Little Women

Little Women Glossary

"Lapse of lingy"

Amy means to say lapsus linguae, which is Latin for “slip of the tongue”

'Aisy

Without hardship; a dialectic shortening of "easy"

Abominable

Detestable, awful

Aristocratic

Belonging to a high social or political class; of the nobility

Assiduity

Persistent and diligent effort

Belladonna

A medicine made of deadly nightshade, used as a home remedy for scarlet fever

Benevolence

Inclination to do good and help others

Blancmange

Dessert similar to pudding made with cream and sugar and a thickener such as cornstarch

Capricious

Impulsive and fickle, likely to change based on chance rather than reason

Chaplain

A priest, pastor, or other clergy member assigned to an official group, such as a military unit

Conservatory

A greenhouse for growing flowers

Coquetry

Playful, flirtatious behavior intended to arouse interest

Cravat

Neckband; forerunner of the modern necktie

Droll

Comical in a whimsical manner

Dudgeon

Intense indignation

Ennui

Intense boredom and listlessness

Fashion-plate

A picture advertising the latest fashions

Governess

A woman employed to watch and teach children in a private home; a nanny

Indolent

Habitually lazy and procrastinating

Libel

A written insult

Out

In this context, being "out" means having officially entered into society. "Coming out" was sometimes celebrated with parties similar to a debutante ball.

Panacea

Cure-all

Penitent

Regretful

Propriety

Proper behavior; in the case of Mr. Brooke and Kate Vaughn to "play propriety" at Camp Laurence, this means chaperone

Tranquility

An untroubled and peaceful state

Truckle

Yield to out of weakness

Vortex

A fast-moving spiral, such as a whirlpool

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