Additions to O.E.D. from the writings of Fanny Burney
The following list was compiled by J.N. Waddell, to whom and to the publishers of Notes and Queries, where it first appeared in February 1980, I am indebted. References are to first editions of the novels.
absorbment, sb. [not in O.E.D.] 1795 Journals, III, 99 my illness & weakness & constant absorbment in the time of its preparation.
acquaintance, v. [not in O.E.D.] 1799 Journals, IV, 339 Mrs Milner, of Micldeham, who has a son, by a former husband, now Colonel FitzGerald, & aid de Camp to the Duke of York (& probably of the staff you met at Walmer Castle) has sent me, lately, a message to desire we should acquaintance.
alphabetize, v. [O.E.D. Alphabetize, v., 2., 1880–] 1796 Journals, III, 171 I have now 6 proofs to correct just arrived – & all my list to alphabetize.
anecdote, sb. [O.E.D. Anecdote, 2.b.: only example of anecdote as a collective noun, 1826] 1794 Journals, III, 50 Why what an exquisite Letter, my dearest Father! – how full of interesting anecdote, & enlivening detail!
applause, sb. [O.E.D. Applause, sb. 1.: last example of applause in the plural, 1725] 1791 Journals 1, 30 That great old City is too narrow, too populous, too dirty, & too ill paved, to meet with my sublime applauses.
bavardage, sb. [O.E.D. Bavardage, 1835–] 1801 Journals, V, 73 ‘I suppose, Mama, if the ladies rule every body in France, even if there is a man of quality, that meets with a lady, that happens to be a beggar, he must let her govern him?’ Shall I ask your pardon for all this bavardage?
betake, v. [O.E.D. Betake, v., 4. b., –1641] 1797 Journals, IV, 50 Muff betook to the Coal hole, & there seemed to repose with native ease.
bluism, sb. [O.E.D. Bluism, 1822–] 1795 Journak, III, 101 I am quite delighted at your progress in this bluism; it was always to your taste.
bob-jerom, sb. [O.E.D. Bob, sb.1 10, 1782 only] 1796 Camilla, II, 261 The effect of this full buckled bob-jerom, which stuck hollow from the young face and powdered locks of the Ensign, was irresistably ludicrous.
break down, v. [O.E.D. 1st Suppl., Break, v., 50, d., 1837–] 1778 Evelina, I, 101 we had not proceeded thirty yards, ere every voice was heard at once, – for the coach broke down!
break-up, sb. [O.E.D. Break-up, sb., 1795–] 1794 Journals, III, 79 Sometimes the aspect is that of a terrible break up, at others the wilfulness of a restless mind that loves to spread confusion, cause wonder, & displace tranquillity.
briefly, adv. [O.E.D. Briefly, adv. 2, –1611] 1801 Journals, IV, 488 we take in stores for nearly a year at a time, from the difficulty of procuring any thing briefly, & as wanted.
canter, v. [O.E.D. Canter, v.2, 4., 1845–] 1796 Camilla, III, 135 Sir Sedley Clarendel drove his own phaeton; but instead of joining them, according to the condition which occasioned the treaty, cantered away his ponies from the very first stage.
chaoticism, sb. [not in O.E.D.] 1795 Journals, III, 114 M. d’A. has arranged himself a Study in our little Parlour, that would be after your Heart’s content, for literary chaoticism.
coach-party, sb. [O.E.D. 2nd Suppl., coach, sb. 6., 1957–] 1778 Evelina, II, 140 The coach-party fixed upon consisted of Madame Duval, M. Du Bois, Miss Branghton, and myself.
coque-sash, sb. [not in O.E.D.] 1802 Journals, v, 366. The young ladies were all dressed alike, very simply, & very elegantly in white muslin, with white shoes, coque-sashes, & their hair in ringlets.
cuisiniere, sb. [O.E.D. Cuisinier, 1859–] 1802 Journals, V, 251 the Maid whom M. D’Arblay had engaged for me, as ‘femme de chambre, to coiffer, dress, work &c, & as cuisiniere.
cultivate with, v. [O.E.D. Cultivate, v. 5. d., 1772 only] 1799 Journab, IV, 368 How I wish you may cultivate with him! – what you give of his debate with M. de Calonne concerning the abominable Sieyes (for abominable I hold him to be) is very interesting.
dabble, sb. [O.E.D. Dabble, sb., 1871–] 1800 Journals, IV, 402 should it happen I should be able to fix a time for this Honour which her very sweet Royal Highness does the little dabble when you should be at liberty to shake hands with me.
damper, sb. [O.E.D. Damper, 1, b., 1804–] 1782 Cecilia, V, 57 ‘a few oysters, fresh opened, by way of a damper before dinner’.
destinationing, vbl. sb. [not in O.E.D.] 1814 Journals, VII, 350 I grieve not to put this in the hands of my dear Brother, for his own use, or at least, destinationing, & decision.
detail, v. [O.E.D. Detail, v., 1., 1841–] 1799 Journals, IV, 283 I think you would not disapprove were we to commune upon it together; but I cannot detail longer, from uncertainty what may strike you.
diarize, v. [O.E.D. Diarize, v., 1827–] 1793 Journals, II, 100 I will now regularly Diarize to my beloved Susan from the moment of our parting.
diminisher, sb. [O.E.D. Diminisher, –1637] 1799 Journals, IV, 297 Resentment is a powerful diminisher of sorrow, in diminishing the feelings that first excited it.
diminuendoing, vbl. sb. [O.E.D. 1st Suppl., Diminuendo, v., 1901–] 1797 Journals, III, 343 How I should like to see your beautiful Quarry – I think your monumental diminuendoing very exactly exemplary.
dine out, v. [O.E.D. 2nd Suppl., Dine, v. 1. b., 1816–] 1796 Camilla, I, 250 ‘Miss Camilla! you won’t think of dining out unknown to Sir Hugh?’
disciplinarianism, sb. [O.E.D. Disciplinarianism, 1872–] 1832 Memoirs, III, 60 These were circumstances to exile common form and royal disciplinarianism from those great personages.
distance, v. [O.E.D. Distance, v., 4. c., 1786 only] 1796 Camilla, IV, 270 Miss Margland, seeing nothing in him that marked fashion, strove to distance him by a high demeanour.
dizzying [O.E.D. Dizzying, ppl. a., 1804–] 1796 Camilla, III, 90 ‘You waft me from extreme to extreme, with a rapidity absolutely dizzying.’
do spite [O.E.D. Spite, sb., 1. a., –1658] 1778 Evelina, II, 71 ‘he’s always been doing me one spite or other, ever since I knew him’.
duberous, a. [O.E.D. Duberous, a., 1818–] 1791 Journals, I, 20 My dearest Fredy, I think, has full as strong a propensity to the antique as myself; but I am a little duberous as to my Susanne.
dutify, v. [not in O.E.D.] 1797 Journals, IV, 30 I come frm her wth the most dutiful duty that ever was dutified.
egotism, sb. [O.E.D. Egotism, 2., 1800–] 1796 Camilla, I, 183 the egotism which urged him to make his own amusement his first pursuit.
elbow, v. [O.E.D. Elbow, v., 4. b., 1833–] 1796 Camilla, V, 17 Clermont, now, elbowing his way into a group of gentlemen.
Englishism, sb. [O.E.D. Englishism, 1855–] 1802 Journab, V, 217 that Englishism of reserve for which I am so noted in the Circles in which I am known.
Englishize, v. [O.E.D. 2nd Suppl., Englishize, v., 1858–] 1799 Journals, IV, 344 How happy should we be if the whole party were to come, & Englishize again the Major.
enrage, v. [O.E.D. Enrage, v., 2., –1782] 1795 Journals, III, 125 I entreat you, my dear Carlos, not to enrage, – 1 could not withstand the united voices that chorussed against your counsel.
far from it [O.E.D. Far, adv., 1. d., 1882–] 1796 Camilla, I, 157 ‘Yes; you hold it in antipathy, don’t you?’ ‘No, indeed! far from it.’
fascinately, adv. [not in O.E.D.] 1832 Memoirs, II, 30 Then, how fascinately she condescended to indulge us with a rondeau!
follow up, v. [O.E.D. Follow, v., 21. b., 1794–] 1792 Journals I, 251 He meant to follow this up with some daring effort to serve the King – but he had soon intimation that his own doom was fixed.
formalize, v. [O.E.D. Formalize, v., 5. b., 1856–] 1791 Journals, I, 103 a little chat with them was all my entertainment; for though Mrs Boscawen & Dr Russel were also there, the circle was formalized by Lady Amherst.
French grey [O.E.D. French, A. 3., 1862–] 1798 Journals, IV, 232 The dear Princess was seated on a sofa, in a French Grey riding Dress, with pink lapels.
fudge, sb. [O.E.D. Fudge, B. 2., 1797–] 1796 Camilla, II, 89 ‘How did you like my sending the Major to you? was not that good fudge?’
gay-looking [O.E.D. Gay, A. 9., 1897–] 1778 Evelina, I, 46 Presently, after, a very gay-looking man, stepping hastily up to him.
gentilize, v. [O.E.D. Gentilize, v.,1 2, 1679 only] 1796 Journals, III, 214 the Horses being sufficiently gentleized by 18 miles at a stretch not to be alarmingly frisky.
gipsy-looking [O.E.D. Gipsy, sb., 4., 1824–] 1802 Journals, V, 231 old women selling fruit or other eatables; Gipsey-looking Creatures with Children tied to their backs.
gladify, v. [not in O.E.D.] 1798 Journals, IV, 146 O that he would come & mortify upon our bread & cheese, while he would gladify upon our pleasure in his sight!
glass, v. [O.E.D. 2nd Suppl., Glass, v., 4. c., 1935–] 1791 Journals, I, 43 their names were all mentioned by Mrs Pointz, but I did not choose to Glass them, & without, could not distinguish them.
grand-dad, sb. [O.E.D. Grand-dad, 1819–] 1782 Cecilia, V, 71 ‘Must, must!’ cried Briggs, ‘tell all his old grand-dads else.’
hob-nob, v. [O.E.D. Hob-nob, v., 1., 1828–] 1814 Journals, VII, 361–2 Rain, or Illness, shall alone, then, prevent my hob nobing in a dish of tea with my dear Brother.
inappeasahle, a. [O.E.D. Inappeasable, a., 1840–] 1803 Journals, VI, 469 the consideration I meet with in this Country, from my evident & inappeasable distress upon this subject.
inarticulated [O.E.D. Inarticulated, ppl. a, 2., 1824–] 1796 Camilla, II, 348 The if almost dropt inarticulated: but he added – ‘I shall make some further enquiries before I venture to say any more.’
inquire out, v. [O.E.D. Inquire, v., 6., –1790] 1814 The Wanderer, V, 233 ‘Rawlins, order Hilson to enquire out the magistrate of the village’.
intercourse, v. [O.E.D. Intercourse, v., 2., –1571] 1799 Journals, IV, 289 I hope to receive one, & to be again upon terms of affection & intercoursing, – though, alas, no more of faith or approbation.
irreflection, sb. [O.E.D. Irreflection, 1835–] 1832 Memoirs, II, 173 She was rather, therefore, from her scoff of all consequences, a child of witty irreflection.
John Bullism, sb. [O.E.D. John Bullism, 1796–] 1791 Journals, I, 8 After a little deliberation, we were now touched to shake off a part of the John Bullism that had encrusted us, & to ask them to our sitting Room, to drink Tea.
jump, v. [O.E.D. Jump, v., 8., 1815–] 1796 Camilla, I, 361 Edgar, somewhat agitated, occupied himself with jumping the little boy.
kinspeople, sb. [O.E.D. Kinspeople, 1866–] 1796 Camilla, IV, 150 ‘caring about the wide world, so, when we know nothing of it, instead of one’s own uncles and nephews, and kinspeople!’
litter, sb. [plural use not in O.E.D.] 1801 Journals, IV, 504 two Tables – one to keep the Wall, & take upon itself the dignity of a little tidyness, the other to stand here – there – & every where, & hold litters.
lodging-hunting, vbl. sb. [O.ED. Lodging, vbl. sb., 6., 1879–] 1796 Camilla, III, 153 a message from Mrs Arlbery, who always breakfasted in her own room, to announce that she was going out lodging-hunting.
lunch, sb. [O.E.D. lunch, sb.,2 2., 1829–] 1812 Journals, VII, 46 She has engaged me to her house on Tuesday, for a Lunch, with the Miss Berrys.
lunch-party, sb. [O.E.D. 2nd Suppl., Lunch, sb.,2 3., 1884–] 1812 Journals, VII, 52 I have also been at Lady Crewe’s to a Lunch party made for my meeting the Miss Berrys.
lunch-dinner, sb. [O.E.D. Lunch, sb.,2 3., 1878–] 1797 Journals, IV, 36 This morning M. Bourdois has been here, to a lunch dinner, & M. d’A is walked off with him.
maisonnette, sb. [O.E.D. Maisonette, 1818–] 1793 Journals, III, 2 We have not yet begun our Maisonette in Norbury Park: M. d’Arblay is his own Architect.
make oneself up [O.E.D. 2nd Suppl., Make, v., 96. i. (b), 1808–] 1778 Evelina, I, 97 ‘I suppose you’d have me learn to cut capers? – and dress like a monkey? – and palaver in French gibberish? – hay, would you? – And powder, and daub, and make myself up, like some other folks?’
M.P., sb. [O.E.D. M.P., 1809–] 1801 Journals, V, 106 The Chancellor gave in his language the rebuke he loved not to give to a M.P. & so powerful an antagonist, as Mr Sheridan.
nothingist, sb. [O.E.D. Nothingist, 1890–] 1797 Journals, IV, 45 Your Collection of learned Wights at the Royal Society stopt my breath – though the ‘Nothingists’ gave it me back.
nothingly, a. [O.E.D. Nothingly, a., 1833–] 1802 Journals, V, 187–8 God knows how little I shall ever think of our losses, & how NOTHINGLY they are.
nudging, a. [sense not in O.E.D.] 1796 Camilla, I, 198 ‘She’s not a bit like a lady of fortunes, with that nudging look.’
opera buffa, sb. [O.E.D. Opera, 3., 1880–] 1801 Journals, V, 267 Made d’henin made a party for us all to meet again the next day, & go to the Opera Buffa.
parade, v. [O.E.D. Parade, v., 3., 1809–] 1796 Camilla, IV, 230 She kept, therefore, her seat, looking steadily straight down the water, and denying herself one moment’s glance at anything, or person, upon the beach: little imagining she ingrossed, herself, the attention of all who paraded it.
pas seul, sb. [O.E.D. Pas, 2., 1870] 1813 Journals, VII, 70 I know not exactly how many fandangos, or pas seul’s, I may dance, but I cannot deny myself, upon such an occasion.
pinky-winky, a. [O.E.D. Pinky, a.1, 1817–] 1814 The Wanderer, II, 293 ‘I should sooner take her for my wax-doll, when she’s all so pinky-winky.’
plain sailing [O.E.D. Suppl., plain sailing, sb., 1823—) 1796 Camilla, I, 73 the rudiments, which would no sooner be run over, than the rest would become plain sailing.
play, v. [O.E.D. Play, v., 22. c, 1850–] 1796 Journals, III, 157 Bambino & I have played our Ball up to the Top of the Bed, & nobody can reach it.
post-chaise-and-four [O.E.D. Post-chaise, sb., 1840–] 1796 Camilla, III, 7 I then followed him to the little lane to the right of the park, where I perceived an empty post-chaise-and-four in waiting.
re-encourage, v. [O.E.D. Re-encourage, v., –1670] 1782 Cecilia, V, 172 ‘You must then be angry with yourself, next’, said Cecilia, anxious to re-encourage her.
re-hear, v. [O.E.D. Re-hear, v., 2., 1815–] 1799 Journals, IV, 297 He has taken the amazing trouble & toil of copying the whole, from the pleasure the interview gave him! though he may always re-hear it DE VIVE VOIX!
self-acquitted [O.ED. Self-, 2., 1847–] 1814 The Wanderer, III, 107 their honour was self-acquitted and self-applauded.
self-desertion, sb. [O.E.D. Self-, 1. a., 1823–] 1796 Camilla, V, 454 will no worthier wish occur to thee, than to leave it to its sorrows and distress, with the aggravating pangs of causing thy afflicting, however blamable self-desertion?
self-enclosed [O.ED. Self-, 3. a., 1876–] 1814 The Wanderer, IV, 240 Juliet passed three days, self-inclosed.
shake hands, sb. [O.E.D. Shake, v., 22., 1811–] 1800 Journals, IV 436 William will be much pleased by a private congratulatory shake hands from you in his own Apartment.
showable, a. [O.E.D. Showable, a., 3., 1823–] Journals, VII, 157 a Credential to shew, in your own hand writing, with an excuse for your sudden absence, that you did not see or write yourself. It was most fortunate that bit was shewable, for it gave propriety to the Measure.
sight-seeker, sb. [O.E.D. Sight, sb.1, 16, 1844–] 1814 Journals, VII, 438 But for Heaven’s sake send him no more sight-seekers, who expect ‘The Hero’ to give dinners, & shew Lyons!
skipping-rope, sb. [O.E.D. Skipping-rope, 1836–] 1802 Journals, V, 388 He interests himself warmly about them, since he has seen the Cuttings, especially of the skipping ropes.
social-cheerful, a. [O.E.D. Social, a., 11.; no examples of compounds before 1890] 1800 Journals, IV, 404 I have found my sadness so extreme – so depressing to all exertion – so mischievous to all the purposes of social-chearful life.
stram, v. [O.E.D. 1st Suppl., Stram, v., 1846–] 1792 Journals, I, 209 He bowed without looking at her, & she strammed away, still, however, keeping in sight.
tartine, sb. [O.E.D. Tartine, 1826–] 1804 Journals, VI, 477 I have given no more medicine – plenty of tisanes &c, & tartines of Honey & salad are all he has taken.
tea-paper, sb. [O.E.D. 1st Suppl., Tea, sb., 9. a., 1884–] 1814 Journals, VII, 488 If you write to me again upon a scrap that can hardly arrive – I shall answer upon a bit of Tea paper.
thank you, sb. [O.E.D. Thank you, b., 1887–] 1792 Journals, I, 174 He looked even extremely gratified at these first voluntary words, & Bowed expressively a thank you.
tinies, sb. [O.E.D. Tiny, a., B. 2., 1863–] 1797 Journals, III, 326 He always selected the littlest for his first donation, & stopt & hesitated before he could persuade himself to give at all to any bigger Children, if they came accompanied by tinies.
totter, v. [O.E.D. Totter, v, 5., –1693] 1814 The Wanderer, V, 120 ‘a dimple of yours demolishes all their work, and again totters me down to your feet!’
tranquillizer, sb. [O.E.D. Tranquillizer, 1822–56] 1800 Journals, IV, 402 I find, however, USEFUL employment the best tranquiliser.
unamusing, ppl. a. [O.E.D. Unamusing, ppl. a., 1799–] 1794 Journals, III, 43 He found it very unamusing to have a Walk without any but, & be always obliged to turn short back.
unappreciable, a. [O.E.D. Unappreciable, a., 1822–] 1801 Journals, V, 21 my dear Charlottina, whom I regard as an unappreciable consolation & delight to you.
unconvenience, sb. [O.E.D. Unconvenience, –1635] 1796 Camilla, II, 305 ‘I’ve made no other, on account of the unconvenience of dressing.’
undefinably, adv. [O.E.D. Undefinably, adv., 1886–] 1796 Camilla, V, 470 While wrapt up in this reverie, poignantly agitating, yet undefinably soothing.
underbred, sb. [O.E.D. Underbred, 2. b., 1880–] 1814 The Wanderer, IV, 105 even the poisoned shafts of malice are less disconcerting to delicacy than the unqualified bluntness of the curious underbred.
underminingly, adv. [O.E.D. Underminingly, adv., –1601] 1832 memoirs, III, 176 The accumulation of the whole had, slowly and underminingly, brought him into the state that has been described.
undisquisitionable, a. [not in O.E.D.] 1791 Journals, I, 22 I shall enter into no disquisitions of what is nearly proved undisquisitionable.
ungenial, a. [O.E.D. Ungenial, a., 1. b., 1815–] 1797 Journals, III, 354 what a blessing you keep well! & then the Climate is not very ungenial.
ungenially, adv. [O.E.D. Ungenially, adv., 1858–] 1814 Journals, VII, 457 O drive, as fast as you can, this William Locke, who has broken so ungenially upon your happiness, from your mind.
unGrecian, a. [O.E.D. UnGrecian, a., 1847–] 1799 Journals, IV, 359 William there may see Noses to his mind – & if difficult already, make himself 10 times more so with every ungrecian one he sees.
unjulyish, a. [not in O.E.D.] 1799 Journals, IV, 312 I am very glad the Weather was so good. It was particularly kind of it, for I am sure it has been very unjulyish since.
unmarked, a. [O.E.D. Unmarked, ppl. a., 1. b., 1815–] 1791 Journals, I, 103 Our visit to Mrs Montagu turned out very unmarked; I met my good Mrs & Miss ord, & a little chat with them was all my entertainment.
unpleasure, sb. [O.E.D. Unpleasure, 1814–] 1792 Journals, I, 111 I told him, very truly, of the pleasure with which I had re-entered his Roof – but I write the unpleasures that followed!
unrobustify, v. [not in O.E.D.] 1795 Journals, III, 103 I have been able to see her but twice! – the roads are so indifferent, & we are both so unrobustified as yet.
unspoil, v. [see O.E.D. Unspoil, v.1: sense not in O.E.D.] 1778 Evelina, II, 42 ‘And what good will that do now? – that won’t unspoil all my cloaths.’
unsystematized [O.E.D. Unsystematized, ppl. a., 1847–] 1832 Memoirs, III, 323 His internal resources were too diffuse and unsystematized.
untake, v. [not in O.E.D.] 1802 Journals, V, 179 I had just taken my lodging – at Twickenham, Richmond proving too dear; & at Twickenham Miss Cambridge had recommended me to a friend of hers, who would just have suited me, in all ways. This I must untake as well & handsomely as I can.
unthin, v. [not in O.E.D.] 1799 Journals, IV, 279 He is better – but neither sleeps well, yet, nor unthins. Fattens is out of all sight or pretension.
veridically, adv. [O.E.D. Veridically, adv., 1836–] 1832 Memoirs, II, 179 And that not merely because, next to Shakespeare himself, Pope draws human characters the most veridically, perhaps, of any poetic delineator.
villaette, sb. [O.E.D. Villaette, 1862–] 1792 Journals, I, 184 Miss ord & myself set off for Sudbury, near Harrow, where her very elegant Relation, Mr Orde, has a villarette.
worsing, vbl. sb. [O.E.D. Worsing, vbl. sb., c. 1575 only] 1796 Camilla, IV, 6 ‘Well, my dear girl,’ he cried, ‘when are all these betterings and worsings to take place?’
J. N. WADDELL