Emma Glossary

Glossary of Terms

acquiescence

compliance or agreement

acute

intense or severe

affable

friendly

affix

to join or attach

aggrandize

extend or make appear larger

alacrity

liveliness

alloy

to reduce or debase

amiable

friendly or pleasant

approbation

approval

artifice

a clever strategy

ascertain

to find out

atonement

amends for a wrongdoing

candour

fairness and sincerity

capricious

fanciful

charade

a word riddle

chilblains

inflammation caused by exposure to cold

coarse

inferior or common

competence

adequate skill

complaisance

compliance; eager to please

conceit

a whim; also, a high opinion of one's self

conjecture

guess

contrivance

a plan

convivial

friendly

coxcomb

a conceited and foppish man

cypher

monogram or design

decisive

definite

decorum

proper behavior

deference

respectful submission to the wishes or desires of another

degradation

dishonor

depreciate

belittle

diffident

shy

diligence

constant and dedicated effort

discord

disagreement

disparity

inequality

disposition

state of mind

dissentient

disagreeing with the majority opinion

dissuade

advise against

docile

obedient

doctrine

a system of teachings

efficacy

effectiveness

effusion

outburst

ennui

boredom

entreat

beg

errant

wandering from the set course

estimable

deserving respect

expedient

advantageous

extricate

loose or release

fanciful

imaginary

felicity

happiness

fervor

intensity

finesse

delicacy or skill

fluctuation

change from one point to another

forbearance

self-control

formidable

powerful; intimidating

gentility

refinement

grievance

wrong

gruel

thin cooked cereal

haphazard

irregular or by chance

homely

associated with domestic life

humour

mood

incongruous

unbecoming

indefatigable

tireless

indignation

righteous anger

indubitable

certain

inducement

incentive

industrious

hard-working

inebriety

drunkenness

ingratiate

to place oneself into good favor

inimitable

matchless

injunction

a command

insidious

deceitful

inspirit

to make more lively

intimacy

a close relationship

irksome

annoying

liberality

generosity

melancholy

depression

mizzle

misty rain

negligent

neglectful

nominal

minimal

odious

hateful

ostensible

pretended

pensive

thoughtful

plaintive

mournful

plausible

believable

precedent

a model or standard

propriety

decency

prudent

wise

purport

to present or imply

quadrille

a card game for four people

quarto

a size of cut paper

remonstrance

protest

reprehensible

worthy of blame

requisite

something necessary

sanguine

cheerful

scruple

a moral standard

sober

quiet or serious

solace

s

spleen

bad temper

stimulate

excite

surmise

guess

tacit

implied without being spoken

tittle-tattle

gossip

trivial

insignificant

unaffected

sincere

uncouth

unmannerly

undaunted

not discouraged

valetudinarian

a chronically sick person

vex

irritate

vulgar

indecent

yeomanry

a British cavalry force

zeal

passion or intensity