used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The heart of a woman, even when most disapproving, is softened by the man who takes the trouble to make himself agreeable to her children.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading She thought that there could not be so very much harm in him, after all, when she saw the little ones clustering about him, one on his knees and one on his shoulders.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading She thought that there could not be so very much harm in him, after all, when she saw the little ones clustering about him, one on his knees and one on his shoulders.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading "There is a sort of instinct in children," she said afterwards: and most people would be in this respect of Mrs. Wilberforce's opinion.
conforming to your own liking or feelings or nature
From this reading The heart of a woman, even when most disapproving, is softened by the man who takes the trouble to make himself agreeable to her children.
(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 She thought that there could not be so very much harm in him, after all, when she saw the little ones clustering about him, one on his knees and one on his shoulders.
amelioratedverbUS /əˈmiːljəreɪtɪd/
past form of “ameliorate” — to make better
From this reading The recollection of that unexplained and ill-timed merriment clouded over the household horizon even next morning; but Dick was so cheerful and so much at his ease that things ameliorated imperceptibly.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The recollection of that unexplained and ill-timed merriment clouded over the household horizon even next morning; but Dick was so cheerful and so much at his ease that things ameliorated imperceptibly.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The recollection of that unexplained and ill-timed merriment clouded over the household horizon even next morning; but Dick was so cheerful and so much at his ease that things ameliorated imperceptibly.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She thought that there could not be so very much harm in him, after all, when she saw the little ones clustering about him, one on his knees and one on his shoulders.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The recollection of that unexplained and ill-timed merriment clouded over the household horizon even next morning; but Dick was so cheerful and so much at his ease that things ameliorated imperceptibly.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The heart of a woman, even when most disapproving, is softened by the man who takes the trouble to make himself agreeable to her children.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading And about noon the rector took his guest to call at the Warren.
being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits
From this reading The recollection of that unexplained and ill-timed merriment clouded over the household horizon even next morning; but Dick was so cheerful and so much at his ease that things ameliorated imperceptibly.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading The heart of a woman, even when most disapproving, is softened by the man who takes the trouble to make himself agreeable to her children.
cloudedadjectiveUS /ˈklaʊdɪd/
made troubled or apprehensive or distressed in appearance
From this reading The recollection of that unexplained and ill-timed merriment clouded over the household horizon even next morning; but Dick was so cheerful and so much at his ease that things ameliorated imperceptibly.
clusteringnounUS /ˈklʌstərɪŋ/
a grouping of a number of similar things
From this reading She thought that there could not be so very much harm in him, after all, when she saw the little ones clustering about him, one on his knees and one on his shoulders.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She thought that there could not be so very much harm in him, after all, when she saw the little ones clustering about him, one on his knees and one on his shoulders.
someone who is a detective
From this reading The recollection of that unexplained and ill-timed merriment clouded over the household horizon even next morning; but Dick was so cheerful and so much at his ease that things ameliorated imperceptibly.
disapprovingadjectiveUS /dɪsəˈpruːvɪŋ/
expressing or manifesting disapproval
From this reading The heart of a woman, even when most disapproving, is softened by the man who takes the trouble to make himself agreeable to her children.
move gently or carefully
From this reading The recollection of that unexplained and ill-timed merriment clouded over the household horizon even next morning; but Dick was so cheerful and so much at his ease that things ameliorated imperceptibly.
divisible by two
From this reading The recollection of that unexplained and ill-timed merriment clouded over the household horizon even next morning; but Dick was so cheerful and so much at his ease that things ameliorated imperceptibly.
a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading And about noon the rector took his guest to call at the Warren.
any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.
From this reading She thought that there could not be so very much harm in him, after all, when she saw the little ones clustering about him, one on his knees and one on his shoulders.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading The heart of a woman, even when most disapproving, is softened by the man who takes the trouble to make himself agreeable to her children.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The heart of a woman, even when most disapproving, is softened by the man who takes the trouble to make himself agreeable to her children.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She thought that there could not be so very much harm in him, after all, when she saw the little ones clustering about him, one on his knees and one on his shoulders.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The heart of a woman, even when most disapproving, is softened by the man who takes the trouble to make himself agreeable to her children.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The recollection of that unexplained and ill-timed merriment clouded over the household horizon even next morning; but Dick was so cheerful and so much at his ease that things ameliorated imperceptibly.
the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet
From this reading The recollection of that unexplained and ill-timed merriment clouded over the household horizon even next morning; but Dick was so cheerful and so much at his ease that things ameliorated imperceptibly.
a social unit living together
From this reading The recollection of that unexplained and ill-timed merriment clouded over the household horizon even next morning; but Dick was so cheerful and so much at his ease that things ameliorated imperceptibly.
ill-timedadjective
badly timed
From this reading The recollection of that unexplained and ill-timed merriment clouded over the household horizon even next morning; but Dick was so cheerful and so much at his ease that things ameliorated imperceptibly.
imperceptiblyadverbUS /ˌɪmpərˈseptɪbli/
in an imperceptible manner or to an imperceptible degree
From this reading The recollection of that unexplained and ill-timed merriment clouded over the household horizon even next morning; but Dick was so cheerful and so much at his ease that things ameliorated imperceptibly.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She thought that there could not be so very much harm in him, after all, when she saw the little ones clustering about him, one on his knees and one on his shoulders.
inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading "There is a sort of instinct in children," she said afterwards: and most people would be in this respect of Mrs. Wilberforce's opinion.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The heart of a woman, even when most disapproving, is softened by the man who takes the trouble to make himself agreeable to her children.
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading She thought that there could not be so very much harm in him, after all, when she saw the little ones clustering about him, one on his knees and one on his shoulders.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She thought that there could not be so very much harm in him, after all, when she saw the little ones clustering about him, one on his knees and one on his shoulders.
engage in
From this reading The heart of a woman, even when most disapproving, is softened by the man who takes the trouble to make himself agreeable to her children.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The heart of a woman, even when most disapproving, is softened by the man who takes the trouble to make himself agreeable to her children.
merrimentnoun
a gay feeling
From this reading The recollection of that unexplained and ill-timed merriment clouded over the household horizon even next morning; but Dick was so cheerful and so much at his ease that things ameliorated imperceptibly.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The recollection of that unexplained and ill-timed merriment clouded over the household horizon even next morning; but Dick was so cheerful and so much at his ease that things ameliorated imperceptibly.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The heart of a woman, even when most disapproving, is softened by the man who takes the trouble to make himself agreeable to her children.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading "There is a sort of instinct in children," she said afterwards: and most people would be in this respect of Mrs. Wilberforce's opinion.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The recollection of that unexplained and ill-timed merriment clouded over the household horizon even next morning; but Dick was so cheerful and so much at his ease that things ameliorated imperceptibly.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The recollection of that unexplained and ill-timed merriment clouded over the household horizon even next morning; but Dick was so cheerful and so much at his ease that things ameliorated imperceptibly.
the middle of the day
From this reading And about noon the rector took his guest to call at the Warren.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She thought that there could not be so very much harm in him, after all, when she saw the little ones clustering about him, one on his knees and one on his shoulders.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The recollection of that unexplained and ill-timed merriment clouded over the household horizon even next morning; but Dick was so cheerful and so much at his ease that things ameliorated imperceptibly.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She thought that there could not be so very much harm in him, after all, when she saw the little ones clustering about him, one on his knees and one on his shoulders.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading She thought that there could not be so very much harm in him, after all, when she saw the little ones clustering about him, one on his knees and one on his shoulders.
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading She thought that there could not be so very much harm in him, after all, when she saw the little ones clustering about him, one on his knees and one on his shoulders.
a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading "There is a sort of instinct in children," she said afterwards: and most people would be in this respect of Mrs. Wilberforce's opinion.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The recollection of that unexplained and ill-timed merriment clouded over the household horizon even next morning; but Dick was so cheerful and so much at his ease that things ameliorated imperceptibly.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading "There is a sort of instinct in children," she said afterwards: and most people would be in this respect of Mrs. Wilberforce's opinion.
recollectionnounUS /ˌrekəˈlekʃən/
the ability to recall past occurrences
From this reading The recollection of that unexplained and ill-timed merriment clouded over the household horizon even next morning; but Dick was so cheerful and so much at his ease that things ameliorated imperceptibly.
rectornounUS /ˈrektər/
a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading And about noon the rector took his guest to call at the Warren.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading "There is a sort of instinct in children," she said afterwards: and most people would be in this respect of Mrs. Wilberforce's opinion.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "There is a sort of instinct in children," she said afterwards: and most people would be in this respect of Mrs. Wilberforce's opinion.
cut with a saw
From this reading She thought that there could not be so very much harm in him, after all, when she saw the little ones clustering about him, one on his knees and one on his shoulders.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She thought that there could not be so very much harm in him, after all, when she saw the little ones clustering about him, one on his knees and one on his shoulders.
plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm
From this reading She thought that there could not be so very much harm in him, after all, when she saw the little ones clustering about him, one on his knees and one on his shoulders.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The recollection of that unexplained and ill-timed merriment clouded over the household horizon even next morning; but Dick was so cheerful and so much at his ease that things ameliorated imperceptibly.
softenedadjectiveUS /ˈsɔːfənd/
toned down
From this reading The heart of a woman, even when most disapproving, is softened by the man who takes the trouble to make himself agreeable to her children.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading "There is a sort of instinct in children," she said afterwards: and most people would be in this respect of Mrs. Wilberforce's opinion.
plural of “take” — the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property
From this reading The heart of a woman, even when most disapproving, is softened by the man who takes the trouble to make himself agreeable to her children.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The recollection of that unexplained and ill-timed merriment clouded over the household horizon even next morning; but Dick was so cheerful and so much at his ease that things ameliorated imperceptibly.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The recollection of that unexplained and ill-timed merriment clouded over the household horizon even next morning; but Dick was so cheerful and so much at his ease that things ameliorated imperceptibly.
in or at that place or location
From this reading She thought that there could not be so very much harm in him, after all, when she saw the little ones clustering about him, one on his knees and one on his shoulders.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading The recollection of that unexplained and ill-timed merriment clouded over the household horizon even next morning; but Dick was so cheerful and so much at his ease that things ameliorated imperceptibly.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "There is a sort of instinct in children," she said afterwards: and most people would be in this respect of Mrs. Wilberforce's opinion.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading She thought that there could not be so very much harm in him, after all, when she saw the little ones clustering about him, one on his knees and one on his shoulders.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The heart of a woman, even when most disapproving, is softened by the man who takes the trouble to make himself agreeable to her children.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading And about noon the rector took his guest to call at the Warren.
a source of difficulty
From this reading The heart of a woman, even when most disapproving, is softened by the man who takes the trouble to make himself agreeable to her children.
unexplainedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnɪkˈspleɪnd/
not explained
From this reading The recollection of that unexplained and ill-timed merriment clouded over the household horizon even next morning; but Dick was so cheerful and so much at his ease that things ameliorated imperceptibly.
precisely as stated
From this reading She thought that there could not be so very much harm in him, after all, when she saw the little ones clustering about him, one on his knees and one on his shoulders.
WarrennounUS /ˈwɔːrən/
United States writer and poet (1905-1989)
From this reading And about noon the rector took his guest to call at the Warren.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The recollection of that unexplained and ill-timed merriment clouded over the household horizon even next morning; but Dick was so cheerful and so much at his ease that things ameliorated imperceptibly.
at the time that
From this reading The heart of a woman, even when most disapproving, is softened by the man who takes the trouble to make himself agreeable to her children.
which person or people
From this reading The heart of a woman, even when most disapproving, is softened by the man who takes the trouble to make himself agreeable to her children.
Wilberforce's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "There is a sort of instinct in children," she said afterwards: and most people would be in this respect of Mrs. Wilberforce's opinion.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The heart of a woman, even when most disapproving, is softened by the man who takes the trouble to make himself agreeable to her children.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "There is a sort of instinct in children," she said afterwards: and most people would be in this respect of Mrs. Wilberforce's opinion.
