used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Evelyn put on that stubbornness with which she could encase herself as in armor; nowhere could Sylvia find a crack or a crevice through which her words might pierce the obdurate and naughty little heart.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading She brought all her persuasions to bear; she brought all her natural sweetness to the fore.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In vain Sylvia pleaded and argued.
a strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance
From this reading She tried love, with which she was so largely endowed; she tried tact, which had been given to her in full measure; she tried the gentle touch of scorn and sarcasm; finally she tried anger, but for all she said and did she might as well have held her peace.
arguedverbUS /ˈɑːrɡjuːd/
past form of “argue” — present reasons and arguments
From this reading In vain Sylvia pleaded and argued.
armornounUS /ˈɑːrmər/
protective covering made of metal and used in combat
From this reading Evelyn put on that stubbornness with which she could encase herself as in armor; nowhere could Sylvia find a crack or a crevice through which her words might pierce the obdurate and naughty little heart.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She tried love, with which she was so largely endowed; she tried tact, which had been given to her in full measure; she tried the gentle touch of scorn and sarcasm; finally she tried anger, but for all she said and did she might as well have held her peace.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading What was to be done?
have
From this reading She brought all her persuasions to bear; she brought all her natural sweetness to the fore.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She tried love, with which she was so largely endowed; she tried tact, which had been given to her in full measure; she tried the gentle touch of scorn and sarcasm; finally she tried anger, but for all she said and did she might as well have held her peace.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading She brought all her persuasions to bear; she brought all her natural sweetness to the fore.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She tried love, with which she was so largely endowed; she tried tact, which had been given to her in full measure; she tried the gentle touch of scorn and sarcasm; finally she tried anger, but for all she said and did she might as well have held her peace.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Evelyn put on that stubbornness with which she could encase herself as in armor; nowhere could Sylvia find a crack or a crevice through which her words might pierce the obdurate and naughty little heart.
crackverbUS /kræk/
become fractured; break or crack on the surface only
From this reading Evelyn put on that stubbornness with which she could encase herself as in armor; nowhere could Sylvia find a crack or a crevice through which her words might pierce the obdurate and naughty little heart.
crevicenounUS /ˈkrevəs/
a long narrow depression in a surface
From this reading Evelyn put on that stubbornness with which she could encase herself as in armor; nowhere could Sylvia find a crack or a crevice through which her words might pierce the obdurate and naughty little heart.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading She tried love, with which she was so largely endowed; she tried tact, which had been given to her in full measure; she tried the gentle touch of scorn and sarcasm; finally she tried anger, but for all she said and did she might as well have held her peace.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading What was to be done?
encaseverbUS /enˈkeɪs/
enclose in, or as if in, a case
From this reading Evelyn put on that stubbornness with which she could encase herself as in armor; nowhere could Sylvia find a crack or a crevice through which her words might pierce the obdurate and naughty little heart.
endowedadjectiveUS /enˈdaʊd/
provided or supplied or equipped with (especially as by inheritance or nature)
From this reading She tried love, with which she was so largely endowed; she tried tact, which had been given to her in full measure; she tried the gentle touch of scorn and sarcasm; finally she tried anger, but for all she said and did she might as well have held her peace.
Evelyn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evelyn put on that stubbornness with which she could encase herself as in armor; nowhere could Sylvia find a crack or a crevice through which her words might pierce the obdurate and naughty little heart.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading She tried love, with which she was so largely endowed; she tried tact, which had been given to her in full measure; she tried the gentle touch of scorn and sarcasm; finally she tried anger, but for all she said and did she might as well have held her peace.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Evelyn put on that stubbornness with which she could encase herself as in armor; nowhere could Sylvia find a crack or a crevice through which her words might pierce the obdurate and naughty little heart.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She tried love, with which she was so largely endowed; she tried tact, which had been given to her in full measure; she tried the gentle touch of scorn and sarcasm; finally she tried anger, but for all she said and did she might as well have held her peace.
forenounUS /fɔːr/
front part of a vessel or aircraft
From this reading She brought all her persuasions to bear; she brought all her natural sweetness to the fore.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading She tried love, with which she was so largely endowed; she tried tact, which had been given to her in full measure; she tried the gentle touch of scorn and sarcasm; finally she tried anger, but for all she said and did she might as well have held her peace.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading She tried love, with which she was so largely endowed; she tried tact, which had been given to her in full measure; she tried the gentle touch of scorn and sarcasm; finally she tried anger, but for all she said and did she might as well have held her peace.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading She tried love, with which she was so largely endowed; she tried tact, which had been given to her in full measure; she tried the gentle touch of scorn and sarcasm; finally she tried anger, but for all she said and did she might as well have held her peace.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She tried love, with which she was so largely endowed; she tried tact, which had been given to her in full measure; she tried the gentle touch of scorn and sarcasm; finally she tried anger, but for all she said and did she might as well have held her peace.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She tried love, with which she was so largely endowed; she tried tact, which had been given to her in full measure; she tried the gentle touch of scorn and sarcasm; finally she tried anger, but for all she said and did she might as well have held her peace.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Evelyn put on that stubbornness with which she could encase herself as in armor; nowhere could Sylvia find a crack or a crevice through which her words might pierce the obdurate and naughty little heart.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading She tried love, with which she was so largely endowed; she tried tact, which had been given to her in full measure; she tried the gentle touch of scorn and sarcasm; finally she tried anger, but for all she said and did she might as well have held her peace.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She brought all her persuasions to bear; she brought all her natural sweetness to the fore.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Evelyn put on that stubbornness with which she could encase herself as in armor; nowhere could Sylvia find a crack or a crevice through which her words might pierce the obdurate and naughty little heart.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In vain Sylvia pleaded and argued.
largelyadverbUS /ˈlɑːrdʒli/
in large part; mainly or chiefly
From this reading She tried love, with which she was so largely endowed; she tried tact, which had been given to her in full measure; she tried the gentle touch of scorn and sarcasm; finally she tried anger, but for all she said and did she might as well have held her peace.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Evelyn put on that stubbornness with which she could encase herself as in armor; nowhere could Sylvia find a crack or a crevice through which her words might pierce the obdurate and naughty little heart.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading She tried love, with which she was so largely endowed; she tried tact, which had been given to her in full measure; she tried the gentle touch of scorn and sarcasm; finally she tried anger, but for all she said and did she might as well have held her peace.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading She tried love, with which she was so largely endowed; she tried tact, which had been given to her in full measure; she tried the gentle touch of scorn and sarcasm; finally she tried anger, but for all she said and did she might as well have held her peace.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading She tried love, with which she was so largely endowed; she tried tact, which had been given to her in full measure; she tried the gentle touch of scorn and sarcasm; finally she tried anger, but for all she said and did she might as well have held her peace.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading She brought all her persuasions to bear; she brought all her natural sweetness to the fore.
naughtyadjectiveUS /ˈnɔːti/
suggestive of sexual impropriety
From this reading Evelyn put on that stubbornness with which she could encase herself as in armor; nowhere could Sylvia find a crack or a crevice through which her words might pierce the obdurate and naughty little heart.
nowherenounUS /ˈnoʊwer/
an insignificant place
From this reading Evelyn put on that stubbornness with which she could encase herself as in armor; nowhere could Sylvia find a crack or a crevice through which her words might pierce the obdurate and naughty little heart.
obdurateadjectiveUS /ˈɑːbdərət/
stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing
From this reading Evelyn put on that stubbornness with which she could encase herself as in armor; nowhere could Sylvia find a crack or a crevice through which her words might pierce the obdurate and naughty little heart.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She tried love, with which she was so largely endowed; she tried tact, which had been given to her in full measure; she tried the gentle touch of scorn and sarcasm; finally she tried anger, but for all she said and did she might as well have held her peace.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Evelyn put on that stubbornness with which she could encase herself as in armor; nowhere could Sylvia find a crack or a crevice through which her words might pierce the obdurate and naughty little heart.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Evelyn put on that stubbornness with which she could encase herself as in armor; nowhere could Sylvia find a crack or a crevice through which her words might pierce the obdurate and naughty little heart.
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading She tried love, with which she was so largely endowed; she tried tact, which had been given to her in full measure; she tried the gentle touch of scorn and sarcasm; finally she tried anger, but for all she said and did she might as well have held her peace.
persuasionsnounUS /pərˈsweɪʒənz/
plural of “persuasion” — the act of persuading (or attempting to persuade); communication intended to induce belief or action
From this reading She brought all her persuasions to bear; she brought all her natural sweetness to the fore.
pierceverbUS /pɪrs/
cut or make a way through
From this reading Evelyn put on that stubbornness with which she could encase herself as in armor; nowhere could Sylvia find a crack or a crevice through which her words might pierce the obdurate and naughty little heart.
pleadedverbUS /ˈpliːdɪd/
past form of “plead” — appeal or request earnestly
From this reading In vain Sylvia pleaded and argued.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Evelyn put on that stubbornness with which she could encase herself as in armor; nowhere could Sylvia find a crack or a crevice through which her words might pierce the obdurate and naughty little heart.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading She tried love, with which she was so largely endowed; she tried tact, which had been given to her in full measure; she tried the gentle touch of scorn and sarcasm; finally she tried anger, but for all she said and did she might as well have held her peace.
sarcasmnounUS /ˈsɑːrkæzəm/
witty language used to convey insults or scorn
From this reading She tried love, with which she was so largely endowed; she tried tact, which had been given to her in full measure; she tried the gentle touch of scorn and sarcasm; finally she tried anger, but for all she said and did she might as well have held her peace.
lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
From this reading She tried love, with which she was so largely endowed; she tried tact, which had been given to her in full measure; she tried the gentle touch of scorn and sarcasm; finally she tried anger, but for all she said and did she might as well have held her peace.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She brought all her persuasions to bear; she brought all her natural sweetness to the fore.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She tried love, with which she was so largely endowed; she tried tact, which had been given to her in full measure; she tried the gentle touch of scorn and sarcasm; finally she tried anger, but for all she said and did she might as well have held her peace.
stubbornnessnounUS /ˈstʌbərnnəs/
the trait of being difficult to handle or overcome
From this reading Evelyn put on that stubbornness with which she could encase herself as in armor; nowhere could Sylvia find a crack or a crevice through which her words might pierce the obdurate and naughty little heart.
sweetnessnounUS /ˈswiːtnəs/
the taste experience when sugar dissolves in the mouth
From this reading She brought all her persuasions to bear; she brought all her natural sweetness to the fore.
Sylvia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In vain Sylvia pleaded and argued.
tactnounUS /tækt/
consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense
From this reading She tried love, with which she was so largely endowed; she tried tact, which had been given to her in full measure; she tried the gentle touch of scorn and sarcasm; finally she tried anger, but for all she said and did she might as well have held her peace.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Evelyn put on that stubbornness with which she could encase herself as in armor; nowhere could Sylvia find a crack or a crevice through which her words might pierce the obdurate and naughty little heart.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She brought all her persuasions to bear; she brought all her natural sweetness to the fore.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Evelyn put on that stubbornness with which she could encase herself as in armor; nowhere could Sylvia find a crack or a crevice through which her words might pierce the obdurate and naughty little heart.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She brought all her persuasions to bear; she brought all her natural sweetness to the fore.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading She tried love, with which she was so largely endowed; she tried tact, which had been given to her in full measure; she tried the gentle touch of scorn and sarcasm; finally she tried anger, but for all she said and did she might as well have held her peace.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading She tried love, with which she was so largely endowed; she tried tact, which had been given to her in full measure; she tried the gentle touch of scorn and sarcasm; finally she tried anger, but for all she said and did she might as well have held her peace.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading In vain Sylvia pleaded and argued.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She tried love, with which she was so largely endowed; she tried tact, which had been given to her in full measure; she tried the gentle touch of scorn and sarcasm; finally she tried anger, but for all she said and did she might as well have held her peace.
(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 She tried love, with which she was so largely endowed; she tried tact, which had been given to her in full measure; she tried the gentle touch of scorn and sarcasm; finally she tried anger, but for all she said and did she might as well have held her peace.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What was to be done?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She tried love, with which she was so largely endowed; she tried tact, which had been given to her in full measure; she tried the gentle touch of scorn and sarcasm; finally she tried anger, but for all she said and did she might as well have held her peace.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She tried love, with which she was so largely endowed; she tried tact, which had been given to her in full measure; she tried the gentle touch of scorn and sarcasm; finally she tried anger, but for all she said and did she might as well have held her peace.
the words that are spoken
From this reading Evelyn put on that stubbornness with which she could encase herself as in armor; nowhere could Sylvia find a crack or a crevice through which her words might pierce the obdurate and naughty little heart.
