David Weber - Shiva Option

synklomchuk -

the duty owed by any Gorm to the house-kin members of his lomus under synklomus . In simplest terms, the responsibility to die before allowing any preventable harm to befall any member of the household.

synklomus -

"House Honor." See above.

Taainohk -

the "Four Virtues" ( queemharda , naraham , quurohk , and querhomaz ), the combined philosophical concepts at the core of the Ophiuchi honor code.

talnikah -

"battle mother," the CO of any Telikan field force. Originally translated by Survey Command personnel as "combat mama."

theernowlus -

"risk sharing," the Orion honor concept which requires a warrior to expose himself to risk before asking anyone else to share it.

theermish -

"risk shirking," the violation of theemowlus (see above).

Valkha'kharnak-

the second most important member of the ancient Orion pantheon, the Death Messenger of Hiarnow'kharnak and the chooser of the honorable dead.

vilka'farshatok -

"war fist of the blood," a fusion of Orion warriors so well trained and motivated as to fight as members of a single clan, regardless of their origins.

vilknarma -

"blood balance," the Orion concept of seeking redress for treachery or murder through the death of the offender.

vilkshatha -

"blood sworn," the symbolic mixing of the blood of two Orion warriors who have sworn brotherhood and become members of one another's clans.

Waldeck Weave-

Terran term for fighter evasive maneuver patterns first devised by Admiral Minerva Waldeck during ISW 3.

zeget -

a huge and powerful predator, somewhat larger than a Kodiak bear. Top of the food chain on the original Orion homeworld.