Unit 1: The Medieval World Vocabulary

Question 1

a person from an outside culture or group that is thought to be uncivilized and violent

Answer 1

Barbarian

Question 2

the four primary directions; North, South, East, West

Answer 2

Cardinal Directions

Question 3

having to do with citizens or citizenship

Answer 3

Civic

Question 4

an advanced state of human society with a high level of culture, specialization, infrastructure, stable food supply, government, technology, belief systems, writing, and social structure.

Answer 4

Civilization

Question 5

the long-term trends in weather elements and atmospheric conditions

Answer 5

climate

Question 6

a map tool that indicates the orientation of north and other cardinal or intermediate directions on a map

Answer 6

compass rose

Question 7

the spread of people, ideas, technology, and products from one culture to another

Answer 7

cultural diffusion

Question 8

a system of money in use in a particular country

Answer 8

currency

Question 9

an extensive group of states or countries under a single supreme authority

Answer 9

empire

Question 10

a system of government in which nobles gave land to lesser nobles to govern in exchange for loyalty and military service

Answer 10

feudalism

Question 11

an estate of land under feudal control

Answer 11

fief

Question 12

the study of Earth’s surface and climate, and of human activity, and of the interactions between them

Answer 12

geography

Question 13

a system of organization in which people or groups are ranked one above another according to status or authority

Answer 13

hierarchy

Question 14

a condition in which the price of goods increases as the value of money decreases

Answer 14

inflation

Question 15

the directions halfway between the four cardinal directions; northwest, northeast, southwest, southeast,

Answer 15

intermediate directions

Question 16

a physical feature of the Earth’s surface, such as a desert, mountain, or river

Answer 16

landform

Question 17

a self-sufficient estate

Answer 17

manor

Question 18

an economic system in medieval Europe where rural society was arranged around a manor house on an estate

Answer 18

manoralism

Question 19

a person who works to spread their religious beliefs, often in a foreign country

Answer 19

missionary

Question 20

the ruler in a government in which authority over the people is retained through a ruling family

Answer 20

monarch

Question 21

a building or group of buildings in which monks live and work

Answer 21

monastery

Question 22

the belief that there is only one god

Answer 22

monotheism

Question 23

a naturally made item, such as a tree, mineral, or fresh water, that people can use to help meet a need or want

Answer 23

natural resource

Question 24

a person who is a member of the nobility

Answer 24

noble

Question 25

a person of low social status, especially a farmer

Answer 25

peasant

Question 26

unfair treatment because of race, religion, or political beliefs

Answer 26

persecution

Question 27

the belief in or worship of more than one god

Answer 27

polytheism

Question 28

a form of government where people rule themselves through elected representatives

Answer 28

republic

Question 29

money collected from a citizen or business to help pay for goods and services provided by the government

Answer 29

tax

Question 30

a person who receives protection and land from a lord in return for loyalty and service

Answer 30

vassal

Question 31

a Muslim leader; a successor to Muhammad

Answer 31

caliph

Question 32

an Islamic government ruled by a caliph

Answer 32

caliphate

Question 33

an organized campaign concerning political, social, or religious issue, typically motivated by a fervent desire for change

Answer 33

crusade

Question 34

a journey made to some sacred place as an act of religious devotion

Answer 34

pilgrimage

Question 35

an organized massacre, usually approved or condoned by authorities, against people of a religious, racial, or national minority, especially Jews

Answer 35

pogrom

Question 36

a person believed to have been chosen to speak for God

Answer 36

prophet

Question 37

hostility toward or discrimination against Jews

Answer 37

anti-Semitism

Question 38

a very small organism that lives in air, earth, water plants, and animals; often one that causes disease

Answer 38

bacterium

Question 39

an especially widespread disease that can affect a whole country or the world

Answer 39

pandemic

Question 40

someone who loves and supports their country

Answer 40

patriotic

Question 41

a widespread bacterial disease that is contagious

Answer 41

plague

Question 42

a period when people or goods are held in isolation to prevent the spread of disease, insects, or other pests

Answer 42

quarentine

Question 43

a formal, written agreement between peoples or nations

Answer 43

treaty