Definitions

I have to make an effort to understand what is going on. The vocabulary is ostentatious and the dialogue is full of sarcasm, irony and some intentions behind of what is being said that close attention is required. Certainly is the opposite to The Road were every word was needed and not one could be for spare. Jane Austen decorates her writing and descriptions so much that I have felt like if I know the characters and their tone of voice and way they move.

Despite that I understand everything, and even bond with the characters, there are some words that I lack in my knowledge due to the fact that English is my second language and the English I speak is two hundred years younger.

Patronage: -noun “the financial support or business provided to a store, hotel, or the like, by customers, clients, or paying guests.”
Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s help to Mr. Collins.

Rectory of this parish..: The leadership, in charge or, the local church.

Phaeton: -noun “ Any of various light, four-wheeled carriages, with or without a top, having one or two seats facing forward, used in the 19th century.”
Referring to Lady Catherine’s wealth and possessions.

Countenance: -noun “appearance, esp. the look or expression of the face: a sad countenance. “
Jane Austen’s part of almost everybody’s description.

Incumbent: -adjective “obligatory (often fol. by on or upon ): a duty incumbent upon me.”
I erroneously thought it meant to intrude like the Spanish word “incumbe”.

Bequeathed: -verb “to hand down; pass on.”
Mr. Wickham’s story about “late Mr. Darcy” handing him his gift that later Mr. Darcy denies him.

Veracity: -noun “habitual observance of truth in speech or statement; truthfulness: He was not noted for his veracity.”
Elizabeth’s thought about Mr. Wickham.

Some connotations of the words vary because of the time period and the way they are used by Jane Austen, but I get a pretty good idea what they mean and in context I understand better their true meaning.