| Library / English Dictionary |
WELL-BRED
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Of good upbringing
Synonyms:
well-bred; well-mannered
Classified under:
Similar:
refined ((used of persons and their behavior) cultivated and genteel)
Context examples:
Elizabeth was certainly very handsome, with well-bred, elegant manners, and her character might never have been penetrated by Mr Elliot, knowing her but in public, and when very young himself.
(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)
He was at the same time haughty, reserved, and fastidious, and his manners, though well-bred, were not inviting.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
She felt immediately that she should like him; and there was a well-bred ease of manner, and a readiness to talk, which convinced her that he came intending to be acquainted with her, and that acquainted they soon must be.
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
As it was impossible, however, now to prevent their coming, Lady Middleton resigned herself to the idea of it, with all the philosophy of a well-bred woman, contenting herself with merely giving her husband a gentle reprimand on the subject five or six times every day.
(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)
His father's looks of solemnity and amazement on this his first appearance on any stage, and the gradual metamorphosis of the impassioned Baron Wildenheim into the well-bred and easy Mr. Yates, making his bow and apology to Sir Thomas Bertram, was such an exhibition, such a piece of true acting, as he would not have lost upon any account.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
Amy was too well-bred, and just now Laurie was too lazy, so in a minute he peeped under her hatbrim with an inquiring air.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
It was first broken by Mrs. Annesley, a genteel, agreeable-looking woman, whose endeavour to introduce some kind of discourse proved her to be more truly well-bred than either of the others; and between her and Mrs. Gardiner, with occasional help from Elizabeth, the conversation was carried on.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
But they would have been improved by some share of his frankness and warmth; and her visit was long enough to detract something from their first admiration, by shewing that, though perfectly well-bred, she was reserved, cold, and had nothing to say for herself beyond the most common-place inquiry or remark.
(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)
"What in the world are you doing here?" she asked, regarding her disheveled sister with well-bred surprise.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
Colonel Fitzwilliam entered into conversation directly with the readiness and ease of a well-bred man, and talked very pleasantly; but his cousin, after having addressed a slight observation on the house and garden to Mrs. Collins, sat for some time without speaking to anybody.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
