adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In the eye of the heiress, as in her father's, might be noted a shade of surprise at finding two gentlemen instead of one.
addverbUS /æd/
make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
From this reading But though the Count instantly perceived his superfluity, and though it had been his greatest ambition throughout his life to add no shade to the dullness with which he frequently complained that life was overburdened, yet his sense of obligation to his friend was so strong that he preferred to bore rather than desert.
ambitionnounUS /æmˈbɪʃən/
a cherished desire
From this reading But though the Count instantly perceived his superfluity, and though it had been his greatest ambition throughout his life to add no shade to the dullness with which he frequently complained that life was overburdened, yet his sense of obligation to his friend was so strong that he preferred to bore rather than desert.
AmericansnounUS /əˈmerəkənz/
plural of “american” — a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading But his lordship had learned to fear the Americans, even bearing compliments.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But though the Count instantly perceived his superfluity, and though it had been his greatest ambition throughout his life to add no shade to the dullness with which he frequently complained that life was overburdened, yet his sense of obligation to his friend was so strong that he preferred to bore rather than desert.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In the eye of the heiress, as in her father's, might be noted a shade of surprise at finding two gentlemen instead of one.
assumedadjectiveUS /əˈsuːmd/
adopted in order to deceive
From this reading As the only compensation he could offer, he assumed the most retiring look of which his mobile features were capable, and pretended to examine one of the tables of curios.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading In the eye of the heiress, as in her father's, might be noted a shade of surprise at finding two gentlemen instead of one.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading In the eye of the heiress, as in her father's, might be noted a shade of surprise at finding two gentlemen instead of one.
bearingnounUS /ˈberɪŋ/
relevant relation or interconnection
From this reading But his lordship had learned to fear the Americans, even bearing compliments.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But though the Count instantly perceived his superfluity, and though it had been his greatest ambition throughout his life to add no shade to the dullness with which he frequently complained that life was overburdened, yet his sense of obligation to his friend was so strong that he preferred to bore rather than desert.
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading “Lord Tulliwuddle, I congratulate you on the very happy impression you have made!” began Eleanor with the most delightful frankness.
boreverbUS /bɔːr/
cause to be bored
From this reading But though the Count instantly perceived his superfluity, and though it had been his greatest ambition throughout his life to add no shade to the dullness with which he frequently complained that life was overburdened, yet his sense of obligation to his friend was so strong that he preferred to bore rather than desert.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But though the Count instantly perceived his superfluity, and though it had been his greatest ambition throughout his life to add no shade to the dullness with which he frequently complained that life was overburdened, yet his sense of obligation to his friend was so strong that he preferred to bore rather than desert.
capableadjectiveUS /ˈkeɪpəbəl/
(usually followed by “of”) having capacity or ability
From this reading As the only compensation he could offer, he assumed the most retiring look of which his mobile features were capable, and pretended to examine one of the tables of curios.
compensationnounUS /ˌkɑːmpənˈseɪʃən/
something (such as money) given or received as payment or reparation (as for a service or loss or injury)
From this reading As the only compensation he could offer, he assumed the most retiring look of which his mobile features were capable, and pretended to examine one of the tables of curios.
complainedverbUS /kəmˈpleɪnd/
past form of “complain” — express complaints, discontent, displeasure, or unhappiness
From this reading But though the Count instantly perceived his superfluity, and though it had been his greatest ambition throughout his life to add no shade to the dullness with which he frequently complained that life was overburdened, yet his sense of obligation to his friend was so strong that he preferred to bore rather than desert.
complimentsnounUS /ˈkɑːmpləments/
(usually plural) a polite expression of desire for someone's welfare
From this reading But his lordship had learned to fear the Americans, even bearing compliments.
congratulateverbUS /kənˈɡrætʃəleɪt/
say something to someone that expresses praise
From this reading “Lord Tulliwuddle, I congratulate you on the very happy impression you have made!” began Eleanor with the most delightful frankness.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading As the only compensation he could offer, he assumed the most retiring look of which his mobile features were capable, and pretended to examine one of the tables of curios.
CountverbUS /kaʊnt/
determine the number or amount of
From this reading But though the Count instantly perceived his superfluity, and though it had been his greatest ambition throughout his life to add no shade to the dullness with which he frequently complained that life was overburdened, yet his sense of obligation to his friend was so strong that he preferred to bore rather than desert.
curiosnounUS /ˈkjʊrioʊz/
plural of “curio” — something unusual -- perhaps worthy of collecting
From this reading As the only compensation he could offer, he assumed the most retiring look of which his mobile features were capable, and pretended to examine one of the tables of curios.
delightfuladjectiveUS /dɪˈlaɪtfəl/
greatly pleasing or entertaining
From this reading “Lord Tulliwuddle, I congratulate you on the very happy impression you have made!” began Eleanor with the most delightful frankness.
desertverbUS /ˈdezərt/
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading But though the Count instantly perceived his superfluity, and though it had been his greatest ambition throughout his life to add no shade to the dullness with which he frequently complained that life was overburdened, yet his sense of obligation to his friend was so strong that he preferred to bore rather than desert.
dullnessnounUS /ˈdʌlnəs/
the quality of being slow to understand
From this reading But though the Count instantly perceived his superfluity, and though it had been his greatest ambition throughout his life to add no shade to the dullness with which he frequently complained that life was overburdened, yet his sense of obligation to his friend was so strong that he preferred to bore rather than desert.
Eleanor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Lord Tulliwuddle, I congratulate you on the very happy impression you have made!” began Eleanor with the most delightful frankness.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading But his lordship had learned to fear the Americans, even bearing compliments.
examineverbUS /ɪɡˈzæmɪn/
consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading As the only compensation he could offer, he assumed the most retiring look of which his mobile features were capable, and pretended to examine one of the tables of curios.
eyenounUS /aɪ/
the organ of sight
From this reading In the eye of the heiress, as in her father's, might be noted a shade of surprise at finding two gentlemen instead of one.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading In the eye of the heiress, as in her father's, might be noted a shade of surprise at finding two gentlemen instead of one.
fearverbUS /fɪr/
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading But his lordship had learned to fear the Americans, even bearing compliments.
featuresnounUS /ˈfiːtʃərz/
plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading As the only compensation he could offer, he assumed the most retiring look of which his mobile features were capable, and pretended to examine one of the tables of curios.
findingnounUS /ˈfaɪndɪŋ/
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading In the eye of the heiress, as in her father's, might be noted a shade of surprise at finding two gentlemen instead of one.
franknessnounUS /ˈfræŋknəs/
the quality of being honest and straightforward in attitude and speech
From this reading “Lord Tulliwuddle, I congratulate you on the very happy impression you have made!” began Eleanor with the most delightful frankness.
frequentlyadverbUS /ˈfriːkwəntli/
many times at short intervals
From this reading But though the Count instantly perceived his superfluity, and though it had been his greatest ambition throughout his life to add no shade to the dullness with which he frequently complained that life was overburdened, yet his sense of obligation to his friend was so strong that he preferred to bore rather than desert.
friendnounUS /frend/
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading But though the Count instantly perceived his superfluity, and though it had been his greatest ambition throughout his life to add no shade to the dullness with which he frequently complained that life was overburdened, yet his sense of obligation to his friend was so strong that he preferred to bore rather than desert.
gentlemennounUS /ˈdʒentəlmɪn/
plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement
From this reading In the eye of the heiress, as in her father's, might be noted a shade of surprise at finding two gentlemen instead of one.
greatestadjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪtəst/
highest in quality
From this reading But though the Count instantly perceived his superfluity, and though it had been his greatest ambition throughout his life to add no shade to the dullness with which he frequently complained that life was overburdened, yet his sense of obligation to his friend was so strong that he preferred to bore rather than desert.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But though the Count instantly perceived his superfluity, and though it had been his greatest ambition throughout his life to add no shade to the dullness with which he frequently complained that life was overburdened, yet his sense of obligation to his friend was so strong that he preferred to bore rather than desert.
happyadjectiveUS /ˈhæpi/
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading “Lord Tulliwuddle, I congratulate you on the very happy impression you have made!” began Eleanor with the most delightful frankness.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “Lord Tulliwuddle, I congratulate you on the very happy impression you have made!” began Eleanor with the most delightful frankness.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But though the Count instantly perceived his superfluity, and though it had been his greatest ambition throughout his life to add no shade to the dullness with which he frequently complained that life was overburdened, yet his sense of obligation to his friend was so strong that he preferred to bore rather than desert.
heiressnounUS /ˈerəs/
a female heir
From this reading In the eye of the heiress, as in her father's, might be noted a shade of surprise at finding two gentlemen instead of one.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading In the eye of the heiress, as in her father's, might be noted a shade of surprise at finding two gentlemen instead of one.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But though the Count instantly perceived his superfluity, and though it had been his greatest ambition throughout his life to add no shade to the dullness with which he frequently complained that life was overburdened, yet his sense of obligation to his friend was so strong that he preferred to bore rather than desert.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Lord Tulliwuddle, I congratulate you on the very happy impression you have made!” began Eleanor with the most delightful frankness.
impressionnounUS /ˌɪmˈpreʃən/
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading “Lord Tulliwuddle, I congratulate you on the very happy impression you have made!” began Eleanor with the most delightful frankness.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the eye of the heiress, as in her father's, might be noted a shade of surprise at finding two gentlemen instead of one.
instantlyadverbUS /ˈɪnstəntli/
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading But though the Count instantly perceived his superfluity, and though it had been his greatest ambition throughout his life to add no shade to the dullness with which he frequently complained that life was overburdened, yet his sense of obligation to his friend was so strong that he preferred to bore rather than desert.
insteadadverbUS /ˌɪnˈsted/
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading In the eye of the heiress, as in her father's, might be noted a shade of surprise at finding two gentlemen instead of one.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But though the Count instantly perceived his superfluity, and though it had been his greatest ambition throughout his life to add no shade to the dullness with which he frequently complained that life was overburdened, yet his sense of obligation to his friend was so strong that he preferred to bore rather than desert.
learnedadjectiveUS /lɜːrnd/
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading But his lordship had learned to fear the Americans, even bearing compliments.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading But though the Count instantly perceived his superfluity, and though it had been his greatest ambition throughout his life to add no shade to the dullness with which he frequently complained that life was overburdened, yet his sense of obligation to his friend was so strong that he preferred to bore rather than desert.
lookverbUS /lʊk/
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading As the only compensation he could offer, he assumed the most retiring look of which his mobile features were capable, and pretended to examine one of the tables of curios.
LordnounUS /lɔːrd/
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading “Lord Tulliwuddle, I congratulate you on the very happy impression you have made!” began Eleanor with the most delightful frankness.
lordshipnounUS /ˈlɔːrdʃɪp/
a title used to address any British peer except a duke and extended to a bishop or a judge
From this reading But his lordship had learned to fear the Americans, even bearing compliments.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading “Lord Tulliwuddle, I congratulate you on the very happy impression you have made!” began Eleanor with the most delightful frankness.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading In the eye of the heiress, as in her father's, might be noted a shade of surprise at finding two gentlemen instead of one.
mobileadjectiveUS /ˈmoʊbəl/
migratory
From this reading As the only compensation he could offer, he assumed the most retiring look of which his mobile features were capable, and pretended to examine one of the tables of curios.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading As the only compensation he could offer, he assumed the most retiring look of which his mobile features were capable, and pretended to examine one of the tables of curios.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading But though the Count instantly perceived his superfluity, and though it had been his greatest ambition throughout his life to add no shade to the dullness with which he frequently complained that life was overburdened, yet his sense of obligation to his friend was so strong that he preferred to bore rather than desert.
notedadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəd/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading In the eye of the heiress, as in her father's, might be noted a shade of surprise at finding two gentlemen instead of one.
obligationnounUS /ˌɑːbləˈɡeɪʃən/
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading But though the Count instantly perceived his superfluity, and though it had been his greatest ambition throughout his life to add no shade to the dullness with which he frequently complained that life was overburdened, yet his sense of obligation to his friend was so strong that he preferred to bore rather than desert.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the eye of the heiress, as in her father's, might be noted a shade of surprise at finding two gentlemen instead of one.
offerverbUS /ˈɔːfər/
make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading As the only compensation he could offer, he assumed the most retiring look of which his mobile features were capable, and pretended to examine one of the tables of curios.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “Lord Tulliwuddle, I congratulate you on the very happy impression you have made!” began Eleanor with the most delightful frankness.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In the eye of the heiress, as in her father's, might be noted a shade of surprise at finding two gentlemen instead of one.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading As the only compensation he could offer, he assumed the most retiring look of which his mobile features were capable, and pretended to examine one of the tables of curios.
overburdenedadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərˈbɜːrdənd/
heavily burdened with work or cares
From this reading But though the Count instantly perceived his superfluity, and though it had been his greatest ambition throughout his life to add no shade to the dullness with which he frequently complained that life was overburdened, yet his sense of obligation to his friend was so strong that he preferred to bore rather than desert.
perceivedadjectiveUS /pərˈsiːvd/
detected by instinct or inference rather than by recognized perceptual cues
From this reading But though the Count instantly perceived his superfluity, and though it had been his greatest ambition throughout his life to add no shade to the dullness with which he frequently complained that life was overburdened, yet his sense of obligation to his friend was so strong that he preferred to bore rather than desert.
preferredadjectiveUS /prəˈfɜːrd/
more desirable than another
From this reading But though the Count instantly perceived his superfluity, and though it had been his greatest ambition throughout his life to add no shade to the dullness with which he frequently complained that life was overburdened, yet his sense of obligation to his friend was so strong that he preferred to bore rather than desert.
pretendedadjectiveUS /priˈtendɪd/
adopted in order to deceive
From this reading As the only compensation he could offer, he assumed the most retiring look of which his mobile features were capable, and pretended to examine one of the tables of curios.
ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/
on the contrary
From this reading But though the Count instantly perceived his superfluity, and though it had been his greatest ambition throughout his life to add no shade to the dullness with which he frequently complained that life was overburdened, yet his sense of obligation to his friend was so strong that he preferred to bore rather than desert.
retiringadjectiveUS /rɪˈtaɪrɪŋ/
not arrogant or presuming
From this reading As the only compensation he could offer, he assumed the most retiring look of which his mobile features were capable, and pretended to examine one of the tables of curios.
sensenounUS /sens/
a general conscious awareness
From this reading But though the Count instantly perceived his superfluity, and though it had been his greatest ambition throughout his life to add no shade to the dullness with which he frequently complained that life was overburdened, yet his sense of obligation to his friend was so strong that he preferred to bore rather than desert.
shadenounUS /ʃeɪd/
relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body
From this reading In the eye of the heiress, as in her father's, might be noted a shade of surprise at finding two gentlemen instead of one.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But though the Count instantly perceived his superfluity, and though it had been his greatest ambition throughout his life to add no shade to the dullness with which he frequently complained that life was overburdened, yet his sense of obligation to his friend was so strong that he preferred to bore rather than desert.
strongadjectiveUS /strɔːŋ/
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading But though the Count instantly perceived his superfluity, and though it had been his greatest ambition throughout his life to add no shade to the dullness with which he frequently complained that life was overburdened, yet his sense of obligation to his friend was so strong that he preferred to bore rather than desert.
superfluitynoun
extreme excess
From this reading But though the Count instantly perceived his superfluity, and though it had been his greatest ambition throughout his life to add no shade to the dullness with which he frequently complained that life was overburdened, yet his sense of obligation to his friend was so strong that he preferred to bore rather than desert.
surprisenounUS /sərˈpraɪz/
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading In the eye of the heiress, as in her father's, might be noted a shade of surprise at finding two gentlemen instead of one.
tablesnounUS /ˈteɪbəlz/
plural of “table” — a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading As the only compensation he could offer, he assumed the most retiring look of which his mobile features were capable, and pretended to examine one of the tables of curios.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But though the Count instantly perceived his superfluity, and though it had been his greatest ambition throughout his life to add no shade to the dullness with which he frequently complained that life was overburdened, yet his sense of obligation to his friend was so strong that he preferred to bore rather than desert.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But though the Count instantly perceived his superfluity, and though it had been his greatest ambition throughout his life to add no shade to the dullness with which he frequently complained that life was overburdened, yet his sense of obligation to his friend was so strong that he preferred to bore rather than desert.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the eye of the heiress, as in her father's, might be noted a shade of surprise at finding two gentlemen instead of one.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading But though the Count instantly perceived his superfluity, and though it had been his greatest ambition throughout his life to add no shade to the dullness with which he frequently complained that life was overburdened, yet his sense of obligation to his friend was so strong that he preferred to bore rather than desert.
throughoutprepositionUS /θruːˈaʊt/
in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period
From this reading But though the Count instantly perceived his superfluity, and though it had been his greatest ambition throughout his life to add no shade to the dullness with which he frequently complained that life was overburdened, yet his sense of obligation to his friend was so strong that he preferred to bore rather than desert.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But though the Count instantly perceived his superfluity, and though it had been his greatest ambition throughout his life to add no shade to the dullness with which he frequently complained that life was overburdened, yet his sense of obligation to his friend was so strong that he preferred to bore rather than desert.
Tulliwuddle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Lord Tulliwuddle, I congratulate you on the very happy impression you have made!” began Eleanor with the most delightful frankness.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading In the eye of the heiress, as in her father's, might be noted a shade of surprise at finding two gentlemen instead of one.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading “Lord Tulliwuddle, I congratulate you on the very happy impression you have made!” began Eleanor with the most delightful frankness.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But though the Count instantly perceived his superfluity, and though it had been his greatest ambition throughout his life to add no shade to the dullness with which he frequently complained that life was overburdened, yet his sense of obligation to his friend was so strong that he preferred to bore rather than desert.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As the only compensation he could offer, he assumed the most retiring look of which his mobile features were capable, and pretended to examine one of the tables of curios.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But though the Count instantly perceived his superfluity, and though it had been his greatest ambition throughout his life to add no shade to the dullness with which he frequently complained that life was overburdened, yet his sense of obligation to his friend was so strong that he preferred to bore rather than desert.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading But though the Count instantly perceived his superfluity, and though it had been his greatest ambition throughout his life to add no shade to the dullness with which he frequently complained that life was overburdened, yet his sense of obligation to his friend was so strong that he preferred to bore rather than desert.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading But though the Count instantly perceived his superfluity, and though it had been his greatest ambition throughout his life to add no shade to the dullness with which he frequently complained that life was overburdened, yet his sense of obligation to his friend was so strong that he preferred to bore rather than desert.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Lord Tulliwuddle, I congratulate you on the very happy impression you have made!” began Eleanor with the most delightful frankness.
