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Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Words for Wednesday

Having just finished Sense and Sensibility, I once again remember why I love Jane Austen so much.  You get lost in the language, the prose! 

When I re-read this classic, it was with a purpose as I am writing a sequel for NaNoWriMo, so I wanted to see if there were details that I could include.  Miss Austen never really talked about clothing or even how a person looked.  Her characters are based on their actions and words.  And words are also another wonderful thing about her books.

It was wonderful reading the book on a Kindle, as I was free to highlight and underline and make notations without mucking up my beautiful copy.  I was also able to use the dictionary function. When I have read these before, I would try to take the word in context and move on.  With my Kindle, if there is a word that I am not too sure of, I can look it up right then and there!  Fabulous Feature!

Here are a few words that I looked up.  
It is interesting how language was used 200 years ago!


cavil – verb: to raise irritating and trivial objections; find fault with unnecessarily
ebullition – noun: a seething or overflowing, as of passion or feeling; outburst.
éclat – noun:1. brilliance of success, reputation, etc.: the éclat of a great achievement.   2. showy or elaborate display: a performance of great éclat.  3. acclamation; acclaim.
effusion – noun: 1.  the act of effusing or pouring forth.  2.  something that is effused.  3. an unrestrained expression, as of feelings
epicurism – noun: indulgences  or habits
exigence noun:  the need, demand, or requirement intrinsic to a circumstance, condition, etc
huswifes – noun: a case of sewing materials
importunity – noun: the state or quality of being importunate;  persistence in solicitation.
improvident – adjective:   1.  not provident;  lacking foresight; incautious; unwary.  2.  neglecting to provide for future needs.
imputed – adjective:  estimated to have a certain cash value, although no money has been received or credited.
lief – adverb: gladly, willingly
militate – verb: to have a substantial effect; weigh heavily
philippic – noun: any speech or discourse of bitter denunciation.
preferment – noun: 1.  the act of preferring.   2. the state of being preferred.  3.  advancement or promotion, especially in the church. 4. a position or office affording social or pecuniary advancement.
prodigious – adjective:  1. extraordinary in size, amount, extent, degree, force, etc.: a prodigious research grant.  2. wonderful or marvelous: a prodigious feat.  3. abnormal; monstrous.
sagaciously – adjective: having or showing acute mental discernment and keen practical sense; shrewd
sedulously – adjective: 1. diligent in application or attention; persevering; assiduous.  2.  persistently or carefully maintained

I hope you have learned a few words to work in to your vocabulary!  Some of these I already knew, but loved the way she used them in the story.  Enjoy!

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