Below is a list of words with definitions that are relevant to the modelling and wargaming hobbies. If you think a word should be included in the glossary, let me know what it is!

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

E

Ear Plugs
Device which go in the ear. Designed to protect hearing from noise produced by loud machinery.

Earthworks
Sculptural representation of earth, rocks or plants.

Eggshell
A gloss level lying between semi-gloss and flat matt. Eggshell is very similar to satin finish.

Ejector Pin Marks
Small round impressions usually found on the back of plastic parts.

Electro-plating
The coating of an electrically conductive item with a layer of metal using electrical current. The result is a thin, smooth, even coat of metal on the object.

Enamel
Solvent-based paint that comes in a variety of gloss levels. It can be applied by brush or airbrush, or sometimes both, depending on product specification.

Epoxy Putty
A two-part putty which can be kneaded together and used in a variety of ways. Epoxy putty can be thinned and smoothed with water and it hardens to a rock-hard state in several hours. See Model Compound.

Etching
See Photo Etching.

Evaporation Rate
The rate at which solvent or water evaporates from an applied film. Ambient temperature and humidity can greatly affect this and increase drying time.

F

Feathering
The painting process of merging borders, or softening the edge around a mask.

Fibre Optics
A way of sending light along very thin plastic fibres. Model kits benefit from fibre optics by requiring only one bulb to brightly illuminate multiple areas.

Files
See Choosing basic modelling tools.

Flash
Where hot plastic or metal has run between two mould halves during the manufacturing process. Flashing manifests as very thin wafers that can be easily removed with a modelling knife.

Flat Bottom
Where the lower surface of a wing is primarily flat between the leading and trailing edges.

Flat-ended Stirrer
Used like a paddle to stir paint from the bottom of the tin. Pigment can often settle in paint and it's important to re-incorporate it to ensure colour consistency.

Flock
To texture or pattern with pulverized wool or felt.

Fluorescent
A matt colour finish that excels in brilliance and visual impact.

Foam Cutter
A scenic landscaping and terrain making tool that works by heating special wire to the point where it vapourises foam it is brought into contact with.

Foliage
A representation of trees, leaves, stems, and flowers.

Fret Saw
See Choosing advanced modelling tools.

FS Standard
Federal Standard colours (US). FS colours have no names, only 5 digit codes.

Fuselage
Refers to the body part of an aircraft.

G

Gate
See Sprue Gate.

Gauge
a) An instrument for measuring or testing.
b) Thickness or diameter, as of sheet metal or wire.
c) The distance between the two rails of a railroad.
d) The distance between two wheels on an axle.

Gauze

An absorbent fabric with an open weave that is usually made of cotton. Often used with plaster to create earthworks.

Gloss
A high-sheen paint.

Gloss Varnish
A solvent-based varnish used to give a high-sheen gloss finish.

Gloss Level
A measure of how high the reflectance of a dry film is. Generally measured at a reflectance angle of 60 degrees. Gloss and sheen are terms that are often used interchangeably. Note that the gloss level of paint can also affect its apparent colour.

Glue
See Adhesive.

Goggles
Safety glass or impact rated plastic, protective eye covering, which is intended to protect workers from eye injuries.

Grind
A measure of how finely a paint pigment is milled. The finer the grind the higher the gloss level (although grind is not the only factor in determining the level). The coarser the grind, the more matt the dried paint film is. Paints that have been ground poorly can show particles in their dried film.

Ground Clearance
The amount of space between a vehicles undercarriage and the ground.

Gundam
Gundam is a popular anime involving giant robots.

Gypsum
Used to make Plaster of Paris.

H

Half-track
A lightly armoured military motor vehicle having continuous tracks in the rear for power and conventional wheels in front for steering.

Hammered Effect
A paint finish that, when dry, resembles hammered metal.

Hardening
The act or process of becoming hard or harder.

Hardshell
A scenery base made by laying plaster-impregnated gauze over a light support structure such as cardboard.

Hard Dry
Where a paint film is dry (fully cured) and cannot be scratched by normal handling.

Height Scale
Refers to the height of an average man in the particular scale.

Helping Hand
See Choosing advanced modelling tools.

Hidden Units
Wargaming term used to describe units that a commander wouldn't be able to see.

Highlight
An area or a spot of a model that is strongly illuminated.

Hydrofoil
Ski-like protrusion that holds the front of a vessel out of the water when at speed.

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