Glossary
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
M
Manga
Manga
is the Japanese word for comics; outside of Japan, it usually refers
specifically to Japanese comics.
Masking
Covering
an area with tape or masking fluid to protect it from excess brush
application or paint overspray.
Masking
Fluid
A
water-based solution used for protecting areas on kits from being
painted unintentionally. When the paint has dried the masking fluid
is simply peeled off.
Masking
Tape
An
adhesive tape used for a variety of purposes, as to protect a surface
that is not to be painted. A low tack variety is best suited for
modelmaking.
Mast
A
tall vertical pole which supports the sails of a sailing ship.
Matt
The
lowest sheen paint. Matt paints have very low light reflectance
when dry and usually contain a high content of pigment. This can
reduce durability compared to mid- and high-sheen finishes and if
a model is to be handled it's advisable to finish it off with a
coat of varnish.
Matt
Varnish
A
solvent-based varnish used to give a protective and decorative low-sheen
matt finish.
Mecha
A
Japanese contraction of the English word mechanical. Generally refers
to fantastic machines seen in anime or manga.
Medium
A
particular material.
Mesh
A
knit or woven fabric consisting of small, evenly spaced holes.
Metallic
A
paint, commonly containing metallic pigments, used to simulate the
look of a particular metal.
Metal
Rule
See
Choosing
advanced modelling tools.
Metamerism
An
effect where a colour appears to be different in different lights.
Metamerism is a fact of nature and paints are often mistakenly blamed
when metamerism is really the cause. The reason is that different
types of light render colour differently. For example, natural sunlight
contains more blue light, whereas artificial lights contain more
orange. Thus blues will appear more intense in daylight than in
artificial light.
Micromesh
A
material designed for polishing aircraft canopies.
Mini
Drill
See
Choosing
advanced modelling tools.
Mini
Vice
See
Choosing
advanced modelling tools.
Mitre
Block
See
Choosing
advanced modelling tools.
Mixing
To combine or blend into one mass or mixture.
Mock-up
A
usually full-sized scale model of a structure, used for demonstration,
study, or testing.
Model
Compound
See
Choosing
basic modelling tools.
Morale
In
some wargaming rules, morale is a measure of unit's psychological
strength.
Mould
Also
known as a tool, a mould is a block (usually steel or aluminium)
that is carefully eroded on one side to leave the shape of the kit
sprue.
A mould usually comprises two halves which are brought together
during the injection moulding process and then taken apart to leave
the finished sprue. During the process, hot plastic is poured into
the mould which runs into the channels and takes the form of the
sprue. Once cooled, the plastic is removed from the tool as the
finished sprue. A release agent can also be used to ensure the plastic
doesn't stick to the mould.
See Choosing
a kit to suit your modelling ability.
Mouldings
Ornamental
trimmings added to flat surfaces, cornices and columns.
N
Nautical
Mile
A
nautical mile is a unit of distance that is used on the water; it
is equal to 1.15 miles or one minute (1/60 of a degree) of longitude.
Neon
An
extremely bright colour.
NMM
Abbreviation: Non-Metal
Metallics. Painting the appearance of a metallic surface without
using metallic paints.
Noseweight
A
weight inserted into the front end of an aircraft with tricycle
undercarriage in order to prevent it from sitting on its tail.
O
One-piece
A
model consisting of one piece of hollow, molded plastic.
OOB
Abbreviation:
Out Of Box.
OOP
Abbreviation:
a) Out Of Production.
b) Out Of Packaging.
c) Out Of Print.
Opacity
The
hiding power of a paint or coating, commonly expressed as a percentage
of the coverage over black substrate divided by the coverage over
white substrate. The opacity of paint can be a good guide to how
many coats it will require. Due to the pigments used to obtain the
colour, bright or clean yellows and reds will generally have the
poorest opacity.
Orange
Peel
A
generally undesirable effect where a paint finish resembles the
skin of an orange when dry. Orange peeling can happen when the paint's
viscosity is too high and needs to be thinned more or if the pressure
at which the paint was applied was wrong.
Overrun
Wargaming
term describing an attack in overwhelming strength made by units
in travel formation rather than deployed for combat.
Oxidation
A
chemical reaction with oxygen from the air. Solvent-based paints
dry, or cure, via an oxidation reaction.
P
Paint
See Choosing
paint and painting tools.
Paintbrush
See Choosing
paint and painting tools.
Paint
Marker
A marker used to paint fine details or small
areas on a model kit.
Palette
The range of colour characteristics of a particular
model. A board that provides a flat surface on which artists mix
paints and the range of colors used.
Papier-Mâché
Technique for creating forms by mixing wet
paper pulp with glue or paste.
PBEM
Abbreviation:
Play By Email, in which a wargame is played by sending moves through
e-mail to a remote opponent.
PBM
Abbreviation:
Play By Mail, in which a wargame is played by sending moves through
a mail service to a remote opponent.
Pearlescent
Having
a pearly luster or gloss.
Pewter
Traditionally
an alloy containing 80% tin and 20% lead.
Panel
Lines
Detail
on model kits. Panel lines can be raised, to depict various details
on a models surface, or recessed.
Phase
In
most wargames, each game turn is made up of several steps, often
known as phases.
Photo
Etching
A
process that uses chemical or machine etching to remove material
from a metal. This produces small parts with much higher detail
than can be obtained through injection moulded plastic. Photo etch
parts are common after-market products.
Pigment
The
component which gives paint its colour. Pigment is bound by resin
in the paint film. Matt paints generally have high pigment content,
whereas gloss paints have much lower pigment content.
Pin
Vice
See
Choosing
advanced modelling tools.
Plaster
of Paris
A
paste-like mixture which modellers use to construct scenic terrain.
Playability
The
measure of how easy a game is to play.
Pliers
See
Choosing
advanced modelling tools.
Plinth
A block used as a display base for models.
Polymer
The
chemical term for resin.
Polystyrene
A
plastic polymer commonly used to make model kits.
Port
An
opening in a ship's side providing access to the interior.
Propellant
A
portable aerosol for use with an airgun or airbrush. Propellant
is useful for modellers who only airbrush occasionally and don't
wish to invest in a compressor. Like any aerosol, the pressure will
decrease as the unit becomes spent and it's important to monitor
the quality of the paint delivery as you go. See Choosing
paint and painting tools.
Propellor
Radiating
blades that are placed so as to thrust air or water in a desired
direction when spinning.
Protective
Mask
Used
to protect the respiratory system from sprays and dusts.
Prototype
A model suitable for use in complete evaluation
of form, design, performance, and material processing.
Protractor
An
instrument, in the form of a graduated semi-circle, which is used
to plot and measure angles.
Pyrogravure
See
Choosing
advanced modelling tools.
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