used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The solicitor was, of course, the most proper person to consult on the subject, but it appeared to be such a formidable proceeding to make a regular complaint to him, and I dreaded its entailing legal inquiries, and perhaps a complete estrangement between myself and the Lovetts.
a proposal for an appropriate course of action
From this reading My compact with Tessie did not, however, preclude one thing, and that was the taking advice of my friends on the state of my affairs.
matters of personal concern
From this reading My compact with Tessie did not, however, preclude one thing, and that was the taking advice of my friends on the state of my affairs.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading My compact with Tessie did not, however, preclude one thing, and that was the taking advice of my friends on the state of my affairs.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The solicitor was, of course, the most proper person to consult on the subject, but it appeared to be such a formidable proceeding to make a regular complaint to him, and I dreaded its entailing legal inquiries, and perhaps a complete estrangement between myself and the Lovetts.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The solicitor was, of course, the most proper person to consult on the subject, but it appeared to be such a formidable proceeding to make a regular complaint to him, and I dreaded its entailing legal inquiries, and perhaps a complete estrangement between myself and the Lovetts.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading And, in that case, what would become of my promise of fidelity to Tessie?
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The solicitor was, of course, the most proper person to consult on the subject, but it appeared to be such a formidable proceeding to make a regular complaint to him, and I dreaded its entailing legal inquiries, and perhaps a complete estrangement between myself and the Lovetts.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But I could not decide whether to write to Mr. Warrington or Mrs. Sandilands.
an occurrence of something
From this reading And, in that case, what would become of my promise of fidelity to Tessie?
compactnounUS /ˈkɑːmpækt/
a small cosmetics case with a mirror; to be carried in a woman's purse
From this reading My compact with Tessie did not, however, preclude one thing, and that was the taking advice of my friends on the state of my affairs.
complaintnounUS /kəmˈpleɪnt/
an often persistent bodily disorder or disease; a cause for complaining
From this reading The solicitor was, of course, the most proper person to consult on the subject, but it appeared to be such a formidable proceeding to make a regular complaint to him, and I dreaded its entailing legal inquiries, and perhaps a complete estrangement between myself and the Lovetts.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading The solicitor was, of course, the most proper person to consult on the subject, but it appeared to be such a formidable proceeding to make a regular complaint to him, and I dreaded its entailing legal inquiries, and perhaps a complete estrangement between myself and the Lovetts.
consultverbUS /kənˈsʌlt/
get or ask advice from
From this reading The solicitor was, of course, the most proper person to consult on the subject, but it appeared to be such a formidable proceeding to make a regular complaint to him, and I dreaded its entailing legal inquiries, and perhaps a complete estrangement between myself and the Lovetts.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But I could not decide whether to write to Mr. Warrington or Mrs. Sandilands.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading The solicitor was, of course, the most proper person to consult on the subject, but it appeared to be such a formidable proceeding to make a regular complaint to him, and I dreaded its entailing legal inquiries, and perhaps a complete estrangement between myself and the Lovetts.
reach, make, or come to a decision about something
From this reading But I could not decide whether to write to Mr. Warrington or Mrs. Sandilands.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading My compact with Tessie did not, however, preclude one thing, and that was the taking advice of my friends on the state of my affairs.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading With the state of those of other people I had nothing to do.
dreadedadjectiveUS /ˈdredɪd/
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading The solicitor was, of course, the most proper person to consult on the subject, but it appeared to be such a formidable proceeding to make a regular complaint to him, and I dreaded its entailing legal inquiries, and perhaps a complete estrangement between myself and the Lovetts.
entailingverbUS /ɪnˈteɪlɪŋ/
-ing form of “entail” — have as a logical consequence
From this reading The solicitor was, of course, the most proper person to consult on the subject, but it appeared to be such a formidable proceeding to make a regular complaint to him, and I dreaded its entailing legal inquiries, and perhaps a complete estrangement between myself and the Lovetts.
estrangementnounUS /ɪˈstreɪndʒmənt/
separation resulting from hostility
From this reading The solicitor was, of course, the most proper person to consult on the subject, but it appeared to be such a formidable proceeding to make a regular complaint to him, and I dreaded its entailing legal inquiries, and perhaps a complete estrangement between myself and the Lovetts.
fidelitynounUS /fəˈdeləti/
accuracy with which an electronic system reproduces the sound or image of its input signal
From this reading And, in that case, what would become of my promise of fidelity to Tessie?
formidableadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmədəbəl/
extremely impressive in strength or excellence
From this reading The solicitor was, of course, the most proper person to consult on the subject, but it appeared to be such a formidable proceeding to make a regular complaint to him, and I dreaded its entailing legal inquiries, and perhaps a complete estrangement between myself and the Lovetts.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading My compact with Tessie did not, however, preclude one thing, and that was the taking advice of my friends on the state of my affairs.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading With the state of those of other people I had nothing to do.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The solicitor was, of course, the most proper person to consult on the subject, but it appeared to be such a formidable proceeding to make a regular complaint to him, and I dreaded its entailing legal inquiries, and perhaps a complete estrangement between myself and the Lovetts.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading My compact with Tessie did not, however, preclude one thing, and that was the taking advice of my friends on the state of my affairs.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading With the state of those of other people I had nothing to do.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading And, in that case, what would become of my promise of fidelity to Tessie?
inquiriesnounUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪəriz/
plural of “inquiry” — a search for knowledge
From this reading The solicitor was, of course, the most proper person to consult on the subject, but it appeared to be such a formidable proceeding to make a regular complaint to him, and I dreaded its entailing legal inquiries, and perhaps a complete estrangement between myself and the Lovetts.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The solicitor was, of course, the most proper person to consult on the subject, but it appeared to be such a formidable proceeding to make a regular complaint to him, and I dreaded its entailing legal inquiries, and perhaps a complete estrangement between myself and the Lovetts.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The solicitor was, of course, the most proper person to consult on the subject, but it appeared to be such a formidable proceeding to make a regular complaint to him, and I dreaded its entailing legal inquiries, and perhaps a complete estrangement between myself and the Lovetts.
legaladjectiveUS /ˈliːɡəl/
established by or founded upon law or official or accepted rules
From this reading The solicitor was, of course, the most proper person to consult on the subject, but it appeared to be such a formidable proceeding to make a regular complaint to him, and I dreaded its entailing legal inquiries, and perhaps a complete estrangement between myself and the Lovetts.
Lovetts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The solicitor was, of course, the most proper person to consult on the subject, but it appeared to be such a formidable proceeding to make a regular complaint to him, and I dreaded its entailing legal inquiries, and perhaps a complete estrangement between myself and the Lovetts.
engage in
From this reading The solicitor was, of course, the most proper person to consult on the subject, but it appeared to be such a formidable proceeding to make a regular complaint to him, and I dreaded its entailing legal inquiries, and perhaps a complete estrangement between myself and the Lovetts.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The solicitor was, of course, the most proper person to consult on the subject, but it appeared to be such a formidable proceeding to make a regular complaint to him, and I dreaded its entailing legal inquiries, and perhaps a complete estrangement between myself and the Lovetts.
a form of address for a man
From this reading But I could not decide whether to write to Mr. Warrington or Mrs. Sandilands.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading But I could not decide whether to write to Mr. Warrington or Mrs. Sandilands.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My compact with Tessie did not, however, preclude one thing, and that was the taking advice of my friends on the state of my affairs.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading The solicitor was, of course, the most proper person to consult on the subject, but it appeared to be such a formidable proceeding to make a regular complaint to him, and I dreaded its entailing legal inquiries, and perhaps a complete estrangement between myself and the Lovetts.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading My compact with Tessie did not, however, preclude one thing, and that was the taking advice of my friends on the state of my affairs.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading With the state of those of other people I had nothing to do.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading My compact with Tessie did not, however, preclude one thing, and that was the taking advice of my friends on the state of my affairs.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading My compact with Tessie did not, however, preclude one thing, and that was the taking advice of my friends on the state of my affairs.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading My compact with Tessie did not, however, preclude one thing, and that was the taking advice of my friends on the state of my affairs.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But I could not decide whether to write to Mr. Warrington or Mrs. Sandilands.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading With the state of those of other people I had nothing to do.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading With the state of those of other people I had nothing to do.
by chance
From this reading The solicitor was, of course, the most proper person to consult on the subject, but it appeared to be such a formidable proceeding to make a regular complaint to him, and I dreaded its entailing legal inquiries, and perhaps a complete estrangement between myself and the Lovetts.
a human being
From this reading The solicitor was, of course, the most proper person to consult on the subject, but it appeared to be such a formidable proceeding to make a regular complaint to him, and I dreaded its entailing legal inquiries, and perhaps a complete estrangement between myself and the Lovetts.
precludeverbUS /prɪˈkluːd/
keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading My compact with Tessie did not, however, preclude one thing, and that was the taking advice of my friends on the state of my affairs.
proceedingnounUS /prəˈsiːdɪŋ/
(law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked
From this reading The solicitor was, of course, the most proper person to consult on the subject, but it appeared to be such a formidable proceeding to make a regular complaint to him, and I dreaded its entailing legal inquiries, and perhaps a complete estrangement between myself and the Lovetts.
make a promise or commitment
From this reading And, in that case, what would become of my promise of fidelity to Tessie?
marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
From this reading The solicitor was, of course, the most proper person to consult on the subject, but it appeared to be such a formidable proceeding to make a regular complaint to him, and I dreaded its entailing legal inquiries, and perhaps a complete estrangement between myself and the Lovetts.
in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle
From this reading The solicitor was, of course, the most proper person to consult on the subject, but it appeared to be such a formidable proceeding to make a regular complaint to him, and I dreaded its entailing legal inquiries, and perhaps a complete estrangement between myself and the Lovetts.
Sandilands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I could not decide whether to write to Mr. Warrington or Mrs. Sandilands.
solicitornounUS /səˈlɪsətər/
a petitioner who solicits contributions or trade or votes
From this reading The solicitor was, of course, the most proper person to consult on the subject, but it appeared to be such a formidable proceeding to make a regular complaint to him, and I dreaded its entailing legal inquiries, and perhaps a complete estrangement between myself and the Lovetts.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading My compact with Tessie did not, however, preclude one thing, and that was the taking advice of my friends on the state of my affairs.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading The solicitor was, of course, the most proper person to consult on the subject, but it appeared to be such a formidable proceeding to make a regular complaint to him, and I dreaded its entailing legal inquiries, and perhaps a complete estrangement between myself and the Lovetts.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The solicitor was, of course, the most proper person to consult on the subject, but it appeared to be such a formidable proceeding to make a regular complaint to him, and I dreaded its entailing legal inquiries, and perhaps a complete estrangement between myself and the Lovetts.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading My compact with Tessie did not, however, preclude one thing, and that was the taking advice of my friends on the state of my affairs.
Tessie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My compact with Tessie did not, however, preclude one thing, and that was the taking advice of my friends on the state of my affairs.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading My compact with Tessie did not, however, preclude one thing, and that was the taking advice of my friends on the state of my affairs.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading My compact with Tessie did not, however, preclude one thing, and that was the taking advice of my friends on the state of my affairs.
a special situation
From this reading My compact with Tessie did not, however, preclude one thing, and that was the taking advice of my friends on the state of my affairs.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading With the state of those of other people I had nothing to do.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading With the state of those of other people I had nothing to do.
Warrington
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I could not decide whether to write to Mr. Warrington or Mrs. Sandilands.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading My compact with Tessie did not, however, preclude one thing, and that was the taking advice of my friends on the state of my affairs.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading And, in that case, what would become of my promise of fidelity to Tessie?
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading But I could not decide whether to write to Mr. Warrington or Mrs. Sandilands.
in the company of; together with
From this reading My compact with Tessie did not, however, preclude one thing, and that was the taking advice of my friends on the state of my affairs.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading And, in that case, what would become of my promise of fidelity to Tessie?
produce a literary work
From this reading But I could not decide whether to write to Mr. Warrington or Mrs. Sandilands.
