| General Words & Terms |
| Word | Meaning |
| Khmer | The main ethic group and language of ancient and modern Cambodia, Khmer basically means 'Cambodian' |
| Boeung | Khmer, 'Lake' |
| Angkor Temple Related Words |
| Angkor | The Angkor empire and defines the era when the capital of the Khmer empire was at Angkor between the 9th and 12th centuries and Angkor Wat was built. |
| Thom | Khmer, 'Big' as in 'Angkor Thom' means 'Big City' |
| -varman | The suffix attached to the end of the names of the Khmer kings (eg. Jayavarman) means 'protected by' |
| Apsara | The dancing Apsaras of mythology, celestial nymphs. Are often carved in the temples. |
| Banteay | Khmer, 'Fortress' or 'Citadel' |
| Baray | Ancient man-made reservoir built by raising dykes around the area to be filled with water. |
| Prasat | A temple with a tower that is elevated on a terrace. |
| Building Techniques |
| Monastic Complex | Refers to a temple that has a reletively ground level, sprawling layout, as opposed to a Temple Mountain |
| Temple Mountain | A temple style that refers to the mythological five peaked mountain of the Hindu gods Mt. Meru. |
| Corbel Arch | Building term, An arch design used in the Angkor temples where layers of progressively projecting blocks are placed on opposite walls that eventually meet in the centre. |
| Lintel | An often decorated block placed above doorways and windows used in the Angkor temples. |
| Religious terms: |
| Wat | Temple, modern day it refers to a Buddhist pagoda. |
| Pagoda | Buddhist temple /shrine, see also: Wat |
| Reamker | Cambodian version of the Ramayana, a tale from Hindu mythology featuring Rama and his princess Sita. Images from this story are carved all over Angkor Wat. |
| Linga | A representation of the Hindu god Shiva in the form of a phallic symbol. The Linga Cult. |
| Shiva | One of the 3 main Hindu gods, Shiva is the destoryer and with destruction he brings rebirth. |
| Vishnu | One of the 3 main Hindu gods, Vishnu is the protector and preserver. |
| Brahma | One of the 3 main Hindu gods, Brahma is the creator of all things. He has four heads and four arms. |
