Glossary ofDune(franchise) terminology

This is a list of terminology used in the fictionalDuneuniversecreated byFrank Herbert,the primary source being "Terminology of the Imperium", the glossary contained in the novelDune(1965).

Duneword construction could be classified into three domains of vocabulary, each marked with its ownneology:the names and terms related to the politics and culture of the Imperium, the names and terms characteristic of the mysticsodalityof theBene Gesserit,and the barely displaced Arabic of theFremenlanguage. Fremen share vocabulary forArrakeenphenomena with the Empire, but use completely different vocabulary for Bene Gesserit-implantedmessianic religion.

Due to the similarities between some of Herbert's terms and ideas and actual words and concepts in theArabicandHebrew languages— as well as the series' "Islamicundertones"and themes — aMiddle Easterninfluence on Herbert's works has been noted repeatedly.There are over eighty terms used of Arabic origin, several other loanwords fromIndo-European languagessuch as German and Persian, and words from the North AmericanNa-Dene languageNavajo.

A

• Aba– A loose, usually black robe worn byFremenwomen andBene Gesseritsisters.
• Abomination– Bene Gesserit term for one who ispre-bornand thus susceptible to being taken over by the ancestral personalities inOther Memory.
• Ajidamal(or Amal) – Disastrously-flawed syntheticmelangecreated by theTleilaxuProject Amalbefore the process of producing spice inaxlotl tanksis perfected.
• Akarso– "Plant native to Sikun (of70 Ophiuchi A) characterized by almost oblong leaves. Its green and white stripes indicate the constant multiple, condition of parallel active and dormantchlorophyllregions. "
• Arafel– The "cloud-darkness of holy judgment"or "cloud darkness at the end of the universe;"the end of mankind (as it was) averted byLeto II'sGolden Path.
• Axlotl tank– Biological tank in whichgholasand melange may be produced.
• Assassin's Handbook– "Third-century compilation of poisons commonly used in aWar of Assassins.Later expanded to include those deadly devices permitted under theGuildPeace andGreat Convention."

B

• Baliset– "Nine-stringed musical instrument, lineal descendant of thezithra,tuned to theChusukscaleand played by strumming. Favorite instrument of Imperial troubadours. "Gurney Halleckis a master at playing the baliset in the series.InDavid Lynch's1984 adaptation ofDune,a cosmetically alteredChapman Stickwas used to portray the instrument.In the miniseriesFrank Herbert's Dune,the baliset resembles a renaissance-eralute,with the pegbox bent back almost 90°. A real-world version of the baliset has been created, divided into two sections, the treble played with the right hand, and the bass the left. Unlike a guitar, each hand can play either chords or separate notes.
• Bashar– Military rank, slightly above a traditionalColoneland primarily used for military leader of a planetary subdistrict; alternately, Colonel Bashar, or Supreme Bashar for a military's most senior commander.
• Bene Gesserit– Secretive and powerfulmatriarchalorder whose members possess extraordinary physical and mental powers.
• Bene Tleilax(or Tleilaxu) – Secretive and powerfulpatriarchalrace known for their genetic manipulation technologies.
• Buddislam– Term for those religions derived from a syncretic fusion ofdenominationsofBuddhismandIslam.
• Burseg– Military general.
• Butlerian Jihad– Mankind's "crusade againstcomputers,thinking machines,and consciousrobots."The termjihadis of Arabic origin.

C

• Caid– "Sardaukar officer rank given to a military official whose duties call mostly for dealings with civilians; A military governorship over a full planetary district; Above the rank of Bashar but not equal to a Burseg."
• Carryall– Aircraft used onArrakisto "transport largespicemining, hunting and refining equipment. "
• Chairdogs– Living and partially sentient creatures created by the Tleilaxu, which are used for seating and possess the ability to shape themselves to fit their occupant.
• Chakobsa– Language of theFremenof Arrakis, inspired by theCaucasian hunting language of the same name.
• Chaumas(or Aumas) – "Poison in solid food as distinguished from poison administered in some other way."
• Chaumurky(or Musky) – "Poison administered in a drink."
• CHOAM(Combine Honnete Ober Advancer Mercantiles) – the "universal developmentcorporationcontrolled by theEmperorand Great Houses with theGuildandBene Gesseritas silent partners. "This corporation essentially controls the economy of the known universe, withsharesanddirectorshipsdetermining each House's income and financial leverage.
• Cogitor– One of several ancient philosophers whose brains are transplanted into fluid-filled canisters so that they can analyze the universe indefinitely.
• Cone of silence– Sound-deadening "field of a distorter that limits the carrying power of the voice or any other vibrator by damping the vibrations with an image-vibration 180 degrees out of phase."Used for privacy, the field does not visually obscure lip movement.
• Coriolis storm–Sandstormson Arrakis in which "winds across the open flatlands are amplified by the planet's own revolutionary motion to reach speeds up to 700 kilometres per hour."
• Crysknife– Weapon made from the tooth of asandwormfrom Arrakis.
• Cutterray– "Short-range version of alasgunused mostly as a cutting tool and surgeon's scalpel. "
• Cymek– Type ofcyborg;specifically, a human brain implanted into a large, weaponized machine body.

D

• D-wolves– Guardians of theSareeronArrakisin the time ofLeto II Atreides;ferocious wolves descended from Gaze Hounds and ordinary wolves, "noted for their keen eyesight."
• Damper, Ixian– Portable device which hides words from anyone without the proper coded translator, and projects distortions that hide the precise movements of lips and the sounds of voices. It is described as a "black disc" buoyed midair bysuspensors.
• Deathstill– Fremen device used to extract all moisture from a living or dead human or creature.This is traditionally done to reclaim precious water from the dead, who no longer require it; but inChildren of Dunethe device is used as a method of execution.
• Distrans–Steganographicdevice producing a "temporaryneuralimprinton the nervous system ofChiroptera(bats) or birds. The creature's normal cry then carries the message imprint, which can be sorted from thatcarrier waveby another distrans. "

E

• Elacca drug– Narcotic produced from the "blood-grained" elacca wood of Ecaz; users' skin shows a characteristiccarrotcolor. The drug's effect is to remove most of the will to self-preservation; commonly used to prepare slavegladiatorsfor the ring.
• Ego-likeness– Portraiture of one or more people, reproduced through a shigawire projector, that is capable of showing subtle movements said to convey the mannerisms and ego essence of the subjects.

F

• Face Dancers– Creatures created by the Bene Tleilax that are able to mimic other humans exactly and go undetected by all known means, except by Bene Gesserit Truthsayers.
• Famine Times– Years after the reign of Leto II, marked by chaos and famine on many worlds, that led to the Scattering.
• Faufreluches– "The rigid rule of class distinction enforced by the Imperium. 'A place for every man and every man in his place.'"
• Fedaykin–/fɪˈdaɪkɪn/"Fremen deathcommandos;historically: a group formed and pledged to give their lives to right a wrong. "InDune,they are personally trained by, and fiercely loyal to,Paul Atreides.The term is derived from the ArabicFedayeen.
• Filmbook– A shigawire imprint, used for training and education, which carries a mnemonic pulse that imprints information and corresponding images in the reader's mind.
• Fish Speakers– All-female military force created byLeto II Atreidesto enforce his rule over the known universe.
• Fogwood– Plant native to Ecaz, capable of being shaped by thought alone.
• Fremen– "Native" inhabitants of Arrakis.
• Fremkit– Fremen desert survival kit. Notable contents include an inflatablestilltent,a sandsnorkel,athumper,andmaker hooks.
• Futar– Primitive and fierce humanoid creatures, a genetic mix of human and cat, artificially created by theBene Tleilaxout in the Scattering to huntHonored Matres.Introduced briefly inHeretics of Duneand appearing inChapterhouse: Dune,the species are brought as captives to the "million planets" by the Honored Matres, who keep them as pets.Futars use their voice-like scream to immobilize Honored Matres, but the scream has no effect on the Bene Gesserit.

G

• Galach– Universal language of theDuneuniverse.
• Ghola– A type ofClonegrown in anaxlotl tankfrom genetic material retrieved from the cells of a deceased subject.
• Glowglobe– "Suspensor-buoyed illuminating device, self-powered (usually by organic batteries). "
• Golden Path– Leto II's strategy to prevent humanity's destruction.
• Gom jabbar– "Specific poison needle tipped with meta-cyanideused by Bene Gesserit Proctors in their death-alternative test of human awareness. "
• Great Convention– "Universal truce enforced under the power balance maintained by theGuild,the Great Houses, and the Imperium. Its chief rule prohibits the use ofatomic weaponsagainst human targets. "
• Guild Navigator– Melange-mutated humans able to safely navigate interstellar space (usingprescience) in ships calledHeighliners.

H

• Handlers– Humanoid race who bred and trained Futars to huntHonored Matres.
• Harvester(also Harvester Factory or Crawler) – "Large (often 120 metres by 40 metres) spice mining machine... [with a] buglike body on independent tracks."
• Heighliner– Enormous carrierstarshipsused by the Spacing Guild forinterstellar travel.
• Holtzman effect– Scientific phenomenon that makes (among other things) instantaneous space travel and defensive force shields possible.
• Honored Matres– Violent matriarchal order formed in the Scattering.
• Hunter-seeker– "Ravening sliver of suspensor-buoyed metal guided as a weapon by a nearbycontrol console;commonassassinationdevice. "Floating in mid-air, it kills by entering the body and following nerve pathways to vital organs. A hunter-seeker is employed inDunein an assassination attempt onPaul Atreides.
• Hypnobong– Device in the shape of a concave base that induced a drug-like state. According to Reverend MotherLucillait is outlawed in most of the civilized worlds.

I

• Inkvine– "Creeping plant native toGiedi Primeand frequently used as a whip in its slave pens. Victims are marked by beet-colored tattoos that cause residual pain for many years. "
• Ixian damper– Portable device which hides words from anyone without the proper coded translator, and projects distortions that hide the precise movements of lips and the sounds of voices. It is described as a "black disc" buoyed midair bysuspensors.
• Ixian Probe– Device used to capture the thoughts of a person (living or dead) for analysis; can be blocked by the substanceshere.

J

• Judge of the Change– "An official appointed by theLandsraadHigh Council and theEmperorto monitor a change offief,akanlynegotiation, or formal battle in aWar of Assassins.The Judge's arbitral authority may be challenged only before the High Council with the Emperor present. "

K

• Kanly– "Formalfeud or vendettaunder the rules of theGreat Conventioncarried on according to the strictest limitations ". Derived from a Turkish word for a blood feud between Islamic tribes of the Caucasus.
• Kralizec– Long-foretold "Typhoon Struggle" or final "battle at the end of the universe".
• Krimskell fiber/Krimskell rope– "The 'claw fiber' woven from strands of thehufufvine from Ecaz. Knots tied in krimskell will claw tighter and tighter to preset limits when the knot-lines are pulled. "
• Kwisatz Haderach– "The Shortening of the Way" or "The one who can be two places simultaneously". Bene Gesserit label applied to "the unknown for which they sought a genetic solution: a male Bene Gesserit whose organic mental powers would bridge space and time."Originating from the Hebrew wordkefitzat haderech.

L

• Landsraad– The Assembly of all nobles in the Imperium.
• Lasgun– Handheld energy weapon, technically a "continuous-wave laser projector;"alsolasegun.
• Laza tiger– A breed of tiger brought toSalusa Secundus"almost eight thousand years" before the events ofChildren of Dune."Genetic manipulation of the ancient Terran stock had erased some of the original tiger features and refined other elements. The fangs remained long. Their faces were wide, eyes alert and intelligent. The paws were enlarged to give them support on uneven terrain and their sheathed claws could extend some ten centimeters, sharpened at the ends into razor tips by abrasive compression of the sheath. Their coats were a flat and even tan which made them almost invisible against sand."
• Levenbrech– A military rank that is roughly in between a sergeant and a lieutenant.
• Lisan al Gaib– (Arabic: لسان الغيب - 'The tongue of the unseen') The Fremen term for an off-world prophet or messiah, applied to Paul Atreides inDune.It is "The Voice from the Outer World" and is outlined in Fremen messianic legends heavily influenced by the Bene Gesserit'sMissionaria Protectiva.It is also translated as the "Giver of Water". A phrase of Arabic origin meaning "Tongue of the Unseen", also title ofHafez.
• Little Maker– The "half-plant-half-animal deep-sand vector of theArrakissandworm",whose" excretions form thepre-spice mass."Also known as "sandtrout," they represent an early stage in the life cycle of the worm. They can link the cilia on the edges of their bodies to encapsulate pockets of free subsurface water, which is lethal to fully grown worms.
• Lost Tleilaxu– Offshoot race of theBene Tleilax,formed in the Scattering.

M

• Mahdi– "In the Fremenmessianiclegend, 'The One Who Will Lead Us to Paradise;' "applied to Paul Atreides by the Fremen when they determine that he is their messiah. The termMahdiis the same as that used inIslamfor a messianic figure who will appear shortly before the Day of Judgment inIslamic eschatology.
• Maker hooks– "The hooks used for capturing, mounting, and steering a sandworm of Arrakis."
• Maula pistol– "Spring-loaded gun for firing poison darts; range about 40 metres."
• Melange– Known colloquially as "the spice", a highly-addictive drug essential to space travel, extended life, and therefore to the survival of the universe.
• Memocorder– Tiny handheld device described as "a dull black Ixian artifact whose existence crowded the proscriptions of the Butlerian Jihad".
• Mentats– Individuals trained as "human computers,"their minds developed to staggering heights of cognitive and analytical ability.
• Missionaria Protectiva– An arm of the Bene Gesserit charged with spreading contrived myths, prophecies and superstition on primitive worlds so that the Bene Gesserit may later exploit those regions.
• Muad'Dib– "The adaptedkangaroo mouseof Arrakis, a creature associated in the Fremen earth-spirit mythology with a design visible on the planet's second moon. This creature is admired by Fremen for its ability to survive in the open desert. "InDune,Paul Atreidestakes "Muad'Dib" as his Fremen name, which takes on greater significance when he is perceived as amessiah.The term originates from the word mu'addib meaning "teacher" in Arabic.
• Muadru– Ancient religion predating theOld Empirebefore the Time of theTitans.

N

• na-Baron– Noble title given to aBaron's heir-apparent.
• No-chamber– Construct that hides anything inside from prescient and oracular vision, as well as other methods of detection.
• No-ship– No-chamber in spaceship form, with enough limited prescience to be capable of interstellar travel without a Guild Navigator.
• Nullentropy– Technology akin to thescience fictionconcept ofstasis,in which the natural processes of time, such as decomposition, are ceased. In this way, perishable matter such as food and even human cells may be stored for millennia and remain undamaged.

O

• Obliterators– Weapons of mass destruction stolen by Honored Matres from their "outside enemy". They combust the atmosphere of a planet, and subsequently its surface.
• Orange Catholic Bible,or OCB – The primary orthodox religious text in the universe, asyncreticfusion of all significant religious concepts in the historical record, created by anecumenical council.Its supreme commandment is considered to be: "Thou shalt not disfigure the soul."
• Other Memory– The combined ego and memories of all female ancestors, which a Bene Gesserit may be trained to access.
• Ornithopter(or 'Thopter) – "Aircraft capable of sustained wing-beat flight in the manner of birds;"one of the primary modes of transportation on thedesert planetArrakis.

P

• Palm lock– "Lock or seal which can be opened only by contact with the palm of the human hand to which it has been keyed."
• Phibian– Primitive andamphibioushumanoid creatures, a genetic mix of human and fish, created out in the Scattering. First mentioned inChapterhouse: Dune,they have been brought as captives to the "million planets" by theHonored Matres.InHunters of Dune,Phibians are described as having bullet-shaped heads and lean and streamlined bodies, taller than humans and slick green skin that "shines with oily iridescence". Capable of breathing underwater as well as on land, they are used by the Honored Matres onBuzzellto harvest valuablesoostonesfrom the sea.
• Plasteel– Extremely tough form of steel, "stabilized with stravidium fibers grown into its crystal structure."
• Plaz(or windowplaz) – Synthetic glass, used for windows (especially in aircraft and spaceships) due to its superior strength.
• Poison snooper– "Radiation analyzer within the olfactory spectrum and keyed to detect poisonous substances."
• Powindah–Tleilaxuterm for all outsiders, whom they consider "unclean" sinners and heretics.
• Prana-bindu– Training providing a Bene Gesserit with complete muscle control (Prana nervaturerelates to nervous system control).
• Prescience– Form ofprecognition,based in genetics but made possible by use of the drugmelange.
• Pre-spice mass– The "stage of fungusoid wild growth achieved when water is flooded into the excretions of Little Makers. At this stage, the spice of Arrakis forms a characteristic 'blow', exchanging the material from deep underground for the matter on the surface above it. This mass, after exposure to sun and air, becomes melange."
• Probe, Ixian– Device used to capture the thoughts of a person (living or dead) for analysis; can be blocked by the substanceshere.
• Probe, T– Device used to capture the thoughts of a person (living or dead) for analysis; unlike anIxian Probe,it cannot be blocked by the substanceshere.
• Pundi rice– "A mutated rice whose grains, high in natural sugar, achieve lengths up to four centimeters; chief export ofCaladan."

Q

• Qanat– "Open canal for carrying irrigation water under controlled conditions through a desert."

R

• Rachag– A "caffeine-type stimulant from the yellow berries of Akarso."
• Residual poison– "Innovation attributed to the MentatPiter De Vrieswhereby the body is impregnated with a substance for which repeatedantidotesmust be administered; withdrawal of the antidote at any time brings death. "
• Reverend Mother– Bene Gesserit who has survived a ritual wherein she consciously transforms a toxic dose of melange into a non-poisonous substance at the molecular level, thereby raising herself to a higher level of awareness and enabling her to access Other Memory.
• Rossak drug– A precursor to the Water of Life, used by the Sisterhood of Rossak to unlock Other Memory.

S

"Sietch" redirects here. For other uses, seeSech (disambiguation).

• Salusan bull– Fierce and very aggressive creature with compound eyes and multiple horns, used inbullfightingonCaladanand originating fromSalusa Secundus.
• Sandworm– Giant sand-dwelling creatures native to Arrakis. CalledShai-Huludby the Fremen and worshipped as deities.
• Sapho– "High-energy liquid extracted from barrier roots of Ecaz. Commonly used byMentatswho claim it amplifies mental powers. Users develop deep ruby stains on mouth and lips. "
• Sardaukar– Ferocious "soldier-fanatics" of thePadishah Emperor,later disbanded by Leto II.
• Sareer– Last desert of Arrakis in the time ofLeto II Atreides,location of his Citadel; guarded by D-wolves.
• Sayyadina– Among the Fremen, the Sayyadina ( "Friend of God" in Chakobsa) is a priestess who has not yet passed within to become a Reverend Mother. When a Sayyadina undergoes thespice agony,another is then consecrated into the Sayyadina to continue the line of succession.
• Scattering, The– Event after the reign of Leto II in which trillions of people left the settled worlds of theOld Empire,striking off into unknown space.
• Semuta– "Second narcotic derivative (by crystal extraction) from the burned residue of elacca wood [from Ecaz]. The effect (described as timeless, sustained ecstasy) is elicited by certain atonal vibrations referred to as semuta music."
• Servo-receiver– A communications device worn in the ear. InDune,Shaddam wears one during the Battle of Arrakeen to receive updates on the battle.
• Shai-Hulud– Fremen name for the sandworms of Arrakis.Originating from the Arabic word meaning "thing of eternity".
• Shere– A substance which, when present in the body at high enough concentrations, will block the use of anIxian Probe(but not aT-Probe) from recovering memories.
• Shigawire– "Metallic extrusion of a ground vine (Narvi narviium) grown only onSalusa Secundusand III Delta Kaising. It is noted for extreme tensile strength "and is used as a recording medium as well as agarroteweapon.
• Sietch– Cave warren inhabited by a Fremen tribal community; in the Fremen language, "Place of assembly in time of danger."The name was borrowed from thesichofZaporozhian Cossacks.
• Sietch orgy(or sietch tau orgy) – Fremen ritual of unrestrained sexual indulgencewhich takes place after a Reverend Mother shares the changedWater of Lifewith her community.
• Siridar– A planetary governor.
• Slig– A livestock animal which is the hybrid of a largeslugand a pig, created by the Tleilaxu and considered a culinary delicacy.The Tleilaxu themselves do not consume the animals, having designed them to facilitate what they see as the degrading decadence and spiritual bankruptcy of all cultures but their own.
• Solido– "Three-dimensional image from a solido projector using 360-degree reference signals imprinted on a shigawire reel."
• Soostone– Valuable iridescent gem produced onBuzzellby the abraded carapaces of monoped sea creatures called Cholisters, much in the manner ofpearls.
• Spacing Guild– Powerful organization with a monopoly on space travel and transport due to theirNavigators.
• Spice– Common name for melange, a highly-addictive drug essential to space travel, extended life, and therefore to the survival of the universe.
• Spice agony– Fremen version of the ritual used by the Bene Gesserit to create Reverend Mothers, using theWater of Lifeinstead of melange.
• Steersman– Title given to Guild Navigators.
• Stillsuit– "Body-enclosing garment" of Fremen design which performs the "functions of heat dissipation and filtering bodily wastes," as well as retaining and reclaiming moisture.
• Stilltent– "Small, scalable enclosure of micro-sandwich fabric designed to reclaim as potable water the ambient moisture discharged within it by the breath of its occupants."
• Stone burner–Atomic weapon,the explosion and radiation of which can be precisely adjusted depending on the desired effect. A stone burner with sufficient fuel can burn through the crust of a planet to the mantle or core, potentially causing a release of energy destroying the surface of the planet on which the weapon is deployed. Stone burners emit "J-Rays," a form of radiation that has a side effect of destroying the eyes of anyone surviving the initial radiation blast.
• S'tori– Tleilaxu concept, derived from Japanesesatori,spiritual awakening. "To achieve s'tori, no understanding is needed. S'tori exists without words, without even a name."
• Suboid– Bioengineered Ixian workers.
• Suk School– Prominentmedical schoolwhose doctors are the universe's most competent and trusted; those who have received the "Suk Imperial Conditioning" bear a diamond tattoo on their foreheads, wear their hair in a special silver ring, and are incapable of inflicting harm. However, the fallibility of Suk training is proven inDune(1965) whenBaron Vladimir Harkonnenand his twisted MentatPiter De Vriesmanage to subvert this conditioning and coerce SukDr. Wellington Yuehinto helping him in his attempt to destroyHouse Atreides.
• Suspensor– Any of a number of 'hovering' devices which utilize the "secondary (low-drain) phase of a Holtzman field generator" to nullifygravity"within certain limits prescribed by relative mass and energy consumption."InDune,the obeseBaron Harkonnenuses suspensors to support his massive weight.Hunter-seekers also use suspensor fields for propulsion, which make them slippery and hard to grasp.

T

• T-Probe– Device used to capture the thoughts of a person (living or dead) for analysis.Shereonly prevents the T-Probe from recovering memories directly (as it does for theIxian Probe) and does not impede any of the other features. The model created by the operation of this probe can be interrogated to give an idea of how the person would have reacted to a set of stimuli, possibly giving insight into a shere-loaded prisoner.
• Tachyon net(or tachyon web) – Technology (involvingfaster-than-lighttachyonparticles) used byDaniel and Martyin their attempt to track and capture theno-shipIthaca.
• Thinking machines– Intelligent and sentient machines "created in the likeness of a human mind" and thus abolished in the Butlerian Jihad.
• Thalim– Star of the single planet system of the Tleilaxu.
• Thopter(Ornithopter) – "Aircraft capable of sustained wing-beat flight in the manner of birds."
• Thorse– A six-legged pack animal bred for its stability.
• Thumper– "Short stake with a spring-driven clapper at one end", placed in the sand to 'call' sandworms, who are attracted to vibration and sound.
• Titans– Ancient dictators whose brains were transplanted into fearsome, weaponized machine bodies to achieveimmortality.
• Tleilaxu(or Bene Tleilax) – Secretive and powerful patriarchal race known for their genetic manipulation technologies.
• Truthsayer– Bene Gesserit Reverend Mother "qualified to enter truthtrance and detect insincerity or falsehood".

U

• Umma– "One of the brotherhood of prophets; a term of scorn in the Imperium, meaning any 'wild' person given to fanatical prediction."
• Usul– Fremen word, meaning "The strength at the base of the pillar."This is the secret "sietch name" (known only to his tribe) given to Paul Atreides upon his joining the Fremen.

V

• Verite– Will-destroying narcotic from Ecaz that "renders a person incapable of falsehood."Originating from the French word for "truth"
• Voice– Training that allows the Bene Gesserit "to control others merely by selected tone shadings of the voice."

W

• Wali– The name the Fremen give to an untried youth.
• War of Assassins– Regulated form of warfare between noble houses, intended to "reduce involvement of innocent bystanders." The rules require "formal declarations of intent and restrict permissible weapons."
• Water of Life– Toxic liquid exhalation of a drowning sandworm, used by Fremen Reverend Mothers in thespice agony.
• Water rings– Metal rings wore by Fremen women to indicate the amount of water possessed by their households.
• Weirding way– Fremen term for Bene Gesserit abilities, in particular the specializedmartial artcomponent ofprana-bindu.
• Whale fur– Valuable commodity noted to be the original source ofHouse Harkonnen's wealth.Princess Irulanis described wearing whale fur multiple times, including during her meeting with her fellow conspirators inDune Messiah.ThePrelude to Duneprequel series establishes it to be the fur of the Bjondax whales ofLankiveil,a planet controlled by the Harkonnens.
• Windowplaz(or simplyplaz) – Synthetic glass, used for windows (especially in aircraft and spaceships) due to its superior strength.
• Windtrap– Type ofair well"placed in the path of a prevailing wind and capable of precipitating moisture from the air caught within it, usually by a sharp and distinct drop in temperature within the trap."

Y

• Yali– "A Fremen's personal quarters within the sietch."

Z

• Zensunni– Ancient religious sect, ancestors of the Fremen.
  See also:ZenandSunni Islam

See also

• List of technology in theDuneuniverse