Chapter X

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Dick Sheridan felt it to be a great relief to him to turn a laugh against his brother in regard to the sudden step taken by Miss Linley, which seemed to have disconcerted not only Charles, but half the population of Bath as well.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Dick could not bear to be suspected of entertaining hopes on his own account as to Elizabeth Linley; he possessed a certain amount of vanity--the vanity of a young man who is the son of an extremely vain old man, and who, though gifted--or cursed--with a certain wit in conversation, is still rather uncertain about his future.

a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading Dick could not bear to be suspected of entertaining hopes on his own account as to Elizabeth Linley; he possessed a certain amount of vanity--the vanity of a young man who is the son of an extremely vain old man, and who, though gifted--or cursed--with a certain wit in conversation, is still rather uncertain about his future.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Dick Sheridan felt it to be a great relief to him to turn a laugh against his brother in regard to the sudden step taken by Miss Linley, which seemed to have disconcerted not only Charles, but half the population of Bath as well.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading It was this vanity which had caused him to keep as a profound secret his attachment to Betsy: he could not have endured the humiliation of taking a place among the rejected suitors, and he had not so much vanity as made him unable to perceive that there was always a possibility of his loving in vain.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading It was this vanity which had caused him to keep as a profound secret his attachment to Betsy: he could not have endured the humiliation of taking a place among the rejected suitors, and he had not so much vanity as made him unable to perceive that there was always a possibility of his loving in vain.

a quantity of money

From this reading Dick could not bear to be suspected of entertaining hopes on his own account as to Elizabeth Linley; he possessed a certain amount of vanity--the vanity of a young man who is the son of an extremely vain old man, and who, though gifted--or cursed--with a certain wit in conversation, is still rather uncertain about his future.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Dick could not bear to be suspected of entertaining hopes on his own account as to Elizabeth Linley; he possessed a certain amount of vanity--the vanity of a young man who is the son of an extremely vain old man, and who, though gifted--or cursed--with a certain wit in conversation, is still rather uncertain about his future.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Dick could not bear to be suspected of entertaining hopes on his own account as to Elizabeth Linley; he possessed a certain amount of vanity--the vanity of a young man who is the son of an extremely vain old man, and who, though gifted--or cursed--with a certain wit in conversation, is still rather uncertain about his future.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Dick Sheridan felt it to be a great relief to him to turn a laugh against his brother in regard to the sudden step taken by Miss Linley, which seemed to have disconcerted not only Charles, but half the population of Bath as well.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He felt that, as his secret had hitherto escaped suspicion--and he fancied that it had done so--he could best keep it concealed by laughing at the men who, like his friend Halhed and his brother Charles, had worn their heart upon their sleeve.

a feeling of affection for a person or an institution

From this reading It was this vanity which had caused him to keep as a profound secret his attachment to Betsy: he could not have endured the humiliation of taking a place among the rejected suitors, and he had not so much vanity as made him unable to perceive that there was always a possibility of his loving in vain.

(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception

From this reading The man who is ready to laugh is not the man who is ready to love, most people think; and, being aware of this, he made himself ready to laugh.

a vessel containing liquid in which something is immersed (as to process it or to maintain it at a constant temperature or to lubricate it)

From this reading Dick Sheridan felt it to be a great relief to him to turn a laugh against his brother in regard to the sudden step taken by Miss Linley, which seemed to have disconcerted not only Charles, but half the population of Bath as well.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Dick Sheridan felt it to be a great relief to him to turn a laugh against his brother in regard to the sudden step taken by Miss Linley, which seemed to have disconcerted not only Charles, but half the population of Bath as well.

have

From this reading Dick could not bear to be suspected of entertaining hopes on his own account as to Elizabeth Linley; he possessed a certain amount of vanity--the vanity of a young man who is the son of an extremely vain old man, and who, though gifted--or cursed--with a certain wit in conversation, is still rather uncertain about his future.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading The man who is ready to laugh is not the man who is ready to love, most people think; and, being aware of this, he made himself ready to laugh.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading He felt that, as his secret had hitherto escaped suspicion--and he fancied that it had done so--he could best keep it concealed by laughing at the men who, like his friend Halhed and his brother Charles, had worn their heart upon their sleeve.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was this vanity which had caused him to keep as a profound secret his attachment to Betsy: he could not have endured the humiliation of taking a place among the rejected suitors, and he had not so much vanity as made him unable to perceive that there was always a possibility of his loving in vain.

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading Dick Sheridan felt it to be a great relief to him to turn a laugh against his brother in regard to the sudden step taken by Miss Linley, which seemed to have disconcerted not only Charles, but half the population of Bath as well.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Dick Sheridan felt it to be a great relief to him to turn a laugh against his brother in regard to the sudden step taken by Miss Linley, which seemed to have disconcerted not only Charles, but half the population of Bath as well.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Dick Sheridan felt it to be a great relief to him to turn a laugh against his brother in regard to the sudden step taken by Miss Linley, which seemed to have disconcerted not only Charles, but half the population of Bath as well.

past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally

From this reading It was this vanity which had caused him to keep as a profound secret his attachment to Betsy: he could not have endured the humiliation of taking a place among the rejected suitors, and he had not so much vanity as made him unable to perceive that there was always a possibility of his loving in vain.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading Dick could not bear to be suspected of entertaining hopes on his own account as to Elizabeth Linley; he possessed a certain amount of vanity--the vanity of a young man who is the son of an extremely vain old man, and who, though gifted--or cursed--with a certain wit in conversation, is still rather uncertain about his future.

King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)

From this reading Dick Sheridan felt it to be a great relief to him to turn a laugh against his brother in regard to the sudden step taken by Miss Linley, which seemed to have disconcerted not only Charles, but half the population of Bath as well.

not accessible to view

From this reading He felt that, as his secret had hitherto escaped suspicion--and he fancied that it had done so--he could best keep it concealed by laughing at the men who, like his friend Halhed and his brother Charles, had worn their heart upon their sleeve.

the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.

From this reading Dick could not bear to be suspected of entertaining hopes on his own account as to Elizabeth Linley; he possessed a certain amount of vanity--the vanity of a young man who is the son of an extremely vain old man, and who, though gifted--or cursed--with a certain wit in conversation, is still rather uncertain about his future.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Dick could not bear to be suspected of entertaining hopes on his own account as to Elizabeth Linley; he possessed a certain amount of vanity--the vanity of a young man who is the son of an extremely vain old man, and who, though gifted--or cursed--with a certain wit in conversation, is still rather uncertain about his future.

deserving a curse; sometimes used as an intensifier

From this reading Dick could not bear to be suspected of entertaining hopes on his own account as to Elizabeth Linley; he possessed a certain amount of vanity--the vanity of a young man who is the son of an extremely vain old man, and who, though gifted--or cursed--with a certain wit in conversation, is still rather uncertain about his future.

someone who is a detective

From this reading Dick Sheridan felt it to be a great relief to him to turn a laugh against his brother in regard to the sudden step taken by Miss Linley, which seemed to have disconcerted not only Charles, but half the population of Bath as well.

having self-possession upset; thrown into confusion

From this reading Dick Sheridan felt it to be a great relief to him to turn a laugh against his brother in regard to the sudden step taken by Miss Linley, which seemed to have disconcerted not only Charles, but half the population of Bath as well.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading He felt that, as his secret had hitherto escaped suspicion--and he fancied that it had done so--he could best keep it concealed by laughing at the men who, like his friend Halhed and his brother Charles, had worn their heart upon their sleeve.

daughter of George VI who became the Queen of England and Northern Ireland in 1952 on the death of her father (1926-)

From this reading Dick could not bear to be suspected of entertaining hopes on his own account as to Elizabeth Linley; he possessed a certain amount of vanity--the vanity of a young man who is the son of an extremely vain old man, and who, though gifted--or cursed--with a certain wit in conversation, is still rather uncertain about his future.

past form of “endure” — put up with something or somebody unpleasant

From this reading It was this vanity which had caused him to keep as a profound secret his attachment to Betsy: he could not have endured the humiliation of taking a place among the rejected suitors, and he had not so much vanity as made him unable to perceive that there was always a possibility of his loving in vain.

agreeably diverting

From this reading Dick could not bear to be suspected of entertaining hopes on his own account as to Elizabeth Linley; he possessed a certain amount of vanity--the vanity of a young man who is the son of an extremely vain old man, and who, though gifted--or cursed--with a certain wit in conversation, is still rather uncertain about his future.

having escaped, especially from confinement

From this reading He felt that, as his secret had hitherto escaped suspicion--and he fancied that it had done so--he could best keep it concealed by laughing at the men who, like his friend Halhed and his brother Charles, had worn their heart upon their sleeve.

to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect

From this reading Dick could not bear to be suspected of entertaining hopes on his own account as to Elizabeth Linley; he possessed a certain amount of vanity--the vanity of a young man who is the son of an extremely vain old man, and who, though gifted--or cursed--with a certain wit in conversation, is still rather uncertain about his future.

formed or conceived by the imagination

From this reading He felt that, as his secret had hitherto escaped suspicion--and he fancied that it had done so--he could best keep it concealed by laughing at the men who, like his friend Halhed and his brother Charles, had worn their heart upon their sleeve.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading Dick Sheridan felt it to be a great relief to him to turn a laugh against his brother in regard to the sudden step taken by Miss Linley, which seemed to have disconcerted not only Charles, but half the population of Bath as well.

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading He felt that, as his secret had hitherto escaped suspicion--and he fancied that it had done so--he could best keep it concealed by laughing at the men who, like his friend Halhed and his brother Charles, had worn their heart upon their sleeve.

yet to be or coming

From this reading Dick could not bear to be suspected of entertaining hopes on his own account as to Elizabeth Linley; he possessed a certain amount of vanity--the vanity of a young man who is the son of an extremely vain old man, and who, though gifted--or cursed--with a certain wit in conversation, is still rather uncertain about his future.

endowed with talent or talents

From this reading Dick could not bear to be suspected of entertaining hopes on his own account as to Elizabeth Linley; he possessed a certain amount of vanity--the vanity of a young man who is the son of an extremely vain old man, and who, though gifted--or cursed--with a certain wit in conversation, is still rather uncertain about his future.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Dick Sheridan felt it to be a great relief to him to turn a laugh against his brother in regard to the sudden step taken by Miss Linley, which seemed to have disconcerted not only Charles, but half the population of Bath as well.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading It was this vanity which had caused him to keep as a profound secret his attachment to Betsy: he could not have endured the humiliation of taking a place among the rejected suitors, and he had not so much vanity as made him unable to perceive that there was always a possibility of his loving in vain.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading Dick Sheridan felt it to be a great relief to him to turn a laugh against his brother in regard to the sudden step taken by Miss Linley, which seemed to have disconcerted not only Charles, but half the population of Bath as well.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He felt that, as his secret had hitherto escaped suspicion--and he fancied that it had done so--he could best keep it concealed by laughing at the men who, like his friend Halhed and his brother Charles, had worn their heart upon their sleeve.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Dick Sheridan felt it to be a great relief to him to turn a laugh against his brother in regard to the sudden step taken by Miss Linley, which seemed to have disconcerted not only Charles, but half the population of Bath as well.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Dick could not bear to be suspected of entertaining hopes on his own account as to Elizabeth Linley; he possessed a certain amount of vanity--the vanity of a young man who is the son of an extremely vain old man, and who, though gifted--or cursed--with a certain wit in conversation, is still rather uncertain about his future.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading He felt that, as his secret had hitherto escaped suspicion--and he fancied that it had done so--he could best keep it concealed by laughing at the men who, like his friend Halhed and his brother Charles, had worn their heart upon their sleeve.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Dick Sheridan felt it to be a great relief to him to turn a laugh against his brother in regard to the sudden step taken by Miss Linley, which seemed to have disconcerted not only Charles, but half the population of Bath as well.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading The man who is ready to laugh is not the man who is ready to love, most people think; and, being aware of this, he made himself ready to laugh.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Dick Sheridan felt it to be a great relief to him to turn a laugh against his brother in regard to the sudden step taken by Miss Linley, which seemed to have disconcerted not only Charles, but half the population of Bath as well.

used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time

From this reading He felt that, as his secret had hitherto escaped suspicion--and he fancied that it had done so--he could best keep it concealed by laughing at the men who, like his friend Halhed and his brother Charles, had worn their heart upon their sleeve.

plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading Dick could not bear to be suspected of entertaining hopes on his own account as to Elizabeth Linley; he possessed a certain amount of vanity--the vanity of a young man who is the son of an extremely vain old man, and who, though gifted--or cursed--with a certain wit in conversation, is still rather uncertain about his future.

state of disgrace or loss of self-respect

From this reading It was this vanity which had caused him to keep as a profound secret his attachment to Betsy: he could not have endured the humiliation of taking a place among the rejected suitors, and he had not so much vanity as made him unable to perceive that there was always a possibility of his loving in vain.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Dick Sheridan felt it to be a great relief to him to turn a laugh against his brother in regard to the sudden step taken by Miss Linley, which seemed to have disconcerted not only Charles, but half the population of Bath as well.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Dick could not bear to be suspected of entertaining hopes on his own account as to Elizabeth Linley; he possessed a certain amount of vanity--the vanity of a young man who is the son of an extremely vain old man, and who, though gifted--or cursed--with a certain wit in conversation, is still rather uncertain about his future.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Dick Sheridan felt it to be a great relief to him to turn a laugh against his brother in regard to the sudden step taken by Miss Linley, which seemed to have disconcerted not only Charles, but half the population of Bath as well.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading It was this vanity which had caused him to keep as a profound secret his attachment to Betsy: he could not have endured the humiliation of taking a place among the rejected suitors, and he had not so much vanity as made him unable to perceive that there was always a possibility of his loving in vain.

the sound of laughing

From this reading Dick Sheridan felt it to be a great relief to him to turn a laugh against his brother in regard to the sudden step taken by Miss Linley, which seemed to have disconcerted not only Charles, but half the population of Bath as well.

showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness

From this reading He felt that, as his secret had hitherto escaped suspicion--and he fancied that it had done so--he could best keep it concealed by laughing at the men who, like his friend Halhed and his brother Charles, had worn their heart upon their sleeve.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading He felt that, as his secret had hitherto escaped suspicion--and he fancied that it had done so--he could best keep it concealed by laughing at the men who, like his friend Halhed and his brother Charles, had worn their heart upon their sleeve.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Dick Sheridan felt it to be a great relief to him to turn a laugh against his brother in regard to the sudden step taken by Miss Linley, which seemed to have disconcerted not only Charles, but half the population of Bath as well.

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading The man who is ready to laugh is not the man who is ready to love, most people think; and, being aware of this, he made himself ready to laugh.

feeling or showing love and affection

From this reading It was this vanity which had caused him to keep as a profound secret his attachment to Betsy: he could not have endured the humiliation of taking a place among the rejected suitors, and he had not so much vanity as made him unable to perceive that there was always a possibility of his loving in vain.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading It was this vanity which had caused him to keep as a profound secret his attachment to Betsy: he could not have endured the humiliation of taking a place among the rejected suitors, and he had not so much vanity as made him unable to perceive that there was always a possibility of his loving in vain.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Dick could not bear to be suspected of entertaining hopes on his own account as to Elizabeth Linley; he possessed a certain amount of vanity--the vanity of a young man who is the son of an extremely vain old man, and who, though gifted--or cursed--with a certain wit in conversation, is still rather uncertain about his future.

the force of workers available

From this reading He felt that, as his secret had hitherto escaped suspicion--and he fancied that it had done so--he could best keep it concealed by laughing at the men who, like his friend Halhed and his brother Charles, had worn their heart upon their sleeve.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading Dick Sheridan felt it to be a great relief to him to turn a laugh against his brother in regard to the sudden step taken by Miss Linley, which seemed to have disconcerted not only Charles, but half the population of Bath as well.

used to form the superlative

From this reading The man who is ready to laugh is not the man who is ready to love, most people think; and, being aware of this, he made himself ready to laugh.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading It was this vanity which had caused him to keep as a profound secret his attachment to Betsy: he could not have endured the humiliation of taking a place among the rejected suitors, and he had not so much vanity as made him unable to perceive that there was always a possibility of his loving in vain.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Dick Sheridan felt it to be a great relief to him to turn a laugh against his brother in regard to the sudden step taken by Miss Linley, which seemed to have disconcerted not only Charles, but half the population of Bath as well.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Dick Sheridan felt it to be a great relief to him to turn a laugh against his brother in regard to the sudden step taken by Miss Linley, which seemed to have disconcerted not only Charles, but half the population of Bath as well.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Dick could not bear to be suspected of entertaining hopes on his own account as to Elizabeth Linley; he possessed a certain amount of vanity--the vanity of a young man who is the son of an extremely vain old man, and who, though gifted--or cursed--with a certain wit in conversation, is still rather uncertain about his future.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Dick could not bear to be suspected of entertaining hopes on his own account as to Elizabeth Linley; he possessed a certain amount of vanity--the vanity of a young man who is the son of an extremely vain old man, and who, though gifted--or cursed--with a certain wit in conversation, is still rather uncertain about his future.

and nothing more

From this reading Dick Sheridan felt it to be a great relief to him to turn a laugh against his brother in regard to the sudden step taken by Miss Linley, which seemed to have disconcerted not only Charles, but half the population of Bath as well.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Dick could not bear to be suspected of entertaining hopes on his own account as to Elizabeth Linley; he possessed a certain amount of vanity--the vanity of a young man who is the son of an extremely vain old man, and who, though gifted--or cursed--with a certain wit in conversation, is still rather uncertain about his future.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Dick could not bear to be suspected of entertaining hopes on his own account as to Elizabeth Linley; he possessed a certain amount of vanity--the vanity of a young man who is the son of an extremely vain old man, and who, though gifted--or cursed--with a certain wit in conversation, is still rather uncertain about his future.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading The man who is ready to laugh is not the man who is ready to love, most people think; and, being aware of this, he made himself ready to laugh.

to become aware of through the senses

From this reading It was this vanity which had caused him to keep as a profound secret his attachment to Betsy: he could not have endured the humiliation of taking a place among the rejected suitors, and he had not so much vanity as made him unable to perceive that there was always a possibility of his loving in vain.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading It was this vanity which had caused him to keep as a profound secret his attachment to Betsy: he could not have endured the humiliation of taking a place among the rejected suitors, and he had not so much vanity as made him unable to perceive that there was always a possibility of his loving in vain.

the people who inhabit a territory or state

From this reading Dick Sheridan felt it to be a great relief to him to turn a laugh against his brother in regard to the sudden step taken by Miss Linley, which seemed to have disconcerted not only Charles, but half the population of Bath as well.

influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion

From this reading Dick could not bear to be suspected of entertaining hopes on his own account as to Elizabeth Linley; he possessed a certain amount of vanity--the vanity of a young man who is the son of an extremely vain old man, and who, though gifted--or cursed--with a certain wit in conversation, is still rather uncertain about his future.

a future prospect or potential

From this reading It was this vanity which had caused him to keep as a profound secret his attachment to Betsy: he could not have endured the humiliation of taking a place among the rejected suitors, and he had not so much vanity as made him unable to perceive that there was always a possibility of his loving in vain.

showing intellectual penetration or emotional depth

From this reading It was this vanity which had caused him to keep as a profound secret his attachment to Betsy: he could not have endured the humiliation of taking a place among the rejected suitors, and he had not so much vanity as made him unable to perceive that there was always a possibility of his loving in vain.

on the contrary

From this reading Dick could not bear to be suspected of entertaining hopes on his own account as to Elizabeth Linley; he possessed a certain amount of vanity--the vanity of a young man who is the son of an extremely vain old man, and who, though gifted--or cursed--with a certain wit in conversation, is still rather uncertain about his future.

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading The man who is ready to laugh is not the man who is ready to love, most people think; and, being aware of this, he made himself ready to laugh.

(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading Dick Sheridan felt it to be a great relief to him to turn a laugh against his brother in regard to the sudden step taken by Miss Linley, which seemed to have disconcerted not only Charles, but half the population of Bath as well.

rebuffed (by a lover) without warning

From this reading It was this vanity which had caused him to keep as a profound secret his attachment to Betsy: he could not have endured the humiliation of taking a place among the rejected suitors, and he had not so much vanity as made him unable to perceive that there was always a possibility of his loving in vain.

the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced

From this reading Dick Sheridan felt it to be a great relief to him to turn a laugh against his brother in regard to the sudden step taken by Miss Linley, which seemed to have disconcerted not only Charles, but half the population of Bath as well.

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading It was this vanity which had caused him to keep as a profound secret his attachment to Betsy: he could not have endured the humiliation of taking a place among the rejected suitors, and he had not so much vanity as made him unable to perceive that there was always a possibility of his loving in vain.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Dick Sheridan felt it to be a great relief to him to turn a laugh against his brother in regard to the sudden step taken by Miss Linley, which seemed to have disconcerted not only Charles, but half the population of Bath as well.

Irish playwright remembered for his satirical comedies of manners (1751-1816)

From this reading Dick Sheridan felt it to be a great relief to him to turn a laugh against his brother in regard to the sudden step taken by Miss Linley, which seemed to have disconcerted not only Charles, but half the population of Bath as well.

the part of a garment that is attached at the armhole and that provides a cloth covering for the arm

From this reading He felt that, as his secret had hitherto escaped suspicion--and he fancied that it had done so--he could best keep it concealed by laughing at the men who, like his friend Halhed and his brother Charles, had worn their heart upon their sleeve.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It was this vanity which had caused him to keep as a profound secret his attachment to Betsy: he could not have endured the humiliation of taking a place among the rejected suitors, and he had not so much vanity as made him unable to perceive that there was always a possibility of his loving in vain.

a male human offspring

From this reading Dick could not bear to be suspected of entertaining hopes on his own account as to Elizabeth Linley; he possessed a certain amount of vanity--the vanity of a young man who is the son of an extremely vain old man, and who, though gifted--or cursed--with a certain wit in conversation, is still rather uncertain about his future.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading Dick Sheridan felt it to be a great relief to him to turn a laugh against his brother in regard to the sudden step taken by Miss Linley, which seemed to have disconcerted not only Charles, but half the population of Bath as well.

not in physical motion

From this reading Dick could not bear to be suspected of entertaining hopes on his own account as to Elizabeth Linley; he possessed a certain amount of vanity--the vanity of a young man who is the son of an extremely vain old man, and who, though gifted--or cursed--with a certain wit in conversation, is still rather uncertain about his future.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading Dick Sheridan felt it to be a great relief to him to turn a laugh against his brother in regard to the sudden step taken by Miss Linley, which seemed to have disconcerted not only Charles, but half the population of Bath as well.

plural of “suitor” — a man who courts a woman

From this reading It was this vanity which had caused him to keep as a profound secret his attachment to Betsy: he could not have endured the humiliation of taking a place among the rejected suitors, and he had not so much vanity as made him unable to perceive that there was always a possibility of his loving in vain.

believed likely

From this reading Dick could not bear to be suspected of entertaining hopes on his own account as to Elizabeth Linley; he possessed a certain amount of vanity--the vanity of a young man who is the son of an extremely vain old man, and who, though gifted--or cursed--with a certain wit in conversation, is still rather uncertain about his future.

an impression that something might be the case

From this reading He felt that, as his secret had hitherto escaped suspicion--and he fancied that it had done so--he could best keep it concealed by laughing at the men who, like his friend Halhed and his brother Charles, had worn their heart upon their sleeve.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading Dick Sheridan felt it to be a great relief to him to turn a laugh against his brother in regard to the sudden step taken by Miss Linley, which seemed to have disconcerted not only Charles, but half the population of Bath as well.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading It was this vanity which had caused him to keep as a profound secret his attachment to Betsy: he could not have endured the humiliation of taking a place among the rejected suitors, and he had not so much vanity as made him unable to perceive that there was always a possibility of his loving in vain.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was this vanity which had caused him to keep as a profound secret his attachment to Betsy: he could not have endured the humiliation of taking a place among the rejected suitors, and he had not so much vanity as made him unable to perceive that there was always a possibility of his loving in vain.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Dick Sheridan felt it to be a great relief to him to turn a laugh against his brother in regard to the sudden step taken by Miss Linley, which seemed to have disconcerted not only Charles, but half the population of Bath as well.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading He felt that, as his secret had hitherto escaped suspicion--and he fancied that it had done so--he could best keep it concealed by laughing at the men who, like his friend Halhed and his brother Charles, had worn their heart upon their sleeve.

in or at that place or location

From this reading It was this vanity which had caused him to keep as a profound secret his attachment to Betsy: he could not have endured the humiliation of taking a place among the rejected suitors, and he had not so much vanity as made him unable to perceive that there was always a possibility of his loving in vain.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading The man who is ready to laugh is not the man who is ready to love, most people think; and, being aware of this, he made himself ready to laugh.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading It was this vanity which had caused him to keep as a profound secret his attachment to Betsy: he could not have endured the humiliation of taking a place among the rejected suitors, and he had not so much vanity as made him unable to perceive that there was always a possibility of his loving in vain.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Dick could not bear to be suspected of entertaining hopes on his own account as to Elizabeth Linley; he possessed a certain amount of vanity--the vanity of a young man who is the son of an extremely vain old man, and who, though gifted--or cursed--with a certain wit in conversation, is still rather uncertain about his future.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Dick Sheridan felt it to be a great relief to him to turn a laugh against his brother in regard to the sudden step taken by Miss Linley, which seemed to have disconcerted not only Charles, but half the population of Bath as well.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading Dick Sheridan felt it to be a great relief to him to turn a laugh against his brother in regard to the sudden step taken by Miss Linley, which seemed to have disconcerted not only Charles, but half the population of Bath as well.

(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how

From this reading It was this vanity which had caused him to keep as a profound secret his attachment to Betsy: he could not have endured the humiliation of taking a place among the rejected suitors, and he had not so much vanity as made him unable to perceive that there was always a possibility of his loving in vain.

lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance

From this reading Dick could not bear to be suspected of entertaining hopes on his own account as to Elizabeth Linley; he possessed a certain amount of vanity--the vanity of a young man who is the son of an extremely vain old man, and who, though gifted--or cursed--with a certain wit in conversation, is still rather uncertain about his future.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading He felt that, as his secret had hitherto escaped suspicion--and he fancied that it had done so--he could best keep it concealed by laughing at the men who, like his friend Halhed and his brother Charles, had worn their heart upon their sleeve.

characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance

From this reading Dick could not bear to be suspected of entertaining hopes on his own account as to Elizabeth Linley; he possessed a certain amount of vanity--the vanity of a young man who is the son of an extremely vain old man, and who, though gifted--or cursed--with a certain wit in conversation, is still rather uncertain about his future.

feelings of excessive pride

From this reading Dick could not bear to be suspected of entertaining hopes on his own account as to Elizabeth Linley; he possessed a certain amount of vanity--the vanity of a young man who is the son of an extremely vain old man, and who, though gifted--or cursed--with a certain wit in conversation, is still rather uncertain about his future.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It was this vanity which had caused him to keep as a profound secret his attachment to Betsy: he could not have endured the humiliation of taking a place among the rejected suitors, and he had not so much vanity as made him unable to perceive that there was always a possibility of his loving in vain.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Dick Sheridan felt it to be a great relief to him to turn a laugh against his brother in regard to the sudden step taken by Miss Linley, which seemed to have disconcerted not only Charles, but half the population of Bath as well.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Dick Sheridan felt it to be a great relief to him to turn a laugh against his brother in regard to the sudden step taken by Miss Linley, which seemed to have disconcerted not only Charles, but half the population of Bath as well.

which person or people

From this reading Dick could not bear to be suspected of entertaining hopes on his own account as to Elizabeth Linley; he possessed a certain amount of vanity--the vanity of a young man who is the son of an extremely vain old man, and who, though gifted--or cursed--with a certain wit in conversation, is still rather uncertain about his future.

a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter

From this reading Dick could not bear to be suspected of entertaining hopes on his own account as to Elizabeth Linley; he possessed a certain amount of vanity--the vanity of a young man who is the son of an extremely vain old man, and who, though gifted--or cursed--with a certain wit in conversation, is still rather uncertain about his future.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Dick could not bear to be suspected of entertaining hopes on his own account as to Elizabeth Linley; he possessed a certain amount of vanity--the vanity of a young man who is the son of an extremely vain old man, and who, though gifted--or cursed--with a certain wit in conversation, is still rather uncertain about his future.

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading He felt that, as his secret had hitherto escaped suspicion--and he fancied that it had done so--he could best keep it concealed by laughing at the men who, like his friend Halhed and his brother Charles, had worn their heart upon their sleeve.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Dick could not bear to be suspected of entertaining hopes on his own account as to Elizabeth Linley; he possessed a certain amount of vanity--the vanity of a young man who is the son of an extremely vain old man, and who, though gifted--or cursed--with a certain wit in conversation, is still rather uncertain about his future.