used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Their husbands' departure on the picnic excursion offered them a suitable subject to discuss those gentlemen, and they improved the occasion to some purpose.
in actual fact
From this reading “He affects only to be amused by them, but he actually likes them; and then, as he never indulges in this sort of thing except in out-of-the-way places, why, there 's no great harm in it.”
affectsnounUS /əˈfekts/
plural of “affect” — the conscious subjective aspect of feeling or emotion
From this reading “He affects only to be amused by them, but he actually likes them; and then, as he never indulges in this sort of thing except in out-of-the-way places, why, there 's no great harm in it.”
surrounded by; in the company of
From this reading “He likes those little easy conquests he is so sure of amongst vulgar people,” said she.
pleasantly occupied
From this reading “He affects only to be amused by them, but he actually likes them; and then, as he never indulges in this sort of thing except in out-of-the-way places, why, there 's no great harm in it.”
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Lady Lackington and Lady Grace Twining passed the morning together.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The Viscountess did not, indeed, lean very heavily on her Lord's failings; they were, as she described them, the harmless follies of certain middle-aged gentlemen, who, despite time and years, would still be charming and fascinating.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The Viscountess did not, indeed, lean very heavily on her Lord's failings; they were, as she described them, the harmless follies of certain middle-aged gentlemen, who, despite time and years, would still be charming and fascinating.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “He affects only to be amused by them, but he actually likes them; and then, as he never indulges in this sort of thing except in out-of-the-way places, why, there 's no great harm in it.”
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “He affects only to be amused by them, but he actually likes them; and then, as he never indulges in this sort of thing except in out-of-the-way places, why, there 's no great harm in it.”
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading The Viscountess did not, indeed, lean very heavily on her Lord's failings; they were, as she described them, the harmless follies of certain middle-aged gentlemen, who, despite time and years, would still be charming and fascinating.
pleasing or delighting
From this reading The Viscountess did not, indeed, lean very heavily on her Lord's failings; they were, as she described them, the harmless follies of certain middle-aged gentlemen, who, despite time and years, would still be charming and fascinating.
conquestsnounUS /ˈkɑːnkwests/
plural of “conquest” — the act of conquering
From this reading “He likes those little easy conquests he is so sure of amongst vulgar people,” said she.
the act of departing
From this reading Their husbands' departure on the picnic excursion offered them a suitable subject to discuss those gentlemen, and they improved the occasion to some purpose.
represented in words especially with sharpness and detail
From this reading The Viscountess did not, indeed, lean very heavily on her Lord's failings; they were, as she described them, the harmless follies of certain middle-aged gentlemen, who, despite time and years, would still be charming and fascinating.
despiteprepositionUS /dɪˈspaɪt/
although something is true; in spite of
From this reading The Viscountess did not, indeed, lean very heavily on her Lord's failings; they were, as she described them, the harmless follies of certain middle-aged gentlemen, who, despite time and years, would still be charming and fascinating.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The Viscountess did not, indeed, lean very heavily on her Lord's failings; they were, as she described them, the harmless follies of certain middle-aged gentlemen, who, despite time and years, would still be charming and fascinating.
discussverbUS /dɪˈskʌs/
to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading Their husbands' departure on the picnic excursion offered them a suitable subject to discuss those gentlemen, and they improved the occasion to some purpose.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading “He likes those little easy conquests he is so sure of amongst vulgar people,” said she.
apart from; not including
From this reading “He affects only to be amused by them, but he actually likes them; and then, as he never indulges in this sort of thing except in out-of-the-way places, why, there 's no great harm in it.”
excursionnounUS /ɪkˈskɜːrʒən/
a journey taken for pleasure
From this reading Their husbands' departure on the picnic excursion offered them a suitable subject to discuss those gentlemen, and they improved the occasion to some purpose.
failingsnounUS /ˈfeɪlɪŋz/
plural of “failing” — a flaw or weak point
From this reading The Viscountess did not, indeed, lean very heavily on her Lord's failings; they were, as she described them, the harmless follies of certain middle-aged gentlemen, who, despite time and years, would still be charming and fascinating.
fascinatingadjectiveUS /ˈfæsəneɪtɪŋ/
capable of arousing and holding the attention
From this reading The Viscountess did not, indeed, lean very heavily on her Lord's failings; they were, as she described them, the harmless follies of certain middle-aged gentlemen, who, despite time and years, would still be charming and fascinating.
folliesnounUS /ˈfɑːliz/
a revue with elaborate costuming
From this reading The Viscountess did not, indeed, lean very heavily on her Lord's failings; they were, as she described them, the harmless follies of certain middle-aged gentlemen, who, despite time and years, would still be charming and fascinating.
plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement
From this reading Their husbands' departure on the picnic excursion offered them a suitable subject to discuss those gentlemen, and they improved the occasion to some purpose.
(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading Lady Lackington and Lady Grace Twining passed the morning together.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading “He affects only to be amused by them, but he actually likes them; and then, as he never indulges in this sort of thing except in out-of-the-way places, why, there 's no great harm in it.”
any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.
From this reading “He affects only to be amused by them, but he actually likes them; and then, as he never indulges in this sort of thing except in out-of-the-way places, why, there 's no great harm in it.”
harmlessadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrmləs/
not causing or capable of causing harm
From this reading The Viscountess did not, indeed, lean very heavily on her Lord's failings; they were, as she described them, the harmless follies of certain middle-aged gentlemen, who, despite time and years, would still be charming and fascinating.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “He likes those little easy conquests he is so sure of amongst vulgar people,” said she.
to a considerable degree
From this reading The Viscountess did not, indeed, lean very heavily on her Lord's failings; they were, as she described them, the harmless follies of certain middle-aged gentlemen, who, despite time and years, would still be charming and fascinating.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The Viscountess did not, indeed, lean very heavily on her Lord's failings; they were, as she described them, the harmless follies of certain middle-aged gentlemen, who, despite time and years, would still be charming and fascinating.
husbandsnounUS /ˈhʌzbəndz/
plural of “husband” — a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Their husbands' departure on the picnic excursion offered them a suitable subject to discuss those gentlemen, and they improved the occasion to some purpose.
improvedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvd/
made more desirable or valuable or profitable; especially made ready for use or marketing
From this reading Their husbands' departure on the picnic excursion offered them a suitable subject to discuss those gentlemen, and they improved the occasion to some purpose.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “He affects only to be amused by them, but he actually likes them; and then, as he never indulges in this sort of thing except in out-of-the-way places, why, there 's no great harm in it.”
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading The Viscountess did not, indeed, lean very heavily on her Lord's failings; they were, as she described them, the harmless follies of certain middle-aged gentlemen, who, despite time and years, would still be charming and fascinating.
indulgesverbUS /ˌɪnˈdʌldʒɪz/
third-person singular of “indulge” — give free rein to
From this reading “He affects only to be amused by them, but he actually likes them; and then, as he never indulges in this sort of thing except in out-of-the-way places, why, there 's no great harm in it.”
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “He likes those little easy conquests he is so sure of amongst vulgar people,” said she.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “He affects only to be amused by them, but he actually likes them; and then, as he never indulges in this sort of thing except in out-of-the-way places, why, there 's no great harm in it.”
Lackington
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Lackington and Lady Grace Twining passed the morning together.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Lady Lackington and Lady Grace Twining passed the morning together.
leanverbUS /liːn/
to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading The Viscountess did not, indeed, lean very heavily on her Lord's failings; they were, as she described them, the harmless follies of certain middle-aged gentlemen, who, despite time and years, would still be charming and fascinating.
plural of “like” — a similar kind
From this reading “He likes those little easy conquests he is so sure of amongst vulgar people,” said she.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading “He likes those little easy conquests he is so sure of amongst vulgar people,” said she.
Lord'snounUS /lɔːrdz/
possessive form of “lord” — terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading The Viscountess did not, indeed, lean very heavily on her Lord's failings; they were, as she described them, the harmless follies of certain middle-aged gentlemen, who, despite time and years, would still be charming and fascinating.
middle-agedadjectiveUS /ˈmɪdəleɪɡd/
being roughly between 45 and 65 years old
From this reading The Viscountess did not, indeed, lean very heavily on her Lord's failings; they were, as she described them, the harmless follies of certain middle-aged gentlemen, who, despite time and years, would still be charming and fascinating.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Lady Lackington and Lady Grace Twining passed the morning together.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading “He affects only to be amused by them, but he actually likes them; and then, as he never indulges in this sort of thing except in out-of-the-way places, why, there 's no great harm in it.”
not any; not one
From this reading “He affects only to be amused by them, but he actually likes them; and then, as he never indulges in this sort of thing except in out-of-the-way places, why, there 's no great harm in it.”
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The Viscountess did not, indeed, lean very heavily on her Lord's failings; they were, as she described them, the harmless follies of certain middle-aged gentlemen, who, despite time and years, would still be charming and fascinating.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading Their husbands' departure on the picnic excursion offered them a suitable subject to discuss those gentlemen, and they improved the occasion to some purpose.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Viscountess did not, indeed, lean very heavily on her Lord's failings; they were, as she described them, the harmless follies of certain middle-aged gentlemen, who, despite time and years, would still be charming and fascinating.
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading Their husbands' departure on the picnic excursion offered them a suitable subject to discuss those gentlemen, and they improved the occasion to some purpose.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Their husbands' departure on the picnic excursion offered them a suitable subject to discuss those gentlemen, and they improved the occasion to some purpose.
and nothing more
From this reading “He affects only to be amused by them, but he actually likes them; and then, as he never indulges in this sort of thing except in out-of-the-way places, why, there 's no great harm in it.”
out-of-the-wayadjective
exceptional, unusual, or remarkable
From this reading “He affects only to be amused by them, but he actually likes them; and then, as he never indulges in this sort of thing except in out-of-the-way places, why, there 's no great harm in it.”
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Lady Lackington and Lady Grace Twining passed the morning together.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading “He likes those little easy conquests he is so sure of amongst vulgar people,” said she.
picnicnounUS /ˈpɪknɪk/
a day devoted to an outdoor social gathering
From this reading Their husbands' departure on the picnic excursion offered them a suitable subject to discuss those gentlemen, and they improved the occasion to some purpose.
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading “He affects only to be amused by them, but he actually likes them; and then, as he never indulges in this sort of thing except in out-of-the-way places, why, there 's no great harm in it.”
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading Their husbands' departure on the picnic excursion offered them a suitable subject to discuss those gentlemen, and they improved the occasion to some purpose.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading “He affects only to be amused by them, but he actually likes them; and then, as he never indulges in this sort of thing except in out-of-the-way places, why, there 's no great harm in it.”
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “He likes those little easy conquests he is so sure of amongst vulgar people,” said she.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Viscountess did not, indeed, lean very heavily on her Lord's failings; they were, as she described them, the harmless follies of certain middle-aged gentlemen, who, despite time and years, would still be charming and fascinating.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “He likes those little easy conquests he is so sure of amongst vulgar people,” said she.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Their husbands' departure on the picnic excursion offered them a suitable subject to discuss those gentlemen, and they improved the occasion to some purpose.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading “He affects only to be amused by them, but he actually likes them; and then, as he never indulges in this sort of thing except in out-of-the-way places, why, there 's no great harm in it.”
not in physical motion
From this reading The Viscountess did not, indeed, lean very heavily on her Lord's failings; they were, as she described them, the harmless follies of certain middle-aged gentlemen, who, despite time and years, would still be charming and fascinating.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading Their husbands' departure on the picnic excursion offered them a suitable subject to discuss those gentlemen, and they improved the occasion to some purpose.
suitableadjectiveUS /ˈsuːtəbəl/
meant or adapted for an occasion or use
From this reading Their husbands' departure on the picnic excursion offered them a suitable subject to discuss those gentlemen, and they improved the occasion to some purpose.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading “He likes those little easy conquests he is so sure of amongst vulgar people,” said she.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Lady Lackington and Lady Grace Twining passed the morning together.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Their husbands' departure on the picnic excursion offered them a suitable subject to discuss those gentlemen, and they improved the occasion to some purpose.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Their husbands' departure on the picnic excursion offered them a suitable subject to discuss those gentlemen, and they improved the occasion to some purpose.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading “He affects only to be amused by them, but he actually likes them; and then, as he never indulges in this sort of thing except in out-of-the-way places, why, there 's no great harm in it.”
in or at that place or location
From this reading “He affects only to be amused by them, but he actually likes them; and then, as he never indulges in this sort of thing except in out-of-the-way places, why, there 's no great harm in it.”
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Their husbands' departure on the picnic excursion offered them a suitable subject to discuss those gentlemen, and they improved the occasion to some purpose.
a special situation
From this reading “He affects only to be amused by them, but he actually likes them; and then, as he never indulges in this sort of thing except in out-of-the-way places, why, there 's no great harm in it.”
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “He affects only to be amused by them, but he actually likes them; and then, as he never indulges in this sort of thing except in out-of-the-way places, why, there 's no great harm in it.”
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Their husbands' departure on the picnic excursion offered them a suitable subject to discuss those gentlemen, and they improved the occasion to some purpose.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The Viscountess did not, indeed, lean very heavily on her Lord's failings; they were, as she described them, the harmless follies of certain middle-aged gentlemen, who, despite time and years, would still be charming and fascinating.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Their husbands' departure on the picnic excursion offered them a suitable subject to discuss those gentlemen, and they improved the occasion to some purpose.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading Lady Lackington and Lady Grace Twining passed the morning together.
TwiningverbUS /ˈtwaɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “twine” — spin, wind, or twist together
From this reading Lady Lackington and Lady Grace Twining passed the morning together.
precisely as stated
From this reading The Viscountess did not, indeed, lean very heavily on her Lord's failings; they were, as she described them, the harmless follies of certain middle-aged gentlemen, who, despite time and years, would still be charming and fascinating.
Viscountessnoun
a wife or widow of a viscount
From this reading The Viscountess did not, indeed, lean very heavily on her Lord's failings; they were, as she described them, the harmless follies of certain middle-aged gentlemen, who, despite time and years, would still be charming and fascinating.
vulgaradjectiveUS /ˈvʌlɡər/
lacking refinement or cultivation or taste
From this reading “He likes those little easy conquests he is so sure of amongst vulgar people,” said she.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Viscountess did not, indeed, lean very heavily on her Lord's failings; they were, as she described them, the harmless follies of certain middle-aged gentlemen, who, despite time and years, would still be charming and fascinating.
which person or people
From this reading The Viscountess did not, indeed, lean very heavily on her Lord's failings; they were, as she described them, the harmless follies of certain middle-aged gentlemen, who, despite time and years, would still be charming and fascinating.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading “He affects only to be amused by them, but he actually likes them; and then, as he never indulges in this sort of thing except in out-of-the-way places, why, there 's no great harm in it.”
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The Viscountess did not, indeed, lean very heavily on her Lord's failings; they were, as she described them, the harmless follies of certain middle-aged gentlemen, who, despite time and years, would still be charming and fascinating.
a late time of life
From this reading The Viscountess did not, indeed, lean very heavily on her Lord's failings; they were, as she described them, the harmless follies of certain middle-aged gentlemen, who, despite time and years, would still be charming and fascinating.
