Entries are in alphabetical order. For gods and heroes see the mythology glossary; for useful travel phrases the phrasebook.
A-D
| Entry | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Acropolis | The high fortified part of an ancient city; above all that of Athens |
| Agora | Square and marketplace, centre of public life in the ancient city |
| Amphora | Two-handled jar for carrying wine, oil and other liquids |
| Apokries | Greek carnival, before Lent |
| Arche | The first principle of all things, sought by the first philosophers |
| Bouzouki | Long-necked lute, the signature instrument of Greek music |
| Briki | Small long-handled pot for making Greek coffee |
| Caryatid | Female statue used as a column, like those of the Erechtheion |
| Chora | An island's main town, often on a hill, also spelled Hora |
| Chronia polla | "Many years": the wish for holidays and name days |
| Democracy | "Power of the people": citizens' rule, born in Athens |
| Dimotiki | Demotic Greek, official language since 1976 |
E-K
| Entry | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ephors | The five magistrates who oversaw the kings of Sparta |
| Epitaphios | Christ's bier carried in procession on Good Friday |
| Evzones | The presidential guards in traditional dress in Athens |
| Filo | Paper-thin pastry for pies and sweets |
| Frappé | Instant coffee shaken with ice, invented in 1957 |
| Gymnasium | Ancient training and education ground; today lower secondary school |
| Hellas | The Greeks' own name for their country (Ellada) |
| Hoplite | Heavily armed infantryman with round shield and spear |
| Iconostasis | Wall of icons separating the altar from the congregation in Orthodox churches |
| Kafenio | The traditional village café |
| Katharevousa | Formal archaising language used by the state until 1976 |
| Komboloi | String of worry beads to pass the time |
| Kouros, kore | Archaic statues of a naked youth and a clothed maiden |
L-P
| Entry | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Linear B | The Mycenaean script, the oldest written form of Greek |
| Mati | The blue lucky eye against the evil eye |
| Megali Idea | The "Great Idea" of uniting all Greeks in one state |
| Meltemi | The northerly summer wind of the Aegean |
| Metapolitefsi | The return to democracy after 1974 |
| Meze, mezedes | Small plates for sharing |
| Moussaka | Bake of aubergine, meat and béchamel |
| Naos | The temple chamber holding the god's statue |
| Ochi | "No": the rejection of Italy's ultimatum on 28 October 1940 |
| Odeon | Roofed or small theatre for music and recitation |
| Panigyri | A village's patron saint festival |
| Parthenon | The temple of Athena on the Athens Acropolis |
| Periptero | Street-corner kiosk selling almost everything |
| Polis | The Greek city-state |
| Pythia | Priestess of Apollo's oracle at Delphi |
Q-Z
| Entry | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Rebetiko | Urban music of the ports and refugees |
| Retsina | White wine flavoured with pine resin |
| Sirtaki | Zorba's dance, created in 1964 |
| Stoa | Covered portico for strolling and meeting |
| Symposium | Ancient drinking party with wine, poetry and conversation |
| Taverna | The traditional Greek restaurant |
| Tavli | Backgammon, the kafenio game |
| Tholos | Circular building or beehive tomb |
| Trireme | Warship with three banks of oars |
| Tsipouro | Grape-pomace brandy |
| Vasilopita | New Year cake with a hidden coin |
| Vouli | The Greek Parliament |
See also the Greek alphabet and the history of the Greek language.