used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He had been disappointed, it is true, in his fancies about the impression she would produce on his friends; but what a trifle was that!
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He had been disappointed, it is true, in his fancies about the impression she would produce on his friends; but what a trifle was that!
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Who knew as well as himself the tenderness of her heart, the delicate sensitiveness of her conscience, the generosity of self-sacrifice she was always ready to bestow? and was he likely to become blind, so that he should fail to see how fair and frank and handsome she was?
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was as fond of her and as proud of her as ever.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was as fond of her and as proud of her as ever.
BABYLONnounUS /ˈbæbəlɑːn/
the chief city of ancient Mesopotamia and capital of the ancient kingdom of Babylonia
From this reading BY THE WATERS OF BABYLON.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Who knew as well as himself the tenderness of her heart, the delicate sensitiveness of her conscience, the generosity of self-sacrifice she was always ready to bestow? and was he likely to become blind, so that he should fail to see how fair and frank and handsome she was?
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading If Frank Lavender had been told that his love for his wife was in danger of waning, he would have laughed the suggestion to scorn.
bestowverbUS /bɪˈstoʊ/
present
From this reading Who knew as well as himself the tenderness of her heart, the delicate sensitiveness of her conscience, the generosity of self-sacrifice she was always ready to bestow? and was he likely to become blind, so that he should fail to see how fair and frank and handsome she was?
people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group
From this reading Who knew as well as himself the tenderness of her heart, the delicate sensitiveness of her conscience, the generosity of self-sacrifice she was always ready to bestow? and was he likely to become blind, so that he should fail to see how fair and frank and handsome she was?
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had been disappointed, it is true, in his fancies about the impression she would produce on his friends; but what a trifle was that!
showing who or what does the action
From this reading BY THE WATERS OF BABYLON.
motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions
From this reading Who knew as well as himself the tenderness of her heart, the delicate sensitiveness of her conscience, the generosity of self-sacrifice she was always ready to bestow? and was he likely to become blind, so that he should fail to see how fair and frank and handsome she was?
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading If Frank Lavender had been told that his love for his wife was in danger of waning, he would have laughed the suggestion to scorn.
exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury
From this reading Who knew as well as himself the tenderness of her heart, the delicate sensitiveness of her conscience, the generosity of self-sacrifice she was always ready to bestow? and was he likely to become blind, so that he should fail to see how fair and frank and handsome she was?
disappointingly unsuccessful
From this reading He had been disappointed, it is true, in his fancies about the impression she would produce on his friends; but what a trifle was that!
at any time
From this reading He was as fond of her and as proud of her as ever.
fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading Who knew as well as himself the tenderness of her heart, the delicate sensitiveness of her conscience, the generosity of self-sacrifice she was always ready to bestow? and was he likely to become blind, so that he should fail to see how fair and frank and handsome she was?
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading Who knew as well as himself the tenderness of her heart, the delicate sensitiveness of her conscience, the generosity of self-sacrifice she was always ready to bestow? and was he likely to become blind, so that he should fail to see how fair and frank and handsome she was?
fanciesnounUS /ˈfænsiz/
plural of “fancy” — something many people believe that is false
From this reading He had been disappointed, it is true, in his fancies about the impression she would produce on his friends; but what a trifle was that!
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading He was as fond of her and as proud of her as ever.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading If Frank Lavender had been told that his love for his wife was in danger of waning, he would have laughed the suggestion to scorn.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading If Frank Lavender had been told that his love for his wife was in danger of waning, he would have laughed the suggestion to scorn.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading He had been disappointed, it is true, in his fancies about the impression she would produce on his friends; but what a trifle was that!
generositynounUS /ˌdʒenərˈɑːsəti/
the trait of being willing to give your money or time
From this reading Who knew as well as himself the tenderness of her heart, the delicate sensitiveness of her conscience, the generosity of self-sacrifice she was always ready to bestow? and was he likely to become blind, so that he should fail to see how fair and frank and handsome she was?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading If Frank Lavender had been told that his love for his wife was in danger of waning, he would have laughed the suggestion to scorn.
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading Who knew as well as himself the tenderness of her heart, the delicate sensitiveness of her conscience, the generosity of self-sacrifice she was always ready to bestow? and was he likely to become blind, so that he should fail to see how fair and frank and handsome she was?
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If Frank Lavender had been told that his love for his wife was in danger of waning, he would have laughed the suggestion to scorn.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If Frank Lavender had been told that his love for his wife was in danger of waning, he would have laughed the suggestion to scorn.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Who knew as well as himself the tenderness of her heart, the delicate sensitiveness of her conscience, the generosity of self-sacrifice she was always ready to bestow? and was he likely to become blind, so that he should fail to see how fair and frank and handsome she was?
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He was as fond of her and as proud of her as ever.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Who knew as well as himself the tenderness of her heart, the delicate sensitiveness of her conscience, the generosity of self-sacrifice she was always ready to bestow? and was he likely to become blind, so that he should fail to see how fair and frank and handsome she was?
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading If Frank Lavender had been told that his love for his wife was in danger of waning, he would have laughed the suggestion to scorn.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Who knew as well as himself the tenderness of her heart, the delicate sensitiveness of her conscience, the generosity of self-sacrifice she was always ready to bestow? and was he likely to become blind, so that he should fail to see how fair and frank and handsome she was?
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If Frank Lavender had been told that his love for his wife was in danger of waning, he would have laughed the suggestion to scorn.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading He had been disappointed, it is true, in his fancies about the impression she would produce on his friends; but what a trifle was that!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading If Frank Lavender had been told that his love for his wife was in danger of waning, he would have laughed the suggestion to scorn.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He had been disappointed, it is true, in his fancies about the impression she would produce on his friends; but what a trifle was that!
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He had been disappointed, it is true, in his fancies about the impression she would produce on his friends; but what a trifle was that!
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 Who knew as well as himself the tenderness of her heart, the delicate sensitiveness of her conscience, the generosity of self-sacrifice she was always ready to bestow? and was he likely to become blind, so that he should fail to see how fair and frank and handsome she was?
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading If Frank Lavender had been told that his love for his wife was in danger of waning, he would have laughed the suggestion to scorn.
LavenderadjectiveUS /ˈlævəndər/
of a pale purple color
From this reading If Frank Lavender had been told that his love for his wife was in danger of waning, he would have laughed the suggestion to scorn.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading Who knew as well as himself the tenderness of her heart, the delicate sensitiveness of her conscience, the generosity of self-sacrifice she was always ready to bestow? and was he likely to become blind, so that he should fail to see how fair and frank and handsome she was?
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading If Frank Lavender had been told that his love for his wife was in danger of waning, he would have laughed the suggestion to scorn.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading BY THE WATERS OF BABYLON.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He had been disappointed, it is true, in his fancies about the impression she would produce on his friends; but what a trifle was that!
bring forth or yield
From this reading He had been disappointed, it is true, in his fancies about the impression she would produce on his friends; but what a trifle was that!
feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading He was as fond of her and as proud of her as ever.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading Who knew as well as himself the tenderness of her heart, the delicate sensitiveness of her conscience, the generosity of self-sacrifice she was always ready to bestow? and was he likely to become blind, so that he should fail to see how fair and frank and handsome she was?
lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
From this reading If Frank Lavender had been told that his love for his wife was in danger of waning, he would have laughed the suggestion to scorn.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Who knew as well as himself the tenderness of her heart, the delicate sensitiveness of her conscience, the generosity of self-sacrifice she was always ready to bestow? and was he likely to become blind, so that he should fail to see how fair and frank and handsome she was?
self-sacrificenoun
acting with less concern for yourself than for the success of the joint activity
From this reading Who knew as well as himself the tenderness of her heart, the delicate sensitiveness of her conscience, the generosity of self-sacrifice she was always ready to bestow? and was he likely to become blind, so that he should fail to see how fair and frank and handsome she was?
sensitivenessnounUS /ˈsensətɪvnəs/
sensitivity to emotional feelings (of self and others)
From this reading Who knew as well as himself the tenderness of her heart, the delicate sensitiveness of her conscience, the generosity of self-sacrifice she was always ready to bestow? and was he likely to become blind, so that he should fail to see how fair and frank and handsome she was?
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Who knew as well as himself the tenderness of her heart, the delicate sensitiveness of her conscience, the generosity of self-sacrifice she was always ready to bestow? and was he likely to become blind, so that he should fail to see how fair and frank and handsome she was?
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Who knew as well as himself the tenderness of her heart, the delicate sensitiveness of her conscience, the generosity of self-sacrifice she was always ready to bestow? and was he likely to become blind, so that he should fail to see how fair and frank and handsome she was?
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Who knew as well as himself the tenderness of her heart, the delicate sensitiveness of her conscience, the generosity of self-sacrifice she was always ready to bestow? and was he likely to become blind, so that he should fail to see how fair and frank and handsome she was?
an idea that is suggested
From this reading If Frank Lavender had been told that his love for his wife was in danger of waning, he would have laughed the suggestion to scorn.
a tendency to express warm and affectionate feeling
From this reading Who knew as well as himself the tenderness of her heart, the delicate sensitiveness of her conscience, the generosity of self-sacrifice she was always ready to bestow? and was he likely to become blind, so that he should fail to see how fair and frank and handsome she was?
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading If Frank Lavender had been told that his love for his wife was in danger of waning, he would have laughed the suggestion to scorn.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BY THE WATERS OF BABYLON.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading If Frank Lavender had been told that his love for his wife was in danger of waning, he would have laughed the suggestion to scorn.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading If Frank Lavender had been told that his love for his wife was in danger of waning, he would have laughed the suggestion to scorn.
a cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorated with nuts, cream, or chocolate
From this reading He had been disappointed, it is true, in his fancies about the impression she would produce on his friends; but what a trifle was that!
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading He had been disappointed, it is true, in his fancies about the impression she would produce on his friends; but what a trifle was that!
waningnounUS /ˈweɪnɪŋ/
a gradual decrease in magnitude or extent
From this reading If Frank Lavender had been told that his love for his wife was in danger of waning, he would have laughed the suggestion to scorn.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If Frank Lavender had been told that his love for his wife was in danger of waning, he would have laughed the suggestion to scorn.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading BY THE WATERS OF BABYLON.
(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 Who knew as well as himself the tenderness of her heart, the delicate sensitiveness of her conscience, the generosity of self-sacrifice she was always ready to bestow? and was he likely to become blind, so that he should fail to see how fair and frank and handsome she was?
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He had been disappointed, it is true, in his fancies about the impression she would produce on his friends; but what a trifle was that!
which person or people
From this reading Who knew as well as himself the tenderness of her heart, the delicate sensitiveness of her conscience, the generosity of self-sacrifice she was always ready to bestow? and was he likely to become blind, so that he should fail to see how fair and frank and handsome she was?
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading If Frank Lavender had been told that his love for his wife was in danger of waning, he would have laughed the suggestion to scorn.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If Frank Lavender had been told that his love for his wife was in danger of waning, he would have laughed the suggestion to scorn.
