used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _A Misanthrope._ Such was the story, in its most essential circumstances, that Mr. Godfrey related.
acutenessnounUS /əˈkjuːtnəs/
a sensitivity that is keen and highly developed
From this reading Delia was exceedingly interested in the gaiety of his imagination, the cruelty of his disappointments, and the acuteness, and goodness of heart that appeared in his reflections.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "Well," said she, "I never saw an author before.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Delia was exceedingly interested in the gaiety of his imagination, the cruelty of his disappointments, and the acuteness, and goodness of heart that appeared in his reflections.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Delia was exceedingly interested in the gaiety of his imagination, the cruelty of his disappointments, and the acuteness, and goodness of heart that appeared in his reflections.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But as soon as he was gone, she began with her usual observations.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading "Well," said she, "I never saw an author before.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading "Well," said she, "I never saw an author before.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading But as soon as he was gone, she began with her usual observations.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But as soon as he was gone, she began with her usual observations.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading _A Misanthrope._ Such was the story, in its most essential circumstances, that Mr. Godfrey related.
crueltynounUS /ˈkruːlti/
a cruel act; a deliberate infliction of pain and suffering
From this reading Delia was exceedingly interested in the gaiety of his imagination, the cruelty of his disappointments, and the acuteness, and goodness of heart that appeared in his reflections.
Delia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Delia was exceedingly interested in the gaiety of his imagination, the cruelty of his disappointments, and the acuteness, and goodness of heart that appeared in his reflections.
disappointmentsnounUS /dɪsəˈpɔɪntmənts/
plural of “disappointment” — a feeling of dissatisfaction that results when your expectations are not realized
From this reading Delia was exceedingly interested in the gaiety of his imagination, the cruelty of his disappointments, and the acuteness, and goodness of heart that appeared in his reflections.
essentialadjectiveUS /eˈsenʃəl/
absolutely necessary; vitally necessary
From this reading _A Misanthrope._ Such was the story, in its most essential circumstances, that Mr. Godfrey related.
to an extreme degree
From this reading Delia was exceedingly interested in the gaiety of his imagination, the cruelty of his disappointments, and the acuteness, and goodness of heart that appeared in his reflections.
FletchernounUS /ˈfletʃər/
prolific English dramatist who collaborated with Francis Beaumont and many other dramatists (1579-1625)
From this reading Miss Fletcher listened to the whole with gaping wonder.
gaietynoun
a gay feeling
From this reading Delia was exceedingly interested in the gaiety of his imagination, the cruelty of his disappointments, and the acuteness, and goodness of heart that appeared in his reflections.
gapingadjectiveUS /ˈɡeɪpɪŋ/
with the mouth wide open as in wonder or awe
From this reading Miss Fletcher listened to the whole with gaping wonder.
Godfrey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _A Misanthrope._ Such was the story, in its most essential circumstances, that Mr. Godfrey related.
destroyed or killed
From this reading But as soon as he was gone, she began with her usual observations.
that which is pleasing or valuable or useful
From this reading Delia was exceedingly interested in the gaiety of his imagination, the cruelty of his disappointments, and the acuteness, and goodness of heart that appeared in his reflections.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But as soon as he was gone, she began with her usual observations.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Delia was exceedingly interested in the gaiety of his imagination, the cruelty of his disappointments, and the acuteness, and goodness of heart that appeared in his reflections.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading But as soon as he was gone, she began with her usual observations.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Delia was exceedingly interested in the gaiety of his imagination, the cruelty of his disappointments, and the acuteness, and goodness of heart that appeared in his reflections.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Well," said she, "I never saw an author before.
the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses
From this reading Delia was exceedingly interested in the gaiety of his imagination, the cruelty of his disappointments, and the acuteness, and goodness of heart that appeared in his reflections.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _A Misanthrope._ Such was the story, in its most essential circumstances, that Mr. Godfrey related.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading Delia was exceedingly interested in the gaiety of his imagination, the cruelty of his disappointments, and the acuteness, and goodness of heart that appeared in his reflections.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading _A Misanthrope._ Such was the story, in its most essential circumstances, that Mr. Godfrey related.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading Miss Fletcher listened to the whole with gaping wonder.
MisanthropenounUS /ˈmɪsənθroʊp/
someone who dislikes people in general
From this reading _A Misanthrope._ Such was the story, in its most essential circumstances, that Mr. Godfrey related.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Miss Fletcher listened to the whole with gaping wonder.
used to form the superlative
From this reading _A Misanthrope._ Such was the story, in its most essential circumstances, that Mr. Godfrey related.
a form of address for a man
From this reading _A Misanthrope._ Such was the story, in its most essential circumstances, that Mr. Godfrey related.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading "Well," said she, "I never saw an author before.
observationsnounUS /ˌɑːbzərˈveɪʃənz/
plural of “observation” — the act of making and recording a measurement
From this reading But as soon as he was gone, she began with her usual observations.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Delia was exceedingly interested in the gaiety of his imagination, the cruelty of his disappointments, and the acuteness, and goodness of heart that appeared in his reflections.
reflectionsnounUS /rɪˈflekʃənz/
plural of “reflection” — a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading Delia was exceedingly interested in the gaiety of his imagination, the cruelty of his disappointments, and the acuteness, and goodness of heart that appeared in his reflections.
being connected either logically or causally or by shared characteristics
From this reading _A Misanthrope._ Such was the story, in its most essential circumstances, that Mr. Godfrey related.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Well," said she, "I never saw an author before.
cut with a saw
From this reading "Well," said she, "I never saw an author before.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But as soon as he was gone, she began with her usual observations.
in the near future
From this reading But as soon as he was gone, she began with her usual observations.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading _A Misanthrope._ Such was the story, in its most essential circumstances, that Mr. Godfrey related.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading _A Misanthrope._ Such was the story, in its most essential circumstances, that Mr. Godfrey related.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading _A Misanthrope._ Such was the story, in its most essential circumstances, that Mr. Godfrey related.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _A Misanthrope._ Such was the story, in its most essential circumstances, that Mr. Godfrey related.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Miss Fletcher listened to the whole with gaping wonder.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading But as soon as he was gone, she began with her usual observations.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _A Misanthrope._ Such was the story, in its most essential circumstances, that Mr. Godfrey related.
(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 "Well," said she, "I never saw an author before.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Miss Fletcher listened to the whole with gaping wonder.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Miss Fletcher listened to the whole with gaping wonder.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading Miss Fletcher listened to the whole with gaping wonder.
