Aus ‧ ten, Jane /ˈɒstən, ˈɒstɪn $ ˈɔːs-/ BrE AmE
(1775–1817) a British writer who wrote novels about the way of life of English ↑ middle-class people of her time, including ↑ Pride and Prejudice , ↑ Sense and Sensibility , and Emma . She is known for the clever and amusing way in which she describes people's social behaviour, and her novels are regarded as being among the most important works of English literature. Several of her books have been made into successful films.