ambergris
a waxy, ash-colored secretion from a sperm whale intestine; very valuable at the time of the stories, and used in perfume and cookery
bezestein
a marketplace of valuable merchandise
brocade
fabric woven with an elaborate design
caliph
the chief Muslim civil and religious ruler in Islamic tradition; regarded as the successor of Muhammad
camphor
a whitish, crystalline substance obtained from the wood of the camphor tree, and used in medicine
comrade
a companion or friend
desolate
deserted, bleak, empty
idle
not working or active
incognito
disguised, concealed, or hidden
jinn
a genie
jinni
a genie
khan
an inn in certain Arab countries
lamp
in the case of these stories, a lamp would actually look more like a small, ornate pitcher than something that gives light
omen
an occurrence believed to contain some insight into future events
porter
a person employed to carry luggage or other loads
roc
an enormous, legendary bird of prey
sage
a wise man or healer
sequin
a gold coin; a unit of money
Serendib
present-day Sri Lanka
squander
to waste in a reckless or foolish manner
sultan
a king of an Islamic empire
tempest
a violent windstorm
vizier
the chief advisor to a sultan or king
