used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “A ROD FOR THE FOOL’S BACK” COMPARING it with the fortnight of yesterdays, Brant reckoned the day of his meeting with Dorothy as one worthy of anniversaries.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Being so well assured of the daughter’s--he was about to say “love,” but he changed it to “sympathy”--being so well assured of the daughter’s sympathy, he could afford to wait for reinstatement in the good graces of the mother.
absolutionnounUS /ˌæbsəˈluːʃən/
the condition of being formally forgiven by a priest in the sacrament of penance
From this reading In good truth, his confession had stopped something short of its climax, and of the coveted personal absolution; but it was comforting to remember that he had spoken plainly, and that she had bidden him go forward hopefully.
be able to spare or give up
From this reading Being so well assured of the daughter’s--he was about to say “love,” but he changed it to “sympathy”--being so well assured of the daughter’s sympathy, he could afford to wait for reinstatement in the good graces of the mother.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In good truth, his confession had stopped something short of its climax, and of the coveted personal absolution; but it was comforting to remember that he had spoken plainly, and that she had bidden him go forward hopefully.
anniversariesnounUS /ˌænəˈvɜːrsəriz/
plural of “anniversary” — the date on which an event occurred in some previous year (or the celebration of it)
From this reading “A ROD FOR THE FOOL’S BACK” COMPARING it with the fortnight of yesterdays, Brant reckoned the day of his meeting with Dorothy as one worthy of anniversaries.
applicationnounUS /ˌæpləˈkeɪʃən/
the act of bringing something to bear; using it for a particular purpose
From this reading Notwithstanding the untimely interruption, there could be no reasonable doubt of the major fact: that she fully understood his parable and its application--understood and was glad, and would have let him go on but for the interruption.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “A ROD FOR THE FOOL’S BACK” COMPARING it with the fortnight of yesterdays, Brant reckoned the day of his meeting with Dorothy as one worthy of anniversaries.
marked by assurance; exhibiting confidence
From this reading Being so well assured of the daughter’s--he was about to say “love,” but he changed it to “sympathy”--being so well assured of the daughter’s sympathy, he could afford to wait for reinstatement in the good graces of the mother.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading So much for the good; and as for the ill, the rebuff at the church gate went for little.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading “A ROD FOR THE FOOL’S BACK” COMPARING it with the fortnight of yesterdays, Brant reckoned the day of his meeting with Dorothy as one worthy of anniversaries.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Notwithstanding the untimely interruption, there could be no reasonable doubt of the major fact: that she fully understood his parable and its application--understood and was glad, and would have let him go on but for the interruption.
Beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Being so well assured of the daughter’s--he was about to say “love,” but he changed it to “sympathy”--being so well assured of the daughter’s sympathy, he could afford to wait for reinstatement in the good graces of the mother.
biddenverbUS /ˈbɪdɪn/
inflected form of “bid” — propose a payment
From this reading In good truth, his confession had stopped something short of its climax, and of the coveted personal absolution; but it was comforting to remember that he had spoken plainly, and that she had bidden him go forward hopefully.
BrantnounUS /brænt/
small dark geese that breed in the north and migrate southward
From this reading “A ROD FOR THE FOOL’S BACK” COMPARING it with the fortnight of yesterdays, Brant reckoned the day of his meeting with Dorothy as one worthy of anniversaries.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading In good truth, his confession had stopped something short of its climax, and of the coveted personal absolution; but it was comforting to remember that he had spoken plainly, and that she had bidden him go forward hopefully.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading Being so well assured of the daughter’s--he was about to say “love,” but he changed it to “sympathy”--being so well assured of the daughter’s sympathy, he could afford to wait for reinstatement in the good graces of the mother.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading So much for the good; and as for the ill, the rebuff at the church gate went for little.
climaxnounUS /ˈklaɪmæks/
the highest point of anything conceived of as growing or developing or unfolding
From this reading In good truth, his confession had stopped something short of its climax, and of the coveted personal absolution; but it was comforting to remember that he had spoken plainly, and that she had bidden him go forward hopefully.
comfortingadjectiveUS /ˈkʌmfərtɪŋ/
providing freedom from worry
From this reading In good truth, his confession had stopped something short of its climax, and of the coveted personal absolution; but it was comforting to remember that he had spoken plainly, and that she had bidden him go forward hopefully.
COMPARINGnounUS /kəmˈperɪŋ/
the act of examining resemblances
From this reading “A ROD FOR THE FOOL’S BACK” COMPARING it with the fortnight of yesterdays, Brant reckoned the day of his meeting with Dorothy as one worthy of anniversaries.
confessionnounUS /kənˈfeʃən/
an admission of misdeeds or faults
From this reading In good truth, his confession had stopped something short of its climax, and of the coveted personal absolution; but it was comforting to remember that he had spoken plainly, and that she had bidden him go forward hopefully.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Notwithstanding the untimely interruption, there could be no reasonable doubt of the major fact: that she fully understood his parable and its application--understood and was glad, and would have let him go on but for the interruption.
covetedadjectiveUS /ˈkʌvətɪd/
greatly desired
From this reading In good truth, his confession had stopped something short of its climax, and of the coveted personal absolution; but it was comforting to remember that he had spoken plainly, and that she had bidden him go forward hopefully.
daughter'snounUS /ˈdɔːtərz/
possessive form of “daughter” — a female human offspring
From this reading Being so well assured of the daughter’s--he was about to say “love,” but he changed it to “sympathy”--being so well assured of the daughter’s sympathy, he could afford to wait for reinstatement in the good graces of the mother.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading “A ROD FOR THE FOOL’S BACK” COMPARING it with the fortnight of yesterdays, Brant reckoned the day of his meeting with Dorothy as one worthy of anniversaries.
Dorothy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “A ROD FOR THE FOOL’S BACK” COMPARING it with the fortnight of yesterdays, Brant reckoned the day of his meeting with Dorothy as one worthy of anniversaries.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading Notwithstanding the untimely interruption, there could be no reasonable doubt of the major fact: that she fully understood his parable and its application--understood and was glad, and would have let him go on but for the interruption.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading Notwithstanding the untimely interruption, there could be no reasonable doubt of the major fact: that she fully understood his parable and its application--understood and was glad, and would have let him go on but for the interruption.
FOOL'SnounUS /fuːlz/
possessive form of “fool” — a person who lacks good judgment
From this reading “A ROD FOR THE FOOL’S BACK” COMPARING it with the fortnight of yesterdays, Brant reckoned the day of his meeting with Dorothy as one worthy of anniversaries.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “A ROD FOR THE FOOL’S BACK” COMPARING it with the fortnight of yesterdays, Brant reckoned the day of his meeting with Dorothy as one worthy of anniversaries.
fortnightnounUS /ˈfɔːrtnaɪt/
a period of fourteen consecutive days
From this reading “A ROD FOR THE FOOL’S BACK” COMPARING it with the fortnight of yesterdays, Brant reckoned the day of his meeting with Dorothy as one worthy of anniversaries.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading In good truth, his confession had stopped something short of its climax, and of the coveted personal absolution; but it was comforting to remember that he had spoken plainly, and that she had bidden him go forward hopefully.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading Notwithstanding the untimely interruption, there could be no reasonable doubt of the major fact: that she fully understood his parable and its application--understood and was glad, and would have let him go on but for the interruption.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading So much for the good; and as for the ill, the rebuff at the church gate went for little.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading Notwithstanding the untimely interruption, there could be no reasonable doubt of the major fact: that she fully understood his parable and its application--understood and was glad, and would have let him go on but for the interruption.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading In good truth, his confession had stopped something short of its climax, and of the coveted personal absolution; but it was comforting to remember that he had spoken plainly, and that she had bidden him go forward hopefully.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading In good truth, his confession had stopped something short of its climax, and of the coveted personal absolution; but it was comforting to remember that he had spoken plainly, and that she had bidden him go forward hopefully.
gracesnounUS /ˈɡreɪsɪz/
plural of “grace” — (Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading Being so well assured of the daughter’s--he was about to say “love,” but he changed it to “sympathy”--being so well assured of the daughter’s sympathy, he could afford to wait for reinstatement in the good graces of the mother.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In good truth, his confession had stopped something short of its climax, and of the coveted personal absolution; but it was comforting to remember that he had spoken plainly, and that she had bidden him go forward hopefully.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Notwithstanding the untimely interruption, there could be no reasonable doubt of the major fact: that she fully understood his parable and its application--understood and was glad, and would have let him go on but for the interruption.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In good truth, his confession had stopped something short of its climax, and of the coveted personal absolution; but it was comforting to remember that he had spoken plainly, and that she had bidden him go forward hopefully.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In good truth, his confession had stopped something short of its climax, and of the coveted personal absolution; but it was comforting to remember that he had spoken plainly, and that she had bidden him go forward hopefully.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “A ROD FOR THE FOOL’S BACK” COMPARING it with the fortnight of yesterdays, Brant reckoned the day of his meeting with Dorothy as one worthy of anniversaries.
hopefullyadverbUS /ˈhoʊpfəli/
with hope; in a hopeful manner
From this reading In good truth, his confession had stopped something short of its climax, and of the coveted personal absolution; but it was comforting to remember that he had spoken plainly, and that she had bidden him go forward hopefully.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading So much for the good; and as for the ill, the rebuff at the church gate went for little.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In good truth, his confession had stopped something short of its climax, and of the coveted personal absolution; but it was comforting to remember that he had spoken plainly, and that she had bidden him go forward hopefully.
interruptionnounUS /ˌɪntərˈʌpʃən/
an act of delaying or interrupting the continuity
From this reading Notwithstanding the untimely interruption, there could be no reasonable doubt of the major fact: that she fully understood his parable and its application--understood and was glad, and would have let him go on but for the interruption.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “A ROD FOR THE FOOL’S BACK” COMPARING it with the fortnight of yesterdays, Brant reckoned the day of his meeting with Dorothy as one worthy of anniversaries.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading In good truth, his confession had stopped something short of its climax, and of the coveted personal absolution; but it was comforting to remember that he had spoken plainly, and that she had bidden him go forward hopefully.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Notwithstanding the untimely interruption, there could be no reasonable doubt of the major fact: that she fully understood his parable and its application--understood and was glad, and would have let him go on but for the interruption.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading So much for the good; and as for the ill, the rebuff at the church gate went for little.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading Being so well assured of the daughter’s--he was about to say “love,” but he changed it to “sympathy”--being so well assured of the daughter’s sympathy, he could afford to wait for reinstatement in the good graces of the mother.
majoradjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/
of greater importance or stature or rank
From this reading Notwithstanding the untimely interruption, there could be no reasonable doubt of the major fact: that she fully understood his parable and its application--understood and was glad, and would have let him go on but for the interruption.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading “A ROD FOR THE FOOL’S BACK” COMPARING it with the fortnight of yesterdays, Brant reckoned the day of his meeting with Dorothy as one worthy of anniversaries.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Being so well assured of the daughter’s--he was about to say “love,” but he changed it to “sympathy”--being so well assured of the daughter’s sympathy, he could afford to wait for reinstatement in the good graces of the mother.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading So much for the good; and as for the ill, the rebuff at the church gate went for little.
not any; not one
From this reading Notwithstanding the untimely interruption, there could be no reasonable doubt of the major fact: that she fully understood his parable and its application--understood and was glad, and would have let him go on but for the interruption.
despite anything to the contrary (usually preceding a concession)
From this reading Notwithstanding the untimely interruption, there could be no reasonable doubt of the major fact: that she fully understood his parable and its application--understood and was glad, and would have let him go on but for the interruption.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “A ROD FOR THE FOOL’S BACK” COMPARING it with the fortnight of yesterdays, Brant reckoned the day of his meeting with Dorothy as one worthy of anniversaries.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Notwithstanding the untimely interruption, there could be no reasonable doubt of the major fact: that she fully understood his parable and its application--understood and was glad, and would have let him go on but for the interruption.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “A ROD FOR THE FOOL’S BACK” COMPARING it with the fortnight of yesterdays, Brant reckoned the day of his meeting with Dorothy as one worthy of anniversaries.
parablenounUS /ˈperəbəl/
a short moral story (often with animal characters)
From this reading Notwithstanding the untimely interruption, there could be no reasonable doubt of the major fact: that she fully understood his parable and its application--understood and was glad, and would have let him go on but for the interruption.
concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
From this reading In good truth, his confession had stopped something short of its climax, and of the coveted personal absolution; but it was comforting to remember that he had spoken plainly, and that she had bidden him go forward hopefully.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading In good truth, his confession had stopped something short of its climax, and of the coveted personal absolution; but it was comforting to remember that he had spoken plainly, and that she had bidden him go forward hopefully.
reasonableadjectiveUS /ˈriːzənəbəl/
showing reason or sound judgment
From this reading Notwithstanding the untimely interruption, there could be no reasonable doubt of the major fact: that she fully understood his parable and its application--understood and was glad, and would have let him go on but for the interruption.
rebuffverbUS /rɪˈbʌf/
reject outright and bluntly
From this reading So much for the good; and as for the ill, the rebuff at the church gate went for little.
reckonedverbUS /ˈrekənd/
past form of “reckon” — expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading “A ROD FOR THE FOOL’S BACK” COMPARING it with the fortnight of yesterdays, Brant reckoned the day of his meeting with Dorothy as one worthy of anniversaries.
reinstatementnounUS /ˌriːɪnˈsteɪtmənt/
the condition of being reinstated
From this reading Being so well assured of the daughter’s--he was about to say “love,” but he changed it to “sympathy”--being so well assured of the daughter’s sympathy, he could afford to wait for reinstatement in the good graces of the mother.
To recall to mind.
From this reading In good truth, his confession had stopped something short of its climax, and of the coveted personal absolution; but it was comforting to remember that he had spoken plainly, and that she had bidden him go forward hopefully.
RODnounUS /rɑːd/
a long thin implement made of metal or wood
From this reading “A ROD FOR THE FOOL’S BACK” COMPARING it with the fortnight of yesterdays, Brant reckoned the day of his meeting with Dorothy as one worthy of anniversaries.
express in words
From this reading Being so well assured of the daughter’s--he was about to say “love,” but he changed it to “sympathy”--being so well assured of the daughter’s sympathy, he could afford to wait for reinstatement in the good graces of the mother.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In good truth, his confession had stopped something short of its climax, and of the coveted personal absolution; but it was comforting to remember that he had spoken plainly, and that she had bidden him go forward hopefully.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading In good truth, his confession had stopped something short of its climax, and of the coveted personal absolution; but it was comforting to remember that he had spoken plainly, and that she had bidden him go forward hopefully.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So much for the good; and as for the ill, the rebuff at the church gate went for little.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading In good truth, his confession had stopped something short of its climax, and of the coveted personal absolution; but it was comforting to remember that he had spoken plainly, and that she had bidden him go forward hopefully.
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading In good truth, his confession had stopped something short of its climax, and of the coveted personal absolution; but it was comforting to remember that he had spoken plainly, and that she had bidden him go forward hopefully.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading In good truth, his confession had stopped something short of its climax, and of the coveted personal absolution; but it was comforting to remember that he had spoken plainly, and that she had bidden him go forward hopefully.
an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion
From this reading Being so well assured of the daughter’s--he was about to say “love,” but he changed it to “sympathy”--being so well assured of the daughter’s sympathy, he could afford to wait for reinstatement in the good graces of the mother.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In good truth, his confession had stopped something short of its climax, and of the coveted personal absolution; but it was comforting to remember that he had spoken plainly, and that she had bidden him go forward hopefully.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “A ROD FOR THE FOOL’S BACK” COMPARING it with the fortnight of yesterdays, Brant reckoned the day of his meeting with Dorothy as one worthy of anniversaries.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Notwithstanding the untimely interruption, there could be no reasonable doubt of the major fact: that she fully understood his parable and its application--understood and was glad, and would have let him go on but for the interruption.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In good truth, his confession had stopped something short of its climax, and of the coveted personal absolution; but it was comforting to remember that he had spoken plainly, and that she had bidden him go forward hopefully.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading In good truth, his confession had stopped something short of its climax, and of the coveted personal absolution; but it was comforting to remember that he had spoken plainly, and that she had bidden him go forward hopefully.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading Notwithstanding the untimely interruption, there could be no reasonable doubt of the major fact: that she fully understood his parable and its application--understood and was glad, and would have let him go on but for the interruption.
untimelyadjectiveUS /ənˈtaɪmli/
badly timed
From this reading Notwithstanding the untimely interruption, there could be no reasonable doubt of the major fact: that she fully understood his parable and its application--understood and was glad, and would have let him go on but for the interruption.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading Being so well assured of the daughter’s--he was about to say “love,” but he changed it to “sympathy”--being so well assured of the daughter’s sympathy, he could afford to wait for reinstatement in the good graces of the mother.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In good truth, his confession had stopped something short of its climax, and of the coveted personal absolution; but it was comforting to remember that he had spoken plainly, and that she had bidden him go forward hopefully.
(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 Being so well assured of the daughter’s--he was about to say “love,” but he changed it to “sympathy”--being so well assured of the daughter’s sympathy, he could afford to wait for reinstatement in the good graces of the mother.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading So much for the good; and as for the ill, the rebuff at the church gate went for little.
in the company of; together with
From this reading “A ROD FOR THE FOOL’S BACK” COMPARING it with the fortnight of yesterdays, Brant reckoned the day of his meeting with Dorothy as one worthy of anniversaries.
Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.
From this reading “A ROD FOR THE FOOL’S BACK” COMPARING it with the fortnight of yesterdays, Brant reckoned the day of his meeting with Dorothy as one worthy of anniversaries.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Notwithstanding the untimely interruption, there could be no reasonable doubt of the major fact: that she fully understood his parable and its application--understood and was glad, and would have let him go on but for the interruption.
yesterdaysnounUS /ˈjestərdeɪz/
plural of “yesterday” — the day immediately before today
From this reading “A ROD FOR THE FOOL’S BACK” COMPARING it with the fortnight of yesterdays, Brant reckoned the day of his meeting with Dorothy as one worthy of anniversaries.
