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Jane Austen, revisited

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December 08, 2004, 07:08
wordcrafter
Jane Austen, revisited
A couple of months ago, when we enjoyed words from Jane Austen's Emma, Pride and Prejudice, and Sense and Sensibility, we promised to revisit with two more Austen themes in the near future. This week we'll enjoy a second sampling of Ms. Austen.

sportive – playful; frolicsome
(archaic: amorous or wanton); also, relating to or interested in sports
December 13, 2004, 08:58
wordcrafter
Let's catch up, with extra words over the next days.

nuncheon – a drink or snack taken between meals, esp. in the afternoon
[Wouldn't this word be useful, at least as useful as brunch? But it has fallen by the wayside.]dissentient – dissenting, especially the majority's view (noun: a dissenter).
(also: refusing to attend services of the Church of England).
A synonym is recusant. Question: is there any difference between dissentient and dissident?
December 14, 2004, 07:41
wordcrafter
valetudinarian – a sickly or weak person, esp. one constantly and morbidly concerned with his health
[Curiously, the word's root seems to mean precisely the opposite: valere – to be strong or well]
December 14, 2004, 22:49
wordcrafter
behindhand – 1. late; behind schedule; particularly, in arrears on a debt. 2. backward, in respect to what is seasonable or appropriate. (wordcrafter note: in other words, out of style). 3. being in an inferior position

Among the dictionaries I find only MW Collegiate having the last definition; The Economist provides a recent illustration, noted below. Ms. Austen seems to use the word in a sense slightly different from #2 above, to mean "not up on the latest news."
December 15, 2004, 20:46
wordcrafter
Two words today. Our first is a rare word: you'll often find it in Patrick O'Brian's nautical novels, but most other modern usage is in what appear to be historical romance novels. But isn't it a useful word deserving wider use – as in our third quotation?

missish – like a miss; prim; affected; sentimentalpostilion – one who, in lieu of a coachman, guides a coach by riding the leading nearside horse of a team or pair

This message has been edited. Last edited by: wordcrafter,
December 16, 2004, 01:19
Richard English
There's a very nice restaurant near to us called The Postilion. It's a play on the owner's name, Dietmar Post.

He's a Mercedes enthusiast and usually nobody in any other make of vehicle is allowed to park in the prime spot outside the front door. However, he always makes an exception for us if we arrive in the Rolls-Royce, since he feels it adds a measure of class!


Richard English