19th
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not for want of time, that I did not answer your letter of the 19th, Viscount, but plainly because it put me out of temper, and did not contain a single syllable of common sense.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was not for want of time, that I did not answer your letter of the 19th, Viscount, but plainly because it put me out of temper, and did not contain a single syllable of common sense.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Should I sacrifice an inclination, and a new one, for you?
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was not for want of time, that I did not answer your letter of the 19th, Viscount, but plainly because it put me out of temper, and did not contain a single syllable of common sense.
react verbally
From this reading It was not for want of time, that I did not answer your letter of the 19th, Viscount, but plainly because it put me out of temper, and did not contain a single syllable of common sense.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading I may have heretofore formed the design of singly performing the functions of a whole seraglio; but it never entered my head to become only a part of one; this I thought you knew, now, that you cannot plead ignorance, you may readily conceive how ridiculous your proposition must appear to me.
for the reason that
From this reading It was not for want of time, that I did not answer your letter of the 19th, Viscount, but plainly because it put me out of temper, and did not contain a single syllable of common sense.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading I may have heretofore formed the design of singly performing the functions of a whole seraglio; but it never entered my head to become only a part of one; this I thought you knew, now, that you cannot plead ignorance, you may readily conceive how ridiculous your proposition must appear to me.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading I thought it then the best way to leave it in oblivion—but since you seem fond of this production, and the sublime ideas it contains, that you construe my silence into consent, it is necessary you should have my opinion explicitly.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was not for want of time, that I did not answer your letter of the 19th, Viscount, but plainly because it put me out of temper, and did not contain a single syllable of common sense.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I may have heretofore formed the design of singly performing the functions of a whole seraglio; but it never entered my head to become only a part of one; this I thought you knew, now, that you cannot plead ignorance, you may readily conceive how ridiculous your proposition must appear to me.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading It was not for want of time, that I did not answer your letter of the 19th, Viscount, but plainly because it put me out of temper, and did not contain a single syllable of common sense.
conceiveverbUS /kənˈsiːv/
have the idea for
From this reading I may have heretofore formed the design of singly performing the functions of a whole seraglio; but it never entered my head to become only a part of one; this I thought you knew, now, that you cannot plead ignorance, you may readily conceive how ridiculous your proposition must appear to me.
permission to do something
From this reading I thought it then the best way to leave it in oblivion—but since you seem fond of this production, and the sublime ideas it contains, that you construe my silence into consent, it is necessary you should have my opinion explicitly.
construeverbUS /kənˈstruː/
make sense of; assign a meaning to
From this reading I thought it then the best way to leave it in oblivion—but since you seem fond of this production, and the sublime ideas it contains, that you construe my silence into consent, it is necessary you should have my opinion explicitly.
containverbUS /kənˈteɪn/
include or contain; have as a component
From this reading It was not for want of time, that I did not answer your letter of the 19th, Viscount, but plainly because it put me out of temper, and did not contain a single syllable of common sense.
containsverbUS /kənˈteɪnz/
third-person singular of “contain” — include or contain; have as a component
From this reading I thought it then the best way to leave it in oblivion—but since you seem fond of this production, and the sublime ideas it contains, that you construe my silence into consent, it is necessary you should have my opinion explicitly.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading _The_ Marchioness de Merteuil _to the_ Viscount de Valmont.
the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)
From this reading I may have heretofore formed the design of singly performing the functions of a whole seraglio; but it never entered my head to become only a part of one; this I thought you knew, now, that you cannot plead ignorance, you may readily conceive how ridiculous your proposition must appear to me.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading It was not for want of time, that I did not answer your letter of the 19th, Viscount, but plainly because it put me out of temper, and did not contain a single syllable of common sense.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading I may have heretofore formed the design of singly performing the functions of a whole seraglio; but it never entered my head to become only a part of one; this I thought you knew, now, that you cannot plead ignorance, you may readily conceive how ridiculous your proposition must appear to me.
explicitlyadverbUS /ɪkˈsplɪsətli/
in an explicit manner
From this reading I thought it then the best way to leave it in oblivion—but since you seem fond of this production, and the sublime ideas it contains, that you construe my silence into consent, it is necessary you should have my opinion explicitly.
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading I thought it then the best way to leave it in oblivion—but since you seem fond of this production, and the sublime ideas it contains, that you construe my silence into consent, it is necessary you should have my opinion explicitly.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was not for want of time, that I did not answer your letter of the 19th, Viscount, but plainly because it put me out of temper, and did not contain a single syllable of common sense.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading I may have heretofore formed the design of singly performing the functions of a whole seraglio; but it never entered my head to become only a part of one; this I thought you knew, now, that you cannot plead ignorance, you may readily conceive how ridiculous your proposition must appear to me.
functionsnounUS /ˈfʌŋkʃənz/
plural of “function” — (mathematics) a mathematical relation such that each element of a given set (the domain of the function) is associated with an element of another set (the range of the function)
From this reading I may have heretofore formed the design of singly performing the functions of a whole seraglio; but it never entered my head to become only a part of one; this I thought you knew, now, that you cannot plead ignorance, you may readily conceive how ridiculous your proposition must appear to me.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I thought it then the best way to leave it in oblivion—but since you seem fond of this production, and the sublime ideas it contains, that you construe my silence into consent, it is necessary you should have my opinion explicitly.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading I may have heretofore formed the design of singly performing the functions of a whole seraglio; but it never entered my head to become only a part of one; this I thought you knew, now, that you cannot plead ignorance, you may readily conceive how ridiculous your proposition must appear to me.
heretoforeadverbUS /ˌhɪrtəˈfɔːr/
used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time
From this reading I may have heretofore formed the design of singly performing the functions of a whole seraglio; but it never entered my head to become only a part of one; this I thought you knew, now, that you cannot plead ignorance, you may readily conceive how ridiculous your proposition must appear to me.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I may have heretofore formed the design of singly performing the functions of a whole seraglio; but it never entered my head to become only a part of one; this I thought you knew, now, that you cannot plead ignorance, you may readily conceive how ridiculous your proposition must appear to me.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading It was not for want of time, that I did not answer your letter of the 19th, Viscount, but plainly because it put me out of temper, and did not contain a single syllable of common sense.
plural of “idea” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading I thought it then the best way to leave it in oblivion—but since you seem fond of this production, and the sublime ideas it contains, that you construe my silence into consent, it is necessary you should have my opinion explicitly.
the lack of knowledge or education
From this reading I may have heretofore formed the design of singly performing the functions of a whole seraglio; but it never entered my head to become only a part of one; this I thought you knew, now, that you cannot plead ignorance, you may readily conceive how ridiculous your proposition must appear to me.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I thought it then the best way to leave it in oblivion—but since you seem fond of this production, and the sublime ideas it contains, that you construe my silence into consent, it is necessary you should have my opinion explicitly.
inclinationnounUS /ˌɪnkləˈneɪʃən/
an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others
From this reading Should I sacrifice an inclination, and a new one, for you?
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading I thought it then the best way to leave it in oblivion—but since you seem fond of this production, and the sublime ideas it contains, that you construe my silence into consent, it is necessary you should have my opinion explicitly.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I thought it then the best way to leave it in oblivion—but since you seem fond of this production, and the sublime ideas it contains, that you construe my silence into consent, it is necessary you should have my opinion explicitly.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was not for want of time, that I did not answer your letter of the 19th, Viscount, but plainly because it put me out of temper, and did not contain a single syllable of common sense.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading I may have heretofore formed the design of singly performing the functions of a whole seraglio; but it never entered my head to become only a part of one; this I thought you knew, now, that you cannot plead ignorance, you may readily conceive how ridiculous your proposition must appear to me.
go away from a place
From this reading I thought it then the best way to leave it in oblivion—but since you seem fond of this production, and the sublime ideas it contains, that you construe my silence into consent, it is necessary you should have my opinion explicitly.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading It was not for want of time, that I did not answer your letter of the 19th, Viscount, but plainly because it put me out of temper, and did not contain a single syllable of common sense.
MarchionessnounUS /ˈmɑːrʃənɪs/
the wife or widow of a marquis
From this reading _The_ Marchioness de Merteuil _to the_ Viscount de Valmont.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading I may have heretofore formed the design of singly performing the functions of a whole seraglio; but it never entered my head to become only a part of one; this I thought you knew, now, that you cannot plead ignorance, you may readily conceive how ridiculous your proposition must appear to me.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was not for want of time, that I did not answer your letter of the 19th, Viscount, but plainly because it put me out of temper, and did not contain a single syllable of common sense.
Merteuil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _The_ Marchioness de Merteuil _to the_ Viscount de Valmont.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading I may have heretofore formed the design of singly performing the functions of a whole seraglio; but it never entered my head to become only a part of one; this I thought you knew, now, that you cannot plead ignorance, you may readily conceive how ridiculous your proposition must appear to me.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I thought it then the best way to leave it in oblivion—but since you seem fond of this production, and the sublime ideas it contains, that you construe my silence into consent, it is necessary you should have my opinion explicitly.
absolutely essential
From this reading I thought it then the best way to leave it in oblivion—but since you seem fond of this production, and the sublime ideas it contains, that you construe my silence into consent, it is necessary you should have my opinion explicitly.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading I may have heretofore formed the design of singly performing the functions of a whole seraglio; but it never entered my head to become only a part of one; this I thought you knew, now, that you cannot plead ignorance, you may readily conceive how ridiculous your proposition must appear to me.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Should I sacrifice an inclination, and a new one, for you?
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was not for want of time, that I did not answer your letter of the 19th, Viscount, but plainly because it put me out of temper, and did not contain a single syllable of common sense.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading I may have heretofore formed the design of singly performing the functions of a whole seraglio; but it never entered my head to become only a part of one; this I thought you knew, now, that you cannot plead ignorance, you may readily conceive how ridiculous your proposition must appear to me.
oblivionnounUS /əˈblɪviən/
the state of being disregarded or forgotten
From this reading I thought it then the best way to leave it in oblivion—but since you seem fond of this production, and the sublime ideas it contains, that you construe my silence into consent, it is necessary you should have my opinion explicitly.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was not for want of time, that I did not answer your letter of the 19th, Viscount, but plainly because it put me out of temper, and did not contain a single syllable of common sense.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I may have heretofore formed the design of singly performing the functions of a whole seraglio; but it never entered my head to become only a part of one; this I thought you knew, now, that you cannot plead ignorance, you may readily conceive how ridiculous your proposition must appear to me.
and nothing more
From this reading I may have heretofore formed the design of singly performing the functions of a whole seraglio; but it never entered my head to become only a part of one; this I thought you knew, now, that you cannot plead ignorance, you may readily conceive how ridiculous your proposition must appear to me.
a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading I thought it then the best way to leave it in oblivion—but since you seem fond of this production, and the sublime ideas it contains, that you construe my silence into consent, it is necessary you should have my opinion explicitly.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It was not for want of time, that I did not answer your letter of the 19th, Viscount, but plainly because it put me out of temper, and did not contain a single syllable of common sense.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading I may have heretofore formed the design of singly performing the functions of a whole seraglio; but it never entered my head to become only a part of one; this I thought you knew, now, that you cannot plead ignorance, you may readily conceive how ridiculous your proposition must appear to me.
performingnounUS /pərˈfɔːrmɪŋ/
the performance of a part or role in a drama
From this reading I may have heretofore formed the design of singly performing the functions of a whole seraglio; but it never entered my head to become only a part of one; this I thought you knew, now, that you cannot plead ignorance, you may readily conceive how ridiculous your proposition must appear to me.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading It was not for want of time, that I did not answer your letter of the 19th, Viscount, but plainly because it put me out of temper, and did not contain a single syllable of common sense.
pleadverbUS /pliːd/
appeal or request earnestly
From this reading I may have heretofore formed the design of singly performing the functions of a whole seraglio; but it never entered my head to become only a part of one; this I thought you knew, now, that you cannot plead ignorance, you may readily conceive how ridiculous your proposition must appear to me.
productionnounUS /prəˈdʌkʃən/
the act or process of producing something
From this reading I thought it then the best way to leave it in oblivion—but since you seem fond of this production, and the sublime ideas it contains, that you construe my silence into consent, it is necessary you should have my opinion explicitly.
propositionnounUS /ˌprɑːpəˈzɪʃən/
(logic) a statement that affirms or denies something and is either true or false
From this reading I may have heretofore formed the design of singly performing the functions of a whole seraglio; but it never entered my head to become only a part of one; this I thought you knew, now, that you cannot plead ignorance, you may readily conceive how ridiculous your proposition must appear to me.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading It was not for want of time, that I did not answer your letter of the 19th, Viscount, but plainly because it put me out of temper, and did not contain a single syllable of common sense.
without much difficulty
From this reading I may have heretofore formed the design of singly performing the functions of a whole seraglio; but it never entered my head to become only a part of one; this I thought you knew, now, that you cannot plead ignorance, you may readily conceive how ridiculous your proposition must appear to me.
inspiring scornful pity
From this reading I may have heretofore formed the design of singly performing the functions of a whole seraglio; but it never entered my head to become only a part of one; this I thought you knew, now, that you cannot plead ignorance, you may readily conceive how ridiculous your proposition must appear to me.
the act of losing or surrendering something as a penalty for a mistake or fault or failure to perform etc.
From this reading Should I sacrifice an inclination, and a new one, for you?
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading I thought it then the best way to leave it in oblivion—but since you seem fond of this production, and the sublime ideas it contains, that you construe my silence into consent, it is necessary you should have my opinion explicitly.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading It was not for want of time, that I did not answer your letter of the 19th, Viscount, but plainly because it put me out of temper, and did not contain a single syllable of common sense.
seraglionoun
living quarters reserved for wives and concubines and female relatives in a Muslim household
From this reading I may have heretofore formed the design of singly performing the functions of a whole seraglio; but it never entered my head to become only a part of one; this I thought you knew, now, that you cannot plead ignorance, you may readily conceive how ridiculous your proposition must appear to me.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading I thought it then the best way to leave it in oblivion—but since you seem fond of this production, and the sublime ideas it contains, that you construe my silence into consent, it is necessary you should have my opinion explicitly.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading I thought it then the best way to leave it in oblivion—but since you seem fond of this production, and the sublime ideas it contains, that you construe my silence into consent, it is necessary you should have my opinion explicitly.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading I thought it then the best way to leave it in oblivion—but since you seem fond of this production, and the sublime ideas it contains, that you construe my silence into consent, it is necessary you should have my opinion explicitly.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading It was not for want of time, that I did not answer your letter of the 19th, Viscount, but plainly because it put me out of temper, and did not contain a single syllable of common sense.
singlyadverbUS /ˈsɪŋɡli/
one by one; one at a time
From this reading I may have heretofore formed the design of singly performing the functions of a whole seraglio; but it never entered my head to become only a part of one; this I thought you knew, now, that you cannot plead ignorance, you may readily conceive how ridiculous your proposition must appear to me.
sublimeadjectiveUS /səˈblaɪm/
inspiring awe
From this reading I thought it then the best way to leave it in oblivion—but since you seem fond of this production, and the sublime ideas it contains, that you construe my silence into consent, it is necessary you should have my opinion explicitly.
syllablenounUS /ˈsɪləbəl/
a unit of spoken language larger than a phoneme
From this reading It was not for want of time, that I did not answer your letter of the 19th, Viscount, but plainly because it put me out of temper, and did not contain a single syllable of common sense.
a sudden outburst of anger
From this reading It was not for want of time, that I did not answer your letter of the 19th, Viscount, but plainly because it put me out of temper, and did not contain a single syllable of common sense.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was not for want of time, that I did not answer your letter of the 19th, Viscount, but plainly because it put me out of temper, and did not contain a single syllable of common sense.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _The_ Marchioness de Merteuil _to the_ Viscount de Valmont.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading I thought it then the best way to leave it in oblivion—but since you seem fond of this production, and the sublime ideas it contains, that you construe my silence into consent, it is necessary you should have my opinion explicitly.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading I thought it then the best way to leave it in oblivion—but since you seem fond of this production, and the sublime ideas it contains, that you construe my silence into consent, it is necessary you should have my opinion explicitly.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading I thought it then the best way to leave it in oblivion—but since you seem fond of this production, and the sublime ideas it contains, that you construe my silence into consent, it is necessary you should have my opinion explicitly.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It was not for want of time, that I did not answer your letter of the 19th, Viscount, but plainly because it put me out of temper, and did not contain a single syllable of common sense.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _The_ Marchioness de Merteuil _to the_ Viscount de Valmont.
Valmont
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _The_ Marchioness de Merteuil _to the_ Viscount de Valmont.
ViscountnounUS /ˈvɪskaʊnt/
(in various countries) a son or younger brother or a count
From this reading _The_ Marchioness de Merteuil _to the_ Viscount de Valmont.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading It was not for want of time, that I did not answer your letter of the 19th, Viscount, but plainly because it put me out of temper, and did not contain a single syllable of common sense.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was not for want of time, that I did not answer your letter of the 19th, Viscount, but plainly because it put me out of temper, and did not contain a single syllable of common sense.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading I thought it then the best way to leave it in oblivion—but since you seem fond of this production, and the sublime ideas it contains, that you construe my silence into consent, it is necessary you should have my opinion explicitly.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading I may have heretofore formed the design of singly performing the functions of a whole seraglio; but it never entered my head to become only a part of one; this I thought you knew, now, that you cannot plead ignorance, you may readily conceive how ridiculous your proposition must appear to me.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading I thought it then the best way to leave it in oblivion—but since you seem fond of this production, and the sublime ideas it contains, that you construe my silence into consent, it is necessary you should have my opinion explicitly.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading It was not for want of time, that I did not answer your letter of the 19th, Viscount, but plainly because it put me out of temper, and did not contain a single syllable of common sense.
