Glossary + 

Aspen + 

Always associated with magic. Its trembling leaves give it a weird appearance. + 

Bába Yagá + 

Russian witch, also Yagá-Búra. + 

Babushka + 

The grandmother. + 

Bárkhat + 

This word also means velvet. + 

Bátyushka + 

Father in a general sense, meaning anybody older. Otéts is father, meaning the relationship of father and son. + 

Birds’ milk + 

The Russian folktale expression for asking for the moon. + 

Boyárs + 

This may be translated earls, but in the Russian social scale it only meant the bigger men, the seigneurs. + 

Boyáryni + 

Countesses, feminine plural of boyár. + 

Chúdo-Yúda + 

The Old Man of the Sea. This is a very clear loan from the Homeric Proteus. + 

Dyádka + 

Uncle. A term of respect. + 

Egórushko Zalyót + 

Means George the Bold Flier. + 

Fatá + 

A long silken glove. + 

Gúsli + 

A musical instrument, something like a zither with seven strings. + 

Iváshko Zapéchnik + 

Iván, who is always sitting behind the stove. + 

Iváshechko + 

A diminutive form of Iván. + 

Iváshko + 

A diminutive form of Iván. + 

Izbá + 

Hut. + 

Kaftán + 

A peasant’s overcoat, made very long. + 

Khvalýnsk + 

The old name of the Caspian. Vide Vazúza and Vólga. + 

Korolévich + 

King’s son. Koról, king. + 

Korolévna + 

King’s wife. + 

Ksálavy + 

Mythical birds, the meaning of which is entirely unknown. + 

Mikháilo Ivánovich + 

The popular name for the bear. + 

Mísha Kosolápy + 

Dmítri, the Bandy-legged. + 

Morévna + 

Of the sea. + 

Nikíta + 

From the Greek Νικήτης, conquer. + 

Pope + 

Village priest. + 

Pud + 

A Russian weight. Thirty-six pounds avoirdupois. + 

Sarafán + 

A short sleeveless jacket, generally embroidered, worn over the bodice or the blouse. + 

Sazhén + 

A length of seven feet. + 

Sebézh + 

A city in the Vítebsk province, bordering on Poland. The Poles and the Mussulmen are all called infidels, Saracens or Busormany. + 

Shúba + 

A fur mantle. + 

Stárosta + 

Mayor of a town. + 

Teléga + 

A peasant’s cart without springs. + 

Tsarévich + 

Tsar’s son. + 

Tyátya + 

Daddy. + 

Tsarévna + 

Tsar’s wife. + 

Úkaz + 

Imperial edict. + 

Ványa + 

A diminutive form of Iván. + 

Vertodúb + 

The oak-turner, a gigantic figure. + 

Vertogór + 

The mountain-turner; a gigantic figure. + 

Vóron Vóronovich + 

Crow Crowson. + 

Zamorýshek + 

This name is freely translated Benjamin, the last-born son of an old man. + 