AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A TWOSOME I believe it was about the fifth day, and I know at least that James was in one of his fits of gloom, when I received three letters.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A TWOSOME I believe it was about the fifth day, and I know at least that James was in one of his fits of gloom, when I received three letters.
accessionnounUS /əkˈseʃən/
a process of increasing by addition (as to a collection or group)
From this reading The first was from Alan, offering to visit me in Leyden; the other two were out of Scotland and prompted by the same affair, which was the death of my uncle and my own complete accession to my rights.
affairnounUS /əˈfer/
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading The first was from Alan, offering to visit me in Leyden; the other two were out of Scotland and prompted by the same affair, which was the death of my uncle and my own complete accession to my rights.
Alan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first was from Alan, offering to visit me in Leyden; the other two were out of Scotland and prompted by the same affair, which was the death of my uncle and my own complete accession to my rights.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 This made a welcome diversion for all three of us, nor could any have foreseen the ill consequences that ensued.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A TWOSOME I believe it was about the fifth day, and I know at least that James was in one of his fits of gloom, when I received three letters.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading This made a welcome diversion for all three of us, nor could any have foreseen the ill consequences that ensued.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A TWOSOME I believe it was about the fifth day, and I know at least that James was in one of his fits of gloom, when I received three letters.
believeverbUS /bɪˈliːv/
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading A TWOSOME I believe it was about the fifth day, and I know at least that James was in one of his fits of gloom, when I received three letters.
blameverbUS /bleɪm/
put or pin the blame on
From this reading Rankeillor’s was, of course, wholly in the business view; Miss Grant’s was like herself, a little more witty than wise, full of blame to me for not having written (though how was I to write with such intelligence?) and of rallying talk about Catriona, which it cut me to the quick to read in her very presence.
businessnounUS /ˈbɪznəs/
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading Rankeillor’s was, of course, wholly in the business view; Miss Grant’s was like herself, a little more witty than wise, full of blame to me for not having written (though how was I to write with such intelligence?) and of rallying talk about Catriona, which it cut me to the quick to read in her very presence.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The first was from Alan, offering to visit me in Leyden; the other two were out of Scotland and prompted by the same affair, which was the death of my uncle and my own complete accession to my rights.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading For it was of course in my own rooms that I found them, when I came to dinner, so that I was surprised out of my news in the very first moment of reading it.
Catriona
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rankeillor’s was, of course, wholly in the business view; Miss Grant’s was like herself, a little more witty than wise, full of blame to me for not having written (though how was I to write with such intelligence?) and of rallying talk about Catriona, which it cut me to the quick to read in her very presence.
completeverbUS /kəmˈpliːt/
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading The first was from Alan, offering to visit me in Leyden; the other two were out of Scotland and prompted by the same affair, which was the death of my uncle and my own complete accession to my rights.
consequencesnounUS /ˈkɑːnsəkwensəz/
plural of “consequence” — a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading This made a welcome diversion for all three of us, nor could any have foreseen the ill consequences that ensued.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading This made a welcome diversion for all three of us, nor could any have foreseen the ill consequences that ensued.
coursenounUS /kɔːrs/
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Rankeillor’s was, of course, wholly in the business view; Miss Grant’s was like herself, a little more witty than wise, full of blame to me for not having written (though how was I to write with such intelligence?) and of rallying talk about Catriona, which it cut me to the quick to read in her very presence.
cutverbUS /kʌt/
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading Rankeillor’s was, of course, wholly in the business view; Miss Grant’s was like herself, a little more witty than wise, full of blame to me for not having written (though how was I to write with such intelligence?) and of rallying talk about Catriona, which it cut me to the quick to read in her very presence.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading A TWOSOME I believe it was about the fifth day, and I know at least that James was in one of his fits of gloom, when I received three letters.
deathnounUS /deθ/
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading The first was from Alan, offering to visit me in Leyden; the other two were out of Scotland and prompted by the same affair, which was the death of my uncle and my own complete accession to my rights.
dinnernounUS /ˈdɪnər/
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading For it was of course in my own rooms that I found them, when I came to dinner, so that I was surprised out of my news in the very first moment of reading it.
diversionnounUS /daɪˈvɜːrʒən/
an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates
From this reading This made a welcome diversion for all three of us, nor could any have foreseen the ill consequences that ensued.
ensuedverbUS /ɪnˈsuːd/
past form of “ensue” — issue or terminate (in a specified way, state, etc.); end
From this reading This made a welcome diversion for all three of us, nor could any have foreseen the ill consequences that ensued.
fifthnounUS /fɪfθ/
a quantity of liquor equal to one fifth of a United States gallon
From this reading A TWOSOME I believe it was about the fifth day, and I know at least that James was in one of his fits of gloom, when I received three letters.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The first was from Alan, offering to visit me in Leyden; the other two were out of Scotland and prompted by the same affair, which was the death of my uncle and my own complete accession to my rights.
fitsnounUS /fɪts/
plural of “fit” — a display of bad temper
From this reading A TWOSOME I believe it was about the fifth day, and I know at least that James was in one of his fits of gloom, when I received three letters.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Rankeillor’s was, of course, wholly in the business view; Miss Grant’s was like herself, a little more witty than wise, full of blame to me for not having written (though how was I to write with such intelligence?) and of rallying talk about Catriona, which it cut me to the quick to read in her very presence.
foreseenverbUS /ˌfɔːrˈsiːn/
inflected form of “foresee” — realize beforehand
From this reading This made a welcome diversion for all three of us, nor could any have foreseen the ill consequences that ensued.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading For it was of course in my own rooms that I found them, when I came to dinner, so that I was surprised out of my news in the very first moment of reading it.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The first was from Alan, offering to visit me in Leyden; the other two were out of Scotland and prompted by the same affair, which was the death of my uncle and my own complete accession to my rights.
fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Rankeillor’s was, of course, wholly in the business view; Miss Grant’s was like herself, a little more witty than wise, full of blame to me for not having written (though how was I to write with such intelligence?) and of rallying talk about Catriona, which it cut me to the quick to read in her very presence.
gloomnounUS /ɡluːm/
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading A TWOSOME I believe it was about the fifth day, and I know at least that James was in one of his fits of gloom, when I received three letters.
Grant'snounUS /ɡrænts/
possessive form of “grant” — any monetary aid
From this reading Rankeillor’s was, of course, wholly in the business view; Miss Grant’s was like herself, a little more witty than wise, full of blame to me for not having written (though how was I to write with such intelligence?) and of rallying talk about Catriona, which it cut me to the quick to read in her very presence.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading This made a welcome diversion for all three of us, nor could any have foreseen the ill consequences that ensued.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Rankeillor’s was, of course, wholly in the business view; Miss Grant’s was like herself, a little more witty than wise, full of blame to me for not having written (though how was I to write with such intelligence?) and of rallying talk about Catriona, which it cut me to the quick to read in her very presence.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Rankeillor’s was, of course, wholly in the business view; Miss Grant’s was like herself, a little more witty than wise, full of blame to me for not having written (though how was I to write with such intelligence?) and of rallying talk about Catriona, which it cut me to the quick to read in her very presence.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Rankeillor’s was, of course, wholly in the business view; Miss Grant’s was like herself, a little more witty than wise, full of blame to me for not having written (though how was I to write with such intelligence?) and of rallying talk about Catriona, which it cut me to the quick to read in her very presence.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A TWOSOME I believe it was about the fifth day, and I know at least that James was in one of his fits of gloom, when I received three letters.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rankeillor’s was, of course, wholly in the business view; Miss Grant’s was like herself, a little more witty than wise, full of blame to me for not having written (though how was I to write with such intelligence?) and of rallying talk about Catriona, which it cut me to the quick to read in her very presence.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading A TWOSOME I believe it was about the fifth day, and I know at least that James was in one of his fits of gloom, when I received three letters.
illadjectiveUS /ɪl/
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading This made a welcome diversion for all three of us, nor could any have foreseen the ill consequences that ensued.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A TWOSOME I believe it was about the fifth day, and I know at least that James was in one of his fits of gloom, when I received three letters.
intelligencenounUS /ˌɪnˈtelədʒəns/
the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience
From this reading Rankeillor’s was, of course, wholly in the business view; Miss Grant’s was like herself, a little more witty than wise, full of blame to me for not having written (though how was I to write with such intelligence?) and of rallying talk about Catriona, which it cut me to the quick to read in her very presence.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A TWOSOME I believe it was about the fifth day, and I know at least that James was in one of his fits of gloom, when I received three letters.
JamesnounUS /dʒeɪmz/
a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)
From this reading A TWOSOME I believe it was about the fifth day, and I know at least that James was in one of his fits of gloom, when I received three letters.
knowverbUS /noʊ/
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading A TWOSOME I believe it was about the fifth day, and I know at least that James was in one of his fits of gloom, when I received three letters.
leastadjectiveUS /liːst/
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading A TWOSOME I believe it was about the fifth day, and I know at least that James was in one of his fits of gloom, when I received three letters.
lettersnounUS /ˈletərz/
the literary culture
From this reading A TWOSOME I believe it was about the fifth day, and I know at least that James was in one of his fits of gloom, when I received three letters.
LeydennounUS /ˈlaɪdən/
a city in the western Netherlands; residence of the Pilgrim Fathers for 11 years before they sailed for America in 1620
From this reading The first was from Alan, offering to visit me in Leyden; the other two were out of Scotland and prompted by the same affair, which was the death of my uncle and my own complete accession to my rights.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Rankeillor’s was, of course, wholly in the business view; Miss Grant’s was like herself, a little more witty than wise, full of blame to me for not having written (though how was I to write with such intelligence?) and of rallying talk about Catriona, which it cut me to the quick to read in her very presence.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Rankeillor’s was, of course, wholly in the business view; Miss Grant’s was like herself, a little more witty than wise, full of blame to me for not having written (though how was I to write with such intelligence?) and of rallying talk about Catriona, which it cut me to the quick to read in her very presence.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading This made a welcome diversion for all three of us, nor could any have foreseen the ill consequences that ensued.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The first was from Alan, offering to visit me in Leyden; the other two were out of Scotland and prompted by the same affair, which was the death of my uncle and my own complete accession to my rights.
MissverbUS /mɪs/
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Rankeillor’s was, of course, wholly in the business view; Miss Grant’s was like herself, a little more witty than wise, full of blame to me for not having written (though how was I to write with such intelligence?) and of rallying talk about Catriona, which it cut me to the quick to read in her very presence.
momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/
a particular point in time
From this reading For it was of course in my own rooms that I found them, when I came to dinner, so that I was surprised out of my news in the very first moment of reading it.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Rankeillor’s was, of course, wholly in the business view; Miss Grant’s was like herself, a little more witty than wise, full of blame to me for not having written (though how was I to write with such intelligence?) and of rallying talk about Catriona, which it cut me to the quick to read in her very presence.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading The first was from Alan, offering to visit me in Leyden; the other two were out of Scotland and prompted by the same affair, which was the death of my uncle and my own complete accession to my rights.
newsnounUS /nuːz/
information about recent and important events
From this reading For it was of course in my own rooms that I found them, when I came to dinner, so that I was surprised out of my news in the very first moment of reading it.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading This made a welcome diversion for all three of us, nor could any have foreseen the ill consequences that ensued.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Rankeillor’s was, of course, wholly in the business view; Miss Grant’s was like herself, a little more witty than wise, full of blame to me for not having written (though how was I to write with such intelligence?) and of rallying talk about Catriona, which it cut me to the quick to read in her very presence.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A TWOSOME I believe it was about the fifth day, and I know at least that James was in one of his fits of gloom, when I received three letters.
offeringnounUS /ˈɔːfərɪŋ/
something offered (as a proposal or bid)
From this reading The first was from Alan, offering to visit me in Leyden; the other two were out of Scotland and prompted by the same affair, which was the death of my uncle and my own complete accession to my rights.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A TWOSOME I believe it was about the fifth day, and I know at least that James was in one of his fits of gloom, when I received three letters.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The first was from Alan, offering to visit me in Leyden; the other two were out of Scotland and prompted by the same affair, which was the death of my uncle and my own complete accession to my rights.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The first was from Alan, offering to visit me in Leyden; the other two were out of Scotland and prompted by the same affair, which was the death of my uncle and my own complete accession to my rights.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The first was from Alan, offering to visit me in Leyden; the other two were out of Scotland and prompted by the same affair, which was the death of my uncle and my own complete accession to my rights.
presencenounUS /ˈprezəns/
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading Rankeillor’s was, of course, wholly in the business view; Miss Grant’s was like herself, a little more witty than wise, full of blame to me for not having written (though how was I to write with such intelligence?) and of rallying talk about Catriona, which it cut me to the quick to read in her very presence.
promptedverbUS /ˈprɑːmptɪd/
past form of “prompt” — give an incentive for action
From this reading The first was from Alan, offering to visit me in Leyden; the other two were out of Scotland and prompted by the same affair, which was the death of my uncle and my own complete accession to my rights.
quickadjectiveUS /kwɪk/
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading Rankeillor’s was, of course, wholly in the business view; Miss Grant’s was like herself, a little more witty than wise, full of blame to me for not having written (though how was I to write with such intelligence?) and of rallying talk about Catriona, which it cut me to the quick to read in her very presence.
rallyingnounUS /ˈræliɪŋ/
the act of mobilizing for a common purpose
From this reading Rankeillor’s was, of course, wholly in the business view; Miss Grant’s was like herself, a little more witty than wise, full of blame to me for not having written (though how was I to write with such intelligence?) and of rallying talk about Catriona, which it cut me to the quick to read in her very presence.
Rankeillor's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rankeillor’s was, of course, wholly in the business view; Miss Grant’s was like herself, a little more witty than wise, full of blame to me for not having written (though how was I to write with such intelligence?) and of rallying talk about Catriona, which it cut me to the quick to read in her very presence.
readverbUS /red/
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading Rankeillor’s was, of course, wholly in the business view; Miss Grant’s was like herself, a little more witty than wise, full of blame to me for not having written (though how was I to write with such intelligence?) and of rallying talk about Catriona, which it cut me to the quick to read in her very presence.
readingnounUS /ˈriːdɪŋ/
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading For it was of course in my own rooms that I found them, when I came to dinner, so that I was surprised out of my news in the very first moment of reading it.
receivedadjectiveUS /rəˈsiːvd/
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading A TWOSOME I believe it was about the fifth day, and I know at least that James was in one of his fits of gloom, when I received three letters.
rightsnounUS /raɪts/
plural of “right” — an abstract idea of that which is due to a person or governmental body by law or tradition or nature
From this reading The first was from Alan, offering to visit me in Leyden; the other two were out of Scotland and prompted by the same affair, which was the death of my uncle and my own complete accession to my rights.
roomsnounUS /ruːmz/
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading For it was of course in my own rooms that I found them, when I came to dinner, so that I was surprised out of my news in the very first moment of reading it.
sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/
Identical; not different.
From this reading The first was from Alan, offering to visit me in Leyden; the other two were out of Scotland and prompted by the same affair, which was the death of my uncle and my own complete accession to my rights.
ScotlandnounUS /ˈskɑːtlənd/
one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; located on the northern part of the island of Great Britain; famous for bagpipes and plaids and kilts
From this reading The first was from Alan, offering to visit me in Leyden; the other two were out of Scotland and prompted by the same affair, which was the death of my uncle and my own complete accession to my rights.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading For it was of course in my own rooms that I found them, when I came to dinner, so that I was surprised out of my news in the very first moment of reading it.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Rankeillor’s was, of course, wholly in the business view; Miss Grant’s was like herself, a little more witty than wise, full of blame to me for not having written (though how was I to write with such intelligence?) and of rallying talk about Catriona, which it cut me to the quick to read in her very presence.
surprisedadjectiveUS /sərˈpraɪzd/
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading For it was of course in my own rooms that I found them, when I came to dinner, so that I was surprised out of my news in the very first moment of reading it.
talkverbUS /tɔːk/
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading Rankeillor’s was, of course, wholly in the business view; Miss Grant’s was like herself, a little more witty than wise, full of blame to me for not having written (though how was I to write with such intelligence?) and of rallying talk about Catriona, which it cut me to the quick to read in her very presence.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Rankeillor’s was, of course, wholly in the business view; Miss Grant’s was like herself, a little more witty than wise, full of blame to me for not having written (though how was I to write with such intelligence?) and of rallying talk about Catriona, which it cut me to the quick to read in her very presence.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A TWOSOME I believe it was about the fifth day, and I know at least that James was in one of his fits of gloom, when I received three letters.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A TWOSOME I believe it was about the fifth day, and I know at least that James was in one of his fits of gloom, when I received three letters.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading For it was of course in my own rooms that I found them, when I came to dinner, so that I was surprised out of my news in the very first moment of reading it.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This made a welcome diversion for all three of us, nor could any have foreseen the ill consequences that ensued.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Rankeillor’s was, of course, wholly in the business view; Miss Grant’s was like herself, a little more witty than wise, full of blame to me for not having written (though how was I to write with such intelligence?) and of rallying talk about Catriona, which it cut me to the quick to read in her very presence.
threenounUS /θriː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading A TWOSOME I believe it was about the fifth day, and I know at least that James was in one of his fits of gloom, when I received three letters.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The first was from Alan, offering to visit me in Leyden; the other two were out of Scotland and prompted by the same affair, which was the death of my uncle and my own complete accession to my rights.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The first was from Alan, offering to visit me in Leyden; the other two were out of Scotland and prompted by the same affair, which was the death of my uncle and my own complete accession to my rights.
TWOSOMEnounUS /ˈtuːsəm/
two items of the same kind
From this reading A TWOSOME I believe it was about the fifth day, and I know at least that James was in one of his fits of gloom, when I received three letters.
unclenounUS /ˈʌŋkəl/
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading The first was from Alan, offering to visit me in Leyden; the other two were out of Scotland and prompted by the same affair, which was the death of my uncle and my own complete accession to my rights.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading This made a welcome diversion for all three of us, nor could any have foreseen the ill consequences that ensued.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading Rankeillor’s was, of course, wholly in the business view; Miss Grant’s was like herself, a little more witty than wise, full of blame to me for not having written (though how was I to write with such intelligence?) and of rallying talk about Catriona, which it cut me to the quick to read in her very presence.
viewnounUS /vjuː/
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading Rankeillor’s was, of course, wholly in the business view; Miss Grant’s was like herself, a little more witty than wise, full of blame to me for not having written (though how was I to write with such intelligence?) and of rallying talk about Catriona, which it cut me to the quick to read in her very presence.
visitverbUS /ˈvɪzɪt/
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading The first was from Alan, offering to visit me in Leyden; the other two were out of Scotland and prompted by the same affair, which was the death of my uncle and my own complete accession to my rights.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A TWOSOME I believe it was about the fifth day, and I know at least that James was in one of his fits of gloom, when I received three letters.
welcomeverbUS /ˈwelkəm/
accept gladly
From this reading This made a welcome diversion for all three of us, nor could any have foreseen the ill consequences that ensued.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The first was from Alan, offering to visit me in Leyden; the other two were out of Scotland and prompted by the same affair, which was the death of my uncle and my own complete accession to my rights.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading A TWOSOME I believe it was about the fifth day, and I know at least that James was in one of his fits of gloom, when I received three letters.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The first was from Alan, offering to visit me in Leyden; the other two were out of Scotland and prompted by the same affair, which was the death of my uncle and my own complete accession to my rights.
whollyadverbUS /ˈhoʊli/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Rankeillor’s was, of course, wholly in the business view; Miss Grant’s was like herself, a little more witty than wise, full of blame to me for not having written (though how was I to write with such intelligence?) and of rallying talk about Catriona, which it cut me to the quick to read in her very presence.
wiseadjectiveUS /waɪz/
having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading Rankeillor’s was, of course, wholly in the business view; Miss Grant’s was like herself, a little more witty than wise, full of blame to me for not having written (though how was I to write with such intelligence?) and of rallying talk about Catriona, which it cut me to the quick to read in her very presence.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Rankeillor’s was, of course, wholly in the business view; Miss Grant’s was like herself, a little more witty than wise, full of blame to me for not having written (though how was I to write with such intelligence?) and of rallying talk about Catriona, which it cut me to the quick to read in her very presence.
wittyadjectiveUS /ˈwɪti/
combining clever conception and facetious expression
From this reading Rankeillor’s was, of course, wholly in the business view; Miss Grant’s was like herself, a little more witty than wise, full of blame to me for not having written (though how was I to write with such intelligence?) and of rallying talk about Catriona, which it cut me to the quick to read in her very presence.
writeverbUS /raɪt/
produce a literary work
From this reading Rankeillor’s was, of course, wholly in the business view; Miss Grant’s was like herself, a little more witty than wise, full of blame to me for not having written (though how was I to write with such intelligence?) and of rallying talk about Catriona, which it cut me to the quick to read in her very presence.
writtenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪtən/
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading Rankeillor’s was, of course, wholly in the business view; Miss Grant’s was like herself, a little more witty than wise, full of blame to me for not having written (though how was I to write with such intelligence?) and of rallying talk about Catriona, which it cut me to the quick to read in her very presence.
