used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
anew
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading “And what is this I hear of an impecunious young fellow who has dared to make love to my daughter?” he said.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading “And you have not given him any reason to hope he may win you?”
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading And she told him the circumstances.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “He didn’t, father, he really didn’t; he couldn’t help himself, for it was in a moment of great suspense.”
past form of “dare” — take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading “And what is this I hear of an impecunious young fellow who has dared to make love to my daughter?” he said.
a female human offspring
From this reading “And what is this I hear of an impecunious young fellow who has dared to make love to my daughter?” he said.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “He didn’t, father, he really didn’t; he couldn’t help himself, for it was in a moment of great suspense.”
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
enfolded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
a boy or man
From this reading “And what is this I hear of an impecunious young fellow who has dared to make love to my daughter?” he said.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “He didn’t, father, he really didn’t; he couldn’t help himself, for it was in a moment of great suspense.”
a young female
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading “And you have not given him any reason to hope he may win you?”
gladnessnoun
experiencing joy and pleasure
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading “He didn’t, father, he really didn’t; he couldn’t help himself, for it was in a moment of great suspense.”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “And what is this I hear of an impecunious young fellow who has dared to make love to my daughter?” he said.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “And you have not given him any reason to hope he may win you?”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “And what is this I hear of an impecunious young fellow who has dared to make love to my daughter?” he said.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading “And what is this I hear of an impecunious young fellow who has dared to make love to my daughter?” he said.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading “He didn’t, father, he really didn’t; he couldn’t help himself, for it was in a moment of great suspense.”
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading “He didn’t, father, he really didn’t; he couldn’t help himself, for it was in a moment of great suspense.”
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading “And you have not given him any reason to hope he may win you?”
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “And what is this I hear of an impecunious young fellow who has dared to make love to my daughter?” he said.
impecuniousadjective
not having enough money to pay for necessities
From this reading “And what is this I hear of an impecunious young fellow who has dared to make love to my daughter?” he said.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “And what is this I hear of an impecunious young fellow who has dared to make love to my daughter?” he said.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “He didn’t, father, he really didn’t; he couldn’t help himself, for it was in a moment of great suspense.”
Lettice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
listenersnounUS /ˈlɪsənərz/
plural of “listener” — someone who listens attentively
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading “And what is this I hear of an impecunious young fellow who has dared to make love to my daughter?” he said.
engage in
From this reading “And what is this I hear of an impecunious young fellow who has dared to make love to my daughter?” he said.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading “And you have not given him any reason to hope he may win you?”
a particular point in time
From this reading “He didn’t, father, he really didn’t; he couldn’t help himself, for it was in a moment of great suspense.”
to a great degree or extent
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “And what is this I hear of an impecunious young fellow who has dared to make love to my daughter?” he said.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading “He didn’t, father, he really didn’t; he couldn’t help himself, for it was in a moment of great suspense.”
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading “And you have not given him any reason to hope he may win you?”
experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “And what is this I hear of an impecunious young fellow who has dared to make love to my daughter?” he said.
express in words
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
the act of searching for something
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And she told him the circumstances.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
suspensenounUS /səˈspens/
apprehension about what is going to happen
From this reading “He didn’t, father, he really didn’t; he couldn’t help himself, for it was in a moment of great suspense.”
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
in or at that place or location
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “And what is this I hear of an impecunious young fellow who has dared to make love to my daughter?” he said.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading And she told him the circumstances.
ValentinenounUS /ˈvæləntaɪn/
a sweetheart chosen to receive a greeting on Saint Valentine's Day
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “And what is this I hear of an impecunious young fellow who has dared to make love to my daughter?” he said.
at the time that
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
which person or people
From this reading “And what is this I hear of an impecunious young fellow who has dared to make love to my daughter?” he said.
be the winner in a contest or competition; be victorious
From this reading “And you have not given him any reason to hope he may win you?”
in the company of; together with
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading _Her Valentine._ Lettice was not long in seeking a private talk with her father, there was so much that each wanted to say without the presence of listeners; and when many of the sad things had been talked over, and when the gladness of the present again enfolded them, her father drew the girl close to him.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “And you have not given him any reason to hope he may win you?”
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading “And what is this I hear of an impecunious young fellow who has dared to make love to my daughter?” he said.
