used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading FOR some occult reason, the successful merchant in small towns and villages is the confidant, if not father-confessor, of a large number of his patronesses.
matters of personal concern
From this reading It may be that his flattering air of personal interest, assumed for purely business purposes, loosens not only the purse-strings but the spring that works the panorama of private affairs.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading It may be that his flattering air of personal interest, assumed for purely business purposes, loosens not only the purse-strings but the spring that works the panorama of private affairs.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The Cross-Roads had had its share of confidences, although as a rule the women who disposed of their butter and eggs in trade to Bowser were of the patient sort, grown silent under the repressing influence of secluded farm life.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Or it may be an idiosyncrasy of some classes of the mind feminine, to make no distinction between a bargain counter and a confessional.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading FOR some occult reason, the successful merchant in small towns and villages is the confidant, if not father-confessor, of a large number of his patronesses.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The Cross-Roads had had its share of confidences, although as a rule the women who disposed of their butter and eggs in trade to Bowser were of the patient sort, grown silent under the repressing influence of secluded farm life.
adopted in order to deceive
From this reading It may be that his flattering air of personal interest, assumed for purely business purposes, loosens not only the purse-strings but the spring that works the panorama of private affairs.
bargainnounUS /ˈbɑːrɡən/
an agreement between parties (usually arrived at after discussion) fixing obligations of each
From this reading Or it may be an idiosyncrasy of some classes of the mind feminine, to make no distinction between a bargain counter and a confessional.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It may be that his flattering air of personal interest, assumed for purely business purposes, loosens not only the purse-strings but the spring that works the panorama of private affairs.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Or it may be an idiosyncrasy of some classes of the mind feminine, to make no distinction between a bargain counter and a confessional.
Bowser
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Cross-Roads had had its share of confidences, although as a rule the women who disposed of their butter and eggs in trade to Bowser were of the patient sort, grown silent under the repressing influence of secluded farm life.
braidverbUS /breɪd/
make by braiding or interlacing
From this reading Whatever the cause, many an honest merchant can testify that it is no uncommon thing for a woman to air her domestic troubles while she buys a skirt braid, or to drag out her family skeleton with the sample of sewing silk she wishes to match.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading It may be that his flattering air of personal interest, assumed for purely business purposes, loosens not only the purse-strings but the spring that works the panorama of private affairs.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It may be that his flattering air of personal interest, assumed for purely business purposes, loosens not only the purse-strings but the spring that works the panorama of private affairs.
butternounUS /ˈbʌtər/
an edible emulsion of fat globules made by churning milk or cream; for cooking and table use
From this reading The Cross-Roads had had its share of confidences, although as a rule the women who disposed of their butter and eggs in trade to Bowser were of the patient sort, grown silent under the repressing influence of secluded farm life.
buysnounUS /baɪz/
plural of “buy” — an advantageous purchase
From this reading Whatever the cause, many an honest merchant can testify that it is no uncommon thing for a woman to air her domestic troubles while she buys a skirt braid, or to drag out her family skeleton with the sample of sewing silk she wishes to match.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Whatever the cause, many an honest merchant can testify that it is no uncommon thing for a woman to air her domestic troubles while she buys a skirt braid, or to drag out her family skeleton with the sample of sewing silk she wishes to match.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading Whatever the cause, many an honest merchant can testify that it is no uncommon thing for a woman to air her domestic troubles while she buys a skirt braid, or to drag out her family skeleton with the sample of sewing silk she wishes to match.
classesnounUS /ˈklæsəz/
plural of “class” — a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading Or it may be an idiosyncrasy of some classes of the mind feminine, to make no distinction between a bargain counter and a confessional.
confessionalnounUS /kənˈfeʃənəl/
a booth where a priest sits to hear confessions
From this reading Or it may be an idiosyncrasy of some classes of the mind feminine, to make no distinction between a bargain counter and a confessional.
confidantnounUS /ˈkɑːnfədɑːnt/
someone to whom private matters are confided
From this reading FOR some occult reason, the successful merchant in small towns and villages is the confidant, if not father-confessor, of a large number of his patronesses.
confidencesnounUS /ˈkɑːnfədənsɪz/
plural of “confidence” — freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading The Cross-Roads had had its share of confidences, although as a rule the women who disposed of their butter and eggs in trade to Bowser were of the patient sort, grown silent under the repressing influence of secluded farm life.
counternounUS /ˈkaʊntər/
table consisting of a horizontal surface over which business is transacted
From this reading Or it may be an idiosyncrasy of some classes of the mind feminine, to make no distinction between a bargain counter and a confessional.
Cross-Roads
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Cross-Roads had had its share of confidences, although as a rule the women who disposed of their butter and eggs in trade to Bowser were of the patient sort, grown silent under the repressing influence of secluded farm life.
having made preparations
From this reading The Cross-Roads had had its share of confidences, although as a rule the women who disposed of their butter and eggs in trade to Bowser were of the patient sort, grown silent under the repressing influence of secluded farm life.
distinctionnounUS /dɪˈstɪŋkʃən/
a discrimination between things as different and distinct on the basis of their characteristics or attributes
From this reading Or it may be an idiosyncrasy of some classes of the mind feminine, to make no distinction between a bargain counter and a confessional.
of concern to or concerning the internal affairs of a nation
From this reading Whatever the cause, many an honest merchant can testify that it is no uncommon thing for a woman to air her domestic troubles while she buys a skirt braid, or to drag out her family skeleton with the sample of sewing silk she wishes to match.
dragverbUS /dræɡ/
pull, as against a resistance
From this reading Whatever the cause, many an honest merchant can testify that it is no uncommon thing for a woman to air her domestic troubles while she buys a skirt braid, or to drag out her family skeleton with the sample of sewing silk she wishes to match.
oval reproductive body of a fowl (especially a hen) used as food
From this reading The Cross-Roads had had its share of confidences, although as a rule the women who disposed of their butter and eggs in trade to Bowser were of the patient sort, grown silent under the repressing influence of secluded farm life.
a social unit living together
From this reading Whatever the cause, many an honest merchant can testify that it is no uncommon thing for a woman to air her domestic troubles while she buys a skirt braid, or to drag out her family skeleton with the sample of sewing silk she wishes to match.
be a farmer; work as a farmer
From this reading The Cross-Roads had had its share of confidences, although as a rule the women who disposed of their butter and eggs in trade to Bowser were of the patient sort, grown silent under the repressing influence of secluded farm life.
father-confessor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOR some occult reason, the successful merchant in small towns and villages is the confidant, if not father-confessor, of a large number of his patronesses.
feminineadjectiveUS /ˈfemənən/
associated with women and not with men
From this reading Or it may be an idiosyncrasy of some classes of the mind feminine, to make no distinction between a bargain counter and a confessional.
flatteringadjectiveUS /ˈflætərɪŋ/
showing or representing to advantage
From this reading It may be that his flattering air of personal interest, assumed for purely business purposes, loosens not only the purse-strings but the spring that works the panorama of private affairs.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading FOR some occult reason, the successful merchant in small towns and villages is the confidant, if not father-confessor, of a large number of his patronesses.
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading The Cross-Roads had had its share of confidences, although as a rule the women who disposed of their butter and eggs in trade to Bowser were of the patient sort, grown silent under the repressing influence of secluded farm life.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Cross-Roads had had its share of confidences, although as a rule the women who disposed of their butter and eggs in trade to Bowser were of the patient sort, grown silent under the repressing influence of secluded farm life.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Whatever the cause, many an honest merchant can testify that it is no uncommon thing for a woman to air her domestic troubles while she buys a skirt braid, or to drag out her family skeleton with the sample of sewing silk she wishes to match.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading FOR some occult reason, the successful merchant in small towns and villages is the confidant, if not father-confessor, of a large number of his patronesses.
not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent
From this reading Whatever the cause, many an honest merchant can testify that it is no uncommon thing for a woman to air her domestic troubles while she buys a skirt braid, or to drag out her family skeleton with the sample of sewing silk she wishes to match.
idiosyncrasynounUS /ˌɪdioʊˈsɪnkrəsiː/
a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual
From this reading Or it may be an idiosyncrasy of some classes of the mind feminine, to make no distinction between a bargain counter and a confessional.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading FOR some occult reason, the successful merchant in small towns and villages is the confidant, if not father-confessor, of a large number of his patronesses.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading FOR some occult reason, the successful merchant in small towns and villages is the confidant, if not father-confessor, of a large number of his patronesses.
a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc
From this reading The Cross-Roads had had its share of confidences, although as a rule the women who disposed of their butter and eggs in trade to Bowser were of the patient sort, grown silent under the repressing influence of secluded farm life.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading It may be that his flattering air of personal interest, assumed for purely business purposes, loosens not only the purse-strings but the spring that works the panorama of private affairs.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading FOR some occult reason, the successful merchant in small towns and villages is the confidant, if not father-confessor, of a large number of his patronesses.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It may be that his flattering air of personal interest, assumed for purely business purposes, loosens not only the purse-strings but the spring that works the panorama of private affairs.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The Cross-Roads had had its share of confidences, although as a rule the women who disposed of their butter and eggs in trade to Bowser were of the patient sort, grown silent under the repressing influence of secluded farm life.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading FOR some occult reason, the successful merchant in small towns and villages is the confidant, if not father-confessor, of a large number of his patronesses.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The Cross-Roads had had its share of confidences, although as a rule the women who disposed of their butter and eggs in trade to Bowser were of the patient sort, grown silent under the repressing influence of secluded farm life.
loosensverbUS /ˈluːsənz/
third-person singular of “loosen” — make loose or looser
From this reading It may be that his flattering air of personal interest, assumed for purely business purposes, loosens not only the purse-strings but the spring that works the panorama of private affairs.
engage in
From this reading Or it may be an idiosyncrasy of some classes of the mind feminine, to make no distinction between a bargain counter and a confessional.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Whatever the cause, many an honest merchant can testify that it is no uncommon thing for a woman to air her domestic troubles while she buys a skirt braid, or to drag out her family skeleton with the sample of sewing silk she wishes to match.
be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
From this reading Whatever the cause, many an honest merchant can testify that it is no uncommon thing for a woman to air her domestic troubles while she buys a skirt braid, or to drag out her family skeleton with the sample of sewing silk she wishes to match.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading It may be that his flattering air of personal interest, assumed for purely business purposes, loosens not only the purse-strings but the spring that works the panorama of private affairs.
merchantnounUS /ˈmɜːr.tʃənt/
A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.
From this reading FOR some occult reason, the successful merchant in small towns and villages is the confidant, if not father-confessor, of a large number of his patronesses.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Or it may be an idiosyncrasy of some classes of the mind feminine, to make no distinction between a bargain counter and a confessional.
not any; not one
From this reading Or it may be an idiosyncrasy of some classes of the mind feminine, to make no distinction between a bargain counter and a confessional.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading FOR some occult reason, the successful merchant in small towns and villages is the confidant, if not father-confessor, of a large number of his patronesses.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading FOR some occult reason, the successful merchant in small towns and villages is the confidant, if not father-confessor, of a large number of his patronesses.
occultverbUS /əˈkʌlt/
cause an eclipse of (a celestial body) by intervention
From this reading FOR some occult reason, the successful merchant in small towns and villages is the confidant, if not father-confessor, of a large number of his patronesses.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading FOR some occult reason, the successful merchant in small towns and villages is the confidant, if not father-confessor, of a large number of his patronesses.
and nothing more
From this reading It may be that his flattering air of personal interest, assumed for purely business purposes, loosens not only the purse-strings but the spring that works the panorama of private affairs.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Or it may be an idiosyncrasy of some classes of the mind feminine, to make no distinction between a bargain counter and a confessional.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Whatever the cause, many an honest merchant can testify that it is no uncommon thing for a woman to air her domestic troubles while she buys a skirt braid, or to drag out her family skeleton with the sample of sewing silk she wishes to match.
panoramanounUS /ˌpænərˈæmə/
the visual percept of a region
From this reading It may be that his flattering air of personal interest, assumed for purely business purposes, loosens not only the purse-strings but the spring that works the panorama of private affairs.
a person who requires medical care
From this reading The Cross-Roads had had its share of confidences, although as a rule the women who disposed of their butter and eggs in trade to Bowser were of the patient sort, grown silent under the repressing influence of secluded farm life.
patronesses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOR some occult reason, the successful merchant in small towns and villages is the confidant, if not father-confessor, of a large number of his patronesses.
concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
From this reading It may be that his flattering air of personal interest, assumed for purely business purposes, loosens not only the purse-strings but the spring that works the panorama of private affairs.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading It may be that his flattering air of personal interest, assumed for purely business purposes, loosens not only the purse-strings but the spring that works the panorama of private affairs.
purelyadverbUS /ˈpjʊrli/
restricted to something
From this reading It may be that his flattering air of personal interest, assumed for purely business purposes, loosens not only the purse-strings but the spring that works the panorama of private affairs.
purposesnounUS /ˈpɜːrpəsəz/
plural of “purpose” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading It may be that his flattering air of personal interest, assumed for purely business purposes, loosens not only the purse-strings but the spring that works the panorama of private affairs.
purse-strings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be that his flattering air of personal interest, assumed for purely business purposes, loosens not only the purse-strings but the spring that works the panorama of private affairs.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading FOR some occult reason, the successful merchant in small towns and villages is the confidant, if not father-confessor, of a large number of his patronesses.
repressingadjectiveUS /riˈpresɪŋ/
restrictive of action
From this reading The Cross-Roads had had its share of confidences, although as a rule the women who disposed of their butter and eggs in trade to Bowser were of the patient sort, grown silent under the repressing influence of secluded farm life.
a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading The Cross-Roads had had its share of confidences, although as a rule the women who disposed of their butter and eggs in trade to Bowser were of the patient sort, grown silent under the repressing influence of secluded farm life.
samplenounUS /ˈsæmpəl/
a small part of something intended as representative of the whole
From this reading Whatever the cause, many an honest merchant can testify that it is no uncommon thing for a woman to air her domestic troubles while she buys a skirt braid, or to drag out her family skeleton with the sample of sewing silk she wishes to match.
secludedadjectiveUS /sɪˈkluːdɪd/
hidden from general view or use
From this reading The Cross-Roads had had its share of confidences, although as a rule the women who disposed of their butter and eggs in trade to Bowser were of the patient sort, grown silent under the repressing influence of secluded farm life.
sewingnounUS /ˈsoʊɪŋ/
joining or attaching by stitches
From this reading Whatever the cause, many an honest merchant can testify that it is no uncommon thing for a woman to air her domestic troubles while she buys a skirt braid, or to drag out her family skeleton with the sample of sewing silk she wishes to match.
have in common
From this reading The Cross-Roads had had its share of confidences, although as a rule the women who disposed of their butter and eggs in trade to Bowser were of the patient sort, grown silent under the repressing influence of secluded farm life.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Whatever the cause, many an honest merchant can testify that it is no uncommon thing for a woman to air her domestic troubles while she buys a skirt braid, or to drag out her family skeleton with the sample of sewing silk she wishes to match.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading The Cross-Roads had had its share of confidences, although as a rule the women who disposed of their butter and eggs in trade to Bowser were of the patient sort, grown silent under the repressing influence of secluded farm life.
a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
From this reading Whatever the cause, many an honest merchant can testify that it is no uncommon thing for a woman to air her domestic troubles while she buys a skirt braid, or to drag out her family skeleton with the sample of sewing silk she wishes to match.
skeletonnounUS /ˈskelətən/
something reduced to its minimal form
From this reading Whatever the cause, many an honest merchant can testify that it is no uncommon thing for a woman to air her domestic troubles while she buys a skirt braid, or to drag out her family skeleton with the sample of sewing silk she wishes to match.
skirtnounUS /skɜːrt/
cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist
From this reading Whatever the cause, many an honest merchant can testify that it is no uncommon thing for a woman to air her domestic troubles while she buys a skirt braid, or to drag out her family skeleton with the sample of sewing silk she wishes to match.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading FOR some occult reason, the successful merchant in small towns and villages is the confidant, if not father-confessor, of a large number of his patronesses.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading FOR some occult reason, the successful merchant in small towns and villages is the confidant, if not father-confessor, of a large number of his patronesses.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading The Cross-Roads had had its share of confidences, although as a rule the women who disposed of their butter and eggs in trade to Bowser were of the patient sort, grown silent under the repressing influence of secluded farm life.
the season of growth
From this reading It may be that his flattering air of personal interest, assumed for purely business purposes, loosens not only the purse-strings but the spring that works the panorama of private affairs.
having succeeded or being marked by a favorable outcome
From this reading FOR some occult reason, the successful merchant in small towns and villages is the confidant, if not father-confessor, of a large number of his patronesses.
testifyverbUS /ˈtestəfaɪ/
give testimony in a court of law
From this reading Whatever the cause, many an honest merchant can testify that it is no uncommon thing for a woman to air her domestic troubles while she buys a skirt braid, or to drag out her family skeleton with the sample of sewing silk she wishes to match.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It may be that his flattering air of personal interest, assumed for purely business purposes, loosens not only the purse-strings but the spring that works the panorama of private affairs.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading FOR some occult reason, the successful merchant in small towns and villages is the confidant, if not father-confessor, of a large number of his patronesses.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The Cross-Roads had had its share of confidences, although as a rule the women who disposed of their butter and eggs in trade to Bowser were of the patient sort, grown silent under the repressing influence of secluded farm life.
a special situation
From this reading Whatever the cause, many an honest merchant can testify that it is no uncommon thing for a woman to air her domestic troubles while she buys a skirt braid, or to drag out her family skeleton with the sample of sewing silk she wishes to match.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Or it may be an idiosyncrasy of some classes of the mind feminine, to make no distinction between a bargain counter and a confessional.
townsnounUS /taʊnz/
plural of “town” — an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading FOR some occult reason, the successful merchant in small towns and villages is the confidant, if not father-confessor, of a large number of his patronesses.
the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of goods and services
From this reading The Cross-Roads had had its share of confidences, although as a rule the women who disposed of their butter and eggs in trade to Bowser were of the patient sort, grown silent under the repressing influence of secluded farm life.
plural of “trouble” — a source of difficulty
From this reading Whatever the cause, many an honest merchant can testify that it is no uncommon thing for a woman to air her domestic troubles while she buys a skirt braid, or to drag out her family skeleton with the sample of sewing silk she wishes to match.
uncommonadjectiveUS /ənˈkɑːmən/
not common or ordinarily encountered; unusually great in amount or remarkable in character or kind
From this reading Whatever the cause, many an honest merchant can testify that it is no uncommon thing for a woman to air her domestic troubles while she buys a skirt braid, or to drag out her family skeleton with the sample of sewing silk she wishes to match.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The Cross-Roads had had its share of confidences, although as a rule the women who disposed of their butter and eggs in trade to Bowser were of the patient sort, grown silent under the repressing influence of secluded farm life.
villagesnounUS /ˈvɪlədʒəz/
plural of “village” — a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading FOR some occult reason, the successful merchant in small towns and villages is the confidant, if not father-confessor, of a large number of his patronesses.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Cross-Roads had had its share of confidences, although as a rule the women who disposed of their butter and eggs in trade to Bowser were of the patient sort, grown silent under the repressing influence of secluded farm life.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading Whatever the cause, many an honest merchant can testify that it is no uncommon thing for a woman to air her domestic troubles while she buys a skirt braid, or to drag out her family skeleton with the sample of sewing silk she wishes to match.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Whatever the cause, many an honest merchant can testify that it is no uncommon thing for a woman to air her domestic troubles while she buys a skirt braid, or to drag out her family skeleton with the sample of sewing silk she wishes to match.
which person or people
From this reading The Cross-Roads had had its share of confidences, although as a rule the women who disposed of their butter and eggs in trade to Bowser were of the patient sort, grown silent under the repressing influence of secluded farm life.
plural of “wish” — a specific feeling of desire
From this reading Whatever the cause, many an honest merchant can testify that it is no uncommon thing for a woman to air her domestic troubles while she buys a skirt braid, or to drag out her family skeleton with the sample of sewing silk she wishes to match.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Whatever the cause, many an honest merchant can testify that it is no uncommon thing for a woman to air her domestic troubles while she buys a skirt braid, or to drag out her family skeleton with the sample of sewing silk she wishes to match.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Whatever the cause, many an honest merchant can testify that it is no uncommon thing for a woman to air her domestic troubles while she buys a skirt braid, or to drag out her family skeleton with the sample of sewing silk she wishes to match.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The Cross-Roads had had its share of confidences, although as a rule the women who disposed of their butter and eggs in trade to Bowser were of the patient sort, grown silent under the repressing influence of secluded farm life.
buildings for carrying on industrial labor
From this reading It may be that his flattering air of personal interest, assumed for purely business purposes, loosens not only the purse-strings but the spring that works the panorama of private affairs.
