She Stoops to Conquer Glossary

Glossary of Terms

affectation

behavior, speech, or writing that is artificial and designed to impress

approbation

approval or praise

assiduities

constant or close attention to what one is doing

bill of fare

menu

bolster

a long, thick pillow that is placed under other pillows for support

cantankerous

bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative

coxcomb

a vain and conceited man; a dandy

fopperies

behavior of a man who is concerned with his clothes and appearance in an affected and excessive way; behavior of a dandy. the man is referred to as a "fop."

fortin

an archaic form of the world "fortune"

garnets

precious stones consisting of a deep red vitreous silicate mineral

genteel

polite, refined, or respectable, often in an affected or ostentatious way

levy

to impose (as in a tax, fee, or fine)

malady

a disease or ailment

mawkish

sentimental in a feeble or sickly way

omnes

a phrase used in play format to indicate the full cast is speaking

proxy

a person authorized to act on behalf of another

quotha

an archaic construction used to express surprise or sarcasm, after quoting the word or phrase of another

taffety cream

a dessert dish made of cream and eggs

trapesing

an archaic from of "traipsing," it means walking about casually or needlessly.

trolloping

the actions of a woman perceived as sexually disreputable or promiscuous