Regency Era Lexicon
Cadet – the youngest son or branch of a family
Called to the bar – authorized to practice law as a barrister
Camisole – a woman’s undershirt worn between the dress and the corset
Candlemas – a church festival celebrated on February 2; celebrates the purification of the Virgina Mary and Jesus’s presentation in the Temple
Capping – to follow up with something better in a conversation (Think Darcy and Elizabeth to understand this concept.)
Carking – to worry someone
Carter – the driver of a cart or wagon
Catarrh – mucus fills up the head, nose, and throat
Chair – a light and agile, as well as inexpensive, one-horse carriage (not be confused with the sedan chair, which was a rickshaw-like vehicle)
Chancellor of the Exchequer – the highest post after the Prime Minister; controlled the treasury
Chancery – the court of equity law; generally sat at Westminster Hall
Chandler – a man who dealt in candles
‘Change – an abbreviation of the Royal Exchange often used in speech
Charabanc – a large carriage with two seats facing forward; lightweight and speedy
Chariot – a four-horse vehicle; the two seats both faced front; lighter than a chaise
Chase and Four – a closed carriage used for traveling; pulled by four horses
Cheapside – a street in eastern London close to the river Thames; a non-fashionable side of London
Chemise – a woman’s long undergarment; much in the form of a nightgown
Chemisette – a partial shirt worn tucked into a very low-cut gown
Chimneypiece – a mantelpiece or decorative moulding about the chimney
Circulating libraries – required a subscription to borrow the best-sellers; most famous was Mudie’s
Climbing boy – the child who would climb up into the chimney to clean it
Clogs – shoes with wooden or metal rims on the bottom; used to walk in bad weather
Coach – a vehicle used for public transportation, as well as private; could hold six or more passengers; two seats facing each other; closed vehicle; front and back axles connected to a “crank neck”
Cob – a sturdily built horse, often ridden by an overweight person
College – one of the residential units around which the universities of Oxford and Cambridge were organized
Come Out – the process by which a young woman (usually 17 or 18) was presented to Society and was considered available for marriage
Commoner – an Oxford undergraduate not on scholarship
Condescension – being polite and generous to those from a lower rank
Conservatory – a room for growing plants
Consumption – an advanced stage of tuberculosis
Cottagers – lived in cottages upon a landowner’s property; worked on the estate
Cotillion – a French dance in which 4 couples form a square
Countenance – another word for the “face” or a person’s appearance
Country dance – very much like a square dance; a vigorous dance
County member – a member of Parliament; represented the county rather than a borough
Courtesy books – publications that advised on the education and conduct of a courtier ( a man of the royal court) or a prince
Covent Garden – a large market near Charing Cross; sold fruit and vegetables; near the theatre district
Crape – a black silk used for mourning clothes
Cravat – a long fine cloth tied about a gentleman’s neck in a variety of “bows”
Cross writing – fill a page of writing normally and then turn it at a 90 degree angle and write between the open spaces; postage was very expensive
Curricle – a two-wheeled carriage; pulled y two horses; could seat two people, who of whom was the driver
I found all of these definitions really interesting, thanks for sharing them.
I’ll likely do one of these posts each week. Of course, certain letters will be more difficult to feature. I appreciate your stopping by.