Abbey
A building or building complex where members of a congregation such as monks and nuns live. An abbey is headed by an abbot or abbess.
Baroness
This title is given to women of nobility often coming from higher class families.
Bemused
A feeling of confusion or bewilderment. It is not to be confused with amused which has an entirely different meaning.
Brook
A body of water flowing down a small and narrow path.
Cad
The opposite of a gentleman; a man who treats women with no respect.
Castle moat
The hollowed out area surrounding a castle which is typically filled with water. Its primary function is to provide the castle with defense against attacks from the outside.
Couturier
A tailor who creates and customizes clothes meant for specific people.
Decorum
The act of observing and maintaining proper behavior by following etiquette which has been established by convention.
Edelweiss
A species of flower with the scientific name of Leontopodium nivale. It is known to be Austria's national flower.
Flibbertigibbet
A playful young woman who talks a lot and cannot stay put.
Fräulein
A title or address given to a German-speaking bachelorette. It is often compared to its English counterpart which is Miss.
Gaily
A word that describes a person that is cheerful and filled with joy. It may also be used to describe an action done thoughtlessly without much thinking.
Gauleiter
A title used in Nazi Germany that refers to the head of a Gau or Reichsgau, a region found within a country. This title was considered to be of high rank in the Nazi Party paramilitary rankings.
Gesundheit
A word used as an exclamation and is traditionally said to a person who has recently sneezed. People believe that by saying this, they will be preventing illnesses often associated with sneezes from happening to the person who has recently sneezed.
Incorrigible
Describes a person who is difficult to correct or something that is hard to improve.
Infraction
The act of violating or breaking the terms of the law or some other type of agreement.
Lark
A species of songbird with the scientific name of Alaudidae. These birds are known for their melodic singing.
Novitiate
The period or stage before a person joins a religious order. This time is given for the person to reflect and ponder if joining the religious order is their true calling.
Parasol
It looks similar to an umbrella however, its size and purpose is different. It is typically lighter and smaller and its only purpose is to shade a person from the sun's harmful rays.
Postulant
A person who wants to enter into a religious order; for example, a person who want to become a nun or a monk.
Pussy willow
It may refer to plants in the Willow family (Salicaceae). It may also refer to the part of the plant commonly known as catkin, the arrangement of stamens or carpels which appear to have soft silvery hairs.
Rheumatism
Conditions which may afflict pain in the joints, muscles, or connective tissues of a person.
Roué
Typically associated with elderly men who are unrestrained by convention or morality.
Schnitzel
A method of cooking which involves the coating in breadcrumbs and frying of a thinly sliced meat, respectively.
Slumber
A period of sleep or rest.
Strudel
A baked good often served as a dessert. It is made of thin pastry and some kind of filling. This dish was made popular in Austria and is considered to be their traditional dessert.
Third Reich of Anschluss
During the Nazi era, Hitler called his rule as the Third Reich or Third Empire in the hopes of succeeding the two former German empires. On the other hand, Anschluss is known to be the union of Nazi Germany and Austria. Therefore, the Third Reich of Anschluss refers to Hitler's rule of Austria and Nazi Germany.
Transgression
An act or the process of breaking the law or a command from a superior.
Trifle
An object given to someone to serve as a commemoration for a special occasion or event.
Untersberg
A mountain in Salzburg found nearby the German border; it is a part of the Berchtesgaden Alps.
Whirling dervish
A group of people who spin around as a form of meditation seeking to become one with God.
Will-o'-the-wisp
Describes a person who is impossible to catch and pin down. It is derived from the marsh gas phenomenon where you can get a glimpse of light appearing and disappearing.
Wimple
A headdress made of cloth that covers a woman's head all the way to her neck. It was widely used in medieval Europe. However, its popularity declined but nuns and other holy women still continue to wear them.
