Chapter I · Chapter 1

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

giving or marked by complete attention to

From this reading However, the sharpest insinuations ever made against their domestic bliss were that she visited a good deal, while he was deeply absorbed in his studies.

later than; following

From this reading And when, after a good many childless years, she brought him a girl and boy, he became excessively fond of his children.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading However, the sharpest insinuations ever made against their domestic bliss were that she visited a good deal, while he was deeply absorbed in his studies.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

any thing at all

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

to gain with effort

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Miss Oakley, like the rest of Avonsbridge, had long-known Dr. Grey's history; how he had married early, or (ill-natured report said) been married by, a widow lady, very handsome, and some years older than himself.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading And when, after a good many childless years, she brought him a girl and boy, he became excessively fond of his children.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Miss Oakley, like the rest of Avonsbridge, had long-known Dr. Grey's history; how he had married early, or (ill-natured report said) been married by, a widow lady, very handsome, and some years older than himself.

a state of extreme happiness

From this reading However, the sharpest insinuations ever made against their domestic bliss were that she visited a good deal, while he was deeply absorbed in his studies.

a youthful male person

From this reading And when, after a good many childless years, she brought him a girl and boy, he became excessively fond of his children.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading And when, after a good many childless years, she brought him a girl and boy, he became excessively fond of his children.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

without offspring

From this reading And when, after a good many childless years, she brought him a girl and boy, he became excessively fond of his children.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading And when, after a good many childless years, she brought him a girl and boy, he became excessively fond of his children.

motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading However, the sharpest insinuations ever made against their domestic bliss were that she visited a good deal, while he was deeply absorbed in his studies.

to a great depth psychologically or emotionally

From this reading However, the sharpest insinuations ever made against their domestic bliss were that she visited a good deal, while he was deeply absorbed in his studies.

the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

of concern to or concerning the internal affairs of a nation

From this reading However, the sharpest insinuations ever made against their domestic bliss were that she visited a good deal, while he was deeply absorbed in his studies.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Miss Oakley, like the rest of Avonsbridge, had long-known Dr. Grey's history; how he had married early, or (ill-natured report said) been married by, a widow lady, very handsome, and some years older than himself.

plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading Miss Oakley, like the rest of Avonsbridge, had long-known Dr. Grey's history; how he had married early, or (ill-natured report said) been married by, a widow lady, very handsome, and some years older than himself.

at any time

From this reading However, the sharpest insinuations ever made against their domestic bliss were that she visited a good deal, while he was deeply absorbed in his studies.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading And when, after a good many childless years, she brought him a girl and boy, he became excessively fond of his children.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

having or displaying warmth or affection

From this reading And when, after a good many childless years, she brought him a girl and boy, he became excessively fond of his children.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

a young female

From this reading And when, after a good many childless years, she brought him a girl and boy, he became excessively fond of his children.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

possessive form of “grey” — United States writer of western adventure novels (1875-1939)

From this reading Miss Oakley, like the rest of Avonsbridge, had long-known Dr. Grey's history; how he had married early, or (ill-natured report said) been married by, a widow lady, very handsome, and some years older than himself.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Miss Oakley, like the rest of Avonsbridge, had long-known Dr. Grey's history; how he had married early, or (ill-natured report said) been married by, a widow lady, very handsome, and some years older than himself.

pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion

From this reading Miss Oakley, like the rest of Avonsbridge, had long-known Dr. Grey's history; how he had married early, or (ill-natured report said) been married by, a widow lady, very handsome, and some years older than himself.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Miss Oakley, like the rest of Avonsbridge, had long-known Dr. Grey's history; how he had married early, or (ill-natured report said) been married by, a widow lady, very handsome, and some years older than himself.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading And when, after a good many childless years, she brought him a girl and boy, he became excessively fond of his children.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Miss Oakley, like the rest of Avonsbridge, had long-known Dr. Grey's history; how he had married early, or (ill-natured report said) been married by, a widow lady, very handsome, and some years older than himself.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

the aggregate of past events

From this reading Miss Oakley, like the rest of Avonsbridge, had long-known Dr. Grey's history; how he had married early, or (ill-natured report said) been married by, a widow lady, very handsome, and some years older than himself.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Miss Oakley, like the rest of Avonsbridge, had long-known Dr. Grey's history; how he had married early, or (ill-natured report said) been married by, a widow lady, very handsome, and some years older than himself.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading However, the sharpest insinuations ever made against their domestic bliss were that she visited a good deal, while he was deeply absorbed in his studies.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

having an irritable and unpleasant disposition

From this reading Miss Oakley, like the rest of Avonsbridge, had long-known Dr. Grey's history; how he had married early, or (ill-natured report said) been married by, a widow lady, very handsome, and some years older than himself.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

plural of “insinuation” — an indirect (and usually malicious) implication

From this reading However, the sharpest insinuations ever made against their domestic bliss were that she visited a good deal, while he was deeply absorbed in his studies.

inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Why should it?

plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading Miss Oakley, like the rest of Avonsbridge, had long-known Dr. Grey's history; how he had married early, or (ill-natured report said) been married by, a widow lady, very handsome, and some years older than himself.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Miss Oakley, like the rest of Avonsbridge, had long-known Dr. Grey's history; how he had married early, or (ill-natured report said) been married by, a widow lady, very handsome, and some years older than himself.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Miss Oakley, like the rest of Avonsbridge, had long-known Dr. Grey's history; how he had married early, or (ill-natured report said) been married by, a widow lady, very handsome, and some years older than himself.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading However, the sharpest insinuations ever made against their domestic bliss were that she visited a good deal, while he was deeply absorbed in his studies.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

possessing qualities befitting a man

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

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 And when, after a good many childless years, she brought him a girl and boy, he became excessively fond of his children.

joined in matrimony

From this reading Miss Oakley, like the rest of Avonsbridge, had long-known Dr. Grey's history; how he had married early, or (ill-natured report said) been married by, a widow lady, very handsome, and some years older than himself.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading Miss Oakley, like the rest of Avonsbridge, had long-known Dr. Grey's history; how he had married early, or (ill-natured report said) been married by, a widow lady, very handsome, and some years older than himself.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

United States sharpshooter who was featured in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show (1860-1926)

From this reading Miss Oakley, like the rest of Avonsbridge, had long-known Dr. Grey's history; how he had married early, or (ill-natured report said) been married by, a widow lady, very handsome, and some years older than himself.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Miss Oakley, like the rest of Avonsbridge, had long-known Dr. Grey's history; how he had married early, or (ill-natured report said) been married by, a widow lady, very handsome, and some years older than himself.

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading Miss Oakley, like the rest of Avonsbridge, had long-known Dr. Grey's history; how he had married early, or (ill-natured report said) been married by, a widow lady, very handsome, and some years older than himself.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Miss Oakley, like the rest of Avonsbridge, had long-known Dr. Grey's history; how he had married early, or (ill-natured report said) been married by, a widow lady, very handsome, and some years older than himself.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

to give an account or representation of in words

From this reading Miss Oakley, like the rest of Avonsbridge, had long-known Dr. Grey's history; how he had married early, or (ill-natured report said) been married by, a widow lady, very handsome, and some years older than himself.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading Miss Oakley, like the rest of Avonsbridge, had long-known Dr. Grey's history; how he had married early, or (ill-natured report said) been married by, a widow lady, very handsome, and some years older than himself.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Miss Oakley, like the rest of Avonsbridge, had long-known Dr. Grey's history; how he had married early, or (ill-natured report said) been married by, a widow lady, very handsome, and some years older than himself.

superlative of “sharp” — (of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading However, the sharpest insinuations ever made against their domestic bliss were that she visited a good deal, while he was deeply absorbed in his studies.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading However, the sharpest insinuations ever made against their domestic bliss were that she visited a good deal, while he was deeply absorbed in his studies.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Why should it?

not affected by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Miss Oakley, like the rest of Avonsbridge, had long-known Dr. Grey's history; how he had married early, or (ill-natured report said) been married by, a widow lady, very handsome, and some years older than himself.

the season of growth

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

plural of “study” — a detailed critical inspection

From this reading However, the sharpest insinuations ever made against their domestic bliss were that she visited a good deal, while he was deeply absorbed in his studies.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Miss Oakley, like the rest of Avonsbridge, had long-known Dr. Grey's history; how he had married early, or (ill-natured report said) been married by, a widow lady, very handsome, and some years older than himself.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading However, the sharpest insinuations ever made against their domestic bliss were that she visited a good deal, while he was deeply absorbed in his studies.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

precisely as stated

From this reading Miss Oakley, like the rest of Avonsbridge, had long-known Dr. Grey's history; how he had married early, or (ill-natured report said) been married by, a widow lady, very handsome, and some years older than himself.

past form of “visit” — go to see a place, as for entertainment

From this reading However, the sharpest insinuations ever made against their domestic bliss were that she visited a good deal, while he was deeply absorbed in his studies.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading However, the sharpest insinuations ever made against their domestic bliss were that she visited a good deal, while he was deeply absorbed in his studies.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading However, the sharpest insinuations ever made against their domestic bliss were that she visited a good deal, while he was deeply absorbed in his studies.

at the time that

From this reading And when, after a good many childless years, she brought him a girl and boy, he became excessively fond of his children.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

during the time that

From this reading However, the sharpest insinuations ever made against their domestic bliss were that she visited a good deal, while he was deeply absorbed in his studies.

which person or people

From this reading Every man who has anything really manly in his nature knows well that to be a truly good father, carrying out by sober reason and conscience those duties which in the mother spring from instinct, is the utmost dignity to which his human nature can attain.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading Why should it?

a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried

From this reading Miss Oakley, like the rest of Avonsbridge, had long-known Dr. Grey's history; how he had married early, or (ill-natured report said) been married by, a widow lady, very handsome, and some years older than himself.

a late time of life

From this reading Miss Oakley, like the rest of Avonsbridge, had long-known Dr. Grey's history; how he had married early, or (ill-natured report said) been married by, a widow lady, very handsome, and some years older than himself.