I love when a book forces me to look up words; not surprisingly, historicals do it to me more often than others. It *does* surprise me, though, when it happens in a trashy romance. ;) (Although, true, Regencies-- tho' this technically is a "Georgian"-- still fit the bill of "historicals.") So, from the pages of Jo Beverley's Malloren Chronicles, I give you:
muniment room: An archives room, generally in a noble house (though the same term was used for churches, universities, guilds, etc.), where important business documents were kept-- specifically, documentary evidence, bills of sale, proof of inheritance, deeds, etc., proving ownership of property or right to title. The word shares a root with munition (Medieval Latin munimentum, defense, protection, from Latin munire, to fortify) in that muniments were used to defend a title, as munitions defended the physical holding.
greensickness: a.k.a. chlorosis (think "CHLOROphyll" and you'll get the connection). A malady of young women characterized by a yellowish-greenish cast to the skin (hence the name), menstrual problems, irregular heartbeat, and shortness of breath. Curiously enough, yes, plants can get it, too. Today, it's believed to have been caused by hypochromic anemia or iron deficiency (although other vitamin deficiencies, tight corsets, TB, and anorexia might've complicated a diagnosis). It was occasionally used as an excuse for a young woman's behavioral irregularities (in much the same way that "that time of the month" is used today).
Posted by gris at August 9, 2006 11:44 AM