used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In how few cases would the power to "see oursel's as ithers see us" be other than a very malevolent and wicked fairy-like gift!
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading Dr. Bodkin liked her principally because she was an old acquaintance.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading But they did not like her for her manners, her knowledge of the usages of polite society, her highly respectable clerical connections, or the little gummed-down curls on her forehead; on all of which Miss Chubb prided herself.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Dr. Bodkin liked her principally because she was an old acquaintance.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In how few cases would the power to "see oursel's as ithers see us" be other than a very malevolent and wicked fairy-like gift!
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In how few cases would the power to "see oursel's as ithers see us" be other than a very malevolent and wicked fairy-like gift!
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading In how few cases would the power to "see oursel's as ithers see us" be other than a very malevolent and wicked fairy-like gift!
for the reason that
From this reading Dr. Bodkin liked her principally because she was an old acquaintance.
BodkinnounUS /ˈbɑːdkɪn/
a dagger with a slender blade
From this reading Dr. Bodkin liked her principally because she was an old acquaintance.
BodkinsnounUS /ˈbɑːdkɪnz/
plural of “bodkin” — a dagger with a slender blade
From this reading Now, the Bodkins liked Miss Chubb.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But they did not like her for her manners, her knowledge of the usages of polite society, her highly respectable clerical connections, or the little gummed-down curls on her forehead; on all of which Miss Chubb prided herself.
plural of “case” — an occurrence of something
From this reading In how few cases would the power to "see oursel's as ithers see us" be other than a very malevolent and wicked fairy-like gift!
Chubb
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, the Bodkins liked Miss Chubb.
clericaladjectiveUS /ˈklerəkəl/
of or relating to clerks
From this reading But they did not like her for her manners, her knowledge of the usages of polite society, her highly respectable clerical connections, or the little gummed-down curls on her forehead; on all of which Miss Chubb prided herself.
connectionsnounUS /kəˈnekʃənz/
plural of “connection” — a relation between things or events (as in the case of one causing the other or sharing features with it)
From this reading But they did not like her for her manners, her knowledge of the usages of polite society, her highly respectable clerical connections, or the little gummed-down curls on her forehead; on all of which Miss Chubb prided herself.
curlsnounUS /kɜːrlz/
plural of “curl” — a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as formed by leaves or flower petals)
From this reading But they did not like her for her manners, her knowledge of the usages of polite society, her highly respectable clerical connections, or the little gummed-down curls on her forehead; on all of which Miss Chubb prided herself.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But they did not like her for her manners, her knowledge of the usages of polite society, her highly respectable clerical connections, or the little gummed-down curls on her forehead; on all of which Miss Chubb prided herself.
the act of discovering something
From this reading And, perhaps, the discovery of the real reasons why our friends like us, would not be the least mortifying part of the revelation.
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dr. Bodkin liked her principally because she was an old acquaintance.
fairy-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In how few cases would the power to "see oursel's as ithers see us" be other than a very malevolent and wicked fairy-like gift!
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading In how few cases would the power to "see oursel's as ithers see us" be other than a very malevolent and wicked fairy-like gift!
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But they did not like her for her manners, her knowledge of the usages of polite society, her highly respectable clerical connections, or the little gummed-down curls on her forehead; on all of which Miss Chubb prided herself.
the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading But they did not like her for her manners, her knowledge of the usages of polite society, her highly respectable clerical connections, or the little gummed-down curls on her forehead; on all of which Miss Chubb prided herself.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading And, perhaps, the discovery of the real reasons why our friends like us, would not be the least mortifying part of the revelation.
something acquired without compensation
From this reading In how few cases would the power to "see oursel's as ithers see us" be other than a very malevolent and wicked fairy-like gift!
gummed-down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But they did not like her for her manners, her knowledge of the usages of polite society, her highly respectable clerical connections, or the little gummed-down curls on her forehead; on all of which Miss Chubb prided herself.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading But they did not like her for her manners, her knowledge of the usages of polite society, her highly respectable clerical connections, or the little gummed-down curls on her forehead; on all of which Miss Chubb prided herself.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading But they did not like her for her manners, her knowledge of the usages of polite society, her highly respectable clerical connections, or the little gummed-down curls on her forehead; on all of which Miss Chubb prided herself.
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading But they did not like her for her manners, her knowledge of the usages of polite society, her highly respectable clerical connections, or the little gummed-down curls on her forehead; on all of which Miss Chubb prided herself.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In how few cases would the power to "see oursel's as ithers see us" be other than a very malevolent and wicked fairy-like gift!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In how few cases would the power to "see oursel's as ithers see us" be other than a very malevolent and wicked fairy-like gift!
ithers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In how few cases would the power to "see oursel's as ithers see us" be other than a very malevolent and wicked fairy-like gift!
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading But they did not like her for her manners, her knowledge of the usages of polite society, her highly respectable clerical connections, or the little gummed-down curls on her forehead; on all of which Miss Chubb prided herself.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading And, perhaps, the discovery of the real reasons why our friends like us, would not be the least mortifying part of the revelation.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading And, perhaps, the discovery of the real reasons why our friends like us, would not be the least mortifying part of the revelation.
found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form
From this reading Now, the Bodkins liked Miss Chubb.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading But they did not like her for her manners, her knowledge of the usages of polite society, her highly respectable clerical connections, or the little gummed-down curls on her forehead; on all of which Miss Chubb prided herself.
malevolentadjectiveUS /məˈlevələnt/
wishing or appearing to wish evil to others; arising from intense ill will or hatred
From this reading In how few cases would the power to "see oursel's as ithers see us" be other than a very malevolent and wicked fairy-like gift!
social deportment
From this reading But they did not like her for her manners, her knowledge of the usages of polite society, her highly respectable clerical connections, or the little gummed-down curls on her forehead; on all of which Miss Chubb prided herself.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Now, the Bodkins liked Miss Chubb.
mortifyingadjective
causing to feel shame or chagrin or vexation
From this reading And, perhaps, the discovery of the real reasons why our friends like us, would not be the least mortifying part of the revelation.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading And, perhaps, the discovery of the real reasons why our friends like us, would not be the least mortifying part of the revelation.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now, the Bodkins liked Miss Chubb.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading And, perhaps, the discovery of the real reasons why our friends like us, would not be the least mortifying part of the revelation.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Dr. Bodkin liked her principally because she was an old acquaintance.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But they did not like her for her manners, her knowledge of the usages of polite society, her highly respectable clerical connections, or the little gummed-down curls on her forehead; on all of which Miss Chubb prided herself.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But they did not like her for her manners, her knowledge of the usages of polite society, her highly respectable clerical connections, or the little gummed-down curls on her forehead; on all of which Miss Chubb prided herself.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading In how few cases would the power to "see oursel's as ithers see us" be other than a very malevolent and wicked fairy-like gift!
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading And, perhaps, the discovery of the real reasons why our friends like us, would not be the least mortifying part of the revelation.
oursel's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In how few cases would the power to "see oursel's as ithers see us" be other than a very malevolent and wicked fairy-like gift!
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading And, perhaps, the discovery of the real reasons why our friends like us, would not be the least mortifying part of the revelation.
by chance
From this reading And, perhaps, the discovery of the real reasons why our friends like us, would not be the least mortifying part of the revelation.
politeadjectiveUS /pəˈlaɪt/
showing regard for others in manners, speech, behavior, etc.
From this reading But they did not like her for her manners, her knowledge of the usages of polite society, her highly respectable clerical connections, or the little gummed-down curls on her forehead; on all of which Miss Chubb prided herself.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading In how few cases would the power to "see oursel's as ithers see us" be other than a very malevolent and wicked fairy-like gift!
pridedverbUS /ˈpraɪdɪd/
past form of “pride” — be proud of
From this reading But they did not like her for her manners, her knowledge of the usages of polite society, her highly respectable clerical connections, or the little gummed-down curls on her forehead; on all of which Miss Chubb prided herself.
principallyadverbUS /ˈprɪnsɪpli/
for the most part
From this reading Dr. Bodkin liked her principally because she was an old acquaintance.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading And, perhaps, the discovery of the real reasons why our friends like us, would not be the least mortifying part of the revelation.
plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading And, perhaps, the discovery of the real reasons why our friends like us, would not be the least mortifying part of the revelation.
characterized by socially or conventionally acceptable morals
From this reading But they did not like her for her manners, her knowledge of the usages of polite society, her highly respectable clerical connections, or the little gummed-down curls on her forehead; on all of which Miss Chubb prided herself.
revelationnounUS /ˌrevəˈleɪʃən/
the speech act of making something evident
From this reading And, perhaps, the discovery of the real reasons why our friends like us, would not be the least mortifying part of the revelation.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading In how few cases would the power to "see oursel's as ithers see us" be other than a very malevolent and wicked fairy-like gift!
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Dr. Bodkin liked her principally because she was an old acquaintance.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading But they did not like her for her manners, her knowledge of the usages of polite society, her highly respectable clerical connections, or the little gummed-down curls on her forehead; on all of which Miss Chubb prided herself.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading In how few cases would the power to "see oursel's as ithers see us" be other than a very malevolent and wicked fairy-like gift!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In how few cases would the power to "see oursel's as ithers see us" be other than a very malevolent and wicked fairy-like gift!
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But they did not like her for her manners, her knowledge of the usages of polite society, her highly respectable clerical connections, or the little gummed-down curls on her forehead; on all of which Miss Chubb prided herself.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In how few cases would the power to "see oursel's as ithers see us" be other than a very malevolent and wicked fairy-like gift!
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In how few cases would the power to "see oursel's as ithers see us" be other than a very malevolent and wicked fairy-like gift!
usagesnounUS /ˈjuːsədʒəz/
plural of “usage” — the act of using
From this reading But they did not like her for her manners, her knowledge of the usages of polite society, her highly respectable clerical connections, or the little gummed-down curls on her forehead; on all of which Miss Chubb prided herself.
precisely as stated
From this reading In how few cases would the power to "see oursel's as ithers see us" be other than a very malevolent and wicked fairy-like gift!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Dr. Bodkin liked her principally because she was an old acquaintance.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But they did not like her for her manners, her knowledge of the usages of polite society, her highly respectable clerical connections, or the little gummed-down curls on her forehead; on all of which Miss Chubb prided herself.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading And, perhaps, the discovery of the real reasons why our friends like us, would not be the least mortifying part of the revelation.
morally bad in principle or practice
From this reading In how few cases would the power to "see oursel's as ithers see us" be other than a very malevolent and wicked fairy-like gift!
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading In how few cases would the power to "see oursel's as ithers see us" be other than a very malevolent and wicked fairy-like gift!
