used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading [Note: The print copy had a missing page here.]
surrounded by; in the company of
From this reading Women are like Tennyson’s description of the law--a wilderness of single instances; but except for those surprising examples which are detected for us only by the talisman of a great love, there is a family likeness amongst them.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She suffers as no man ever suffers, and she could not bear her pangs--she would go mad under them--if she were half as sensitive to suffering as the less-tried male; and on the moral side the lady is a pachyderm and the average workman an un-shelled polype in comparison.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The woman is the tougher-fibred creature, and there is excellent good reason why she should be so.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Women are like Tennyson’s description of the law--a wilderness of single instances; but except for those surprising examples which are detected for us only by the talisman of a great love, there is a family likeness amongst them.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She suffers as no man ever suffers, and she could not bear her pangs--she would go mad under them--if she were half as sensitive to suffering as the less-tried male; and on the moral side the lady is a pachyderm and the average workman an un-shelled polype in comparison.
averageadjectiveUS /ˈævərɪdʒ/
approximating the statistical norm or average or expected value
From this reading She suffers as no man ever suffers, and she could not bear her pangs--she would go mad under them--if she were half as sensitive to suffering as the less-tried male; and on the moral side the lady is a pachyderm and the average workman an un-shelled polype in comparison.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The woman is the tougher-fibred creature, and there is excellent good reason why she should be so.
have
From this reading She suffers as no man ever suffers, and she could not bear her pangs--she would go mad under them--if she were half as sensitive to suffering as the less-tried male; and on the moral side the lady is a pachyderm and the average workman an un-shelled polype in comparison.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Women are like Tennyson’s description of the law--a wilderness of single instances; but except for those surprising examples which are detected for us only by the talisman of a great love, there is a family likeness amongst them.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Women are like Tennyson’s description of the law--a wilderness of single instances; but except for those surprising examples which are detected for us only by the talisman of a great love, there is a family likeness amongst them.
comparisonnounUS /kəmˈperəsən/
the act of examining resemblances
From this reading She suffers as no man ever suffers, and she could not bear her pangs--she would go mad under them--if she were half as sensitive to suffering as the less-tried male; and on the moral side the lady is a pachyderm and the average workman an un-shelled polype in comparison.
a reproduction of a written record (e.g. of a legal or school record)
From this reading [Note: The print copy had a missing page here.]
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She suffers as no man ever suffers, and she could not bear her pangs--she would go mad under them--if she were half as sensitive to suffering as the less-tried male; and on the moral side the lady is a pachyderm and the average workman an un-shelled polype in comparison.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading The woman is the tougher-fibred creature, and there is excellent good reason why she should be so.
a statement that represents something in words
From this reading Women are like Tennyson’s description of the law--a wilderness of single instances; but except for those surprising examples which are detected for us only by the talisman of a great love, there is a family likeness amongst them.
detectedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtektəd/
perceived or discerned
From this reading Women are like Tennyson’s description of the law--a wilderness of single instances; but except for those surprising examples which are detected for us only by the talisman of a great love, there is a family likeness amongst them.
at any time
From this reading She suffers as no man ever suffers, and she could not bear her pangs--she would go mad under them--if she were half as sensitive to suffering as the less-tried male; and on the moral side the lady is a pachyderm and the average workman an un-shelled polype in comparison.
examplesnounUS /ɪɡˈzæmpəlz/
plural of “example” — an item of information that is typical of a class or group
From this reading Women are like Tennyson’s description of the law--a wilderness of single instances; but except for those surprising examples which are detected for us only by the talisman of a great love, there is a family likeness amongst them.
very good; of the highest quality
From this reading The woman is the tougher-fibred creature, and there is excellent good reason why she should be so.
apart from; not including
From this reading Women are like Tennyson’s description of the law--a wilderness of single instances; but except for those surprising examples which are detected for us only by the talisman of a great love, there is a family likeness amongst them.
a social unit living together
From this reading Women are like Tennyson’s description of the law--a wilderness of single instances; but except for those surprising examples which are detected for us only by the talisman of a great love, there is a family likeness amongst them.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Women are like Tennyson’s description of the law--a wilderness of single instances; but except for those surprising examples which are detected for us only by the talisman of a great love, there is a family likeness amongst them.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading She suffers as no man ever suffers, and she could not bear her pangs--she would go mad under them--if she were half as sensitive to suffering as the less-tried male; and on the moral side the lady is a pachyderm and the average workman an un-shelled polype in comparison.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading The woman is the tougher-fibred creature, and there is excellent good reason why she should be so.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Women are like Tennyson’s description of the law--a wilderness of single instances; but except for those surprising examples which are detected for us only by the talisman of a great love, there is a family likeness amongst them.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading [Note: The print copy had a missing page here.]
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading She suffers as no man ever suffers, and she could not bear her pangs--she would go mad under them--if she were half as sensitive to suffering as the less-tried male; and on the moral side the lady is a pachyderm and the average workman an un-shelled polype in comparison.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She suffers as no man ever suffers, and she could not bear her pangs--she would go mad under them--if she were half as sensitive to suffering as the less-tried male; and on the moral side the lady is a pachyderm and the average workman an un-shelled polype in comparison.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading [Note: The print copy had a missing page here.]
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading She suffers as no man ever suffers, and she could not bear her pangs--she would go mad under them--if she were half as sensitive to suffering as the less-tried male; and on the moral side the lady is a pachyderm and the average workman an un-shelled polype in comparison.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She suffers as no man ever suffers, and she could not bear her pangs--she would go mad under them--if she were half as sensitive to suffering as the less-tried male; and on the moral side the lady is a pachyderm and the average workman an un-shelled polype in comparison.
instancesnounUS /ˈɪnstənsəz/
plural of “instance” — an occurrence of something
From this reading Women are like Tennyson’s description of the law--a wilderness of single instances; but except for those surprising examples which are detected for us only by the talisman of a great love, there is a family likeness amongst them.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Women are like Tennyson’s description of the law--a wilderness of single instances; but except for those surprising examples which are detected for us only by the talisman of a great love, there is a family likeness amongst them.
plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people
From this reading ‘No man knows the sex.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading She suffers as no man ever suffers, and she could not bear her pangs--she would go mad under them--if she were half as sensitive to suffering as the less-tried male; and on the moral side the lady is a pachyderm and the average workman an un-shelled polype in comparison.
the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading Women are like Tennyson’s description of the law--a wilderness of single instances; but except for those surprising examples which are detected for us only by the talisman of a great love, there is a family likeness amongst them.
less-tried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She suffers as no man ever suffers, and she could not bear her pangs--she would go mad under them--if she were half as sensitive to suffering as the less-tried male; and on the moral side the lady is a pachyderm and the average workman an un-shelled polype in comparison.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Women are like Tennyson’s description of the law--a wilderness of single instances; but except for those surprising examples which are detected for us only by the talisman of a great love, there is a family likeness amongst them.
likenessnounUS /ˈlaɪknəs/
similarity in appearance or character or nature between persons or things
From this reading Women are like Tennyson’s description of the law--a wilderness of single instances; but except for those surprising examples which are detected for us only by the talisman of a great love, there is a family likeness amongst them.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading Women are like Tennyson’s description of the law--a wilderness of single instances; but except for those surprising examples which are detected for us only by the talisman of a great love, there is a family likeness amongst them.
roused to anger
From this reading She suffers as no man ever suffers, and she could not bear her pangs--she would go mad under them--if she were half as sensitive to suffering as the less-tried male; and on the moral side the lady is a pachyderm and the average workman an un-shelled polype in comparison.
malenounUS /meɪl/
an animal that produces gametes (spermatozoa) that can fertilize female gametes
From this reading She suffers as no man ever suffers, and she could not bear her pangs--she would go mad under them--if she were half as sensitive to suffering as the less-tried male; and on the moral side the lady is a pachyderm and the average workman an un-shelled polype in comparison.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading ‘No man knows the sex.
missingadjectiveUS /ˈmɪsɪŋ/
not able to be found
From this reading [Note: The print copy had a missing page here.]
moraladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrəl/
concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles
From this reading She suffers as no man ever suffers, and she could not bear her pangs--she would go mad under them--if she were half as sensitive to suffering as the less-tried male; and on the moral side the lady is a pachyderm and the average workman an un-shelled polype in comparison.
not any; not one
From this reading ‘No man knows the sex.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She suffers as no man ever suffers, and she could not bear her pangs--she would go mad under them--if she were half as sensitive to suffering as the less-tried male; and on the moral side the lady is a pachyderm and the average workman an un-shelled polype in comparison.
a brief written record
From this reading [Note: The print copy had a missing page here.]
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Women are like Tennyson’s description of the law--a wilderness of single instances; but except for those surprising examples which are detected for us only by the talisman of a great love, there is a family likeness amongst them.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She suffers as no man ever suffers, and she could not bear her pangs--she would go mad under them--if she were half as sensitive to suffering as the less-tried male; and on the moral side the lady is a pachyderm and the average workman an un-shelled polype in comparison.
and nothing more
From this reading Women are like Tennyson’s description of the law--a wilderness of single instances; but except for those surprising examples which are detected for us only by the talisman of a great love, there is a family likeness amongst them.
pachydermnoun
any of various nonruminant hoofed mammals having very thick skin: elephant; rhinoceros; hippopotamus
From this reading She suffers as no man ever suffers, and she could not bear her pangs--she would go mad under them--if she were half as sensitive to suffering as the less-tried male; and on the moral side the lady is a pachyderm and the average workman an un-shelled polype in comparison.
one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains
From this reading [Note: The print copy had a missing page here.]
pangsnounUS /pæŋz/
plural of “pang” — a sudden sharp feeling
From this reading She suffers as no man ever suffers, and she could not bear her pangs--she would go mad under them--if she were half as sensitive to suffering as the less-tried male; and on the moral side the lady is a pachyderm and the average workman an un-shelled polype in comparison.
polype
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She suffers as no man ever suffers, and she could not bear her pangs--she would go mad under them--if she were half as sensitive to suffering as the less-tried male; and on the moral side the lady is a pachyderm and the average workman an un-shelled polype in comparison.
printnounUS /prɪnt/
the text appearing in a book, newspaper, or other printed publication
From this reading [Note: The print copy had a missing page here.]
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading The woman is the tougher-fibred creature, and there is excellent good reason why she should be so.
sensitiveadjectiveUS /ˈsensətɪv/
responsive to physical stimuli
From this reading She suffers as no man ever suffers, and she could not bear her pangs--she would go mad under them--if she were half as sensitive to suffering as the less-tried male; and on the moral side the lady is a pachyderm and the average workman an un-shelled polype in comparison.
activities associated with sexual intercourse
From this reading ‘No man knows the sex.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The woman is the tougher-fibred creature, and there is excellent good reason why she should be so.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading The woman is the tougher-fibred creature, and there is excellent good reason why she should be so.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading She suffers as no man ever suffers, and she could not bear her pangs--she would go mad under them--if she were half as sensitive to suffering as the less-tried male; and on the moral side the lady is a pachyderm and the average workman an un-shelled polype in comparison.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading Women are like Tennyson’s description of the law--a wilderness of single instances; but except for those surprising examples which are detected for us only by the talisman of a great love, there is a family likeness amongst them.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The woman is the tougher-fibred creature, and there is excellent good reason why she should be so.
a state of acute pain
From this reading She suffers as no man ever suffers, and she could not bear her pangs--she would go mad under them--if she were half as sensitive to suffering as the less-tried male; and on the moral side the lady is a pachyderm and the average workman an un-shelled polype in comparison.
suffersverbUS /ˈsʌfərz/
third-person singular of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to
From this reading She suffers as no man ever suffers, and she could not bear her pangs--she would go mad under them--if she were half as sensitive to suffering as the less-tried male; and on the moral side the lady is a pachyderm and the average workman an un-shelled polype in comparison.
surprisingadjectiveUS /sərˈpraɪzɪŋ/
causing surprise or wonder or amazement
From this reading Women are like Tennyson’s description of the law--a wilderness of single instances; but except for those surprising examples which are detected for us only by the talisman of a great love, there is a family likeness amongst them.
talismannounUS /ˈtæl.ɪz.mən/
An object, such as an inscribed ring or stone, thought to have magic powers and to bring good luck.
From this reading Women are like Tennyson’s description of the law--a wilderness of single instances; but except for those surprising examples which are detected for us only by the talisman of a great love, there is a family likeness amongst them.
Tennyson's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Women are like Tennyson’s description of the law--a wilderness of single instances; but except for those surprising examples which are detected for us only by the talisman of a great love, there is a family likeness amongst them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading [Note: The print copy had a missing page here.]
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Women are like Tennyson’s description of the law--a wilderness of single instances; but except for those surprising examples which are detected for us only by the talisman of a great love, there is a family likeness amongst them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Women are like Tennyson’s description of the law--a wilderness of single instances; but except for those surprising examples which are detected for us only by the talisman of a great love, there is a family likeness amongst them.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Women are like Tennyson’s description of the law--a wilderness of single instances; but except for those surprising examples which are detected for us only by the talisman of a great love, there is a family likeness amongst them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She suffers as no man ever suffers, and she could not bear her pangs--she would go mad under them--if she were half as sensitive to suffering as the less-tried male; and on the moral side the lady is a pachyderm and the average workman an un-shelled polype in comparison.
tougher-fibred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The woman is the tougher-fibred creature, and there is excellent good reason why she should be so.
un-shelled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She suffers as no man ever suffers, and she could not bear her pangs--she would go mad under them--if she were half as sensitive to suffering as the less-tried male; and on the moral side the lady is a pachyderm and the average workman an un-shelled polype in comparison.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading She suffers as no man ever suffers, and she could not bear her pangs--she would go mad under them--if she were half as sensitive to suffering as the less-tried male; and on the moral side the lady is a pachyderm and the average workman an un-shelled polype in comparison.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Women are like Tennyson’s description of the law--a wilderness of single instances; but except for those surprising examples which are detected for us only by the talisman of a great love, there is a family likeness amongst them.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She suffers as no man ever suffers, and she could not bear her pangs--she would go mad under them--if she were half as sensitive to suffering as the less-tried male; and on the moral side the lady is a pachyderm and the average workman an un-shelled polype in comparison.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Women are like Tennyson’s description of the law--a wilderness of single instances; but except for those surprising examples which are detected for us only by the talisman of a great love, there is a family likeness amongst them.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading The woman is the tougher-fibred creature, and there is excellent good reason why she should be so.
wildernessnounUS /ˈwɪldərnəs/
(politics) a state of disfavor
From this reading Women are like Tennyson’s description of the law--a wilderness of single instances; but except for those surprising examples which are detected for us only by the talisman of a great love, there is a family likeness amongst them.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The woman is the tougher-fibred creature, and there is excellent good reason why she should be so.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Women are like Tennyson’s description of the law--a wilderness of single instances; but except for those surprising examples which are detected for us only by the talisman of a great love, there is a family likeness amongst them.
workmannounUS /ˈwɜːrkmən/
an employee who performs manual or industrial labor
From this reading She suffers as no man ever suffers, and she could not bear her pangs--she would go mad under them--if she were half as sensitive to suffering as the less-tried male; and on the moral side the lady is a pachyderm and the average workman an un-shelled polype in comparison.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She suffers as no man ever suffers, and she could not bear her pangs--she would go mad under them--if she were half as sensitive to suffering as the less-tried male; and on the moral side the lady is a pachyderm and the average workman an un-shelled polype in comparison.
