Austen’s Vocabulary, Volume I
Due _________________
An advanced vocabulary is often required for understanding Jane Austen’s writing. As you read,
you will encounter words you do not know and words whose present common definitions have
varied from those during JA’s time. You are responsible for looking up your own vocab and
understanding their meaning. The following list includes some of the vocabulary from Volume I
you will need to know for a quiz. (Each appears at least five times in the novel.)
Locate and define the following words.
After giving the definition(s), type the sentence (or most of the context of the sentence) in
which the word is used and include the MLA citation.
This assignment needs to be typed and formatted with an MLA heading and title.
1. Discretion (2) [8]*
2. Amend (2) [10]
3. Amiable (3) [12]
4. Former/latter (4) [16]
5. Civil (5) [19]
6. Mortified (5) [21]
7. Felicity (5) [24]
8. Indignation (6) [26]
9. Propriety (6) [27]
10. Vexation (6) [24]
11. Complaisance (6) [27]
12. Condescend (8) [41]
13. Impertinence (8) [36]
14. Approbation (10) [51]
15. Deference (10) [50]
16. Reproof (10) [48]
17. Rational (11) [55]
18. Commendation (13) [66]
19. Condescension (14) [41]
20. Disdain (18) [95]
21. Forbearance (18) [90]
22. Imprudent (18) [96]
23. Diffidence (19) [104]
24. Lamentation (21) [115]
25. Abhorrence (23) [129]
26. Incredulous (23) [126]
27. Repine (24) [137]
28. Impropriety (36) [203]
*The (number in parentheses) indicates the chapter in which the word first appears. The
[number in brackets] indicates the page where a use of the word appears.
1. Look up the word on dictionary.com
2. Find the word in the text in order to understand which definition Austen uses. Type the
sentence/context to identify the right definition, and cite in MLA format.
1. Discretion: “Kitty has no discretion in her coughs,” said her father; “she times them ill.”
(Austen 8).
3. Determine the applicable definition.
(This is my inner voice showing how I determine the right definition): …definition 1 of
discretion means “freedom of choice.” Mr. Bennet’s first sentence would accordingly
mean, “Kitty can’t choose when to cough.” This makes sense, but I know that Mr. Bennet
is sarcastic when talking to his wife, and his statement “Kitty has poor timing” doesn’t
make that much sense if he’s saying she can’t help coughing. Definition 2 of discretion
means “the quality of being discreet,” which means showing good judgment.
Oh, now I get what Mr. Bennet is saying. He’s being sarcastic again when he says, “Kitty
has poor judgment in her coughs; she times them ill.” He’s kind of mocking his wife,
because she was complaining that Kitty’s coughs aggravated her.
4. Type your definition in addition to the sentence and your citation from the text.
1. Discretion: the quality of having good judgment in speech or thoughts.
“Kitty has no discretion in her coughs,” said her father; “she times them
ill.” (Austen 8).
5. Do this for the remaining 27 words on the list above. (You don’t have to write out your
thought process.)