A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z [Contents]

abacus
A calculating table or frame, specifically one in which balls slide upon wires. Used for the mechanical solution of arithmetical problems.

CL measurement

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adze
A cutting tool where the plane of the blade is at right angles to the shaft.

CL tools and equipment
BT cutting equipment

---

adze hammer
A shaft hole adze with additional hammer knob, normally polished stone.

CL tools and equipment
BT cutting equipment
BT striking equipment

---

aestel
An object to point at words whilst reading, eg the Alfred jewel.

CL dress and personal accessories
BT personal accessory

---

CLASS - AGRICULTURE AND SUBSISTENCE
Objects associated with cultivation, the rearing of livestock, gathering, hunting, fishing, horticulture and the primary processing of foodstuffs.

NT bee skep
NT beehive
NT crook
NT cultivation object
NT fishing object
NT grinding equipment
NT harvesting and mowing object
NT hunting object
NT milking vessel
NT pitchfork
NT threshing and winnowing object

---

alembic
A type of retort used for distillation.

CL container
BT scientific and industrial container

---

alidade
A scale or index of a sextant, astrolabe or similar instrument.

CL measurement

---

altar
A structure consecrated for devotional purposes.

CL religion or ritual
BT religious structural object

UF altar base

---

altar base

USE altar

---

altar cross
A cross designed to be placed upon an altar.

CL religion or ritual
BT cross

---

altar vase
A vase used on the altar.

CL religion or ritual
BT altar vessel

---

altar vessel
A container used upon the altar.

CL container
BT religious or ritual container

CL religion or ritual
NT altar vase

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altarpiece
A decorative piece connected to the altar.

CL religion or ritual
BT religious structural object

---

altimeter
An instrument for measuring height above sea level.

CL measurement

---

aludel
An object used in the sublimation process. It is pear shaped with both ends open.

CL tools and equipment

---

ammunition
Articles used in charging guns and ordnance.

RT weapon and ammunition container

CL armour and weapons
BT projectile
NT bullet
NT canister (shot)
NT cannon ball
NT cartridge
NT musket ball
NT shot

---

ammunition pouch
A container used to hold ammunition.

CL container
BT weapon and ammunition container

---

amphibian remains
Use for the remains of any part of an amphibian.

CL ecofacts
BT animal remains

---

amphora
Storage vessel, usually a two handled narrow necked jar.

CL container
BT food and liquid storage container

---

ampulla
A miniature lead phial worn around the neck as a religious pilgrim sign, generally medieval.

CL container
BT religious or ritual container

CL religion or ritual
BT religious personal accessory

UF pilgrim bottle

---

amulet
A trinket worn as a protection against evil.

CL religion or ritual
BT religious personal accessory

CL dress and personal accessories
BT jewellery

UF amulet ring
UF amulet seal
UF talisman

---

amulet capsule
A case or container for an amulet.

CL dress and personal accessories
BT personal accessory

---

amulet ring
Use both terms.

USE amulet
USE finger ring

---

amulet seal
Use both terms.

USE amulet
USE seal matrix

---

anchor
A heavy weight used to moor a ship.

CL transport
BT water craft equipment

UF anchor stone

---

anchor stone

USE anchor

---

angle bracket

USE bracket

---

angle tie
A bar fixed across a frame at an angle to stiffen it.

CL unassigned
BT fastening

---

angon
A long spear with a double barb where one barb is longer than the other.

CL armour and weapons
BT javelin

---

animal bell
A bell worn by an animal, eg sheep, goats, cows and hawks, to inform the owner of the animal's position.

CL animal equipment
NT cow bell
NT hawk bell

---

animal bone

USE animal remains

---

<animal care equipment>
Equipment used in the care and upkeep of animals, usually used directly on the animal.

CL animal equipment
NT butteris
NT curry comb

---

animal collar
A band of material, often leather, or a chain or similar worn around the neck of an animal for identification and or restraint. Where this is part of harness use the specific harness term.

CL animal equipment

---

CLASS - ANIMAL EQUIPMENT
Objects associated with the care and use of animals.

NT animal bell
NT animal care equipment
NT animal collar
NT animal shoe
NT cockspur
NT goad
NT harness
NT harness fitting
NT hawking equipment
NT hobble
NT horse armour
NT horse trapping
NT jingle jangle
NT leash
NT muzzle
NT saddle
NT shoeing nail
NT stirrup

---

animal horn

USE animal remains

---

animal micro remains
Use for microscopic animal remains.

CL ecofacts
BT animal remains

---

animal remains
The remains of any part of any animal. Use specific term where possible.

CL ecofacts
NT amphibian remains
NT animal micro remains
NT bird remains
NT egg shell
NT fish remains
NT human remains
NT insect remains
NT mammal remains
NT mollusca remains
NT reptile remains

UF animal bone
UF animal horn
UF animal skeleton
UF animal skull
UF animal tooth
UF antler
UF antler tine
UF calf hair
UF cattle nasal bone
UF faunal remains
UF knuckle bone (remains)

---

<animal shoe>
A shoe fixed to an animal, either permanently or temporarily, to protect the hoof and provide improved grip.

CL animal equipment
NT donkey shoe
NT hipposandal
NT horseshoe
NT ox shoe

---

animal skeleton

USE animal remains

---

animal skull

USE animal remains

---

animal tooth

USE animal remains

---

ankle guard

USE leg guard

---

anklet
An ornamental chain, worn around the ankle.

CL dress and personal accessories
BT jewellery

---

annular brooch
A ring shaped brooch.

CL dress and personal accessories
BT brooch

---

antefix

USE roof finial

---

antler

USE animal remains

---

antler tine

USE animal remains

---

anvil
A block, usually of iron, upon which objects are shaped and hammered eg in smithing.

CL tools and equipment

---

apothecary jar
A jar used to store medicines, drugs or the constituent parts of medicines and drugs.

CL medicine and pharmacy
BT medical container

CL container
BT medical container

---

apothecary ladle
A ladle used for the making of drugs and medicines.

CL medicine and pharmacy

---

apothecary weight
One of a set used in pharmacy to measure volume or weight for dispensing.

CL measurement
BT weight

---

apple corer
A tool for removing the core from an apple.

CL food preparation and consumption
BT corer

---

apron
A protective outer garment.

CL dress and personal accessories
BT outerwear

---

apron fitting
A specialised fitting for Roman armour. For a part of a garment use APRON.

CL armour and weapons
BT armour <by form>

---

aquamanile
Used for holding water and washing hands, usually in the shape of an animal.

CL container
BT personal hygiene container

---

arch
The spanning of an opening without the use of a lintel.

RT keystone

CL architecture
BT architectural element

---

archetype

USE prototype

---

<architectural element>
Parts of a building's fabric, structures and associated services, eg drain pipe. If the structure is complete use a monument type thesaurus.

CL architecture
NT arch
NT baluster
NT beam
NT capital
NT chimney
NT chimney pot
NT column
NT corbel
NT door
NT drain cover
NT floor
NT gargoyle
NT gate
NT grille
NT guttering
NT jamb
NT keystone
NT lintel
NT louvre
NT moulding
NT panel
NT pier
NT pillar
NT pipe (architectural)
NT post
NT sill beam
NT step
NT tie bar
NT voussoir
NT wall
NT well
NT window

---

architectural fragment
Fragments of a structure, usually material that has been worked.

CL architecture
NT board
NT brick
NT came
NT dressed stone
NT fire stone
NT paling
NT plank
NT roof finial
NT roof slab
NT roof slate
NT shingle
NT structural timber
NT tessera
NT tile
NT window glass

---

CLASS - ARCHITECTURE
Objects forming fragments or parts of a building's fabric, structures and associated services, eg drain pipes. Where an object is a fixture or fitting use the separate class.

NT architectural element
NT architectural fragment
NT mosaic
NT wall painting

---

ard
A light plough used to break up the earth. It does not have a mouldboard to turn the earth.

CL agriculture and subsistence
BT cultivation object

CL tools and equipment

---

arm band
A piece of material worn as a band around the arm.

CL dress and personal accessories
BT clothing accessory

---

arm guard
A piece of armour designed to protect the arm or a part of the arm.

CL armour and weapons
BT armour <by form>

UF arm piece
UF bracer
UF vambrace
UF wrist guard

---

arm piece

USE arm guard

---

arm purse
A purse, sometimes of bronze, usually worn on the forearm.

CL container
BT purse

CL dress and personal accessories
BT purse

---

armchair
A single seat with back and arms and usually upholstered.

CL furnishings and furniture
BT chair

---

armlet
A band or bracelet worn around the arm.

CL dress and personal accessories
BT jewellery

---

armour
Protective covering for the body.

CL armour and weapons
NT armour <by construction>
NT armour <by form>
NT armour <by function>
NT shield

---

CLASS - ARMOUR AND WEAPONS
Protective covering for personal defence, objects designed to kill, injure or overwhelm an opponent or quarry, and ancillary equipment.

NT armour
NT caltrop
NT gunflint
NT weapon

---

<armour <by construction>>
Use for the construction style of the armour, eg plate armour.

CL armour and weapons
BT armour
NT mail armour
NT plate armour
NT scale armour
NT segmented armour

---

<armour <by form>>
The forms of armour used to protect various parts of the body.

CL armour and weapons
BT armour
NT apron fitting
NT arm guard
NT backplate
NT breastplate
NT corslet
NT cuirass
NT foot guard
NT gambeson
NT gauntlet
NT helmet
NT leg guard
NT palette (armour)

---

<armour <by function>>
Use for the function that the armour is intended for, eg parades, field use, decorative etc.

CL armour and weapons
BT armour
NT horse armour
NT parade armour

---

arms
The heraldic bearings or shield of a person, family or corporation.

CL signs or symbols
BT personal symbol

---

arms case

USE arms holder

---

arms holder
A container in which weapons are put for storage and or transportation.

RT edged weapon

CL container
BT weapon and ammunition container

UF arms case

---

arrow
A projectile fired from a bow.

RT arrow straightener
RT arrowhead
RT bow (weapon)
RT bow (weapon)
RT quiver

CL armour and weapons
BT projectile

---

arrow shaft straightener

USE arrow straightener

---

arrow smoother

USE arrow straightener

---

arrow straightener
A stone grooved on one face thought to have been used to straighten and smooth arrow shafts.

RT arrow

CL tools and equipment
BT smoothing equipment

UF arrow shaft straightener
UF arrow smoother

---

arrowhead
The weapon end of an arrow, often shaped for particular uses.

RT arrow

CL armour and weapons
BT projectile
NT barbed and tanged arrowhead
NT leaf arrowhead
NT transverse arrowhead

---

asperges

USE holy water sprinkler

---

aspergill

USE holy water sprinkler

---

astrolabe
An instrument, usually consisting of a disc and pointer, formerly used to make astronomical measurements, especially of the altitudes of celestial bodies and as an aid in navigation.

CL measurement
BT astronomical instrument

---

astronomical instrument
An instrument for viewing or measuring information on heavenly bodies.

CL measurement
NT astrolabe
NT nocturnal
NT sextant

---

auger
A tool with a cross handle at one end and a spoon shaped or gouge cutter at the other, used for drilling holes.

CL tools and equipment
BT drilling equipment
NT spoon auger
NT twist auger

---

auger bit
The cutting part of an auger.

CL tools and equipment
BT drilling equipment

---

aulos

USE reed pipe

---

awl
A simple, pointed implement for piercing.

CL tools and equipment
BT piercing equipment

---

axe
A tool with an edged head and a wooden shaft, used for a variety of purposes.

CL tools and equipment
BT cutting equipment
NT hatchet

UF celt

---

axe mould
A mould in which an axehead is cast.

CL tools and equipment
BT mould

---

axe trimming flake
Characteristic waste flakes struck off in the production of axes.

CL manufacture and processing
BT flake

---

axehead
The cutting or chopping part of an axe.

CL tools and equipment
BT cutting equipment
NT flaked axehead
NT flanged axehead
NT flat axehead
NT palstave
NT polished axehead
NT socketed axehead
NT tranchet axehead
NT winged axehead

---

axehead roughout
An unfinished, roughly shaped axehead.

CL manufacture and processing
BT roughout

---

axle
A rod or spindle, either fixed or rotating, on which a wheel or group of wheels is fixed.

CL transport
BT vehicle component

---

axle cap
Usually made of iron, this bound the end of an axle and was perforated to allow a linch pin to pass through the axle and keep the wheel in place.

CL transport
BT vehicle component

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A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z [Contents]

©, English Heritage & Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England, 1997. You may freely download this page for non-profit use, but must acknowledge , EH & RCHME in any output in which it is used.