Browse by Title: O

objet d'art

French for "object of art" or "art object." An objet d'art is usually small, possesses unique artistic value, and is cherished for its beauty or special artistic…

ocher

A naturally occurring mineral derivative that was, and remains, in use by many indigenous peoples around the world as a pigment for marking bodies, hand tools,…

odyssey

A reference to a long heroic journey with many tasks and adventures that often changes the fortune of the traveler. A reference to the epic poem, The Odyssey, written…

oeufs en gelée

A French dish that literally means "eggs in jelly." The dish is composed of a poached egg encased in savory, broth-infused gelatin, in which smoked salmon, sweet…

offering

An object that is given in thanks, generosity, or even supplication, often to a higher power. An offering usually consists of something that is precious, of symbolic…

officer

In U.S. police departments, officer refers to a low-ranking member of the police force.

Ogden, Utah

Ogden is a small city located in northern Utah near the Wasatch Mountains. The Great Salt Lake, located to the west, can be viewed from the city. The city is known…

ogre

In Western folklore, an ogre is a mythical giant beast that eats humans and is often the evil villain in folktales or children’s stories. These creatures are often…

Ojo Encino, New Mexico

A small community located in northwestern New Mexico, on the eastern border of the Navajo Reservation. The Navajo Nation government system consists of five agencies (…

Okinawa, Japan

One of the largest islands off the coast of Japan, Okinawa is an island, a prefecture, and a city. The island was annexed by Japan in 1879 under the Meiji Government,…

Oklahoma

Oklahoma is a Choctaw Indian word that means “red people” and is derived from the words for people (okla) and red (humma). Currently, 39 individual tribes have their…

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

The capital, and largest city, in the state of Oklahoma. The city was founded in 1889, after homesteaders in the area staked claims to farmlands that were originally…

Old People

A general reference to a people's ancestors, who are typically understood to be a repository of wisdom and experience, upon which the younger generations can, and…

Old Testament

This biblical canon of Christians and Jews is composed by many authors over the course of centuries, and is based on the 39 canonical scriptures of the Hebrew bible.…

Olds Prairie Murders

A fictional series of murders created by Tony Hillerman in his 1978 Navajo detecitve novel Listening Woman. In the novel, Detective Joe Leaporn has never heard of the…

omniscience

A state of being where one has an infinite knowledge of the world and an understanding of everything.

One Who Kicks People Over the Cliff

According to the Navajo Creation Myth, in the process of emerging from the underworlds and settling on their land, the People (Diné) faced many dangers from the natural…

one-track mind

An expression referring to a way of thinking that is very focused, or even obsessed with, one thing in particular. The term one-track probably has its origin in the…

onerous

A descriptive word meaning difficult, burdensome, or psychologically challenging.

Oraibi, Arizona

A Hopi village located on the Hopi Reservation within the boundaries of the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation in northeastern Arizona. The village was established before…

ore

The term refers to mineral deposits (typically metals) in the earth's crust that can be extracted for various uses, such as for use as pigment when ground, as well as…

ore truck

A very large hauling truck used in mining operations to transport mined minerals and/or debris.

oryx

A genus of large antelope, the oryx is native to the various arid parts of Africa. This herbivore is well-adapted to surviving in dry conditions and can live up to ten…

Oscura Foothills, New Mexico

The Oscura Foothills are the low-rise hills located along the base of the Oscura Mountains, a range in Lincoln County, New Mexico.

Oscura Mountains, New Mexico

The Oscura Mountains are a landform located in the northern portion of White Sands Missile Base in Lincoln County, New Mexico, just north of the San Andres Mountains…