Imperial Terms

From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
(Redirected from Imperial term)
Jump to: navigation, search


A list of commonly used terms in the Imperium.

Note that these terms are common but not always universal. Names for similar things can vary depending on their diverse local cultures, whether it be across a hive city district or across the galaxy.

Contents

0-9 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

Top of page — See also — External links

A

Term Definition Source
Abhuman Sanctioned derivation of baseline humanity, either hyper-evolved, gene-altered or mutated to a tolerable and useful degree. Over seventy different strains officially recognised, over half of which have been declared extinct. Species include ratlings, ogryns and others. [3]
Ablutorial bathroom;[9b] also called a necessarium[7a] or hygiene-chamber.[1] [9b]
AdMech Slang for Adeptus Mechanicus. Flesh and Steel (Novel), Chapter 1
Amasec A potent alcoholic beverage made from distilled wine or other fermented beverages. A widely available beverage throughout the Imperium. [10c]
Archeor An Imperial scholar who studies sanctioned history through the excavation and retrieval of Imperial relics and other rare antiquities. [3]
Armaweave High-grade flak-fabric, usually woven into tasteful garments [3]
Astynomia Planetary Adeptus Mechanicus investigators (equivalent to enforcers) [5]
Augmeticist Provider and/or enthusiast of cyber-augmetic implants [3]
Auspex Scanner or radar. A standard Imperial detection device for a variety of energy emissions, movement, life-signs, heat, and numerous other factors necessary to identify dangers. [10f][12]

B

Term Definition Source
Baffler Illegal device used to confuse or subjugate automata, servo-skulls, servitors, etc. [3]
Blunt Human Psyker slang for a human without psychic powers. Often used with a hint of inferiority. [13a]
Bosun,[3] bo'sun[13b] A type of naval deck officer;[3] a Boatswain [3][13b]

C

Term Definition Source
Cameleoline camouflaging material woven into fabrics, such as cloaks. [10a]
Cartograph map [9]
Chron, Chrono clock or similar timepiece. The Gate of Bones (Novel), Chapter 9
The King of the Spoil (Novel), Chapter 7
[10a]
Clarion loud siren,[5] alarm, or horn
Claviboard Data input device, effectively a runic keyboard.[4] Also referred to as a runeboards[5] or digi-claviers[9a]
Cogitator computer text-middle[Help]
Cold Trade Refers to the illegal trading of xenos tech and artifacts within the Imperium. [11]
Coronator Imperial physician involved in the investigation of unknown causes of death. [3]
Corpseshroud Used to cover up murdered citizens to obscure them from public view [4]
Counterseptic fluid used to combat infection and disease from entering wounds. text-middle[Help]
Culina Kitchen [2]
Cyber-mastiff Cybernetic canine, principally deployed for search and retrieval but also as a

companion.

[4]

D

Term Definition Source
Data-crypt A data repository sanctified by the Adeptus Mechanicus to be used in conjunction with a cogitator. [12]
Dataslate a cheap handheld device with a screen used to transfer and store imagery, information, orders and other tactical items. [10f]
Dataslug portable data storage. (cf. Reel-slug) [1]
Deckers slang for any kind of trawler/boat crew [3]
Digi-Weapon Short for Digital weapon. [6]
Diurnus-shift Day shift (cf. Noctis-shift, night shift) [1]
Dorm, Dorm-chamber Bedroom [1]
Downside Slang for the portions of a hive city that are below ground or lower class. (cf. Spireside) Warhammer 40,000: Darktidetext-middle[Help]

E

Term Definition Source
Emperor's mercy Phrase meaning: execution, death text-middle[Help]
Enforcer law-enforcement officer [3]
Enginseer A Tech-Priest whose specialisation is the maintenance and repair of sacred machines. [3]
Exitus Word meaning end, outcome, or death. The King of the Spoil (Novel), Chapter 3

F

Term Definition Source
Fabricator Craftsperson [3]
Factorum Factory text-middle[Help]
Frag Can refer to various frag weaponry, such as frag grenades, or be used as an expletive word. Common usages "Just my fragging luck", "Stupid little fragger" [13c]
Fridgerator Refrigeration unit (domestic) [5]

G

Term Definition Source
Generatoria Power generators text-middle[Help]
Gilded Slang for the aristocratic class [4]
Glow-Globe Portable light-source; a lantern [10g]
Greenskin Term referring to Orks and other Orkoid creatures. text-middle[Help]
Grox A large, semi-domesticated reptile. Grox are most commonly bred as livestock or used as beasts of burden across the Imperium. [12]
Groundcar A general term for a 4-wheeled vehicle used in the Imperium. [1][5]text-middle[Help]
Gutter-mod illegal modification of any sanctioned Imperial device, most commonly referring to a weapon. [3]

H

Term Definition Source
Hab, hab-unit, domicle a home, house, or apartment. [1]
Habculum, Habclave Urban district [1]
Hel A common expletive. Common usages "Send them to hel!", "What the karking hel?", "To hel with you!" [13f]
Heretech Forbidden heretical technology spawned by the warp or Chaos. [12]
Heretek A Tech-Priest who has renounced the dogmas of the Cult Mechanicus in favour of delving into forbidden, Chaos-tainted technologies. [12]
Historitor An Imperial scholar who chronicles, catalogues and espouses sanctioned history. [3]
High Hive Slang for the highest portions of a hive city where the ruling class of aristocrats and nobles live. Wrath & Glory: Darktide Extraction, pg. 6
Hololith hologram [14]
Hume, humes Abhuman slang for 'human' [1][3]
Hygiene-chamber bathroom;[1] also called an ablutorial[9b] or necessarium[7a] [1]

I

Term Definition Source
Ident A form of identification. text-middle[Help]
Investigatus Criminal case [5]

J

Term Definition Source
Joygirl A woman who sells her body for money; a prostitute. Rites of Passage (Novel) The Star Lounge The Emperor's Finest (Novel) (e-version) Chapter 9 and Chapter 23
Joy House Den of iniquity where patrons partake of the pleasures of the flesh;[4][5] a brothel.
Junker a scratch-built vehicle. Usually spontaneously combusts. text-middle[Help]
Juvenat as in 'juvenat processes'. Techniques for prolonging youth and vitality. Highly expensive, only the most wealthy or important Imperial servants such as Inquisitors and local planetary Imperial noble families have access to it. text-middle[Help]
Juve A child or juvenile. text-middle[Help]

K

Term Definition Source
Kark A common Imperial expletive. Common usages "Stupid karker", "What the karking hel?", "Kark that karking karker" [13f]
Krak Used in reference to armour penetrating explosive weaponry, such as krak grenades or krak missiles. text-middle[Help]

L

Term Definition Source
Laud-hailer Auditory amplifying device, often used to amplify one's voice; similar to a megaphone. [13e]
Lex Law; typically refers to the set laws of a governmental institution. Ex. Lex Imperialis, the laws of the wider Imperium. Warhammer 40,000: Darktide
Lho, Lho Sticks A common recreational stimulant that consist of a rolled paper stuffed with a plant-derived substence. When lit, this substance emites smoke that is inhaled through the tube.[12]

This is an addictive narcotic smoked after being rolled into a cylindrical tube. Officea Medicea have warned that they may cause lung disease.

text-middle[Help]
Localis Sceleriss Effectively the area where a crime is committed and any evidence collected therein. [4]
Lucifer A match-stick. The Battle of Tyrok Fields (Short Story)
Lumen A general term for a light source; typically referring to an artificial, electric light source. [12]

M

Term Definition Source
Machine Spirit A spirit believed by the adherents of the Cult Mechanicus to inhabit and control any technology in existence. [12]
Macro-abbatoir Huge-scale meat processing plant [4]
Mag-trans magnetic transport route [4]
Magna Latin for large or great. Often used as an affix.
Magna-rail railways used by transit engines (also called trains) Warhammer 40,000: Darktide (Board Game), Rulebook pg. 24
Manhunter Sanctioned bounty hunter [3]
Manufactorum, manufactory, manufactoria A large factory or manufacturing complex. [12]
Magnoculars hand-held device that can zoom in, track heat and observe enemy personnel from afar. [10g]
Mechadendrite A tentacle-like robotic limb prosthetic surgically attached to the spine. [12]
Medicae General term for medical treatment text-middle[Help]
Micro-Bead only found on civilised and technologically advanced worlds. An inter-squad contact device that works from sounds being sent between the different machines. Consists of an earpiece and mouthpiece. [10h]
Militarum Auxilla Specialist division of the Astra Militarum, comprised entirely of abhuman soldiers. [3]
Mortuarium Medical facility where corpses are stored and autopsies conducted. [4]
Multikey an (almost) universal lock-pick. text-middle[Help]
Mutie Human slang for 'mutant' Warhammer 40,000: Darktide

N

Term Definition Source
Necessarium Restroom or bathroom; room with a toilet, sink, and shower.[7a] Also called an ablutorial.[9b] [7a]
Noctis-shift night shift (cf. diurnus-shift, day shift) [1]
Noosphere Data exchange and communications network unique to the Mechanicus. Akin to the internet. text-middle[Help]

O

Term Definition Source
Obscura banned narcotic. text-middle[Help]
Odinator Communications operator [3]
Officium Office [3]
Ogryn Dim-witted but powerfully built species of abhuman, commonly employed as shock troopers by the Militarum Auxilla. [3]
Outer Dark Areas on the fringes of the galaxy and too far away from Astronomicon to be able to use its light for navigation in the Warp. text-middle[Help]

P

Term Definition Source
Pict A photographic image or playback recording taken with a device called a pict-recorder. [12]
Plastek a plastic-like material [1]
Plasteel A synthetic material as light as plastic yet as durable as steel. Commonly used in the production of armour. [12]
Plasweave cheap fabric for clothing [1]
Pneumo-tube Message canister used to communicate throughout a city. [4]
Pre-servitor A negative term used by some Tech-priests to describe standard humans. [13d]
Probator Detective rank [1][2][3][4]
Probator-Senioris Experienced detective of high rank [4]
Promethium A broad term for any combustible fuel in the Imperium. [12]
Provisioner Can refer to either a food vendor, professional cook or cook’s assistant [3]
Psy-focus A material or device that focuses and amplifies psychic powers. [12]

R

Term Definition Source
Ratling Small but cunning species of abhuman, commonly employed as snipers, scouts and saboteurs by the Militarum Auxilla. [3]
Rebreather A device that stores and recycles breathable air via a mask or external supply tank. [10a]
Recaf An invigorating caffeinated beverage served hot, such as coffee or tea. Can also contain other similar stimulants than caffeine. [10d][12]
Recidivist criminal [3]
Regicide A human tabletop game played across the Imperium of Man, similar to the ancient Terran game of chess. [12]
Refectory, Refec, Refec-chamber kitchen, kitchen-diner [1][9b]
Refec-house Common eatery or commercial diner; restaurant. [1][3]
Reel-slug Portable music storage (cf. Dataslug) [1]
Reliquarist An Imperial scholar specialising in the study of relics and artefacts. [3]
Retributionist Freelance enactors of retribution and revenge, also known as ‘payback artists’. [3]
Revel Party, social gathering [5]
Revel Den Usually refers to a downmarket drinking establishment (often with discreet areas for

unsanctioned gambling) (cf. Revel House)

[3]
Revel House Upmarket entertainment block, usually containing a sanctioned gambling area. (cf. Revel Den) [3]
Rahzvod A type of alcohol, similar to vodka. text-middle[Help]
Rockcrete A sturdy building material used by the Imperium; similar to concrete but stronger. Dark Heresy: The Inquisitor's Handbook, pg. 172
Runeboard Simple data-input device (also referred to as ‘claviboard’) [5]
Rut An expletive. "Rut this." "Rutting great." "Rutwitted." Scourge the Heretic (Novel), chapters Three and Four

S

Term Definition Source
Sacred Unguents Holy lubricating oils blessed by the Omnissiah. Effective at calming agitated machine spirits when applied. [10d]
Salvatorium salvage yard [3]
Sartori tailor [3]
Secretarius Secretary [5]
Securitor Private security guards [5]
Separatist Someone in rebellion against the Imperium who is not necessarily a heretic. Seperatists usually still claim to worship the Emperor, but fight against the institution/s of the Imperium [8]
Servitor Human cyborgs. Typically lobotomised and used as slaves for a wide variety of menial labour and other tasks. text-middle[Help]
Scholum school Belisarius Cawl: The Great Work (Novel), Chapter 17
Skin Trade/running skins Slang term for sex trade, usually referring to that involving slavery or exploitation [3]
Smile-girl Effectively a courtesan, a harlot [4]
Spireside slang for the portions of a hive city that are above ground. (cf. Downside) Wrath & Glory: Darktide Extraction, pgs 5 & 6 | Warhammer 40,000: Darktide
Squeezer Criminal slang for an untrustworthy individual. [3]
Stablight Small portable light source; a flashlight. [7b][10g]
Strategium text-middle[Help]
synth-- Prefix given to a synthetic material. Examples: synthwool and synthleather are cheap synthetic materials. [1]

T

Term Definition Source
Tabularium Work cubicle (usually law enforcement/administrative) [5]
Tri-d 3D; typically in reference to a hololith (hologram). Dominion Genesis: Dominion Genesis, Chapter 2
Thrillboy A man who sells his body for money; a prostitute. Rites of Passage (Novel) The Star Lounge
Translexer Translation device [3]

U

Term Definition Source
Up-city, Upclave, Uphive Referring to better quality habitation and overall standard of living in a city [4]

V

Term Definition Source
Veriquary evidence canister used by detectives [1]
Verm Racial slur for abhuman. Other slurs include ‘abbie’, ‘gene-waste’, ‘gene-filth’, etc. [3]
Vid-projector Visual image device [1]
Vigilae Private security guards, often referred to as the ‘petty guard’. [3]
Void Refers to the void of material space text-middle[Help]
Voidship Voidships are large vessels designed to travel in deep space. Many are several kilometers in length and those that aren't still tend to be massive in size. Some are capable of warp travel. [10j]
Vox Auditory speakers and auditory communication devices; radio. [10i]
Vox-muzzle Illegal vox-channel inhibitor [3]
Vox-thief Illegal listening device [3]
Vocator text-middle[Help]

W

Term Definition Source
Walker Slang for a courtesan [3]
Wheeler Slang term for vehicle, usually a groundcar [3]
Wrist-chron wrist watch The King of the Spoil (Novel), Chapter 14

See also

Sources

Retrieved from "https://lex.124811.xyz/mediawiki/index.php?title=Imperial_Terms&oldid=703053"