The Handmaid's Tale: New Vocabulary

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New Vocabulary




"Felt-skirted".

There is no clear definition to be found on the internet about this word. I can deduct from the context of the sentence that it used to be a trendy piece of clothing amongst women. I would guess that the equivalent in French would be "vêtues d'une robe de feutre".


"Nunnery".

Oxford Languages defines a nunnery as "a building or group of buildings in which nuns live as a religious community; a convent". The French equivalent would be "un couvent".


"Pedant".

Oxford Languages defines a pedant as "a person who is excessively concerned with minor details and rules or with displaying academic learning." The French equivalent would be "un pédant".


"Palimpsest"

Oxford Languages defines a palimpsest as "a manuscript or piece of writing material on which the original writing has been effaced to make room for later writing but of which traces remain." The French equivalent would be "un palimpseste".


"Chalice"

Oxford Languages defines a chalice as "a large cup or goblet, typically used for drinking wine". The French equivalent would be "un calice".


"Quagmire"

Oxford Languages defines a quagmire as "a soft boggy area of land that gives way underfoot." The French equivalent would be "bourbier".


"Lugubrious"

Oxford Languages defines "lugubrious" as "looking or sounding sad and dismal." The French equivalent would be "lugubre".


"In earnest"

Oxford Languages defines "in earnest" as "occurring to a greater extent or more intensely than before".The French equivalent would be "sérieusement".

“Matrix”

Oxford Languages defines "matrix" as "an environment or material in which something develops; a surrounding medium or structure". The French equivalent would be "matrice".

“Stoneware”

Oxford Languages defines "stoneware" as "a type of pottery which is impermeable and partly vitrified but opaque". The French equivalent would be "des pots de grès".

“To prod”

Oxford Languages defines "to prod" as "to poke (someone) with a finger, foot or pointed object". The French equivalent would be "pousser".

“Treachery”

Oxford Languages defines "treachery" as a "betrayal of trust; deceptive action or nature". The French equivalent would be "trahison".

“Ragged”

Oxford Languages defines "ragged" as "having an irregular or uneven surface, edge, or outline". The French equivalent would be "irrégulier".

“Undifferentiated”

Oxford Languages defines "undifferentiated" as "not different or differentiated”. The French equivalent would be "indifférencié".


“To stoop”

Oxford Languages defines "to stoop" as "to bend one’s head or body forward and downward". The French equivalent would be "se pencher".



OXFORD ENGLISH DICTIONARY, The definitive record of the English language, consulted October through November 2021, [Online], https://www.oed.com/.

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