times them ill

[mhmircea]

I am not sure about the meaning of:

"she times them ill"
from Pride and Prejudice.
Thanks,
Mircea

[Anglika]

It is better to give the sentences before and after the one that is a problem - with Jane Austen, context is very important and can affect meaning.

"She times them ill" = She does something without proper planning.

[BobK]

Jane Austen was very probably using 'ill' as an adverb. In the 19th cent., well/ill were contrasting adverbs, like today's well/badly. But 'ill' can also be an adjective and even a noun; more context would help.

b

[BobK]

Yes, it's an adverb:

"Don't keep coughing so, Kitty, for Heaven's sake! Have a little
compassion on my nerves. You tear them to pieces."

"Kitty has no discretion in her coughs," said her father; "she
times them ill."

"I do not cough for my own amusement," replied Kitty fretfully.
"When is your next ball to be, Lizzy?"

Mr Bennet is suggesting that Kitty coughs when she needs to, rather than planning when it would be socially most suitable. (This is presumaby a repeated issue with the Bennets. As you will find a few chapters later, Mrs Bennet is quite happy to arrange for an illness when it is most socially desirable.)

b

[mhmircea]

Thank to all for help
Mircea