used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A chance acquaintance may, under favourable circumstances, develop faster than one brought about by formal introduction, because neither party has been previously led to expect anything of the other.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A chance acquaintance may, under favourable circumstances, develop faster than one brought about by formal introduction, because neither party has been previously led to expect anything of the other.
absent-minded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Bowring liked him and talked easily with him, but Clare was silent and seemed absent-minded.
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading A chance acquaintance may, under favourable circumstances, develop faster than one brought about by formal introduction, because neither party has been previously led to expect anything of the other.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading When Clare and her mother had established themselves as usual on the terrace under the vines that afternoon, Brook came and sat beside them for a while.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The law of natural selection applies to almost everything we want in the world, from food and climate to a wife.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There is no surer way of making friendship impossible than telling two people that they are sure to be such good friends, and are just suited to each other.
any thing at all
From this reading A chance acquaintance may, under favourable circumstances, develop faster than one brought about by formal introduction, because neither party has been previously led to expect anything of the other.
appliesverbUS /əˈplaɪz/
third-person singular of “apply” — put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
From this reading The law of natural selection applies to almost everything we want in the world, from food and climate to a wife.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There is no surer way of making friendship impossible than telling two people that they are sure to be such good friends, and are just suited to each other.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading When Clare and her mother had established themselves as usual on the terrace under the vines that afternoon, Brook came and sat beside them for a while.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There is no surer way of making friendship impossible than telling two people that they are sure to be such good friends, and are just suited to each other.
for the reason that
From this reading A chance acquaintance may, under favourable circumstances, develop faster than one brought about by formal introduction, because neither party has been previously led to expect anything of the other.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A chance acquaintance may, under favourable circumstances, develop faster than one brought about by formal introduction, because neither party has been previously led to expect anything of the other.
next to; at the side of
From this reading When Clare and her mother had established themselves as usual on the terrace under the vines that afternoon, Brook came and sat beside them for a while.
Bowring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Bowring liked him and talked easily with him, but Clare was silent and seemed absent-minded.
BrooknounUS /brʊk/
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading When Clare and her mother had established themselves as usual on the terrace under the vines that afternoon, Brook came and sat beside them for a while.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading A chance acquaintance may, under favourable circumstances, develop faster than one brought about by formal introduction, because neither party has been previously led to expect anything of the other.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Mrs. Bowring liked him and talked easily with him, but Clare was silent and seemed absent-minded.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A chance acquaintance may, under favourable circumstances, develop faster than one brought about by formal introduction, because neither party has been previously led to expect anything of the other.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading When Clare and her mother had established themselves as usual on the terrace under the vines that afternoon, Brook came and sat beside them for a while.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading A chance acquaintance may, under favourable circumstances, develop faster than one brought about by formal introduction, because neither party has been previously led to expect anything of the other.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading A chance acquaintance may, under favourable circumstances, develop faster than one brought about by formal introduction, because neither party has been previously led to expect anything of the other.
Clare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Clare and her mother had established themselves as usual on the terrace under the vines that afternoon, Brook came and sat beside them for a while.
climatenounUS /ˈklaɪmət/
the weather in some location averaged over some long period of time
From this reading The law of natural selection applies to almost everything we want in the world, from food and climate to a wife.
developverbUS /dɪˈveləp/
make something new, such as a product or a mental or artistic creation
From this reading A chance acquaintance may, under favourable circumstances, develop faster than one brought about by formal introduction, because neither party has been previously led to expect anything of the other.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading There is no surer way of making friendship impossible than telling two people that they are sure to be such good friends, and are just suited to each other.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading Mrs. Bowring liked him and talked easily with him, but Clare was silent and seemed absent-minded.
brought about or set up or accepted; especially long established
From this reading When Clare and her mother had established themselves as usual on the terrace under the vines that afternoon, Brook came and sat beside them for a while.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading The law of natural selection applies to almost everything we want in the world, from food and climate to a wife.
regard something as probable or likely
From this reading A chance acquaintance may, under favourable circumstances, develop faster than one brought about by formal introduction, because neither party has been previously led to expect anything of the other.
fasteradverbUS /ˈfæstər/
more quickly
From this reading A chance acquaintance may, under favourable circumstances, develop faster than one brought about by formal introduction, because neither party has been previously led to expect anything of the other.
favourableadjective
encouraging or approving or pleasing
From this reading A chance acquaintance may, under favourable circumstances, develop faster than one brought about by formal introduction, because neither party has been previously led to expect anything of the other.
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading The law of natural selection applies to almost everything we want in the world, from food and climate to a wife.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When Clare and her mother had established themselves as usual on the terrace under the vines that afternoon, Brook came and sat beside them for a while.
formaladjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrməl/
being in accord with established forms and conventions and requirements (as e.g. of formal dress)
From this reading A chance acquaintance may, under favourable circumstances, develop faster than one brought about by formal introduction, because neither party has been previously led to expect anything of the other.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading There is no surer way of making friendship impossible than telling two people that they are sure to be such good friends, and are just suited to each other.
the state of being friends (or friendly)
From this reading There is no surer way of making friendship impossible than telling two people that they are sure to be such good friends, and are just suited to each other.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The law of natural selection applies to almost everything we want in the world, from food and climate to a wife.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading There is no surer way of making friendship impossible than telling two people that they are sure to be such good friends, and are just suited to each other.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When Clare and her mother had established themselves as usual on the terrace under the vines that afternoon, Brook came and sat beside them for a while.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A chance acquaintance may, under favourable circumstances, develop faster than one brought about by formal introduction, because neither party has been previously led to expect anything of the other.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When Clare and her mother had established themselves as usual on the terrace under the vines that afternoon, Brook came and sat beside them for a while.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Mrs. Bowring liked him and talked easily with him, but Clare was silent and seemed absent-minded.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading There is no surer way of making friendship impossible than telling two people that they are sure to be such good friends, and are just suited to each other.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The law of natural selection applies to almost everything we want in the world, from food and climate to a wife.
introductionnounUS /ˌɪntrəˈdʌkʃən/
the act of beginning something new
From this reading A chance acquaintance may, under favourable circumstances, develop faster than one brought about by formal introduction, because neither party has been previously led to expect anything of the other.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There is no surer way of making friendship impossible than telling two people that they are sure to be such good friends, and are just suited to each other.
and nothing more
From this reading There is no surer way of making friendship impossible than telling two people that they are sure to be such good friends, and are just suited to each other.
the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading The law of natural selection applies to almost everything we want in the world, from food and climate to a wife.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading A chance acquaintance may, under favourable circumstances, develop faster than one brought about by formal introduction, because neither party has been previously led to expect anything of the other.
found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form
From this reading Mrs. Bowring liked him and talked easily with him, but Clare was silent and seemed absent-minded.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading There is no surer way of making friendship impossible than telling two people that they are sure to be such good friends, and are just suited to each other.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading A chance acquaintance may, under favourable circumstances, develop faster than one brought about by formal introduction, because neither party has been previously led to expect anything of the other.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading When Clare and her mother had established themselves as usual on the terrace under the vines that afternoon, Brook came and sat beside them for a while.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Bowring liked him and talked easily with him, but Clare was silent and seemed absent-minded.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading The law of natural selection applies to almost everything we want in the world, from food and climate to a wife.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading A chance acquaintance may, under favourable circumstances, develop faster than one brought about by formal introduction, because neither party has been previously led to expect anything of the other.
not any; not one
From this reading There is no surer way of making friendship impossible than telling two people that they are sure to be such good friends, and are just suited to each other.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A chance acquaintance may, under favourable circumstances, develop faster than one brought about by formal introduction, because neither party has been previously led to expect anything of the other.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When Clare and her mother had established themselves as usual on the terrace under the vines that afternoon, Brook came and sat beside them for a while.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A chance acquaintance may, under favourable circumstances, develop faster than one brought about by formal introduction, because neither party has been previously led to expect anything of the other.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading A chance acquaintance may, under favourable circumstances, develop faster than one brought about by formal introduction, because neither party has been previously led to expect anything of the other.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading A chance acquaintance may, under favourable circumstances, develop faster than one brought about by formal introduction, because neither party has been previously led to expect anything of the other.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading There is no surer way of making friendship impossible than telling two people that they are sure to be such good friends, and are just suited to each other.
previouslyadverbUS /ˈpriːviəsli/
at an earlier time or formerly
From this reading A chance acquaintance may, under favourable circumstances, develop faster than one brought about by formal introduction, because neither party has been previously led to expect anything of the other.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading When Clare and her mother had established themselves as usual on the terrace under the vines that afternoon, Brook came and sat beside them for a while.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Mrs. Bowring liked him and talked easily with him, but Clare was silent and seemed absent-minded.
selectionnounUS /səˈlekʃən/
the act of choosing or selecting
From this reading The law of natural selection applies to almost everything we want in the world, from food and climate to a wife.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading Mrs. Bowring liked him and talked easily with him, but Clare was silent and seemed absent-minded.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading There is no surer way of making friendship impossible than telling two people that they are sure to be such good friends, and are just suited to each other.
suitedadjectiveUS /ˈsuːtɪd/
meant or adapted for an occasion or use
From this reading There is no surer way of making friendship impossible than telling two people that they are sure to be such good friends, and are just suited to each other.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading There is no surer way of making friendship impossible than telling two people that they are sure to be such good friends, and are just suited to each other.
sureradjectiveUS /ˈʃʊrər/
comparative of “sure” — having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading There is no surer way of making friendship impossible than telling two people that they are sure to be such good friends, and are just suited to each other.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading Mrs. Bowring liked him and talked easily with him, but Clare was silent and seemed absent-minded.
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading There is no surer way of making friendship impossible than telling two people that they are sure to be such good friends, and are just suited to each other.
terracenounUS /ˈterəs/
usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence
From this reading When Clare and her mother had established themselves as usual on the terrace under the vines that afternoon, Brook came and sat beside them for a while.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A chance acquaintance may, under favourable circumstances, develop faster than one brought about by formal introduction, because neither party has been previously led to expect anything of the other.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There is no surer way of making friendship impossible than telling two people that they are sure to be such good friends, and are just suited to each other.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A chance acquaintance may, under favourable circumstances, develop faster than one brought about by formal introduction, because neither party has been previously led to expect anything of the other.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading When Clare and her mother had established themselves as usual on the terrace under the vines that afternoon, Brook came and sat beside them for a while.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading When Clare and her mother had established themselves as usual on the terrace under the vines that afternoon, Brook came and sat beside them for a while.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There is no surer way of making friendship impossible than telling two people that they are sure to be such good friends, and are just suited to each other.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There is no surer way of making friendship impossible than telling two people that they are sure to be such good friends, and are just suited to each other.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A chance acquaintance may, under favourable circumstances, develop faster than one brought about by formal introduction, because neither party has been previously led to expect anything of the other.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading There is no surer way of making friendship impossible than telling two people that they are sure to be such good friends, and are just suited to each other.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading A chance acquaintance may, under favourable circumstances, develop faster than one brought about by formal introduction, because neither party has been previously led to expect anything of the other.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading When Clare and her mother had established themselves as usual on the terrace under the vines that afternoon, Brook came and sat beside them for a while.
vinesnounUS /vaɪnz/
plural of “vine” — a plant with a weak stem that derives support from climbing, twining, or creeping along a surface
From this reading When Clare and her mother had established themselves as usual on the terrace under the vines that afternoon, Brook came and sat beside them for a while.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading The law of natural selection applies to almost everything we want in the world, from food and climate to a wife.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mrs. Bowring liked him and talked easily with him, but Clare was silent and seemed absent-minded.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading There is no surer way of making friendship impossible than telling two people that they are sure to be such good friends, and are just suited to each other.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The law of natural selection applies to almost everything we want in the world, from food and climate to a wife.
at the time that
From this reading When Clare and her mother had established themselves as usual on the terrace under the vines that afternoon, Brook came and sat beside them for a while.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading When Clare and her mother had established themselves as usual on the terrace under the vines that afternoon, Brook came and sat beside them for a while.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading The law of natural selection applies to almost everything we want in the world, from food and climate to a wife.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mrs. Bowring liked him and talked easily with him, but Clare was silent and seemed absent-minded.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading The law of natural selection applies to almost everything we want in the world, from food and climate to a wife.
