The Picture of Dorian Gray – Vocabulary

If you’re reading The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, we’ve got you! Here are some vocabulary guides to help you have a smoother reading journey.

Furniture


Brazier

/ brey-zhur /
A container used to burn charcoal or other solid fuel for cooking, heating or cultural rituals

Dais

/ de-yuhz /
A raised platform at the front of a room

Wainscoting

/ wayn-skuh-ting /
A panel of wooden board on a wall. Illustrated in the image as the white panel in the lower 2/3 of the wall.

Divan

/ duh-van /
A couch

Cassone

/ kah-so-nee /
A large decorated chests made in Italy from the fourteenth to the sixteenth centuries. 

Mantelshelf

/ man-tul-shelf /
A shelf above a fireplace.

Hansom

/ han-sm /
A two-wheeled horse-drawn carriage accommodating two inside, with the driver seated behind.

Brougham

/ browm /
A horse-drawn carriage with a roof, four wheels, and an open driver’s seat in front.

Banister

/ ba-nuh-str /
A rail supported by posts and fixed along the side of a staircase

Caryatides

/ keh-ree-a-tuh-deez /
A sculpted female figures serving as architectural supports.

Velarium

/ vuh-leh-ree-uhm /
A large overhang used in ancient Rome to cover a theater or amphitheater

Flowers

Fabrics and Clothing

By Carolus - Own work, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=40835969

Cope

/ kowp /
A long, ceremonial cloak worn by clergy.
Picture By Carolus – Own work, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=40835969

Muslin

/ muhz-luhn /
A cotton fabric of plain weave

Orphrey

/ aur-free /
A form of often highly detailed embroidery, in which typically simple materials are made into complex patterns

Dalmatic

/ dal-mah-tuhk /
A wide-sleeved, long vestments worn by deacons and bishops.
By James Bradley – IMG_7266Uploaded by gugganij, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12730737

Chasuble

/ cha-suh-bl /
A sleeveless outer garments worn by priests during mass.
By Gareth Hughes (User:Garzo) – Own work, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=381112

Sudaria

/ su-deh-rya /
A handkerchief used to cover the face of criminal immediately after death.
Photo © Jorge Manuel Rodriguez & the Centro Espanol de Sindonologia

Brocade

/ brow-keyhd /
richly decorated fabrics with raised patterns, typically woven with gold or silver thread
By ArtProf – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18561463

Damask

/ da-muhsk /
a woven fabric with a reversible pattern, often used for curtains and upholstery
Apugach via Getty

Lacis

/ lah-sis /
a type of lace or openwork fabric
https://trc-leiden.nl/trc-needles/regional-traditions/europe-and-north-america/lace-types/lacis

Ulster

/ ahl-ster /
a Victorian working daytime overcoat, with a cape and sleeves
By Unknown author – Men’s Fashion Illustration form the Turn of the Century. Reprint by Dover Publications, 1990. ISBN 0-486-26353-3. Originally published New York : Jno Mitchell Co. 1910, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4813999

Mackintosh

/ mah-kuhn-tash /
a form of waterproof raincoat, first sold in 1824, made of rubberised fabric

Turban

/ tur-bn /
a type of headwear based on cloth winding
Amit and Naroop

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