Vocabulary in Treasure Island

An old, experienced sailor, especially one with a rough or piratical past. The term carries a sense of weathered toughness from a long life at sea.

The left side of a ship when you are facing toward the front (the bow). An older nautical term largely replaced by 'port' by the time this novel was written.

A waterproof coat or garment made from cloth treated with oil, worn by sailors to keep dry in wet weather.

In nautical and period use, slowly and carefully, with controlled effort — not quickly or carelessly. Has nothing to do with appearance in this context.

A pirates' death warrant: a small piece of paper with a black mark on one side, delivered to someone to warn them they have been condemned by their fellow pirates.

Having the pale, greasy, waxy look of tallow (animal fat used to make candles), suggesting an unhealthy or sickly complexion.

A small, lightweight round boat made of a wicker or wooden frame covered with a waterproof skin, traditionally used in Wales and Ireland, here used to paddle out to a ship.

A fixed stand or housing on a ship's deck that holds the compass, positioned so the helmsman can easily read it while steering.

A large vertical rotating drum on a ship's deck, turned by sailors pushing horizontal bars, used to haul in heavy ropes, cables, or the anchor chain.

The traditional pirates' flag, typically showing a white skull and crossbones on a black background, flown to identify a pirate ship.

A hard stone that produces sparks when struck against steel, used in flintlock firearms and fire-starting. In this text it is also the name associated with the fearsome pirate captain whose treasure is sought.

In this period context, a pirate or buccaneer who raids and plunders, especially in the Caribbean — not the modern political sense of obstructing legislation.

To abandon someone on a deserted island or coast as a punishment, leaving them with little or no means of escape or survival.

Gunpowder and lead bullets — the two components needed to load and fire a muzzle-loading musket or pistol of the period.

A type of sailing vessel with two or more masts, with the sails rigged fore-and-aft (running front to back) rather than across the ship. The Hispaniola in this novel is a schooner.

Short for 'forecastle,' the forward part of a ship's upper deck or the crew's living quarters below it, at the front of the vessel.

The period when the tide is going out, causing the sea level to fall and currents to flow away from the shore. Used here both literally and as a title suggesting things running out or winding down.

A body of troops stationed in a fortified place to defend it. In this novel it refers to the small group holding the stockade against the pirates.

An official order preventing ships from leaving or entering a port. Here used to mean a strict prohibition or hold placed on something.

A formal visit or message sent by one party to negotiate with another. In this text it refers to Silver coming to the stockade under a flag of truce to parley.

An open rebellion by sailors or soldiers against their officers or captain, involving a refusal to obey orders and often a violent takeover of command.

A conference or negotiation between opposing sides, especially enemies, usually under a temporary truce. Pirates and naval tradition both recognised the right to parley.

A defensive enclosure or fort made of upright wooden stakes or logs driven into the ground, used here as the loyalists' base on the island.

A pirate, originally one who preyed on Spanish ships and colonies in the Caribbean in the 17th and 18th centuries. Used in this novel as a synonym for pirate.

A sudden, violent gust of wind, often accompanied by rain or snow, that strikes quickly and without much warning — a common hazard at sea.