[Epic] Tyranid Vocabulary Lesson

From: John Haire <John_Haire_at_...>
Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 14:32:00 -0500

As mentioned earlier, some of the 'nid units are named using
terms for dominant women:

Termagant - A quarrelsome, scolding woman, a shrew. Imaginary
Moslem diety portrayed as a violent and overbearing character
in medieval mystery plays.

Harridan - A vicious, scolding woman.

Dominatrix - (duh)



Intrigued, I did a little research and discovered some other
interesting Tyranid vocabulary:


Dactylus - The tarsus (the distal segmented structure on the
leg of an insect or an arachnid) of some insects following
the first joint that usually consists of one or more joints.

Exocrine - Of or pertaining to secretion of a gland having
a duct.

Lictor - A Roman functionary who carried fasces (a sort of
halberd that served as a symbol of office) when attending a
magistrate in public appearances. Also, an executioner.

Hierophant - An interpreter of arcane knowledge.

Hierodule - Sex slave in the service of a specified diety.

Zoa (Zoanthrope) - Plural of zoon, an animal developed from
a fertilized egg.

Tyr (Tyranid and Hive Tyrant) - A Norse god of war.

Nide, Nidus - a nest, esp. one for the eggs of insects or
spiders. A cavity where spores develop.


Also, it appears that the proper pronunciation of Hierophant
and Hierodule are as follows:

   high-aero-fant (aero as in aerosol)
   high-aero-dool

and not the often heard pronunciations high-ro-fant/dool.


- John Haire
Received on Wed Mar 25 1998 - 19:32:00 UTC