Pride and Prejudice — Vocabulary
Jane Austen
(Edited)

Book sample Uses ACT/SAT
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consequenceresult
The consequence of it is, that Lady Lucas will have a daughter married before I have, and that the Longbourn estate is just as much entailed as ever.p.138.244 more
Show context notes Mrs. Bennet is speaking here, worried about her daughters' futures. "Entailed" means the Longbourn estate is legally required to pass to the nearest male relative rather than to the Bennet women. This inheritance law drives much of Mrs. Bennet's desperation to see her daughters married well.
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Your decision will have three major consequences.more
consequence → consequences:results
Show general definition for consequence (as in: a direct consequence of) a result of something (often an undesired side effect)
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consequence#2importance or significance
...till catching her eye, he withdrew his own and coldly said: "She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me; I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men."p.13.944 more
Show context notes This is Darcy's first assessment of Elizabeth, overheard by her at a ball. His dismissive words set the tone for their relationship—and give Elizabeth every reason to dislike him.
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Think carefully. This is a consequential decision.more
consequence → consequential:important
Show general definition for consequence (as in: of little consequence) importance or relevance
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endeavortry
And, if I may mention so delicate a subject, endeavor to check that little something, bordering on conceit and impertinence, which your lady possesses.p.51.542 more
Show context notes Mr. Collins (the pompous clergyman who proposed to Elizabeth and was rejected) is advising Mr. Bennet to correct Elizabeth's "conceit and impertinence"—completely missing that her spirited wit is exactly what her father loves about her.
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I endeavored to get both sides to agree to a compromise.more
endeavor → endeavored:tried or attempted
Show general definition to attempt; or a project or activity attempted
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recollectrecollect → recollected:remembered
When she saw him thus seeking the acquaintance and courting the good opinion of people with whom any intercourse a few months ago would have been a disgrace—... and recollected their last lively scene in Hunsford Parsonage—the difference, the change was so great, and struck so forcibly on her mind, that she could hardly restrain her astonishment from being visible.p.251.134 more
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I think I recollect that she was away at college that year.more
remember
Show general definition to remember -- especially experiences from long ago
Show editor's word notes Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice):

Relative to its synonyms, recollect brings to mind a leisurely piecing together of distant memories. It may be used in a less formal manner than remember and is almost always less formal than recall.
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inquiryinvestigation
But Mr. Gardiner could not be seen, and Mr. Darcy found, on further inquiry, that your father was still with him, but would quit town the next morning.p.306.432 more
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The school launched an official inquiry into the allegations of cheating.more
Show general definition a question or investigation -- especially one meant to gather information or find out the truth
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prudentpractical or sensible
Pray, my dear aunt, what is the difference in matrimonial affairs, between the mercenary and the prudent motive?p.151.229 more
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She was promoted to manager because she is so prudent.more
sensible and careful
Show general definition sensible and careful
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amiablefavorable (making him seem likable)
"In what an amiable light does this place him!" thought Elizabeth.p.239.435 more
Show context notes This is Elizabeth's reaction after learning of Darcy's generosity and kindness at Pemberley—the moment her prejudice begins to dissolve.
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She seemed an ideal candidate--attractive, amiable, intelligent, and energetic.more
friendly and likable
Show general definition friendly, agreeable, and likable
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perceivesee or notice
If I can perceive her regard for him, he must be a simpleton, indeed, not to discover it too.p.23.222 more
Show context notes Charlotte warns Elizabeth that Jane doesn't show her feelings for Bingley openly enough—advice that proves tragically correct when Darcy convinces Bingley she's indifferent.
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I could perceive the ship coming over the horizon.more
see (become aware of)
Show general definition for perceive (as in: though blind, can perceive light) to become aware of -- especially by using the senses (to see, hear, smell, feel, or taste)
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alludeallude → alluded:indirectly referenced
  "I am quite well; I am only distressed by some dreadful news which I have just received from Longbourn."
  She burst into tears as she alluded to it, and for a few minutes could not speak another word.p.263.813 more
Show context notes This is immediately after Elizabeth learned of Lydia's scandalous elopement with Wickham.
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He alluded to Susan without mentioning her name.more
Show general definition to make an indirect reference
Show editor's word notes The expression, no allusion can mean "not even an indirect reference"; i.e., neither a direct nor an indirect reference to something.
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renderrender → rendered:made or caused to become
But no sooner had he made it clear to himself and his friends that she hardly had a good feature in her face, than he began to find it was rendered uncommonly intelligent by the beautiful expression of her dark eyes.p.24.614 more
Show context notes This marks the beginning of Darcy's attraction to Elizabeth, even though his pride won't let him admit it yet.
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Her verbal attack rendered me speechless.more
render → rendered:made
Show general definition for render (as in: rendered her unconscious) to make or cause to become
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mortifiedembarrassed or humiliated
I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine.p.21.318 more
Show context notes Both Darcy and Elizabeth have real reasons for pride, and both let it prejudice their judgment of the other. Here, Elizabeth unwittingly reveals the danger on her side: wounded pride primes prejudice. Her resentment of Darcy's snobbery will soon lead her to accept Wickham's unsubstantiated attacks on Darcy's character. The novel traces how both Darcy and Elizabeth come to recognize and overcome this cycle.
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She was mortified when her father questioned the boy who came to pick her up.more
exceedingly embarrassed
Show general definition for mortified (as in: felt mortified) extremely embarrassed and ashamed—so humiliated that pride feels wounded.
11
conceitexcessive pride
I was given good principles, but left to follow them in pride and conceit.p.349.110 more
Show context notes In this novel, pride turns into prejudice—on both sides. Here, Darcy admits that his pride slid into class prejudice, making him dismissive of people "beneath" him, including Elizabeth's family. That snub wounded Elizabeth's pride and caused early prejudice against him. The novel traces how both come to recognize and overcome this cycle.
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Her conceit will be her downfall.more
Show general definition for conceit (as in: confident, but not conceited) excessive pride in oneself, arrogance, or vanity
6
trifletrifle → trifling:unimportant
People do not die of little trifling colds.p.32.610 more
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We all agree with the goal, but how to achieve it is not a trifling matter.more
Show general definition for trifle (as in: a trifling matter) something of small importance; or a small quantity
5
trifle withtreat thoughtlessly or without respect
You are too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged, but one word from you will silence me on this subject for ever.p.346.510 more
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She is not a woman to trifle with or ignore.more
Show general definition for trifle with (as in: trifle with her affections) to treat somebody or something thoughtlessly or without respect
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approbationapproval
She liked him too little to care for his approbation.p.50.613 more
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She is not motivated by popular approbation.more
Show general definition approval - often official
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impertinentimproperly bold
He has a very satirical eye, and if I do not begin by being impertinent myself, I shall soon grow afraid of him.p.25.113 more
Show context notes Recognizing Darcy's intelligence and sharp judgment, Elizabeth decides that her best defense is a good offense—she'll be playfully bold rather than let him make her feel inferior.
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It was impertinent of the child to lecture a grownup.more
rude or improperly bold
Show general definition for impertinent (as in: she was impertinent) rude or improperly bold -- especially toward someone more respected
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censurecriticism
"I deserve neither such praise nor such censure," cried Elizabeth; "I am not a great reader, and I have pleasure in many things."p.37.77 more
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They censured him for bringing dishonor upon the Senate.more
censure → censured:formally criticized
Show general definition harsh criticism; or formal criticism from an organization -- such as the U.S. Senate
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countenancefacial expression
To work in this garden was one of his most respectable pleasures; and Elizabeth admired the command of countenance with which Charlotte talked of the healthfulness of the exercise, and owned she encouraged it as much as possible.p.154.529 more
Show context notes The humor here is that Charlotte is praising how healthy gardening is for Mr. Collins, encouraging him to do it as much as possible—but Elizabeth sees through it: Charlotte really wants him out of the house and away from her! Elizabeth admires how well Charlotte can keep a straight face while making these claims.
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She has a pleasant countenance.more
facial expression; or face
Show general definition for countenance (as in: a pleasant countenance) facial expression; or face; or composure or manner
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countenance#2show of support (social backing)
Their taking her home, and affording her their personal protection and countenance, is such a sacrifice to her advantage as years of gratitude cannot enough acknowledge.p.288.829 more
Show context notes After Lydia's disgraceful elopement, the Gardiners (Elizabeth's aunt and uncle) take her into their respectable home—a generous sacrifice, as association with Lydia could damage their own reputation.
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We will not countenance torture.more
to tolerate or approve
Show general definition for countenance (as in: giving countenance) to tolerate, approve, or show favor or support
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acknowledgeacknowledge → acknowledged:recognized (agreed upon)
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.p.5.129 more
Show context notes This is one of the most famous opening lines in English literature. Austen opens with irony: the "truth" isn't universal at all—it reflects her society's obsession with marrying daughters to wealthy men.

With limited property rights and few ways to support themselves independently, women relied on advantageous marriages for financial security and social standing. In one satirical sentence, Austen establishes the social world her characters inhabit.
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She acknowledged that she might have forgotten.more
acknowledge → acknowledged:admitted
Show general definition for acknowledge (as in: acknowledge her or the truth) express recognition or appreciation of someone or something; or to admit or express something