used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading RESTITUTION THE night that followed was a wretched one for Michael Betts.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Ere he went upstairs to bed, Michael had hunted amongst the encyclopædias in his shop till he found what he believed to be an able and trustworthy article on diphtheria.
surrounded by; in the company of
From this reading Ere he went upstairs to bed, Michael had hunted amongst the encyclopædias in his shop till he found what he believed to be an able and trustworthy article on diphtheria.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Ere he went upstairs to bed, Michael had hunted amongst the encyclopædias in his shop till he found what he believed to be an able and trustworthy article on diphtheria.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had spoken truly when he said that he loved the little winsome maiden; though it had but come to him as he spoke, with the flash of a sudden inspiration, that it was love, the feeling that drew him to little Margery and made him long to see her fair, wee face and to hear her sweet, childish voice.
nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication
From this reading Ere he went upstairs to bed, Michael had hunted amongst the encyclopædias in his shop till he found what he believed to be an able and trustworthy article on diphtheria.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He had spoken truly when he said that he loved the little winsome maiden; though it had but come to him as he spoke, with the flash of a sudden inspiration, that it was love, the feeling that drew him to little Margery and made him long to see her fair, wee face and to hear her sweet, childish voice.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Ere he went upstairs to bed, Michael had hunted amongst the encyclopædias in his shop till he found what he believed to be an able and trustworthy article on diphtheria.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading Ere he went upstairs to bed, Michael had hunted amongst the encyclopædias in his shop till he found what he believed to be an able and trustworthy article on diphtheria.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading Ere he went upstairs to bed, Michael had hunted amongst the encyclopædias in his shop till he found what he believed to be an able and trustworthy article on diphtheria.
Betts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RESTITUTION THE night that followed was a wretched one for Michael Betts.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had spoken truly when he said that he loved the little winsome maiden; though it had but come to him as he spoke, with the flash of a sudden inspiration, that it was love, the feeling that drew him to little Margery and made him long to see her fair, wee face and to hear her sweet, childish voice.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was terrible to think of her dying, choked, poisoned by that terrible malady.
childhoodnounUS /ˈtʃaɪldhʊd/
the time of person's life when they are a child
From this reading He could not sleep for thinking of poor little Margery stricken with the dire disease of childhood, which so often proves fatal.
childishadjectiveUS /ˈtʃaɪldɪʃ/
indicating a lack of maturity
From this reading He had spoken truly when he said that he loved the little winsome maiden; though it had but come to him as he spoke, with the flash of a sudden inspiration, that it was love, the feeling that drew him to little Margery and made him long to see her fair, wee face and to hear her sweet, childish voice.
chokedadjectiveUS /tʃoʊkt/
stopped up; clogged up
From this reading It was terrible to think of her dying, choked, poisoned by that terrible malady.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He had spoken truly when he said that he loved the little winsome maiden; though it had but come to him as he spoke, with the flash of a sudden inspiration, that it was love, the feeling that drew him to little Margery and made him long to see her fair, wee face and to hear her sweet, childish voice.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He could not sleep for thinking of poor little Margery stricken with the dire disease of childhood, which so often proves fatal.
diphtherianounUS /dɪfˈθɪriɑː/
acute contagious infection caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae; marked by the formation of a false membrane in the throat and other air passages causing difficulty in breathing
From this reading Ere he went upstairs to bed, Michael had hunted amongst the encyclopædias in his shop till he found what he believed to be an able and trustworthy article on diphtheria.
direadjectiveUS /daɪr/
fraught with extreme danger; nearly hopeless
From this reading He could not sleep for thinking of poor little Margery stricken with the dire disease of childhood, which so often proves fatal.
diseasenounUS /dɪˈziːz/
an impairment of health or a condition of abnormal functioning
From this reading He could not sleep for thinking of poor little Margery stricken with the dire disease of childhood, which so often proves fatal.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading He had spoken truly when he said that he loved the little winsome maiden; though it had but come to him as he spoke, with the flash of a sudden inspiration, that it was love, the feeling that drew him to little Margery and made him long to see her fair, wee face and to hear her sweet, childish voice.
dyingadjectiveUS /ˈdaɪɪŋ/
in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be
From this reading It was terrible to think of her dying, choked, poisoned by that terrible malady.
encyclopædias
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ere he went upstairs to bed, Michael had hunted amongst the encyclopædias in his shop till he found what he believed to be an able and trustworthy article on diphtheria.
an old word for “before”
From this reading Ere he went upstairs to bed, Michael had hunted amongst the encyclopædias in his shop till he found what he believed to be an able and trustworthy article on diphtheria.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading He had spoken truly when he said that he loved the little winsome maiden; though it had but come to him as he spoke, with the flash of a sudden inspiration, that it was love, the feeling that drew him to little Margery and made him long to see her fair, wee face and to hear her sweet, childish voice.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading He had spoken truly when he said that he loved the little winsome maiden; though it had but come to him as he spoke, with the flash of a sudden inspiration, that it was love, the feeling that drew him to little Margery and made him long to see her fair, wee face and to hear her sweet, childish voice.
fataladjectiveUS /ˈfeɪtəl/
bringing death
From this reading He could not sleep for thinking of poor little Margery stricken with the dire disease of childhood, which so often proves fatal.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading He had spoken truly when he said that he loved the little winsome maiden; though it had but come to him as he spoke, with the flash of a sudden inspiration, that it was love, the feeling that drew him to little Margery and made him long to see her fair, wee face and to hear her sweet, childish voice.
gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading He had spoken truly when he said that he loved the little winsome maiden; though it had but come to him as he spoke, with the flash of a sudden inspiration, that it was love, the feeling that drew him to little Margery and made him long to see her fair, wee face and to hear her sweet, childish voice.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading RESTITUTION THE night that followed was a wretched one for Michael Betts.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading RESTITUTION THE night that followed was a wretched one for Michael Betts.
set up or found
From this reading Ere he went upstairs to bed, Michael had hunted amongst the encyclopædias in his shop till he found what he believed to be an able and trustworthy article on diphtheria.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had spoken truly when he said that he loved the little winsome maiden; though it had but come to him as he spoke, with the flash of a sudden inspiration, that it was love, the feeling that drew him to little Margery and made him long to see her fair, wee face and to hear her sweet, childish voice.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He could not sleep for thinking of poor little Margery stricken with the dire disease of childhood, which so often proves fatal.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading He had spoken truly when he said that he loved the little winsome maiden; though it had but come to him as he spoke, with the flash of a sudden inspiration, that it was love, the feeling that drew him to little Margery and made him long to see her fair, wee face and to hear her sweet, childish voice.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He had spoken truly when he said that he loved the little winsome maiden; though it had but come to him as he spoke, with the flash of a sudden inspiration, that it was love, the feeling that drew him to little Margery and made him long to see her fair, wee face and to hear her sweet, childish voice.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had spoken truly when he said that he loved the little winsome maiden; though it had but come to him as he spoke, with the flash of a sudden inspiration, that it was love, the feeling that drew him to little Margery and made him long to see her fair, wee face and to hear her sweet, childish voice.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Ere he went upstairs to bed, Michael had hunted amongst the encyclopædias in his shop till he found what he believed to be an able and trustworthy article on diphtheria.
huntedadjectiveUS /ˈhʌntəd/
reflecting the fear or terror of one who is hunted
From this reading Ere he went upstairs to bed, Michael had hunted amongst the encyclopædias in his shop till he found what he believed to be an able and trustworthy article on diphtheria.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Ere he went upstairs to bed, Michael had hunted amongst the encyclopædias in his shop till he found what he believed to be an able and trustworthy article on diphtheria.
inspirationnounUS /ˌɪnspərˈeɪʃən/
arousal of the mind to special unusual activity or creativity
From this reading He had spoken truly when he said that he loved the little winsome maiden; though it had but come to him as he spoke, with the flash of a sudden inspiration, that it was love, the feeling that drew him to little Margery and made him long to see her fair, wee face and to hear her sweet, childish voice.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He had spoken truly when he said that he loved the little winsome maiden; though it had but come to him as he spoke, with the flash of a sudden inspiration, that it was love, the feeling that drew him to little Margery and made him long to see her fair, wee face and to hear her sweet, childish voice.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He could not sleep for thinking of poor little Margery stricken with the dire disease of childhood, which so often proves fatal.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading He had spoken truly when he said that he loved the little winsome maiden; though it had but come to him as he spoke, with the flash of a sudden inspiration, that it was love, the feeling that drew him to little Margery and made him long to see her fair, wee face and to hear her sweet, childish voice.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading He had spoken truly when he said that he loved the little winsome maiden; though it had but come to him as he spoke, with the flash of a sudden inspiration, that it was love, the feeling that drew him to little Margery and made him long to see her fair, wee face and to hear her sweet, childish voice.
held dear
From this reading He had spoken truly when he said that he loved the little winsome maiden; though it had but come to him as he spoke, with the flash of a sudden inspiration, that it was love, the feeling that drew him to little Margery and made him long to see her fair, wee face and to hear her sweet, childish voice.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading He had spoken truly when he said that he loved the little winsome maiden; though it had but come to him as he spoke, with the flash of a sudden inspiration, that it was love, the feeling that drew him to little Margery and made him long to see her fair, wee face and to hear her sweet, childish voice.
an unmarried girl (especially a virgin)
From this reading He had spoken truly when he said that he loved the little winsome maiden; though it had but come to him as he spoke, with the flash of a sudden inspiration, that it was love, the feeling that drew him to little Margery and made him long to see her fair, wee face and to hear her sweet, childish voice.
maladynounUS /ˈmælədi/
any unwholesome or desperate condition
From this reading It was terrible to think of her dying, choked, poisoned by that terrible malady.
Margery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not sleep for thinking of poor little Margery stricken with the dire disease of childhood, which so often proves fatal.
(Old Testament) the guardian archangel of the Jews
From this reading RESTITUTION THE night that followed was a wretched one for Michael Betts.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading RESTITUTION THE night that followed was a wretched one for Michael Betts.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He could not sleep for thinking of poor little Margery stricken with the dire disease of childhood, which so often proves fatal.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He could not sleep for thinking of poor little Margery stricken with the dire disease of childhood, which so often proves fatal.
many times at short intervals
From this reading He could not sleep for thinking of poor little Margery stricken with the dire disease of childhood, which so often proves fatal.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Ere he went upstairs to bed, Michael had hunted amongst the encyclopædias in his shop till he found what he believed to be an able and trustworthy article on diphtheria.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading RESTITUTION THE night that followed was a wretched one for Michael Betts.
poisonedverbUS /ˈpɔɪzənd/
past form of “poison” — spoil as if by poison
From this reading It was terrible to think of her dying, choked, poisoned by that terrible malady.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading He could not sleep for thinking of poor little Margery stricken with the dire disease of childhood, which so often proves fatal.
provesverbUS /pruːvz/
third-person singular of “prove” — be shown or be found to be
From this reading He could not sleep for thinking of poor little Margery stricken with the dire disease of childhood, which so often proves fatal.
RESTITUTIONnounUS /ˌrestɪˈtuːʃən/
a sum of money paid in compensation for loss or injury
From this reading RESTITUTION THE night that followed was a wretched one for Michael Betts.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading He had spoken truly when he said that he loved the little winsome maiden; though it had but come to him as he spoke, with the flash of a sudden inspiration, that it was love, the feeling that drew him to little Margery and made him long to see her fair, wee face and to hear her sweet, childish voice.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He had spoken truly when he said that he loved the little winsome maiden; though it had but come to him as he spoke, with the flash of a sudden inspiration, that it was love, the feeling that drew him to little Margery and made him long to see her fair, wee face and to hear her sweet, childish voice.
do one's shopping
From this reading Ere he went upstairs to bed, Michael had hunted amongst the encyclopædias in his shop till he found what he believed to be an able and trustworthy article on diphtheria.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading He could not sleep for thinking of poor little Margery stricken with the dire disease of childhood, which so often proves fatal.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He could not sleep for thinking of poor little Margery stricken with the dire disease of childhood, which so often proves fatal.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading He had spoken truly when he said that he loved the little winsome maiden; though it had but come to him as he spoke, with the flash of a sudden inspiration, that it was love, the feeling that drew him to little Margery and made him long to see her fair, wee face and to hear her sweet, childish voice.
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading He had spoken truly when he said that he loved the little winsome maiden; though it had but come to him as he spoke, with the flash of a sudden inspiration, that it was love, the feeling that drew him to little Margery and made him long to see her fair, wee face and to hear her sweet, childish voice.
strickenadjectiveUS /ˈstrɪkən/
grievously affected especially by disease
From this reading He could not sleep for thinking of poor little Margery stricken with the dire disease of childhood, which so often proves fatal.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading He had spoken truly when he said that he loved the little winsome maiden; though it had but come to him as he spoke, with the flash of a sudden inspiration, that it was love, the feeling that drew him to little Margery and made him long to see her fair, wee face and to hear her sweet, childish voice.
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading He had spoken truly when he said that he loved the little winsome maiden; though it had but come to him as he spoke, with the flash of a sudden inspiration, that it was love, the feeling that drew him to little Margery and made him long to see her fair, wee face and to hear her sweet, childish voice.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading It was terrible to think of her dying, choked, poisoned by that terrible malady.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading RESTITUTION THE night that followed was a wretched one for Michael Betts.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading RESTITUTION THE night that followed was a wretched one for Michael Betts.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading It was terrible to think of her dying, choked, poisoned by that terrible malady.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading He could not sleep for thinking of poor little Margery stricken with the dire disease of childhood, which so often proves fatal.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading He had spoken truly when he said that he loved the little winsome maiden; though it had but come to him as he spoke, with the flash of a sudden inspiration, that it was love, the feeling that drew him to little Margery and made him long to see her fair, wee face and to hear her sweet, childish voice.
up to a particular time
From this reading Ere he went upstairs to bed, Michael had hunted amongst the encyclopædias in his shop till he found what he believed to be an able and trustworthy article on diphtheria.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had spoken truly when he said that he loved the little winsome maiden; though it had but come to him as he spoke, with the flash of a sudden inspiration, that it was love, the feeling that drew him to little Margery and made him long to see her fair, wee face and to hear her sweet, childish voice.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading He had spoken truly when he said that he loved the little winsome maiden; though it had but come to him as he spoke, with the flash of a sudden inspiration, that it was love, the feeling that drew him to little Margery and made him long to see her fair, wee face and to hear her sweet, childish voice.
trustworthyadjectiveUS /ˈtrʌstwɜːrði/
worthy of trust or belief
From this reading Ere he went upstairs to bed, Michael had hunted amongst the encyclopædias in his shop till he found what he believed to be an able and trustworthy article on diphtheria.
on a floor above
From this reading Ere he went upstairs to bed, Michael had hunted amongst the encyclopædias in his shop till he found what he believed to be an able and trustworthy article on diphtheria.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading He had spoken truly when he said that he loved the little winsome maiden; though it had but come to him as he spoke, with the flash of a sudden inspiration, that it was love, the feeling that drew him to little Margery and made him long to see her fair, wee face and to hear her sweet, childish voice.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading RESTITUTION THE night that followed was a wretched one for Michael Betts.
weeadjectiveUS /wiː/
(used informally) very small
From this reading He had spoken truly when he said that he loved the little winsome maiden; though it had but come to him as he spoke, with the flash of a sudden inspiration, that it was love, the feeling that drew him to little Margery and made him long to see her fair, wee face and to hear her sweet, childish voice.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Ere he went upstairs to bed, Michael had hunted amongst the encyclopædias in his shop till he found what he believed to be an able and trustworthy article on diphtheria.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Ere he went upstairs to bed, Michael had hunted amongst the encyclopædias in his shop till he found what he believed to be an able and trustworthy article on diphtheria.
at the time that
From this reading He had spoken truly when he said that he loved the little winsome maiden; though it had but come to him as he spoke, with the flash of a sudden inspiration, that it was love, the feeling that drew him to little Margery and made him long to see her fair, wee face and to hear her sweet, childish voice.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He could not sleep for thinking of poor little Margery stricken with the dire disease of childhood, which so often proves fatal.
winsomeadjectiveUS /ˈwɪnsəm/
charming in a childlike or naive way
From this reading He had spoken truly when he said that he loved the little winsome maiden; though it had but come to him as he spoke, with the flash of a sudden inspiration, that it was love, the feeling that drew him to little Margery and made him long to see her fair, wee face and to hear her sweet, childish voice.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He could not sleep for thinking of poor little Margery stricken with the dire disease of childhood, which so often proves fatal.
of very poor quality or condition
From this reading RESTITUTION THE night that followed was a wretched one for Michael Betts.
