tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Fri Jan 06 07:25:33 2006
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Re: Klingon WOTD: ghuS (verb)
>This is the Klingon Word Of The Day for Friday, January 6, 2006.
>
>Klingon word: ghuS
>Part of Speech: verb
>Definition: be prepared, ready (to launch)
>
>Additional Notes:
>KGT p. 56: Ships are also equipped with an explosive weapon called a
>{peng}, usually translated as "torpedo," though "missle" might work just
>as well. The plural form of {peng} is a different word, {cha}. A {peng}
>is launched from a tube usually called a {DuS}, but another term,
>{chetvI'}, is also used, the distinction having something to do with how
>the projectile is actually loaded into the tube. The verb used for
>"launch" or "fire" a weapon of this type is {baH}, and there is even a
>special word, {ghuS}, meaning "prepare to launch." The warhead of the
>torpedo is called its {jorneb} (which seems to contain the verb {jor}
>["explode"] but is otherwise not analyzable).
There is, it should be noted, a verb {ghuS} which means "to be
prepared to launch or project (something)". This verb never takes
the subject {-rup}. It is used primarily in reference to torpedoes
--so much so that if the object is not specifically stated, and
context does not dictate otherwise, it is always assumed to be
"torpedoes". According, both of the following sentences mean
"Be prepared to launch torpedoes!" or "Stand by on torpedoes!:
{cha yIghuS, yIghuS}. The verb ghuS can also be used in reference
to, among other things, rockets, missiles,and various kinds of
energy beams (which, like torpedoes, go from one point to another).
It is also used to describe the action of pulling back the elastic
band of a slingshot. In most other instances of preparedness,
however, {-rup} is required. [TKD 36f]
As used in canon:
cha yIghuS
[Tactical], stand by on torpedoes! STMP
Get the torpedoes ready to be fired! TKD
Stand by on torpedoes! CK
cha yIghuS. So'Ha'!
[Arm torpedoes! Uncloak! (untranslated)] ST3
yISo'Ha'rup, yIghuS
Stand by to de-cloak for firing. ST5
Related vocabulary: {qeq} "practice, train, prepare"; {'eH} "be ready";
{ghuH} "prepare for, be alerted to".
>Homonyms:
> ghuS (verb) - lower (spear) to horizontal to attack
Some spears are simply thrust into an oncoming enemy. Others are
generally thrown. The thrower first lowers the spear to a horizontal
position (the verb describing this action is ghuS), then hurls it
with great force ("throw" or "hurl" in this manner is {chuH}).
[KGT 64]
It may have been noticed that some of the terminology associated
with spears is identical to that associated with modern weaponry,
and certainly the vocabulary of spear-throwing was adapted for the
newer technology. ... The verb {ghuS} means both "lower (a spear)
to a horizontal position in preparation for throwing" and "prepare
to launch (a torpedo)". [KGT 65]
Related vocabulary: {SaS} "be horizontal", {chong} be vertical, {nech} "be
lateral, move laterally".
--
Voragh
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons