The Garden :: Petals and Thorns

Gorean Glossary U-V

Gor is a complex lifestyle based on a series of novels by John Norman featuring a strict caste system of highly trained Free and slaves. For more information, check out the Garden's section on Gor.

Note about this Glossary: items marked with a K are Kassar or Old Gorean, online-created languages used to augment Gorean. Kassar was not created or endorsed by John Norman and is not consistent within the Gorean language or universe. Kassar should be used cautiously and sparingly as many Goreans do not use or approve of the language.

Ua	An inland (Schendi) word which means "Flower."
Ua River	a vast river found in the Ukanga Region of the Jungles of Schendi, it winds between Lake Shaba and Lake Ngao. It is navigable, and the splendor of it's scenery and the variety of life and resources around it are eloquently described. Ua is an inland word for flower. It's source is Lake Shaba. Book 13: Explorers of Gor, pages 100, 338, and 383
Uamabis	late (not on time)	K
Ubar	war chief. "In times of crisis, a war chief, or Ubar, is named, who rules without check and by decree until, in his judgement, the crisis is passed... Sometimes such a war chief, or Ubar, wins the hearts of his men, and they refuse to withdraw their allegiance." - Tarnsman of Gor, pages 42-43.
Ubar	not separate (from the clan)	K
Ubar of Beggars	In Schendi, beggars had organized themselves and chosen one among them to rule over them. Their numbers were stabilized, territories allotted. These beggars paid taxes and in doing such, were provided with shelter, medical insurance and other benefits.
Ubar of the Skies	The name to which Tarl Cabot referred to his fabled war tarn.
Ubar san	one ubar'; war chief chosen to be supreme commander of the 4 tribes of the Wagon Peoples
Ubara	the Free Companion (consort) of a ubar; may control a Home Stone without a consort
Ubara Sana	The Free Companion of a Ubar San.
Ubara's Gambit	A Kaissa move.
ubarate	the territory governed by a ubar
Ubar's / Ubara's Builder	A Kaissa piece.
Ubar's / Ubara's Initiate	A Kaissa piece.
Ubar's / Ubara's Initiate's Spearman	A Kaissa piece.
Ubar's / Ubara's Physician	A Kaissa piece.
Ubar's / Ubara's Rider of the High Tharlarion	A Kaissa piece.
Ubar's / Ubara's Scribe	A Kaissa piece.
Ubar's / Ubara's Spearman	A Kaissa piece.
Ubar's / Ubara's Tarnsman	A Kaissa piece.
Ubar's Race	The final tarn race during the Love Feast.
Ubar's Scribe's Defense	A Kaissa move.
Udavisi	Close, Shut, Seal	K
Udegalb	Dishonor, Disrespect, Shame	K
uDrakeemi	(to) lie, (to) not tell truth	K
Udrakijas	Disguise	K
Ufis, Ufisa	Dull, Not Sharp	K
Ugly Acts	A term of the Sames, of the Waniyanpi, for sexual intercourse, especially heterosexual sex, because it is considered dangerous to the Teaching. Sex is monitored by their owners and is performed, en masse, on an appointed day, the male and female slaves being hooded and brought to a maize field for breeding. Book 17: Savages of Gor, page 234
Ukras	ugly	K
ul	giant carnivorous pterodactyl, sometimes referred to as the Winged Tharlarion.
ulo	woman's knife of the Innuit. It has semicircular blade in a wooden handle which is not suitable for carving, but good for cutting meat and sinew. Book 12: Beasts of Gor, page 262
Umbrella bird	A variety of bird found in the rainforests of the Ushindi.
Umiak	Large skin-boat, made of the skins of sea sleen normally, but sometimes made of tabuk skin as well; used by the Innuit, often for whaling.
Unnamed Flowers of the Arctic Tundra	Small flowers, approximately 240 genres, generally perennials, which grow in the tundra of the arctic lands; none of which are thorny or poisonous.
Ur	Literal translation is "primitive." Used in combination with "gravitational", this is the Gorean expression for the gravitational primitive; "Ur" is Egyptian in derivation incidentally. "Antigravity"
Ur Disruptor	Banned weapon, even to the Priest-Kings, which were used during the Nest Wars, which caused gravitational (or Ur) disruptions all over the planet. The drawback to this weapon, is that it would ultimately destroy the planet.
urt	a small, silken-furred rodent akin to the Earth rat; it has three rows of teeth, two tusks, and two horns
Urt	slang term for something vile or unpleasant	K
urt hunter	men who attach ropes to the necks of slave girls and swim them in the canals to attract canal urts. The urts are speared as they rise to the bait. The urt hunters are credited with keeping the urt population of the canals manageable. Book 13: Explorers of Gor, page 32
urt people	narrow-shouldered and narrow-chested people, measuring only three and a half feet tall when upright with a narrow, elongated face and rather large, ovoid eyes. They have long, thin arms and short, spindly legs along with a bent over gait often bringing the knuckles to the ground, and commonly kept inconspicuously among the large, migratory urt packs. Book 20: Players of Gor, page 267 They are rational beings, most probably a form of human being. They communicate with each other with signals such as hissing and clicking, but they can also speak Gorean.
Urt Shields	Small round plates which are fastened to a ship's mooring ropes to prevent urts from boarding the ship.
Urt Soldiers	a warrior society of the Yellow Knife tribe of Red Savages; the sign for them are painted prints on the flanks of their kaiila.
urt, ground	urt, ground
urt, leaf	a small tree-dwelling rodent, having 4 toes, which inhabits the rainforests inland of Schendi; tree sloth?
urt, tree	a small tree-climbing rodent found in the rainforests inland of Schendi
Urth	a misspelling of Earth	K
use discipline	a punishment which avows the free man's prerogative to sexually use a house-owned girl as discipline. There are examples which state that these rights are governed by a Code, wherein a girl may not be used or disciplined without the permission of her owner. Book 11: Slave Girl of Gor, page 226 Book 12: Beasts of Gor, page 174 Book 25: Magicians of Gor, pages 329-330
Use-Name	Many Goreans, especially those of the lower castes, have two names, a 'use-name' and a 'real-name.' It is thought that knowing the 'real name' over a person gives one power, aiding one to uses magic against another.
Ushindi	1. An inland word which means "Victory." 2. Large lake of the Schendi inland region; it's main tributary is the Cartius. 3. The large equatorial interior of Gor.
Ushindi Ost	A deadly cousin of the orange viper, it is red with black rings.
Utukufu	Inland (Schendi) word for "Glory."
Uyelis	Building	K
Va	You, Yours, In	K
va dela	you're welcome
Va she jan tor me parabu, me'shan	You are the light of My life, slave.	K
Vachki	Cook, Prepare Food	K
va'dela	you're welcome	K
val	a letter of the Gorean alphabet; derived from demotic Egyptian
Van	Again	K
Vana'she	Master	K
Vana'she jal trik kar Va	Master this girl loves You	K
Vana'she Va she jal trik Lina	Master You are this girl's Heart	K
Var	1. Where 2. Resting 3. Turning (as in the season) 4. What is? 5. A direction calculated from the Sardar Mountains, which for the purposes of calculating direction play a role analogous to our north pole; the two main directions, so to speak, in the Gorean way of thinking are Ta-Sardar-Var and Ta-Sardar-Ki-Var, or as one would normally say, Var and Ki-Var; 'Var' means a turning and 'Ki' signifies negation; thus, rather literally, one might speak of 'turning to the Sardar' and 'not turning to the Sardar', something like either facing north or not facing north... - Nomads of Gor, page 3 (footnote).
Vareem(a)	red (color of fresh blood)	K
Varma	Blood	K
vart	Blind, bat-like flying rodent, about the size of a small dog, with sharp teeth often employed as weapons. Often flies in flocks.
vart, jungle	a relative of the northern vart, it inhabits the rainforests inland of Schendi
Vask	signifies south on a Gorean compass. Book 4: Nomads of Gor, page 3
veck	stand or posture
Vee	Direction, Way	K
veeshi	orgasm	K
vegetables	these are common Earth vegetables found on various parts of Gor, listed with their annotations: mushroom, beans, turnips, carrots, radishes, onions, peas, cabbage, peppers, and garlic. Book 2: Outlaw of Gor, page 29 Book 10: Tribesmen of Gor, pages 37 and 47
Veil of the Citizeness / Freedom Veil	the second of the veils worn by free women; worn under the pride veil and over the last veil
veils	Many Gorean women, in their haughtiness and pride, do not choose to have their features exposed to the common view. They are too fine and noble to be looked upon by the casual rabble. Similarly the robes of concealment worn by many Gorean women are doubtless dictated by the same sentiments. On the other hand veiling is a not impractical modesty in a culture in which capture, and the chain and the whip are not unknown. One justification for the veiling and for the robes of concealment, which is not regarded as inconsiderable, is that it is supposed to provide something of a protection against abduction and predation. Who would wish to risk his life, it is said, to carry off a woman who might, when roped to a tree and stripped, turn out to be as ugly as a tharlarion? Rogue of Gor (book 15) page 41. Eta, from behind me, pinned the first of five veils about my face. It was light, and shimmering, of white silk, almost transparent. Then, one after the other, she added the freedom veil, or veil of the citizeness, the pride veil, the house veil, and street veil. Each of these if heavier and more opaque than the one which lies within. The street veil, worn publicly, is extremely bulky, quite heavy and completely opaque; not even the lineaments of the nose and cheeks are discernible when it is worn; the house veil is worn indoors when there are those present who are not of the household, as in conversing with or entertaining associates of one's companion. Veils are worn in various numbers and combinations by Gorean free women, this tending to vary by preference and caste. Many low-class Gorean women own only a single veil which must do for all purposes. Not all high-caste women wear a large number of veils. A free woman, publicly, will commonly wear one or two veils; a frequent combination is the light veil, or last veil and the house or street veil. Rich, vain women of high caste may wear ostentatiously as many as nine or ten veils. In certain cities, in connection with the free companionship, the betrothed or pledged beauty may wear eight veils, several of which are ritualistically removed during various phases of the ceremony of companionship; the final veils, and robes, of course, are removed in private by the male who, following their removal, arms interlocked with the girl, drinks with her the wine of companionship, after which he completes the ceremony. This sort of thing, however, varies considerably from city to city. In some cities the girl is unveiled, though not disrobed, of course, during the public ceremony. The friends of the male may then express their pleasure and joy in her beauty, and their celebration of the good fortune of their friend. The veils, it might be noted, is not legally imperative for a free woman; it is rather a matter of modesty and custom. Some low-class, unccompanied, free girls do not wear veils. Similarly certain bold free women neglect the veil. Neglect of the veil is not a crime in Gorean cities, though in some it is deemed a brazen and scandalous omission. Slave girls may or may not be veiled, this depending on the will of their master. Most slave girls are not permitted to veil themselves. Indeed, not only are they refused the dignity of the veil, but commonly they are placed in brief, exciting slave livery and may not even bind their hair. Such girls, healthy and vital, their hair unbound, their considerable charms well revealed by the brevity of their costume, are thought by men to constitute one of the more pleasurable aspects of the scenery of a city. Are the slaves of Ar, for example, more beautiful than those of, say, Ko-r0-ba, or Tharna? Men, the beasts, heatedly discuss such questions. In some cities, and among some groups and tribes, it might be mentioned, though this is not common, veils may be for most practical purposes unknown, even among free women. The cities of Gor are numerous and pluralistic. Each has its own history, customs and traditions. On the whole, however, Gorean culture prescribes the veil for free women. Slave Girl of Gor, pages 107-108 Veils are worn in various numbers and combinations by Gorean free women, this tending to vary by preference and caste. Many low-class Gorean women own only a single veil which must do for all purposes. The veil, it might be noted, is not legally imperative for a free woman; it is rather a matter of modesty and custom. Some low-class, uncompanioned, free girls do not wear veils. Similarly certain bold free women neglect the veil. Neglect of the veil is not a crime in Gorean cities, though in some it is deemed a brazen and scandalous omission." pg 107 Slave Girl of GOR
Vellum	A fine paper used for scrolls.
veminium	a bluish wildflower commonly found on the lower ranges of the Thentis mountains; used in perfumes
Veminium, The	A paga tavern in Port Kar.
Ven	Day	K
Ven Highlands	The highlands of the Ushindi.
Vending License	Governmental red-tape on Gor. The vending license is required to be purchased to enable a person to sell his wares.
Venna	a resort city west of Voltai and 200 pasangs north of Ar, between Ar and the Vosk River on the Viktel Aria. Well known for it's tharlarion races, it is a common locale for the villas of the rich, usually from Ar. Book 17: Savages of Gor, page 88 Book 22: Dancer of Gor, page 319
Verl River	Tributary of the Vosk River.
Vernal Equinox	The winter solstice, which marks the New Year. This equinox would be known on Gor as Se'Var.
verr	a mountain goat indigenous to the Voltai Mountains; wild, agile, ill-tempered, with long hair and spiraling horns; source of a form of wool; it milk is potable, as well as being used for cheese
Verr Grass	Grass found in the Tahari; a staple for the verr of the desert nomads. It is described in all quotes as "brownish", however, it is most likely not naturally a brown grass, it browns as any other grass does when dying in the heat of too much sun and no water.
Verus Var	Literal meaning "True Turning Away), also called "Vask;" Gorean map direction
Vest	Worn with the chalwar, made of silk, the vest hooks to provocatively display a girl's breasts.
Victoria	Port city on the Olni River known for its slave trade; the seat of the Vosk League, which was formed after a bitter water against the Vosk Pirates.
Vidrew	Acknowledge, Truth	K
Vikini	(to) have purpose, fight for, live for, be worth, have value of	K
viktel	triumph
Viktel Aria / Vosk Road	a military road, the phrase translates as 'Triumph of Ar', or, 'Ar's Triumph'. In it's more northern lengths it is called the Vosk Road and it's northern terminus is Ar's Station. Book 15: Rogue of Gor, page 63 Book 19: Kajira of Gor, page 217
Vines	A plant often found in marshlands and swamps.
vint	a small insect that inhabits the Tahari. It is sand color and eats the scraps left around by humans. It is prey for cell spiders.
Vintner, Caste of	The caste responsible for the making of wines.
Violet Grass	A grass often found in Pleasure Gardens.
Virgin Anklet	A metal band placed on the left ankle of a girl to identify her as a virgin.
virgin bells	free girls, not yet companions, but of an age appropriate for the companionship, sometimes signal their availability to possible swains by belling their left ankles. The note of this bell, which is bright and clear, is easily distinguished from normal slave bells.
Virgin Blood, Mark of	The marking of a slave from her own virgin blood as a symbol that the girl has been opened for use and that the free man was satisfied with her.
Virgin Blood, Ritual of Tasting	The taking of a slave's virginity is a highly moving event for both the slave and the master involved. Often, a virgin slave must 'dance' before several masters, raffles tickets are sold and a drawing is held, the winner being the one who purchases the girl's virginity. After a slave's virginity is taken, it is common that the master take the blood of her, wiping a bit of the blood on her left thigh to show others she is no longer a virgin, and then placing a bit of her blood on her lips, and inside her mouth, forcing her to taste it.
Virgin Dance	One of the dances of slave girls of Gor.
Vivarium	Terrarium of the Priest-Kings; place they keep their 'pets' as well as breed species other than Priest-Kings. The quote: "If I had my wish," said Sarm, "he would be sent to the vivarium or the dissection chambers." - Priest-Kings of Gor, page 92, is a bit confusing to some I would suppose, as I have seen other Gorean webpages that call a "vivarium" the "dissection chamber," but that is not correct. In that particular quote, two very different rooms are discussed: the vivarium and the dissection chamber. Remember, the Priest-Kings brought mankind, along with many other species of creatures, to Gor to study them, both in a controlled environment, as well as within the confines of an enclosed zoo. Too, the Priest-Kings bred humans creating slaves for themselves as well.
Vizier	A high ranking official amongst the desert nomadic tribes.
Vok	now	K
Voltai	The largest mountain range on Gor; also known as the Red Mountains due to the ferrous deposits in the soil.
Vonda	A rather large port city on the Olni River.
Vosk Carp	Fish native to the Vosk.
Vosk Delta	at the mouth of the Vosk River, where it empties into the Tamber Gulf and the Thassa beyond, is a marshland thousands of square pasangs deep of estuarial wilderness. The marshes can be traversed in small rush crafts through hundreds of shallow, constantly shifting channels. The delta is inhabited, particularly in the east, by communities of rence growers who eke out a living harvesting rence. The Vosk Delta is trackless and treacherous, and the habitat of the marsh tharlarion and the predatory Ul. The entire area is claimed by Port Kar which lies within it, some hundred pasangs from it's northwestern edge. Book 6: Raiders of Gor, pages 5-6 Book 13: Explorers of Gor, page 26 Book 24: Vagabonds of Gor, page 88
Vosk Gull	Gull of the Vosk region.
Vosk League	an alliance of 19 towns (Fina, Forest Port, Hammerfest, Iskander, Jasmine, Jort's Ferry, Point Alfred, Port Cos, Ragnar's Hamlet, Sais, Siba, Sulport, Tafa, Tancred's Landing, Tetrapoli, Turmus, Ven, Victoria, White Water) formed to keep the Vosk River clear of pirates & to promote trade
Vosk River	Gor's mightiest river, flowing thousands of pasangs in a slightly southwesterly direction from it's source in the Voltai Range to the marshes of the Vosk Delta, the Tamber Gulf, and on the Thassa, it rampages across most of known Gor, over forty pasangs broad. The scene of mighty naval battles, involving fleets of warships, it is under constant threat from river pirates and cities who would control it's merchant trade. The Vosk League, a political and protective alliance, was formed to promote trade interests by the towns along it's banks. Book 1: Tarnsman of Gor, page 72 Book 15: Rogue of Gor, page 40 Book 16: Guardsman of Gor, page 235
Vosk Rushes	Large reeds found in the Vosk Delta.
Vosk Turtle	Vicious turtle of the Vosk Delta.
Voyages of Acquisition	Priest-Kings made these voyages to Earth, and other planets inhabited by living creatures, collecting various foods, materials, creatures, including mankind, with the intent to study them upon the planet of Gor. After the Nest War, these Voyages sanctioned by the Priest-Kings were stopped, however agents of the Kur carried out their own, but for far more malicious purposes.
vulo	domesticated pigeon-sized bird raised for eggs and meat. (Nomads of Gor, book iv, page 1)