used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
matters of personal concern
From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
affectionateadjectiveUS /əˈfekʃənət/
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
third-person singular of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
disposed or placed in a particular kind of order
From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
a youthful male person
From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
an onerous or difficult concern
From this reading And Fortune frequently showers her choicest gifts on the most unworthy scoundrels, male and female, that burden this earth’s surface.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
choicestadjectiveUS /ˈtʃɔɪsəst/
superlative of “choice” — of superior grade
From this reading And Fortune frequently showers her choicest gifts on the most unworthy scoundrels, male and female, that burden this earth’s surface.
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
in a manner differing from the usual or expected
From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
deservingadjectiveUS /dɪˈzɜːrvɪŋ/
(often used ironically) worthy of being treated in a particular way
From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
Desmond
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
discussedverbUS /dɪˈskʌst/
past form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
earth'snounUS /ɜːrθs/
possessive form of “earth” — the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading And Fortune frequently showers her choicest gifts on the most unworthy scoundrels, male and female, that burden this earth’s surface.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
a feeling of favorable regard
From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
being the sex (of plant or animal) that produces fertilizable gametes (ova) from which offspring develop
From this reading And Fortune frequently showers her choicest gifts on the most unworthy scoundrels, male and female, that burden this earth’s surface.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading And Fortune frequently showers her choicest gifts on the most unworthy scoundrels, male and female, that burden this earth’s surface.
set up or found
From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
many times at short intervals
From this reading And Fortune frequently showers her choicest gifts on the most unworthy scoundrels, male and female, that burden this earth’s surface.
yet to be or coming
From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
giftsnounUS /ɡɪfts/
plural of “gift” — something acquired without compensation
From this reading And Fortune frequently showers her choicest gifts on the most unworthy scoundrels, male and female, that burden this earth’s surface.
destroyed or killed
From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading And Fortune frequently showers her choicest gifts on the most unworthy scoundrels, male and female, that burden this earth’s surface.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
the quality of being humane
From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
It's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It’s odd--it’s unfair, but it’s true.”
jumbled-up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
and nothing more
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
Leslie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
Letty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
MajoradjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/
of greater importance or stature or rank
From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
malenounUS /meɪl/
an animal that produces gametes (spermatozoa) that can fertilize female gametes
From this reading And Fortune frequently showers her choicest gifts on the most unworthy scoundrels, male and female, that burden this earth’s surface.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
used to form the superlative
From this reading And Fortune frequently showers her choicest gifts on the most unworthy scoundrels, male and female, that burden this earth’s surface.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
not divisible by two
From this reading It’s odd--it’s unfair, but it’s true.”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading And Fortune frequently showers her choicest gifts on the most unworthy scoundrels, male and female, that burden this earth’s surface.
a human being
From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
possibilitiesnounUS /ˌpɑːsəˈbɪlətiz/
plural of “possibility” — a future prospect or potential
From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
preventsverbUS /prɪˈvents/
third-person singular of “prevent” — keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
scoundrelsnounUS /ˈskaʊndrəlz/
plural of “scoundrel” — a wicked or evil person; someone who does evil deliberately
From this reading And Fortune frequently showers her choicest gifts on the most unworthy scoundrels, male and female, that burden this earth’s surface.
showersnounUS /ˈʃaʊərz/
plural of “shower” — a plumbing fixture that sprays water over you
From this reading And Fortune frequently showers her choicest gifts on the most unworthy scoundrels, male and female, that burden this earth’s surface.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
speciallyadverbUS /ˈspeʃəli/
in a special manner
From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
having great beauty and splendor
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading And Fortune frequently showers her choicest gifts on the most unworthy scoundrels, male and female, that burden this earth’s surface.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading And Fortune frequently showers her choicest gifts on the most unworthy scoundrels, male and female, that burden this earth’s surface.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading It’s odd--it’s unfair, but it’s true.”
unfairadjectiveUS /ənˈfer/
not fair; marked by injustice or partiality or deception
From this reading It’s odd--it’s unfair, but it’s true.”
unfavourableadjective
not encouraging or approving or pleasing
From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
unworthyadjectiveUS /ənˈwɜːrði/
lacking in value or merit
From this reading And Fortune frequently showers her choicest gifts on the most unworthy scoundrels, male and female, that burden this earth’s surface.
precisely as stated
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
at the time that
From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
in the company of; together with
From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
