used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It assumed, of course, a great variety of forms and colours, according to the more or less distorting mediums through which it passed.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Who could tell how it got abroad in the town that young Mrs. Errington was in the habit of following her husband about; of watching him, spying on his actions, and examining his private correspondence?
to or in a foreign country
From this reading Who could tell how it got abroad in the town that young Mrs. Errington was in the habit of following her husband about; of watching him, spying on his actions, and examining his private correspondence?
(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with
From this reading It assumed, of course, a great variety of forms and colours, according to the more or less distorting mediums through which it passed.
actionsnounUS /ˈækʃənz/
plural of “action” — something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading Who could tell how it got abroad in the town that young Mrs. Errington was in the habit of following her husband about; of watching him, spying on his actions, and examining his private correspondence?
affectingadjectiveUS /əˈfektɪŋ/
arousing affect
From this reading It was no more possible to do anything unusual in Whitford without arresting attention, and being subjected to animadversion, than it was possible for atmospheric conditions to change without affecting the barometer.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was no more possible to do anything unusual in Whitford without arresting attention, and being subjected to animadversion, than it was possible for atmospheric conditions to change without affecting the barometer.
animadversionnoun
harsh criticism or disapproval
From this reading It was no more possible to do anything unusual in Whitford without arresting attention, and being subjected to animadversion, than it was possible for atmospheric conditions to change without affecting the barometer.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Mr. Obadiah Gibbs, who could have told more than any one on the latter head, was not given to talking.
any thing at all
From this reading It was no more possible to do anything unusual in Whitford without arresting attention, and being subjected to animadversion, than it was possible for atmospheric conditions to change without affecting the barometer.
arrestingadjectiveUS /ərˈestɪŋ/
commanding attention
From this reading It was no more possible to do anything unusual in Whitford without arresting attention, and being subjected to animadversion, than it was possible for atmospheric conditions to change without affecting the barometer.
adopted in order to deceive
From this reading It assumed, of course, a great variety of forms and colours, according to the more or less distorting mediums through which it passed.
atmosphericadjectiveUS /ˌætməˈsferɪk/
relating to or located in the atmosphere
From this reading It was no more possible to do anything unusual in Whitford without arresting attention, and being subjected to animadversion, than it was possible for atmospheric conditions to change without affecting the barometer.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading It was no more possible to do anything unusual in Whitford without arresting attention, and being subjected to animadversion, than it was possible for atmospheric conditions to change without affecting the barometer.
barometernounUS /bərˈɑːmɪtər/
an instrument that measures atmospheric pressure
From this reading It was no more possible to do anything unusual in Whitford without arresting attention, and being subjected to animadversion, than it was possible for atmospheric conditions to change without affecting the barometer.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading It was no more possible to do anything unusual in Whitford without arresting attention, and being subjected to animadversion, than it was possible for atmospheric conditions to change without affecting the barometer.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading It was no more possible to do anything unusual in Whitford without arresting attention, and being subjected to animadversion, than it was possible for atmospheric conditions to change without affecting the barometer.
coloursnounUS /ˈkʌlərz/
a distinguishing emblem
From this reading It assumed, of course, a great variety of forms and colours, according to the more or less distorting mediums through which it passed.
the prevailing context that influences the performance or the outcome of a process
From this reading It was no more possible to do anything unusual in Whitford without arresting attention, and being subjected to animadversion, than it was possible for atmospheric conditions to change without affecting the barometer.
correspondencenounUS /ˌkɔːrəˈspɑːndəns/
communication by the exchange of letters
From this reading Who could tell how it got abroad in the town that young Mrs. Errington was in the habit of following her husband about; of watching him, spying on his actions, and examining his private correspondence?
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Who could tell how it got abroad in the town that young Mrs. Errington was in the habit of following her husband about; of watching him, spying on his actions, and examining his private correspondence?
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading It assumed, of course, a great variety of forms and colours, according to the more or less distorting mediums through which it passed.
distortingverbUS /dɪˈstɔːrtɪŋ/
-ing form of “distort” — make false by mutilation or addition; as of a message or story
From this reading It assumed, of course, a great variety of forms and colours, according to the more or less distorting mediums through which it passed.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading It was no more possible to do anything unusual in Whitford without arresting attention, and being subjected to animadversion, than it was possible for atmospheric conditions to change without affecting the barometer.
Errington
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Who could tell how it got abroad in the town that young Mrs. Errington was in the habit of following her husband about; of watching him, spying on his actions, and examining his private correspondence?
examiningverbUS /ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading Who could tell how it got abroad in the town that young Mrs. Errington was in the habit of following her husband about; of watching him, spying on his actions, and examining his private correspondence?
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading Yet the fact oozed out.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading Who could tell how it got abroad in the town that young Mrs. Errington was in the habit of following her husband about; of watching him, spying on his actions, and examining his private correspondence?
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was no more possible to do anything unusual in Whitford without arresting attention, and being subjected to animadversion, than it was possible for atmospheric conditions to change without affecting the barometer.
plural of “form” — the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading It assumed, of course, a great variety of forms and colours, according to the more or less distorting mediums through which it passed.
GibbsnounUS /ɡɪbz/
United States chemist (1839-1903)
From this reading Mr. Obadiah Gibbs, who could have told more than any one on the latter head, was not given to talking.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Mr. Obadiah Gibbs, who could have told more than any one on the latter head, was not given to talking.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Who could tell how it got abroad in the town that young Mrs. Errington was in the habit of following her husband about; of watching him, spying on his actions, and examining his private correspondence?
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading It assumed, of course, a great variety of forms and colours, according to the more or less distorting mediums through which it passed.
an established custom
From this reading Who could tell how it got abroad in the town that young Mrs. Errington was in the habit of following her husband about; of watching him, spying on his actions, and examining his private correspondence?
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Mr. Obadiah Gibbs, who could have told more than any one on the latter head, was not given to talking.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Mr. Obadiah Gibbs, who could have told more than any one on the latter head, was not given to talking.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Who could tell how it got abroad in the town that young Mrs. Errington was in the habit of following her husband about; of watching him, spying on his actions, and examining his private correspondence?
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Who could tell how it got abroad in the town that young Mrs. Errington was in the habit of following her husband about; of watching him, spying on his actions, and examining his private correspondence?
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Who could tell how it got abroad in the town that young Mrs. Errington was in the habit of following her husband about; of watching him, spying on his actions, and examining his private correspondence?
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Who could tell how it got abroad in the town that young Mrs. Errington was in the habit of following her husband about; of watching him, spying on his actions, and examining his private correspondence?
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Who could tell how it got abroad in the town that young Mrs. Errington was in the habit of following her husband about; of watching him, spying on his actions, and examining his private correspondence?
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was no more possible to do anything unusual in Whitford without arresting attention, and being subjected to animadversion, than it was possible for atmospheric conditions to change without affecting the barometer.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was no more possible to do anything unusual in Whitford without arresting attention, and being subjected to animadversion, than it was possible for atmospheric conditions to change without affecting the barometer.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading Mr. Obadiah Gibbs, who could have told more than any one on the latter head, was not given to talking.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading It assumed, of course, a great variety of forms and colours, according to the more or less distorting mediums through which it passed.
mediumsnounUS /ˈmiːdiəmz/
plural of “medium” — a means or instrumentality for storing or communicating information
From this reading It assumed, of course, a great variety of forms and colours, according to the more or less distorting mediums through which it passed.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It was no more possible to do anything unusual in Whitford without arresting attention, and being subjected to animadversion, than it was possible for atmospheric conditions to change without affecting the barometer.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Obadiah Gibbs, who could have told more than any one on the latter head, was not given to talking.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Who could tell how it got abroad in the town that young Mrs. Errington was in the habit of following her husband about; of watching him, spying on his actions, and examining his private correspondence?
not any; not one
From this reading It was no more possible to do anything unusual in Whitford without arresting attention, and being subjected to animadversion, than it was possible for atmospheric conditions to change without affecting the barometer.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Mr. Obadiah Gibbs, who could have told more than any one on the latter head, was not given to talking.
ObadiahnounUS /ˌoʊbəˈdaɪə/
a Hebrew minor prophet
From this reading Mr. Obadiah Gibbs, who could have told more than any one on the latter head, was not given to talking.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Who could tell how it got abroad in the town that young Mrs. Errington was in the habit of following her husband about; of watching him, spying on his actions, and examining his private correspondence?
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Who could tell how it got abroad in the town that young Mrs. Errington was in the habit of following her husband about; of watching him, spying on his actions, and examining his private correspondence?
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Mr. Obadiah Gibbs, who could have told more than any one on the latter head, was not given to talking.
oozedverbUS /uːzd/
past form of “ooze” — pass gradually or leak through or as if through small openings
From this reading Yet the fact oozed out.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It assumed, of course, a great variety of forms and colours, according to the more or less distorting mediums through which it passed.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Yet the fact oozed out.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading It assumed, of course, a great variety of forms and colours, according to the more or less distorting mediums through which it passed.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading It was no more possible to do anything unusual in Whitford without arresting attention, and being subjected to animadversion, than it was possible for atmospheric conditions to change without affecting the barometer.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading Who could tell how it got abroad in the town that young Mrs. Errington was in the habit of following her husband about; of watching him, spying on his actions, and examining his private correspondence?
spyingnounUS /ˈspaɪɪŋ/
keeping a secret or furtive watch
From this reading Who could tell how it got abroad in the town that young Mrs. Errington was in the habit of following her husband about; of watching him, spying on his actions, and examining his private correspondence?
subjectedverbUS /səbˈdʒektɪd/
past form of “subject” — cause to experience or suffer or make liable or vulnerable to
From this reading It was no more possible to do anything unusual in Whitford without arresting attention, and being subjected to animadversion, than it was possible for atmospheric conditions to change without affecting the barometer.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading Mr. Obadiah Gibbs, who could have told more than any one on the latter head, was not given to talking.
express in words
From this reading Who could tell how it got abroad in the town that young Mrs. Errington was in the habit of following her husband about; of watching him, spying on his actions, and examining his private correspondence?
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It was no more possible to do anything unusual in Whitford without arresting attention, and being subjected to animadversion, than it was possible for atmospheric conditions to change without affecting the barometer.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Who could tell how it got abroad in the town that young Mrs. Errington was in the habit of following her husband about; of watching him, spying on his actions, and examining his private correspondence?
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was no more possible to do anything unusual in Whitford without arresting attention, and being subjected to animadversion, than it was possible for atmospheric conditions to change without affecting the barometer.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading It assumed, of course, a great variety of forms and colours, according to the more or less distorting mediums through which it passed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was no more possible to do anything unusual in Whitford without arresting attention, and being subjected to animadversion, than it was possible for atmospheric conditions to change without affecting the barometer.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Mr. Obadiah Gibbs, who could have told more than any one on the latter head, was not given to talking.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Who could tell how it got abroad in the town that young Mrs. Errington was in the habit of following her husband about; of watching him, spying on his actions, and examining his private correspondence?
not usual or common or ordinary
From this reading It was no more possible to do anything unusual in Whitford without arresting attention, and being subjected to animadversion, than it was possible for atmospheric conditions to change without affecting the barometer.
varietynounUS /vərˈaɪəti/
a collection containing a variety of sorts of things
From this reading It assumed, of course, a great variety of forms and colours, according to the more or less distorting mediums through which it passed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was no more possible to do anything unusual in Whitford without arresting attention, and being subjected to animadversion, than it was possible for atmospheric conditions to change without affecting the barometer.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading Who could tell how it got abroad in the town that young Mrs. Errington was in the habit of following her husband about; of watching him, spying on his actions, and examining his private correspondence?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It assumed, of course, a great variety of forms and colours, according to the more or less distorting mediums through which it passed.
Whitford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was no more possible to do anything unusual in Whitford without arresting attention, and being subjected to animadversion, than it was possible for atmospheric conditions to change without affecting the barometer.
which person or people
From this reading Who could tell how it got abroad in the town that young Mrs. Errington was in the habit of following her husband about; of watching him, spying on his actions, and examining his private correspondence?
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading It was no more possible to do anything unusual in Whitford without arresting attention, and being subjected to animadversion, than it was possible for atmospheric conditions to change without affecting the barometer.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet the fact oozed out.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Who could tell how it got abroad in the town that young Mrs. Errington was in the habit of following her husband about; of watching him, spying on his actions, and examining his private correspondence?
