrument for piercing small holes in leather, for sewing and stitching; used by shoemakers, saddlers, etc. The blade is either straight, or a little bent and flattened.

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