used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading My sister Grace (the very sweetest girl, always excepting one of course, that ever tied a hat-string), what did she do but take a little touch of Cupid, without knowing anything about it?
abjures
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She denied it strongly, and hotly even; as a Swiss hotel-keeper abjures scarlet fever.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading My sister Grace (the very sweetest girl, always excepting one of course, that ever tied a hat-string), what did she do but take a little touch of Cupid, without knowing anything about it?
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading My sister Grace (the very sweetest girl, always excepting one of course, that ever tied a hat-string), what did she do but take a little touch of Cupid, without knowing anything about it?
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading And of this I must give an instance now, sorry as I am to do it.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading And of this I must give an instance now, sorry as I am to do it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
any thing at all
From this reading My sister Grace (the very sweetest girl, always excepting one of course, that ever tied a hat-string), what did she do but take a little touch of Cupid, without knowing anything about it?
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
BACKGROUNDnounUS /ˈbækɡraʊnd/
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
for the reason that
From this reading But I insisted the more upon it; because it was quite picturesque to see Grace Cranleigh in a passion.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading My sister Grace (the very sweetest girl, always excepting one of course, that ever tied a hat-string), what did she do but take a little touch of Cupid, without knowing anything about it?
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
clearestadjectiveUS /ˈklɪrɪst/
superlative of “clear” — readily apparent to the mind
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
clustersnounUS /ˈklʌstərz/
plural of “cluster” — a grouping of a number of similar things
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading My sister Grace (the very sweetest girl, always excepting one of course, that ever tied a hat-string), what did she do but take a little touch of Cupid, without knowing anything about it?
Cranleigh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I insisted the more upon it; because it was quite picturesque to see Grace Cranleigh in a passion.
CupidnounUS /ˈkjuːpɪd/
(Roman mythology) god of love; counterpart of Greek Eros
From this reading My sister Grace (the very sweetest girl, always excepting one of course, that ever tied a hat-string), what did she do but take a little touch of Cupid, without knowing anything about it?
the first light of day
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
deniedverbUS /dɪˈnaɪd/
inflected form of “deny” — declare untrue; contradict
From this reading She denied it strongly, and hotly even; as a Swiss hotel-keeper abjures scarlet fever.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading My sister Grace (the very sweetest girl, always excepting one of course, that ever tied a hat-string), what did she do but take a little touch of Cupid, without knowing anything about it?
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading And of this I must give an instance now, sorry as I am to do it.
plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
divisible by two
From this reading She denied it strongly, and hotly even; as a Swiss hotel-keeper abjures scarlet fever.
at any time
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
exceptingverbUS /ˌekˈseptɪŋ/
-ing form of “except” — take exception to
From this reading My sister Grace (the very sweetest girl, always excepting one of course, that ever tied a hat-string), what did she do but take a little touch of Cupid, without knowing anything about it?
a rise in the temperature of the body; frequently a symptom of infection
From this reading She denied it strongly, and hotly even; as a Swiss hotel-keeper abjures scarlet fever.
flittingverbUS /ˈflɪtɪŋ/
inflected form of “flit” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
floutverbUS /flaʊt/
treat with contemptuous disregard
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
a young female
From this reading My sister Grace (the very sweetest girl, always excepting one of course, that ever tied a hat-string), what did she do but take a little touch of Cupid, without knowing anything about it?
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading And of this I must give an instance now, sorry as I am to do it.
plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading My sister Grace (the very sweetest girl, always excepting one of course, that ever tied a hat-string), what did she do but take a little touch of Cupid, without knowing anything about it?
guidancenounUS /ˈɡaɪdəns/
something that provides direction or advice as to a decision or course of action
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
hat-string
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My sister Grace (the very sweetest girl, always excepting one of course, that ever tied a hat-string), what did she do but take a little touch of Cupid, without knowing anything about it?
hotel-keeper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She denied it strongly, and hotly even; as a Swiss hotel-keeper abjures scarlet fever.
hotlyadverbUS /ˈhɑːtli/
in a heated manner
From this reading She denied it strongly, and hotly even; as a Swiss hotel-keeper abjures scarlet fever.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading And of this I must give an instance now, sorry as I am to do it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
past form of “insist” — be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge
From this reading But I insisted the more upon it; because it was quite picturesque to see Grace Cranleigh in a passion.
an occurrence of something
From this reading And of this I must give an instance now, sorry as I am to do it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading And of this I must give an instance now, sorry as I am to do it.
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading My sister Grace (the very sweetest girl, always excepting one of course, that ever tied a hat-string), what did she do but take a little touch of Cupid, without knowing anything about it?
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
not compact or dense in structure or arrangement
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But I insisted the more upon it; because it was quite picturesque to see Grace Cranleigh in a passion.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading And of this I must give an instance now, sorry as I am to do it.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My sister Grace (the very sweetest girl, always excepting one of course, that ever tied a hat-string), what did she do but take a little touch of Cupid, without knowing anything about it?
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading And of this I must give an instance now, sorry as I am to do it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
a strong feeling or emotion
From this reading But I insisted the more upon it; because it was quite picturesque to see Grace Cranleigh in a passion.
picturesqueadjectiveUS /ˈpɪktʃərəsk/
suggesting or suitable for a picture; pretty as a picture
From this reading But I insisted the more upon it; because it was quite picturesque to see Grace Cranleigh in a passion.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading But I insisted the more upon it; because it was quite picturesque to see Grace Cranleigh in a passion.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
scarletnounUS /ˈskɑːrlət/
a variable color that is vivid red but sometimes with an orange tinge
From this reading She denied it strongly, and hotly even; as a Swiss hotel-keeper abjures scarlet fever.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading But I insisted the more upon it; because it was quite picturesque to see Grace Cranleigh in a passion.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading My sister Grace (the very sweetest girl, always excepting one of course, that ever tied a hat-string), what did she do but take a little touch of Cupid, without knowing anything about it?
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading My sister Grace (the very sweetest girl, always excepting one of course, that ever tied a hat-string), what did she do but take a little touch of Cupid, without knowing anything about it?
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
sorryadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːri/
feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone
From this reading And of this I must give an instance now, sorry as I am to do it.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
with strength or in a strong manner
From this reading She denied it strongly, and hotly even; as a Swiss hotel-keeper abjures scarlet fever.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
sweetestadjectiveUS /ˈswiːtəst/
superlative of “sweet” — having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading My sister Grace (the very sweetest girl, always excepting one of course, that ever tied a hat-string), what did she do but take a little touch of Cupid, without knowing anything about it?
SwissnounUS /swɪs/
the natives or inhabitants of Switzerland
From this reading She denied it strongly, and hotly even; as a Swiss hotel-keeper abjures scarlet fever.
carry out
From this reading My sister Grace (the very sweetest girl, always excepting one of course, that ever tied a hat-string), what did she do but take a little touch of Cupid, without knowing anything about it?
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading My sister Grace (the very sweetest girl, always excepting one of course, that ever tied a hat-string), what did she do but take a little touch of Cupid, without knowing anything about it?
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading And of this I must give an instance now, sorry as I am to do it.
thronging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
bound or secured closely
From this reading My sister Grace (the very sweetest girl, always excepting one of course, that ever tied a hat-string), what did she do but take a little touch of Cupid, without knowing anything about it?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading My sister Grace (the very sweetest girl, always excepting one of course, that ever tied a hat-string), what did she do but take a little touch of Cupid, without knowing anything about it?
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading But I insisted the more upon it; because it was quite picturesque to see Grace Cranleigh in a passion.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
vapournoun
a visible suspension in the air of particles of some substance
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
precisely as stated
From this reading My sister Grace (the very sweetest girl, always excepting one of course, that ever tied a hat-string), what did she do but take a little touch of Cupid, without knowing anything about it?
wafts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But I insisted the more upon it; because it was quite picturesque to see Grace Cranleigh in a passion.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading My sister Grace (the very sweetest girl, always excepting one of course, that ever tied a hat-string), what did she do but take a little touch of Cupid, without knowing anything about it?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
in the company of; together with
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
witsnounUS /wɪts/
the basic human power of intelligent thought and perception
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading IN THE BACKGROUND Surely as the world of night goes round, with clusters of stars thronging after one another, and loose wafts of vapour ever ready to flout them, and the spirit of dreams flitting over us, without any guidance of mind or matter, so surely will the dawn of our own little days bring new things to us, which we cannot understand in the clearest light of our wits beneath the sun.
