While on vacation I found an old book (printed in 1852) by Frances M. Whitcher called The Widow Bedott Papers. There are several words in the book that are used now but do not mean what the author is trying to say.

I'm not sure to what the autor refers to in the following two cases:

When the Widow Bedott has to go out she takes the time to put on her man-killer. Now this is a very down to earth book so it has nothing to do with sexy clothing. I'm assuming it is some sort of outerwear but have no clue.

Also, when she was traveling on a coach, she reached into her ridicule to pull out a poem she had written some time before. I thought it might be a purse but considering she was traveling for a while it could have been some sort of luggage.

I've looked in my trusty MW but couldn't find. Does anybody have any idea?