used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He spoke these words with his usual robust sort of languor, in which there was never a single trace of affectation or frivolity.
affectationnounUS /ˌæfekˈteɪʃən/
a deliberate pretense or exaggerated display
From this reading He spoke these words with his usual robust sort of languor, in which there was never a single trace of affectation or frivolity.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading "I am afraid that I must yield.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading "Well, I confess that it rather floors me to have Mrs. Bergemann cited against me," he said, smiling.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "I am afraid that I must yield.
Bergemann
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, I confess that it rather floors me to have Mrs. Bergemann cited against me," he said, smiling.
citedverbUS /ˈsaɪtəd/
past form of “cite” — make reference to
From this reading "Well, I confess that it rather floors me to have Mrs. Bergemann cited against me," he said, smiling.
confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading "Well, I confess that it rather floors me to have Mrs. Bergemann cited against me," he said, smiling.
congratulateverbUS /kənˈɡrætʃəleɪt/
say something to someone that expresses praise
From this reading I must congratulate you on your destructive instincts."
destructiveadjectiveUS /dɪˈstrʌktɪv/
causing destruction or much damage
From this reading I must congratulate you on your destructive instincts."
floorsnounUS /flɔːrz/
plural of “floor” — the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading "Well, I confess that it rather floors me to have Mrs. Bergemann cited against me," he said, smiling.
frivolitynounUS /frəˈvɑːləti/
the trait of being frivolous; not serious or sensible
From this reading He spoke these words with his usual robust sort of languor, in which there was never a single trace of affectation or frivolity.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Well, I confess that it rather floors me to have Mrs. Bergemann cited against me," he said, smiling.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Well, I confess that it rather floors me to have Mrs. Bergemann cited against me," he said, smiling.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He spoke these words with his usual robust sort of languor, in which there was never a single trace of affectation or frivolity.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Well, I confess that it rather floors me to have Mrs. Bergemann cited against me," he said, smiling.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I am afraid that my theory is torn in tatters.
instinctsnounUS /ˈɪnstɪŋkts/
plural of “instinct” — inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading I must congratulate you on your destructive instincts."
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I am afraid that my theory is torn in tatters.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Well, I confess that it rather floors me to have Mrs. Bergemann cited against me," he said, smiling.
languornoun
a relaxed comfortable feeling
From this reading He spoke these words with his usual robust sort of languor, in which there was never a single trace of affectation or frivolity.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Well, I confess that it rather floors me to have Mrs. Bergemann cited against me," he said, smiling.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading "Well, I confess that it rather floors me to have Mrs. Bergemann cited against me," he said, smiling.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "I am afraid that I must yield.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I am afraid that my theory is torn in tatters.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading He spoke these words with his usual robust sort of languor, in which there was never a single trace of affectation or frivolity.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He spoke these words with his usual robust sort of languor, in which there was never a single trace of affectation or frivolity.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I must congratulate you on your destructive instincts."
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He spoke these words with his usual robust sort of languor, in which there was never a single trace of affectation or frivolity.
on the contrary
From this reading "Well, I confess that it rather floors me to have Mrs. Bergemann cited against me," he said, smiling.
robustadjectiveUS /roʊˈbʌst/
sturdy and strong in form, constitution, or construction
From this reading He spoke these words with his usual robust sort of languor, in which there was never a single trace of affectation or frivolity.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Well, I confess that it rather floors me to have Mrs. Bergemann cited against me," he said, smiling.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading He spoke these words with his usual robust sort of languor, in which there was never a single trace of affectation or frivolity.
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading "Well, I confess that it rather floors me to have Mrs. Bergemann cited against me," he said, smiling.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading He spoke these words with his usual robust sort of languor, in which there was never a single trace of affectation or frivolity.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading He spoke these words with his usual robust sort of languor, in which there was never a single trace of affectation or frivolity.
tattersnounUS /ˈtætərz/
plural of “tatter” — a small piece of cloth or paper
From this reading I am afraid that my theory is torn in tatters.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Well, I confess that it rather floors me to have Mrs. Bergemann cited against me," he said, smiling.
a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena
From this reading I am afraid that my theory is torn in tatters.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He spoke these words with his usual robust sort of languor, in which there was never a single trace of affectation or frivolity.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading He spoke these words with his usual robust sort of languor, in which there was never a single trace of affectation or frivolity.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Well, I confess that it rather floors me to have Mrs. Bergemann cited against me," he said, smiling.
having edges that are jagged from injury
From this reading I am afraid that my theory is torn in tatters.
a just detectable amount
From this reading He spoke these words with his usual robust sort of languor, in which there was never a single trace of affectation or frivolity.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading He spoke these words with his usual robust sort of languor, in which there was never a single trace of affectation or frivolity.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He spoke these words with his usual robust sort of languor, in which there was never a single trace of affectation or frivolity.
(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 "Well, I confess that it rather floors me to have Mrs. Bergemann cited against me," he said, smiling.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He spoke these words with his usual robust sort of languor, in which there was never a single trace of affectation or frivolity.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He spoke these words with his usual robust sort of languor, in which there was never a single trace of affectation or frivolity.
the words that are spoken
From this reading He spoke these words with his usual robust sort of languor, in which there was never a single trace of affectation or frivolity.
yieldverbUS /jiːld/
be the cause or source of
From this reading "I am afraid that I must yield.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading I must congratulate you on your destructive instincts."
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading I must congratulate you on your destructive instincts."
