used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For about him was such a scene as suggested all the means as well as the impulse to quiet such a scandal as this.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading For about him was such a scene as suggested all the means as well as the impulse to quiet such a scandal as this.
the state of being absent
From this reading In the absence of Clyde, the impressions taken by Mr. Mason of the world in which he moved here, complementing and confirming those of Lycurgus and Sharon, were sufficient to sober him in regard to the ease (possibly) with which previously he had imagined it might be possible to convict him.
(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 For about him was such a scene as suggested all the means as well as the impulse to quiet such a scandal as this.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In the absence of Clyde, the impressions taken by Mr. Mason of the world in which he moved here, complementing and confirming those of Lycurgus and Sharon, were sufficient to sober him in regard to the ease (possibly) with which previously he had imagined it might be possible to convict him.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading For about him was such a scene as suggested all the means as well as the impulse to quiet such a scandal as this.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading In the absence of Clyde, the impressions taken by Mr. Mason of the world in which he moved here, complementing and confirming those of Lycurgus and Sharon, were sufficient to sober him in regard to the ease (possibly) with which previously he had imagined it might be possible to convict him.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In the absence of Clyde, the impressions taken by Mr. Mason of the world in which he moved here, complementing and confirming those of Lycurgus and Sharon, were sufficient to sober him in regard to the ease (possibly) with which previously he had imagined it might be possible to convict him.
ClydenounUS /klaɪd/
a river in western Scotland that flows from the southern uplands into the Firth of Clyde; navigable by oceangoing vessels as far as Glasgow
From this reading In the absence of Clyde, the impressions taken by Mr. Mason of the world in which he moved here, complementing and confirming those of Lycurgus and Sharon, were sufficient to sober him in regard to the ease (possibly) with which previously he had imagined it might be possible to convict him.
complementingverbUS /ˈkɑːmpləmentɪŋ/
-ing form of “complement” — make complete or perfect; supply what is wanting or form the complement to
From this reading In the absence of Clyde, the impressions taken by Mr. Mason of the world in which he moved here, complementing and confirming those of Lycurgus and Sharon, were sufficient to sober him in regard to the ease (possibly) with which previously he had imagined it might be possible to convict him.
confirmingadjectiveUS /kənˈfɜːrmɪŋ/
indicating existence or presence of a suspected condition or pathogen
From this reading In the absence of Clyde, the impressions taken by Mr. Mason of the world in which he moved here, complementing and confirming those of Lycurgus and Sharon, were sufficient to sober him in regard to the ease (possibly) with which previously he had imagined it might be possible to convict him.
connectionsnounUS /kəˈnekʃənz/
plural of “connection” — a relation between things or events (as in the case of one causing the other or sharing features with it)
From this reading Important names and connections to protect no doubt.
convictnounUS /ˈkɑːnvɪkt/
a person serving a sentence in a jail or prison
From this reading In the absence of Clyde, the impressions taken by Mr. Mason of the world in which he moved here, complementing and confirming those of Lycurgus and Sharon, were sufficient to sober him in regard to the ease (possibly) with which previously he had imagined it might be possible to convict him.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading Important names and connections to protect no doubt.
move gently or carefully
From this reading In the absence of Clyde, the impressions taken by Mr. Mason of the world in which he moved here, complementing and confirming those of Lycurgus and Sharon, were sufficient to sober him in regard to the ease (possibly) with which previously he had imagined it might be possible to convict him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For about him was such a scene as suggested all the means as well as the impulse to quiet such a scandal as this.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In the absence of Clyde, the impressions taken by Mr. Mason of the world in which he moved here, complementing and confirming those of Lycurgus and Sharon, were sufficient to sober him in regard to the ease (possibly) with which previously he had imagined it might be possible to convict him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In the absence of Clyde, the impressions taken by Mr. Mason of the world in which he moved here, complementing and confirming those of Lycurgus and Sharon, were sufficient to sober him in regard to the ease (possibly) with which previously he had imagined it might be possible to convict him.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading In the absence of Clyde, the impressions taken by Mr. Mason of the world in which he moved here, complementing and confirming those of Lycurgus and Sharon, were sufficient to sober him in regard to the ease (possibly) with which previously he had imagined it might be possible to convict him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In the absence of Clyde, the impressions taken by Mr. Mason of the world in which he moved here, complementing and confirming those of Lycurgus and Sharon, were sufficient to sober him in regard to the ease (possibly) with which previously he had imagined it might be possible to convict him.
past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading In the absence of Clyde, the impressions taken by Mr. Mason of the world in which he moved here, complementing and confirming those of Lycurgus and Sharon, were sufficient to sober him in regard to the ease (possibly) with which previously he had imagined it might be possible to convict him.
of great significance or value
From this reading Important names and connections to protect no doubt.
impressionsnounUS /ˌɪmˈpreʃənz/
plural of “impression” — a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading In the absence of Clyde, the impressions taken by Mr. Mason of the world in which he moved here, complementing and confirming those of Lycurgus and Sharon, were sufficient to sober him in regard to the ease (possibly) with which previously he had imagined it might be possible to convict him.
an instinctive motive
From this reading For about him was such a scene as suggested all the means as well as the impulse to quiet such a scandal as this.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the absence of Clyde, the impressions taken by Mr. Mason of the world in which he moved here, complementing and confirming those of Lycurgus and Sharon, were sufficient to sober him in regard to the ease (possibly) with which previously he had imagined it might be possible to convict him.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In the absence of Clyde, the impressions taken by Mr. Mason of the world in which he moved here, complementing and confirming those of Lycurgus and Sharon, were sufficient to sober him in regard to the ease (possibly) with which previously he had imagined it might be possible to convict him.
LuxurynounUS /ˈlʌɡʒəri/
something that is an indulgence rather than a necessity
From this reading Luxury.
Lycurgus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the absence of Clyde, the impressions taken by Mr. Mason of the world in which he moved here, complementing and confirming those of Lycurgus and Sharon, were sufficient to sober him in regard to the ease (possibly) with which previously he had imagined it might be possible to convict him.
MasonnounUS /ˈmeɪsən/
American Revolutionary leader from Virginia whose objections led to the drafting of the Bill of Rights (1725-1792)
From this reading In the absence of Clyde, the impressions taken by Mr. Mason of the world in which he moved here, complementing and confirming those of Lycurgus and Sharon, were sufficient to sober him in regard to the ease (possibly) with which previously he had imagined it might be possible to convict him.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading For about him was such a scene as suggested all the means as well as the impulse to quiet such a scandal as this.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading In the absence of Clyde, the impressions taken by Mr. Mason of the world in which he moved here, complementing and confirming those of Lycurgus and Sharon, were sufficient to sober him in regard to the ease (possibly) with which previously he had imagined it might be possible to convict him.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading In the absence of Clyde, the impressions taken by Mr. Mason of the world in which he moved here, complementing and confirming those of Lycurgus and Sharon, were sufficient to sober him in regard to the ease (possibly) with which previously he had imagined it might be possible to convict him.
a form of address for a man
From this reading In the absence of Clyde, the impressions taken by Mr. Mason of the world in which he moved here, complementing and confirming those of Lycurgus and Sharon, were sufficient to sober him in regard to the ease (possibly) with which previously he had imagined it might be possible to convict him.
verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument
From this reading Important names and connections to protect no doubt.
not any; not one
From this reading Important names and connections to protect no doubt.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the absence of Clyde, the impressions taken by Mr. Mason of the world in which he moved here, complementing and confirming those of Lycurgus and Sharon, were sufficient to sober him in regard to the ease (possibly) with which previously he had imagined it might be possible to convict him.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading In the absence of Clyde, the impressions taken by Mr. Mason of the world in which he moved here, complementing and confirming those of Lycurgus and Sharon, were sufficient to sober him in regard to the ease (possibly) with which previously he had imagined it might be possible to convict him.
by chance
From this reading In the absence of Clyde, the impressions taken by Mr. Mason of the world in which he moved here, complementing and confirming those of Lycurgus and Sharon, were sufficient to sober him in regard to the ease (possibly) with which previously he had imagined it might be possible to convict him.
previouslyadverbUS /ˈpriːviəsli/
at an earlier time or formerly
From this reading In the absence of Clyde, the impressions taken by Mr. Mason of the world in which he moved here, complementing and confirming those of Lycurgus and Sharon, were sufficient to sober him in regard to the ease (possibly) with which previously he had imagined it might be possible to convict him.
shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage
From this reading Important names and connections to protect no doubt.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading For about him was such a scene as suggested all the means as well as the impulse to quiet such a scandal as this.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading In the absence of Clyde, the impressions taken by Mr. Mason of the world in which he moved here, complementing and confirming those of Lycurgus and Sharon, were sufficient to sober him in regard to the ease (possibly) with which previously he had imagined it might be possible to convict him.
scandalnounUS /ˈskændəl/
disgraceful gossip about the private lives of other people
From this reading For about him was such a scene as suggested all the means as well as the impulse to quiet such a scandal as this.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading For about him was such a scene as suggested all the means as well as the impulse to quiet such a scandal as this.
Sharon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the absence of Clyde, the impressions taken by Mr. Mason of the world in which he moved here, complementing and confirming those of Lycurgus and Sharon, were sufficient to sober him in regard to the ease (possibly) with which previously he had imagined it might be possible to convict him.
soberadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊbər/
not affected by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
From this reading In the absence of Clyde, the impressions taken by Mr. Mason of the world in which he moved here, complementing and confirming those of Lycurgus and Sharon, were sufficient to sober him in regard to the ease (possibly) with which previously he had imagined it might be possible to convict him.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading For about him was such a scene as suggested all the means as well as the impulse to quiet such a scandal as this.
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading In the absence of Clyde, the impressions taken by Mr. Mason of the world in which he moved here, complementing and confirming those of Lycurgus and Sharon, were sufficient to sober him in regard to the ease (possibly) with which previously he had imagined it might be possible to convict him.
past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading For about him was such a scene as suggested all the means as well as the impulse to quiet such a scandal as this.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading In the absence of Clyde, the impressions taken by Mr. Mason of the world in which he moved here, complementing and confirming those of Lycurgus and Sharon, were sufficient to sober him in regard to the ease (possibly) with which previously he had imagined it might be possible to convict him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the absence of Clyde, the impressions taken by Mr. Mason of the world in which he moved here, complementing and confirming those of Lycurgus and Sharon, were sufficient to sober him in regard to the ease (possibly) with which previously he had imagined it might be possible to convict him.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading For about him was such a scene as suggested all the means as well as the impulse to quiet such a scandal as this.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading In the absence of Clyde, the impressions taken by Mr. Mason of the world in which he moved here, complementing and confirming those of Lycurgus and Sharon, were sufficient to sober him in regard to the ease (possibly) with which previously he had imagined it might be possible to convict him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In the absence of Clyde, the impressions taken by Mr. Mason of the world in which he moved here, complementing and confirming those of Lycurgus and Sharon, were sufficient to sober him in regard to the ease (possibly) with which previously he had imagined it might be possible to convict him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For about him was such a scene as suggested all the means as well as the impulse to quiet such a scandal as this.
the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money
From this reading Wealth.
(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 For about him was such a scene as suggested all the means as well as the impulse to quiet such a scandal as this.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In the absence of Clyde, the impressions taken by Mr. Mason of the world in which he moved here, complementing and confirming those of Lycurgus and Sharon, were sufficient to sober him in regard to the ease (possibly) with which previously he had imagined it might be possible to convict him.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In the absence of Clyde, the impressions taken by Mr. Mason of the world in which he moved here, complementing and confirming those of Lycurgus and Sharon, were sufficient to sober him in regard to the ease (possibly) with which previously he had imagined it might be possible to convict him.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In the absence of Clyde, the impressions taken by Mr. Mason of the world in which he moved here, complementing and confirming those of Lycurgus and Sharon, were sufficient to sober him in regard to the ease (possibly) with which previously he had imagined it might be possible to convict him.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading In the absence of Clyde, the impressions taken by Mr. Mason of the world in which he moved here, complementing and confirming those of Lycurgus and Sharon, were sufficient to sober him in regard to the ease (possibly) with which previously he had imagined it might be possible to convict him.
