Fashionable, elegant, sophisticated; belonging to or associated with fashionable or high society (OED).

For persons, not "genteel"; of manners, habits, employments, etc. (OED).

In depreciatory sense, after, in, a or some fashion: somehow or another, in a sort, tolerably, not too well (OED).

Brilliancy, radiance, dazzling effect (in lit. sense or with conscious metaphor) (OED).

"Any of several breeds of large gun dog which on scenting game, esp. birds, adopt a distinctive pose, standing rigid with the muzzle pointed towards the game, often with one foot raised; a dog of one of these breeds" (OED).

“Happiness; prosperity; blissfulness; blessedness” (Johnson).

"Of a person: neatly or (relatively) formally dressed; appearing neat and stylish; tidy, well turned-out."(OED).

1. Someone or something that has a set of "boundaries and restrictions" (OED).
2. "Space, room, or limits" (Johnson).

"A covered conveyance, usually for one person, consisting of a large box carried on two horizontal poles by four or six (rarely two) bearers, used esp. in South, South-East, and East Asia" (OED).

"Of persons, their dispositions, actions, or language: Insolent towards superiors; presumptuous. Now chiefly colloq. with milder sense, applied to children and servants: Impertinent, rude, ‘cheeky’" (OED).

"Existing or present in small or insufficient quantity; not abundant" (OED).

"Of a thing: characterized by or expressive of rapture" (OED). To be really delighted.

"The action of expressing oneself pleased or satisfied with anything; or the mere feeling of such satisfaction; approval expressed or entertained" (OED).

"The state or condition of being vivacious" (OED). To be animated, lively.

"The London post (1801-1839) for conveyance of letters, etc. at an ordinary charge of twopence each" (OED).

"An attendant or foot servant; one employed to run ahead of or alongside a coach, carriage" (OED).

"The flesh of a calf as an article of diet. A calf...as killed for food or intended for this purpose. Now rare. Chiefly in names of dishes. Made from veal, as veal pie, veal broth, veal cutlet, veal gravy" (OED).

Abilities used here to describe: "mental power or capacity; cleverness, astuteness. In later use also: academic aptitude" (OED).

"A half, one of two equal parts." (OED)

Used here to explain that the father has half the control of the fortune while the son will inherit the other half when he comes of age.

"The quality of being readily and strongly affected by emotional or artistic influences and experiences; emotional awareness; susceptibility or sensitivity to, keen awareness of" (OED).

“Quality of character entitling a person to great respect; nobility of mind or spirit; honourableness, uprightness; a fine sense of, and strict adherence to, what is considered to be morally right or just" (OED).

In this scene, taste is used to mean the "condition of liking or preferring something; inclination, liking for; appreciation" as well as "enjoyment, pleasure, relish" (OED).

"To solicit votes or support previously to an election" (OED).

"To superscribe (a letter, etc.) with a signature, so as to ensure its being sent without charge" (OED). According to The History of the British Post Office, franking was a privilege that allowed sending letters without being charged. However, over time, this privilege was highly abused and ultimately by 1840 this privilege was finally abolished. Franking free letters for others not in Parliament and for non Parliament purposes was so serious a Franking Department was created to inspect such letter (Hemmeon, The History of the British Post Office, p. 57).

"A window that opens like a door" (OED).

"Difficult... opposite of obvious and easy" (OED).

"To bind; to enchain; to tie" (OED).

"temper of mind," (OED).

"In an adverse or unfavorable way; contrary to one's desire or liking; awry, amiss" (OED).

"Intentionally facetious, amusing, comical, funny; a funny or waggish fellow, a merry-andrew, buffoon, jester, humorist" (OED).

"Smart" here meaning fashionable or trendy. The church isn't fashionable enough for Edward's family, but the army is too much so for him.

"To impose (something) fraudulently on, upon . . . a person. Now chiefly with off: to pass off by trickery, fraud, or misrepresentation" (OED).

"A Member of Parliament; a person holding this title" (OED).

"Of a person: lacking in judgement or common sense; foolish, thoughtless, empty-headed; characterized by ridiculous or frivolous behaviour" (OED).

"Temporary compliance" (OED)

"A garment forming part of ordinary male attire, worn under an outer garment (a doublet, later a coat, jacket, or the like), and intended to be partly exposed to view when in wear" (OED).

Flannel Waistcoat: "Usually of knitted wool, worn chiefly for additional warmth" (OED).

"Amount of wealth; a person's possessions collectively, wealth, one possessing great (usually inherited) wealth. Also a stock of wealth, accumulated by an individual or received by inheritance, as a marriage portion, etc.; ordinarily implying a somewhat ample amount" (OED).

In this sense it is someone who has an amount of money that isn’t overly large or overly small.

"A special form or variety of bodily (or mental) weakness; an illness, disease, a failing in one or other of the faculties or senses" (OED).

"A sole estate limited to the wife, being a competent livelihood of freehold for the wife of lands and tenements, to take effect upon the death of the husband for the life of the wife at least" (OED).

“A piece of ground adjoining a building (esp. a private property), often with grass, flowers, trees, etc., and generally used for recreation” (OED).

"A room designated for ill occupants" (OED).

"Changeable, unalterable; remaining ever the same, unchanging, constant; occurring alike in every case, unvarying" (OED).

"Of a person, a person's character, actions, emotions, not easily inspired to emotion, exhibiting only faint interest or concern; spiritless, indifferent, apathetic" (OED).

"A frame of metal bars for holding the fuel in a fireplace or furnace. Hence, the fireplace itself" (OED).

"The state of not being mentally disposed, or ‘in the mind’ (to something, or to do something); disinclination, unwillingness" (OED).

"A period of fourteen nights; two weeks" (OED).

"A marriage contract of convenience rather then love" (OED).

"A marriage; an act of getting married. Also: a union or alliance formed by marriage" (OED).

"Full of the activity and movement of life, enlivened; spirited, lively, vivacious" (OED).

"A house or mansion having extensive ornamental grounds. Usually in the names of estates" (OED).

"In extended use: a wealthy, influential, or powerful landowner or other person, esp. one with an extravagantly luxurious lifestyle; spec. (now hist.) a British person who acquired a large fortune in India during the period of British rule. Also: any wealthy or high-ranking foreigner (rare)" (OED).

"Determined, fixed" (OED).

A person’s intelligence or cleverness (OED).

"Good-humoured ridicule or banter, often disguising a serious purpose; teasing, mockery" (OED).

"To deceive by lying, or to tell a lie" (OED).

Described as "to subject to inconvenience or discomfort; to trouble, annoy, molest, embarrass, inconvenience."

This word was most popularly used in England between 1690 and 1760, but became uncommon by the 1950s. (OED)

The OED defines propensity as a "favourable inclination or disposition towards a person, party, etc.; partiality; goodwill; an instance of this. Now rare."

The word began appearing in the English language in the early 17th Century, and was used most frequently in the late 18th Century and early 19th Century. Usage plummeted in the early 20th Century and now appears very rarely in common-day English.

A daughter born out of wedlock.

But rebellions themselves are dependent on viewpoint, as well. What might be called a "rebellion" by the rebels if they succeed might also be called a riot by the dominant forces should the rebellion fail.

Rebellion definition: an act of violent or open resistance to an established government or ruler.

Riot definition: a violent disturbance of the peace by a crowd.

I like the inclusion of the original French words throughout this piece, because I think they add more depth and dimension to Derrida's argument. For instance, "dessiner" can be translated into English as "depict" but it's more direct translation is "draw." I'm actually curious if the inclusion of the original French was something that Derrida insisted upon in the English version (and that's just me assuming that he wrote this text in his native French...) or whether that was an decision made by the editor(s) of this version? Anyway, these alternative French words and their alternative definitions/English translations have got me thinking here about Byron's earlier annotation, when he undertook defining polysemy...

definition of columbarium: a structure of vaults lined with recesses for cinerary urns

definition of metonymies: a figure of speech consisting of the use of the name of one thing for that of another of which it is an attribute or with which it is associated (as “crown” in “lands belonging to the crown”

panoply

Definition: plural of Greek topos meaning a convention or motif, especially in a literary work; a rhetorical convention; a standardized method of constructing or treating an argument

Is this not applicable for all words? I suppose I've always thought that the definition/meaning of a word as intersectional; different interpretations or significations inform one another in a kind of network of accumulation.

Die Brücke

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chironomia

n. "An attitude that informs one's actions; disposition" - wordnik

Pages 119 and 120

Here Borgman discusses the various definitions of data showing them working across the fields

the following definition of data is widely accepted in this context: AT&T portable representation of information in a formalized manner suitable for communication, interpretation, or processing. Examples of data include a sequence of bits, a table of numbers, the characters on a page, recording of sounds made by a person speaking Ori moon rocks specimen. Definitions of data often arise from Individual disciplines, but can apply to data used in science, technology, the social sciences, and the humanities: data are facts, numbers, letters, and symbols that describe an object, idea, condition, situation, or other factors.... Terms data and facts are treated interchangeably, as is the case in legal context. Sources of data includes observations, complications, experiment, and record-keeping. Observational data include weather measurements... And attitude surveys... Or involve multiple places and times. Computational data result from executing a computer model or simulation.... experimental data include results from laboratory studies such as measurements of chemical reactions or from field experiments such as controlled Behavioral Studies.... records of government, business, and public and private life also yield useful data for scientific, social scientific, and humanistic research.

definition: fall in quality, decline

definition: idea that contradicts itself

definition: lack of progress/growth

“A woman’s hat designed to resemble a turban” (OED). This was a fashionable headdress for women from the 1790's through the 1820's, inspired by English trade with India (Walford, Vintage Fashion Guild).

According to the American Kennel Club, The Newfoundland is a massive breed of English working dog, used for pulling nets, carts, and carrying loads. Newfoundlands also make excellent guard dogs. Henry's puppy would look something like this,

but would grow to be a very large dog.

Terrier is a group of breeds, originally bred to hunt vermin. Some examples include the West Highland White Terrier, Cairn Terrier, and Norfolk Terrier.

These dogs were kept not only as companions, but as useful parts of the household: the Terriers to control rats and other vermin, and the Newfoundland (when grown) for protection and labor. Even so, the Newfoundland’s sweet disposition would make for an ideal companion (American Kennel Club).

"Boastful or inflated talk or behavior." Also spelled rodomontade, it is pronounced rädəmənˈtād (OED).

"A type of light four-wheeled open carriage, usually drawn by a pair of horses, and having one or two seats facing forward" (OED).

"Anxiety; mental uneasiness" (OED).

"A fool, simpleton (obs.); now, a foolish, conceited, showy person, vain of his accomplishments, appearance, or dress; a fop; ‘a superficial pretender to knowledge or accomplishments’" (OED).

"The church house provided for a rector. Also (in later use): the house of any benefice member of the clergy of the Church of England; the residence of any minister of religion" (OED).

"A private conversation between two people" (OED).

"A woman (more or less young), who uses arts to gain the admiration and affection of men, merely for gratification of vanity or form of desire of conquest and without any intention of responding to the feelings aroused. A flirt" (OED).

"A member of the clergy engaged as assistant to a vicar, rector, or parish priest", or "A minister with pastoral responsibility" (OED). In this context, Henry either has engagements (appointments) to keep with his assistant, or he has engagements (duties) of his own as a clergyman.

"A piece of land set aside for recreation and enjoyment, esp. one ornamented and laid out for this purpose" (OED). These were generally in the form of a garden attached to an estate, as below.

"A person with official charge of post. The official at each of the stations or stages of a post-road; primary duty to carry mail to the next state" (OED).

"Inordinate desire of acquiring and hoarding wealth; greediness of gain, cupidity" (OED).

"Grotesque or ludicrous representation of persons or things by exaggeration of their most characteristic and striking features" (OED).

"Belonging to the serving class; of low social status; engaged in ‘servile’ or mechanical occupations" (OED).

"A boy who carries and delivers post; a boy or man who rides express. Delivers letters, newspapers, dispatches, etc." (OED).

"Restlessness (of the body) caused by pain, uneasiness, or debility" (OED).

"A room or building where a pump is housed or worked; spec. a place at a spa where the medicinal water is dispensed" (OED).

A type of lace, so called because it was primarily produced in Mechelen, Belgium. It was also produced in Antwerp and Brussels. It was very popular throughout the 18th century, but the "disappearance of lace ruffles before 1780 from women's sleeves, and the disappearance of the cravat and men's ruffles" seriously reduced its place in fashionable dress (http://belovedlinens.net/lace/Mechlin.html ).

An extension of the phrase a hackney horse, a "horse let out for hire; depreciatively, a sorry or worn out horse; a jade" (OED). 'Post-chaise' refers to a "horse-drawn, usually four-wheeled carriage (in Britain usually having a closed body, the driver or postilion riding on one of the horses) used for carrying mail and passengers, esp. in the 18th and early 19th centuries" (OED). Therefore, 'hack post-chaise' means that the entirety of the post-chaise was hired and not owned.

"The action of lessening, or seeking to lessen, the guilt of (an offense or fault) by alleging partial excuses; an instance or means of doing this; a plea in mitigation of censure" (OED).

"A person, traditionally the female head of a household, who manages the running of a household" (OED).

In this context, housekeeper means the female head of the household, typically the wife of the homeowner, not a domestic servant.

“A long, narrow piece of linen, muslin, or other fine cloth, worn around the neck and either tied under the chin in a knot or bow with long flowing ends” (OED).

“Without a dowry” (OED).

Usually referring to, "women and children, and esp. of their facial expression: Slily saucy, pleasantly mischievous" (OED).

An abbey is "A private residence, school, etc., formerly (part of) an abbey" (OED).

A traveling chaise was a mode of quick transportation used by rich people, in the eighteenth century. This type of chaise was a closed carriage, which was equipped with four horses. The equipage, which was expensive, was generally composed of two men driving the two horses at the front and sometimes one postilion seated at the back ("Legacy Owensboro").

"The action of formally or authoritatively declaring good or true; sanction" (OED).

"Of persons and expectations, etc.; Hopeful or confident with reference to some particular issue" (OED).

"A person who rides the leading, left-hand side horse drawing a coach or carriage, esp. when only one pair is used and there is no coachman" (OED).

A Rumford was a modern type of fireplace. It was a sign of wealth if someone could afford to update their fireplace to the fashionable style.

"In a niggardly manner; parsimoniously, grudgingly, sparingly; unwilling to spend money." (OED).

"Fine rain or drizzle" (OED).

"A place to accommodate or hold something" (OED).

"Separation into parts or constituent elements" (OED).

"Meaning in a weeks time" (OED).

"Conceited, in this case and usage is not just thinking well of oneself but, being witty, amusing; employing or characterized by conceits" (OED).

"Something carried, sustained, endured, etc" (OED).

"To make known in person, esp. in a formal manner, with announcement of name, title, or other identification" (OED).

"Bodily apparel or attire; clothing, raiment, dress" (OED). Here, it most likely refers to a riding habit, which was worn by women when riding a horse. The riding habit had also become fashionable to wear while traveling (Jane Austen's World, Vic, "Women’s Riding Outfits in the Early 18th Century").

Since the washing of clothes was quite infrequent in Austens day, this was a method of dry cleaning. "A ball of composition for cleaning breeches" (OED).

"The outer covering of a bed, generally more or less ornamental, being woven in a raised pattern, quilted, made of patch-work, etc.; a coverlet, a quilt" (OED).

Unlike the typical pamphlets we may think about today, in this era, pamphlets were used for political information.

In Austen's time hair powder was essential for wigs to ensure freshness. It was white in color and commonly used with people of higher hierarchal status. “A scented powder made of fine flour or starch, used in the 18th c. for sprinkling the hair or wig in hairdressing” (OED).

"Consisting of a large mass or masses of heavy material; of great size and weight; massive. Of a building: consisting of great blocks of masonry" (OED).

“A small room attached to a kitchen, in which the washing of dishes and other dirty work is done” (OED).

"The condition of being weary whether in body or mind; a flagging of the bodily or mental powers; indifference to exertion; weariness; an instance of this" (OED).

"Is a box that contains mesh, network and supplies for netting sails and other various items" (OED).

"Belonging to a realm or system that transcends nature, as that of divine, magical, or ghostly beings; attributed to or thought to reveal some force beyond scientific understanding or the laws of nature; occult, paranormal" (OED).

“Modern capitalization patterns for this word only became well established during the 18th century” (OED).

“Before; sooner than” (Johnson).

The act of abating. Abate: “To lessen, to diminish” (Johnson).

Past Tense of Err, "An error, fault; also, erroneous belief, heresy"(OED).

“A silk fabric with a glossy surface on one side”(OED).

"A covered walk or arcade connected with a monastery, college, or large church, serving as a way of communication between different parts of the group of buildings”(OED).

In Jane Austen's time, snuffing a candle meant "to free from the snuff, by pinching or cutting this off, or removing it with a special instrument" (OED). This allowed the candle to burn brighter.

Japan was a black varnish imported from Japan that had an exceptional hard finish. Japan could also refer to a piece done in the Japanese style that was "varnished, and adorned with painted or raised figured" (OED).

“Originally: a female domestic servant, esp. one in charge of the reception rooms and bedrooms. Now more generally: a woman who is employed to perform various domestic tasks, esp. cleaning, in a person's home, a hotel, etc” (OED).

"The state of being partly undressed, or dressed in a negligent or careless style; undress" (OED).

"Put by devious means in the place of another; fraudulently substituted for the genuine thing or person" (OED).

"Originally Captain-Lieutenant, becoming Captain in 1772. Lat. capitaneus "chieftain", from Lat. caput "head". Chieftain or head of a unit. As armies evolved his post came to be at the head of a company, which by the Sixteenth Century was usually 100 to 200 men. That seemed to be the number one man could manage in battle" (Harding, British Army Ranks).

"A covering, often of fur and usually of cylindrical shape with open ends, into which both hands may be placed for warmth. Now chiefly hist" (OED) .

"A long narrow slip of cloth or hanging part of dress, formerly worn, either attached to and forming part of the hood, head-dress, or sleeve, or loose, as a scarf or the like" (OED).

"A book of maps showing the roads of a district or country, often having additional information of interest to travellers or motorists; (also formerly) a book describing particular roads or routes" (OED).

"Coquette: a woman (more or less young), who uses arts to gain the admiration and affection of men, merely for the gratification of vanity or from a desire of conquest, and without any intention of responding to the feelings aroused; a woman who habitually trifles with the affections of men; a flirt" (OED).

"Senses relating to oddness or eccentricity. Now rare and arch" (OED).

"The duty or responsibility of taking care of (a person or thing); care, custody, superintendence" (OED).

"To be fussily or noisily active; to move about in an energetic and busy manner; to make a show of activity" (OED).

“A long but indefinite space of time . . . often loosely in exaggeration” (OED).

“The articles made or sold by milliners . . . ‘fancy’ wares and articles of apparel, esp. of such as were originally of Milan manufacture, e.g. ‘Milan bonnets’, ribbons, gloves” (OED).

“A dutiful act of civility or respect; usually in pl., dutiful respects, courteous attentions, addresses; chiefly in phr. to do or pay one’s devoir(s (to some one)” (OED).

“Affected with gout . . . [s]wollen or bulging, so as to be out of shape or disproportioned” (OED).

“A clause inserted in a legal or formal document, making some condition, stipulation . . . provision” (OED).

"A rural or traditional dance, esp. in England and Scotland; spec. one in which couples begin by standing face to face in long lines" (OED).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIKHmU0PUqE

"The name of several dances, chiefly of French origin, consisting of a variety of steps and figures" (OED).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvItgHeD2EU

"Intensity or strength of smell or colour" (OED).

"Of medium or moderate size, strength, quality, etc" (OED).

"A case to hold a sword; in mod. use, a receptacle at the back of a carriage for swords, sticks, or other articles" (OED).

"A light two-wheeled carriage, usually drawn by two horses abreast" (OED).

"To mangle with repeated irregular cuts or cutting blows; to cut clumsily, with uneven jagged edges; to hack, mangle, mutilate" (OED).

"A type of light four-wheeled open carriage, usually drawn by a pair of horses, and having one or two seats facing forward" (OED).

Here, the narration refers to a “card”, which is more properly known as a calling card. A calling card -- or visiting card-- is defined as “a card bearing a person’s name and address, sent or left in lieu of a formal social or business visit; a visiting card” (OED). Originally a Parisian trend, these cards were either sent or left at a person’s place of residence to denote that acquaintance had formally visited while they were away or later intended to visit them (Robert Chambers, The Book of Days, np).

"Something of equivalent force, effect, or weight on the opposite side, that which serves as a counterbalance or set off" (OED).

This is a more-or-less archaic word in the sense that it is not often used in modern times, however in the late eighteenth/early nineteenth century it was a euphemism for fool or idiot (OED).

The Argyle Buildings are located on Argyle Street in Bath. It is a famous street located in the center of the city that was - and still is - popular with tourists for hotels, pubs, spa resorts, and venues for social gatherings (Alexander Whitelaw, Conversations Lexicon, 464).

While in Austen's time the word "gay" could be defined as lighthearted, fun, or happy, in modern times it is more traditionally used as a synonym for "homosexual." Also, while in Austen's time it was a positive word, nowadays it is even sometimes used as a slang for something negative or disagreeable, or a slur (OED).

"A piece of fragment of a brick... It is the typical ready missile, where stones are scarce" (OED).

"To throw light upon, clear up, explain" (OED).

"A light vehicle drawn by one horse; a chaise; also a particular kind of light chaise" or "an enclosed chair or covered vehicle for one person, carried on poles by two men; a sedan" (OED).

"To shout in order to attract attention; to holla" (OED).

"A forcefully reproachful protest" (OED).

"Disturb the composure of; unsettle" (OED).

"Any of various lightweight cotton fabrics in plain weave. Also: a piece of such fabric; a dress or other article of clothing made of muslin" (OED).

From the 17th century to the late 18th century, muslin fabric was mostly imported from places like India. The fabric was used for dresses and curtains and was notably well liked for its simplicity; its ability to drape beautifully; and for the fabric's ability to take paint, dyes, and embroidery very well. Muslins were mostly worn by gentility in the color white. The color white was used to signify the gentility's wealthy lifestyle because white garments were harder to keep clean and were very expensive to constantly have laundered to maintain the pure white color. (Jane Austen’s World)

Here is an example of a sprigged muslin which is named for the muslin's unique design which resembles sprigs of leaves or flowers all over the dress:

"An area of woodland in which the trees or shrubs are periodically cut back to ground level to stimulate growth and provide firewood or timber; Cut back (a tree or shrub) to ground level periodically to stimulate growth" (OED).

"A term of reproach to women" (Regency Assembly Press).

Austen uses the term "endowment", to draw attention to the acquisition of knowledge not innate ability. “The word may be properly used in opposition to the gifts of nature” (Johnson).

The word "address" in this context is different from the modern definition of a place of residency. In this context, "address" refers to a "manner of addressing another" (Johnson).

"A state of intense delight or euphoria" (OED).

The striking surroundings that are within her view (Johnson).

The plotting of a malicious contrivance against Catherine (OED).

An artificial behavior or putting on of airs (OED).

"Weariness, toil, fatigue, drudgery" (OED).

"The general sense or meaning, drift, import, effect" (OED).

"Cleverness, good humoured slyness" (OED).

Define "throwback".

Inconstancy, changeableness.

"The duties of house." As the only female family in residence at Northanger Abbey, Miss Tilney would be expected to act as the hostess.

This duty would normally be performed by the wife of the household, and in her absence, the eldest daughter or at times, the sister of the host.

The quality or character of being supercilious; haughty, proud, arrogant or contemptuousness.

Details.

Lack of/ absence of.

Enthusiasm/enjoyment.

Could not be doubted.

Comfort.

To see someone "to greater advantage" would be to see them in a more positive way.

"The action of tilting, sloping, turning over or about" (OED).

"To cheat, defraud by deceit" (OED).

A clergyman who (especially after the Act of Uniformity of 1662) who is separated from the Church of England; another way to say a Protestant Dissenter (OED).

"An assembly, a meeting; esp. a regular meeting of any society, corporation, body, or order of men" (OED).

“As a name of opprobrium applied to a grasping or extortionate person (whether Jewish or not) who drives hard bargains.” Often used as an offensive and derogatory word as so in the context. (OED)

Jews are considered tradesmen who have no faith (Grose). Turks are considered cruel, coldhearted men (Grose).

Regarded as a piece of a horse-harness (OED).

To take fortune, also regarded as time, by the forelock means to sieze an opportunity. (Oxford Dictionaries)

Noun. A fool, simpleton (obs.); now, a foolish, conceited, showy person, vain of his accomplishments, appearance, or dress; a fop; 'a superficial pretender to knowledge or accomplishments'. (OED)

Alternate word for seamstress. (OED)

Noun. A person who deals in textile fabrics, esp. silk, velvet, and other fine materials; spec. a member of the worshipful Company of Mercers, a livery company of the City of London. Also (occasionally): a dealer in haberdashery. (OED)

v. to beg ernestly for, entreat (a thing). (Oxford English Dictionary)

Phrase. Used as exclamation or mild oath. (OED)

(QOL)- general well being of individuals and societies. QOL has a wide range of contexts including fields of international development, healthcare, politics, and employment (Google/Wikipedia)