used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
accidentallyadverbUS /ˌæksəˈdentəli/
without advance planning
From this reading Positive illness he could understand,--a fever or a broken leg were intelligible ills; but the slighter casualties of passing indispositions were weaknesses that he could not imagine a business mind could descend to, no more than he could fancy a man's being turned from pursuing his course because some one had accidentally jostled him in the streets.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading There's something in the air here suits me, and I have not felt quite well latterly.”
allusionnounUS /əˈluːʒən/
passing reference or indirect mention
From this reading Mr. Hankes bowed; but not even his long-practised reserve could conceal the surprise he felt at this allusion to health or well-being.
in addition
From this reading “I shall remain here to-day, Hankes,” said he, carelessly, “and not impossibly to-morrow also.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “I shall remain here to-day, Hankes,” said he, carelessly, “and not impossibly to-morrow also.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
for the reason that
From this reading Positive illness he could understand,--a fever or a broken leg were intelligible ills; but the slighter casualties of passing indispositions were weaknesses that he could not imagine a business mind could descend to, no more than he could fancy a man's being turned from pursuing his course because some one had accidentally jostled him in the streets.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Positive illness he could understand,--a fever or a broken leg were intelligible ills; but the slighter casualties of passing indispositions were weaknesses that he could not imagine a business mind could descend to, no more than he could fancy a man's being turned from pursuing his course because some one had accidentally jostled him in the streets.
of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow
From this reading Mr. Hankes bowed; but not even his long-practised reserve could conceal the surprise he felt at this allusion to health or well-being.
terminate
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading Positive illness he could understand,--a fever or a broken leg were intelligible ills; but the slighter casualties of passing indispositions were weaknesses that he could not imagine a business mind could descend to, no more than he could fancy a man's being turned from pursuing his course because some one had accidentally jostled him in the streets.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading Positive illness he could understand,--a fever or a broken leg were intelligible ills; but the slighter casualties of passing indispositions were weaknesses that he could not imagine a business mind could descend to, no more than he could fancy a man's being turned from pursuing his course because some one had accidentally jostled him in the streets.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
carelesslyadverbUS /ˈkerləsli/
without care or concern
From this reading “I shall remain here to-day, Hankes,” said he, carelessly, “and not impossibly to-morrow also.
a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
casualtiesnounUS /ˈkæʒəwəltiz/
plural of “casualty” — someone injured or killed or captured or missing in a military engagement
From this reading Positive illness he could understand,--a fever or a broken leg were intelligible ills; but the slighter casualties of passing indispositions were weaknesses that he could not imagine a business mind could descend to, no more than he could fancy a man's being turned from pursuing his course because some one had accidentally jostled him in the streets.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading Mr. Hankes bowed; but not even his long-practised reserve could conceal the surprise he felt at this allusion to health or well-being.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Mr. Hankes bowed; but not even his long-practised reserve could conceal the surprise he felt at this allusion to health or well-being.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Positive illness he could understand,--a fever or a broken leg were intelligible ills; but the slighter casualties of passing indispositions were weaknesses that he could not imagine a business mind could descend to, no more than he could fancy a man's being turned from pursuing his course because some one had accidentally jostled him in the streets.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
the act of departing
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
descendverbUS /dɪˈsend/
move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading Positive illness he could understand,--a fever or a broken leg were intelligible ills; but the slighter casualties of passing indispositions were weaknesses that he could not imagine a business mind could descend to, no more than he could fancy a man's being turned from pursuing his course because some one had accidentally jostled him in the streets.
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
despatched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
dulyadverbUS /ˈduːli/
in accordance with what is appropriate or suitable for the circumstances
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
Dunn's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
divisible by two
From this reading Mr. Hankes bowed; but not even his long-practised reserve could conceal the surprise he felt at this allusion to health or well-being.
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
something many people believe that is false
From this reading Positive illness he could understand,--a fever or a broken leg were intelligible ills; but the slighter casualties of passing indispositions were weaknesses that he could not imagine a business mind could descend to, no more than he could fancy a man's being turned from pursuing his course because some one had accidentally jostled him in the streets.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading There's something in the air here suits me, and I have not felt quite well latterly.”
a rise in the temperature of the body; frequently a symptom of infection
From this reading Positive illness he could understand,--a fever or a broken leg were intelligible ills; but the slighter casualties of passing indispositions were weaknesses that he could not imagine a business mind could descend to, no more than he could fancy a man's being turned from pursuing his course because some one had accidentally jostled him in the streets.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
a man of refinement
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Positive illness he could understand,--a fever or a broken leg were intelligible ills; but the slighter casualties of passing indispositions were weaknesses that he could not imagine a business mind could descend to, no more than he could fancy a man's being turned from pursuing his course because some one had accidentally jostled him in the streets.
Hankes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading There's something in the air here suits me, and I have not felt quite well latterly.”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “I shall remain here to-day, Hankes,” said he, carelessly, “and not impossibly to-morrow also.
a healthy state of wellbeing free from disease
From this reading Mr. Hankes bowed; but not even his long-practised reserve could conceal the surprise he felt at this allusion to health or well-being.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading “I shall remain here to-day, Hankes,” said he, carelessly, “and not impossibly to-morrow also.
HermitagenounUS /ˈhɜːrmətədʒ/
the abode of a hermit
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Positive illness he could understand,--a fever or a broken leg were intelligible ills; but the slighter casualties of passing indispositions were weaknesses that he could not imagine a business mind could descend to, no more than he could fancy a man's being turned from pursuing his course because some one had accidentally jostled him in the streets.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I shall remain here to-day, Hankes,” said he, carelessly, “and not impossibly to-morrow also.
illnessnounUS /ˈɪlnəs/
impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism
From this reading Positive illness he could understand,--a fever or a broken leg were intelligible ills; but the slighter casualties of passing indispositions were weaknesses that he could not imagine a business mind could descend to, no more than he could fancy a man's being turned from pursuing his course because some one had accidentally jostled him in the streets.
illsnounUS /ɪlz/
plural of “ill” — an often persistent bodily disorder or disease; a cause for complaining
From this reading Positive illness he could understand,--a fever or a broken leg were intelligible ills; but the slighter casualties of passing indispositions were weaknesses that he could not imagine a business mind could descend to, no more than he could fancy a man's being turned from pursuing his course because some one had accidentally jostled him in the streets.
form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading Positive illness he could understand,--a fever or a broken leg were intelligible ills; but the slighter casualties of passing indispositions were weaknesses that he could not imagine a business mind could descend to, no more than he could fancy a man's being turned from pursuing his course because some one had accidentally jostled him in the streets.
impossiblyadverbUS /ˌɪmˈpɑːsəbli/
to a degree impossible of achievement
From this reading “I shall remain here to-day, Hankes,” said he, carelessly, “and not impossibly to-morrow also.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There's something in the air here suits me, and I have not felt quite well latterly.”
indispositions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Positive illness he could understand,--a fever or a broken leg were intelligible ills; but the slighter casualties of passing indispositions were weaknesses that he could not imagine a business mind could descend to, no more than he could fancy a man's being turned from pursuing his course because some one had accidentally jostled him in the streets.
intelligibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtelədʒəbəl/
capable of being apprehended or understood
From this reading Positive illness he could understand,--a fever or a broken leg were intelligible ills; but the slighter casualties of passing indispositions were weaknesses that he could not imagine a business mind could descend to, no more than he could fancy a man's being turned from pursuing his course because some one had accidentally jostled him in the streets.
jostledverbUS /ˈdʒɑːsəld/
past form of “jostle” — make one's way by jostling, pushing, or shoving
From this reading Positive illness he could understand,--a fever or a broken leg were intelligible ills; but the slighter casualties of passing indispositions were weaknesses that he could not imagine a business mind could descend to, no more than he could fancy a man's being turned from pursuing his course because some one had accidentally jostled him in the streets.
latterlyadverb
in the recent past
From this reading There's something in the air here suits me, and I have not felt quite well latterly.”
a human limb; commonly used to refer to a whole limb but technically only the part of the limb between the knee and ankle
From this reading Positive illness he could understand,--a fever or a broken leg were intelligible ills; but the slighter casualties of passing indispositions were weaknesses that he could not imagine a business mind could descend to, no more than he could fancy a man's being turned from pursuing his course because some one had accidentally jostled him in the streets.
long-practised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Hankes bowed; but not even his long-practised reserve could conceal the surprise he felt at this allusion to health or well-being.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Positive illness he could understand,--a fever or a broken leg were intelligible ills; but the slighter casualties of passing indispositions were weaknesses that he could not imagine a business mind could descend to, no more than he could fancy a man's being turned from pursuing his course because some one had accidentally jostled him in the streets.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There's something in the air here suits me, and I have not felt quite well latterly.”
and nothing more
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
a person who carries a message
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Positive illness he could understand,--a fever or a broken leg were intelligible ills; but the slighter casualties of passing indispositions were weaknesses that he could not imagine a business mind could descend to, no more than he could fancy a man's being turned from pursuing his course because some one had accidentally jostled him in the streets.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Positive illness he could understand,--a fever or a broken leg were intelligible ills; but the slighter casualties of passing indispositions were weaknesses that he could not imagine a business mind could descend to, no more than he could fancy a man's being turned from pursuing his course because some one had accidentally jostled him in the streets.
motivenounUS /ˈmoʊtɪv/
the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
a form of address for a man
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
not any; not one
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Positive illness he could understand,--a fever or a broken leg were intelligible ills; but the slighter casualties of passing indispositions were weaknesses that he could not imagine a business mind could descend to, no more than he could fancy a man's being turned from pursuing his course because some one had accidentally jostled him in the streets.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Mr. Hankes bowed; but not even his long-practised reserve could conceal the surprise he felt at this allusion to health or well-being.
having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading Positive illness he could understand,--a fever or a broken leg were intelligible ills; but the slighter casualties of passing indispositions were weaknesses that he could not imagine a business mind could descend to, no more than he could fancy a man's being turned from pursuing his course because some one had accidentally jostled him in the streets.
PositiveadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːzətɪv/
characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance or certainty etc.
From this reading Positive illness he could understand,--a fever or a broken leg were intelligible ills; but the slighter casualties of passing indispositions were weaknesses that he could not imagine a business mind could descend to, no more than he could fancy a man's being turned from pursuing his course because some one had accidentally jostled him in the streets.
post-horses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
pursuingadjectiveUS /pərˈsuːɪŋ/
following in order to overtake or capture or as accompaniment to such pursuit
From this reading Positive illness he could understand,--a fever or a broken leg were intelligible ills; but the slighter casualties of passing indispositions were weaknesses that he could not imagine a business mind could descend to, no more than he could fancy a man's being turned from pursuing his course because some one had accidentally jostled him in the streets.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading There's something in the air here suits me, and I have not felt quite well latterly.”
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading “I shall remain here to-day, Hankes,” said he, carelessly, “and not impossibly to-morrow also.
reservenounUS /rɪˈzɜːrv/
formality and propriety of manner
From this reading Mr. Hankes bowed; but not even his long-practised reserve could conceal the surprise he felt at this allusion to health or well-being.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “I shall remain here to-day, Hankes,” said he, carelessly, “and not impossibly to-morrow also.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading “I shall remain here to-day, Hankes,” said he, carelessly, “and not impossibly to-morrow also.
slighter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Positive illness he could understand,--a fever or a broken leg were intelligible ills; but the slighter casualties of passing indispositions were weaknesses that he could not imagine a business mind could descend to, no more than he could fancy a man's being turned from pursuing his course because some one had accidentally jostled him in the streets.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading There's something in the air here suits me, and I have not felt quite well latterly.”
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Positive illness he could understand,--a fever or a broken leg were intelligible ills; but the slighter casualties of passing indispositions were weaknesses that he could not imagine a business mind could descend to, no more than he could fancy a man's being turned from pursuing his course because some one had accidentally jostled him in the streets.
suitsnounUS /suːts/
plural of “suit” — a set of garments (usually including a jacket and trousers or skirt) for outerwear all of the same fabric and color
From this reading There's something in the air here suits me, and I have not felt quite well latterly.”
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading Mr. Hankes bowed; but not even his long-practised reserve could conceal the surprise he felt at this allusion to health or well-being.
carry out
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Positive illness he could understand,--a fever or a broken leg were intelligible ills; but the slighter casualties of passing indispositions were weaknesses that he could not imagine a business mind could descend to, no more than he could fancy a man's being turned from pursuing his course because some one had accidentally jostled him in the streets.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
There's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There's something in the air here suits me, and I have not felt quite well latterly.”
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
to-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I shall remain here to-day, Hankes,” said he, carelessly, “and not impossibly to-morrow also.
to-morrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I shall remain here to-day, Hankes,” said he, carelessly, “and not impossibly to-morrow also.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Positive illness he could understand,--a fever or a broken leg were intelligible ills; but the slighter casualties of passing indispositions were weaknesses that he could not imagine a business mind could descend to, no more than he could fancy a man's being turned from pursuing his course because some one had accidentally jostled him in the streets.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading Positive illness he could understand,--a fever or a broken leg were intelligible ills; but the slighter casualties of passing indispositions were weaknesses that he could not imagine a business mind could descend to, no more than he could fancy a man's being turned from pursuing his course because some one had accidentally jostled him in the streets.
veraciousadjective
habitually speaking the truth
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
weaknessesnounUS /ˈwiːknəsəz/
plural of “weakness” — a flaw or weak point
From this reading Positive illness he could understand,--a fever or a broken leg were intelligible ills; but the slighter casualties of passing indispositions were weaknesses that he could not imagine a business mind could descend to, no more than he could fancy a man's being turned from pursuing his course because some one had accidentally jostled him in the streets.
(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 There's something in the air here suits me, and I have not felt quite well latterly.”
well-beingnounUS /ˌwelˈbiːɪŋ/
a contented state of being happy and healthy and prosperous
From this reading Mr. Hankes bowed; but not even his long-practised reserve could conceal the surprise he felt at this allusion to health or well-being.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Positive illness he could understand,--a fever or a broken leg were intelligible ills; but the slighter casualties of passing indispositions were weaknesses that he could not imagine a business mind could descend to, no more than he could fancy a man's being turned from pursuing his course because some one had accidentally jostled him in the streets.
belonging to which person
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The post-horses ordered for Mr. Dunn's carriage arrived, duly, at break of day; but from some change of purpose, of whose motive this veracious history can offer no explanation, that gentleman did not take his departure, but merely despatched a messenger to desire Mr. Hankes would come over to the Hermitage.
