used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading To win his mother’s approval was a more difficult matter, and one which he knew necessitated considerable tact.
acquaintverbUS /əˈkweɪnt/
cause to come to know personally
From this reading Lionel did not feel it so easy as he had imagined to acquaint his parents of his engagement to the daughter of Earl Torrens.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He tackled his father first, deeming him the easier to mollify, and succeeded in obtaining his consent to the betrothal.
announcementnounUS /əˈnaʊnsmənt/
a formal public statement
From this reading He postponed the announcement until the last possible moment, hoping that if Sir Julian had informed her of the news, she would herself introduce the subject; but as two days passed without a word having been said, he was obliged to take the initiative.
approvalnounUS /əˈpruːvəl/
the formal act of approving
From this reading To win his mother’s approval was a more difficult matter, and one which he knew necessitated considerable tact.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Lionel did not feel it so easy as he had imagined to acquaint his parents of his engagement to the daughter of Earl Torrens.
awaitingverbUS /əˈweɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “await” — look forward to the probable occurrence of
From this reading His sweetheart was eagerly awaiting the news.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He postponed the announcement until the last possible moment, hoping that if Sir Julian had informed her of the news, she would herself introduce the subject; but as two days passed without a word having been said, he was obliged to take the initiative.
betrothalnoun
a mutual promise to marry
From this reading He tackled his father first, deeming him the easier to mollify, and succeeded in obtaining his consent to the betrothal.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He postponed the announcement until the last possible moment, hoping that if Sir Julian had informed her of the news, she would herself introduce the subject; but as two days passed without a word having been said, he was obliged to take the initiative.
permission to do something
From this reading He tackled his father first, deeming him the easier to mollify, and succeeded in obtaining his consent to the betrothal.
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading To win his mother’s approval was a more difficult matter, and one which he knew necessitated considerable tact.
a female human offspring
From this reading Lionel did not feel it so easy as he had imagined to acquaint his parents of his engagement to the daughter of Earl Torrens.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading He postponed the announcement until the last possible moment, hoping that if Sir Julian had informed her of the news, she would herself introduce the subject; but as two days passed without a word having been said, he was obliged to take the initiative.
deeming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He tackled his father first, deeming him the easier to mollify, and succeeded in obtaining his consent to the betrothal.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Lionel did not feel it so easy as he had imagined to acquaint his parents of his engagement to the daughter of Earl Torrens.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading To win his mother’s approval was a more difficult matter, and one which he knew necessitated considerable tact.
with eagerness; in an eager manner
From this reading His sweetheart was eagerly awaiting the news.
a British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount
From this reading Lionel did not feel it so easy as he had imagined to acquaint his parents of his engagement to the daughter of Earl Torrens.
comparative of “easy” — posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading He tackled his father first, deeming him the easier to mollify, and succeeded in obtaining his consent to the betrothal.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading Lionel did not feel it so easy as he had imagined to acquaint his parents of his engagement to the daughter of Earl Torrens.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading Lionel did not feel it so easy as he had imagined to acquaint his parents of his engagement to the daughter of Earl Torrens.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading He tackled his father first, deeming him the easier to mollify, and succeeded in obtaining his consent to the betrothal.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading Lionel did not feel it so easy as he had imagined to acquaint his parents of his engagement to the daughter of Earl Torrens.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading He tackled his father first, deeming him the easier to mollify, and succeeded in obtaining his consent to the betrothal.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Lionel did not feel it so easy as he had imagined to acquaint his parents of his engagement to the daughter of Earl Torrens.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading He postponed the announcement until the last possible moment, hoping that if Sir Julian had informed her of the news, she would herself introduce the subject; but as two days passed without a word having been said, he was obliged to take the initiative.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Lionel did not feel it so easy as he had imagined to acquaint his parents of his engagement to the daughter of Earl Torrens.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He postponed the announcement until the last possible moment, hoping that if Sir Julian had informed her of the news, she would herself introduce the subject; but as two days passed without a word having been said, he was obliged to take the initiative.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading He postponed the announcement until the last possible moment, hoping that if Sir Julian had informed her of the news, she would herself introduce the subject; but as two days passed without a word having been said, he was obliged to take the initiative.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He tackled his father first, deeming him the easier to mollify, and succeeded in obtaining his consent to the betrothal.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Lionel did not feel it so easy as he had imagined to acquaint his parents of his engagement to the daughter of Earl Torrens.
-ing form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading He postponed the announcement until the last possible moment, hoping that if Sir Julian had informed her of the news, she would herself introduce the subject; but as two days passed without a word having been said, he was obliged to take the initiative.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He postponed the announcement until the last possible moment, hoping that if Sir Julian had informed her of the news, she would herself introduce the subject; but as two days passed without a word having been said, he was obliged to take the initiative.
past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading Lionel did not feel it so easy as he had imagined to acquaint his parents of his engagement to the daughter of Earl Torrens.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He tackled his father first, deeming him the easier to mollify, and succeeded in obtaining his consent to the betrothal.
having much knowledge or education
From this reading He postponed the announcement until the last possible moment, hoping that if Sir Julian had informed her of the news, she would herself introduce the subject; but as two days passed without a word having been said, he was obliged to take the initiative.
initiativenounUS /ˌɪˈnɪʃətɪv/
readiness to embark on bold new ventures
From this reading He postponed the announcement until the last possible moment, hoping that if Sir Julian had informed her of the news, she would herself introduce the subject; but as two days passed without a word having been said, he was obliged to take the initiative.
introduceverbUS /ˌɪntrəˈduːs/
cause to come to know personally
From this reading He postponed the announcement until the last possible moment, hoping that if Sir Julian had informed her of the news, she would herself introduce the subject; but as two days passed without a word having been said, he was obliged to take the initiative.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Lionel did not feel it so easy as he had imagined to acquaint his parents of his engagement to the daughter of Earl Torrens.
JuliannounUS /ˈdʒuːliən/
Roman Emperor and nephew of Constantine; he restored paganism as the official religion of the Roman Empire and destroyed Christian temples but his decision was reversed after his death (331?-363)
From this reading He postponed the announcement until the last possible moment, hoping that if Sir Julian had informed her of the news, she would herself introduce the subject; but as two days passed without a word having been said, he was obliged to take the initiative.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading To win his mother’s approval was a more difficult matter, and one which he knew necessitated considerable tact.
immediately past
From this reading He postponed the announcement until the last possible moment, hoping that if Sir Julian had informed her of the news, she would herself introduce the subject; but as two days passed without a word having been said, he was obliged to take the initiative.
Lionel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lionel did not feel it so easy as he had imagined to acquaint his parents of his engagement to the daughter of Earl Torrens.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading To win his mother’s approval was a more difficult matter, and one which he knew necessitated considerable tact.
mollifyverbUS /ˈmɑːləfaɪ/
cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
From this reading He tackled his father first, deeming him the easier to mollify, and succeeded in obtaining his consent to the betrothal.
a particular point in time
From this reading He postponed the announcement until the last possible moment, hoping that if Sir Julian had informed her of the news, she would herself introduce the subject; but as two days passed without a word having been said, he was obliged to take the initiative.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading To win his mother’s approval was a more difficult matter, and one which he knew necessitated considerable tact.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading To win his mother’s approval was a more difficult matter, and one which he knew necessitated considerable tact.
necessitatedverbUS /nəˈsesəteɪtəd/
past form of “necessitate” — require as useful, just, or proper
From this reading To win his mother’s approval was a more difficult matter, and one which he knew necessitated considerable tact.
information about recent and important events
From this reading He postponed the announcement until the last possible moment, hoping that if Sir Julian had informed her of the news, she would herself introduce the subject; but as two days passed without a word having been said, he was obliged to take the initiative.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Lionel did not feel it so easy as he had imagined to acquaint his parents of his engagement to the daughter of Earl Torrens.
under a moral obligation to do something
From this reading He postponed the announcement until the last possible moment, hoping that if Sir Julian had informed her of the news, she would herself introduce the subject; but as two days passed without a word having been said, he was obliged to take the initiative.
obtainingverbUS /əbˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “obtain” — come into possession of
From this reading He tackled his father first, deeming him the easier to mollify, and succeeded in obtaining his consent to the betrothal.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Lionel did not feel it so easy as he had imagined to acquaint his parents of his engagement to the daughter of Earl Torrens.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading To win his mother’s approval was a more difficult matter, and one which he knew necessitated considerable tact.
plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
From this reading Lionel did not feel it so easy as he had imagined to acquaint his parents of his engagement to the daughter of Earl Torrens.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading He postponed the announcement until the last possible moment, hoping that if Sir Julian had informed her of the news, she would herself introduce the subject; but as two days passed without a word having been said, he was obliged to take the initiative.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading He postponed the announcement until the last possible moment, hoping that if Sir Julian had informed her of the news, she would herself introduce the subject; but as two days passed without a word having been said, he was obliged to take the initiative.
postponedverbUS /poʊstˈpoʊnd/
past form of “postpone” — hold back to a later time
From this reading He postponed the announcement until the last possible moment, hoping that if Sir Julian had informed her of the news, she would herself introduce the subject; but as two days passed without a word having been said, he was obliged to take the initiative.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading He postponed the announcement until the last possible moment, hoping that if Sir Julian had informed her of the news, she would herself introduce the subject; but as two days passed without a word having been said, he was obliged to take the initiative.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He postponed the announcement until the last possible moment, hoping that if Sir Julian had informed her of the news, she would herself introduce the subject; but as two days passed without a word having been said, he was obliged to take the initiative.
term of address for a man
From this reading He postponed the announcement until the last possible moment, hoping that if Sir Julian had informed her of the news, she would herself introduce the subject; but as two days passed without a word having been said, he was obliged to take the initiative.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Lionel did not feel it so easy as he had imagined to acquaint his parents of his engagement to the daughter of Earl Torrens.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading He postponed the announcement until the last possible moment, hoping that if Sir Julian had informed her of the news, she would herself introduce the subject; but as two days passed without a word having been said, he was obliged to take the initiative.
past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal
From this reading He tackled his father first, deeming him the easier to mollify, and succeeded in obtaining his consent to the betrothal.
sweetheartnounUS /ˈswiːthɑːrt/
a person loved by another person
From this reading His sweetheart was eagerly awaiting the news.
tackledverbUS /ˈtækəld/
past form of “tackle” — accept as a challenge
From this reading He tackled his father first, deeming him the easier to mollify, and succeeded in obtaining his consent to the betrothal.
tactnounUS /tækt/
consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense
From this reading To win his mother’s approval was a more difficult matter, and one which he knew necessitated considerable tact.
carry out
From this reading He postponed the announcement until the last possible moment, hoping that if Sir Julian had informed her of the news, she would herself introduce the subject; but as two days passed without a word having been said, he was obliged to take the initiative.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He postponed the announcement until the last possible moment, hoping that if Sir Julian had informed her of the news, she would herself introduce the subject; but as two days passed without a word having been said, he was obliged to take the initiative.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Lionel did not feel it so easy as he had imagined to acquaint his parents of his engagement to the daughter of Earl Torrens.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Lionel did not feel it so easy as he had imagined to acquaint his parents of his engagement to the daughter of Earl Torrens.
Torrens
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lionel did not feel it so easy as he had imagined to acquaint his parents of his engagement to the daughter of Earl Torrens.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading He postponed the announcement until the last possible moment, hoping that if Sir Julian had informed her of the news, she would herself introduce the subject; but as two days passed without a word having been said, he was obliged to take the initiative.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading He postponed the announcement until the last possible moment, hoping that if Sir Julian had informed her of the news, she would herself introduce the subject; but as two days passed without a word having been said, he was obliged to take the initiative.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To win his mother’s approval was a more difficult matter, and one which he knew necessitated considerable tact.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading To win his mother’s approval was a more difficult matter, and one which he knew necessitated considerable tact.
be the winner in a contest or competition; be victorious
From this reading To win his mother’s approval was a more difficult matter, and one which he knew necessitated considerable tact.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He postponed the announcement until the last possible moment, hoping that if Sir Julian had informed her of the news, she would herself introduce the subject; but as two days passed without a word having been said, he was obliged to take the initiative.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading He postponed the announcement until the last possible moment, hoping that if Sir Julian had informed her of the news, she would herself introduce the subject; but as two days passed without a word having been said, he was obliged to take the initiative.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He postponed the announcement until the last possible moment, hoping that if Sir Julian had informed her of the news, she would herself introduce the subject; but as two days passed without a word having been said, he was obliged to take the initiative.
