used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading MERCURY--AND A MODERN FINE LADY.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading I am engaged, absolutely engaged.
affectionateadjectiveUS /əˈfekʃənət/
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading _Mercury_.--I know you have an amiable, affectionate husband, and several fine children; but you need not be told, that neither conjugal attachments, maternal affections, nor even the care of a kingdom's welfare or a nation's glory, can excuse a person who has received a summons to the realms of death.
affectionsnounUS /əˈfekʃənz/
plural of “affection” — a positive feeling of liking
From this reading _Mercury_.--I know you have an amiable, affectionate husband, and several fine children; but you need not be told, that neither conjugal attachments, maternal affections, nor even the care of a kingdom's welfare or a nation's glory, can excuse a person who has received a summons to the realms of death.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading I am engaged, absolutely engaged.
amiableadjectiveUS /ˈeɪmiəbəl/
disposed to please
From this reading _Mercury_.--I know you have an amiable, affectionate husband, and several fine children; but you need not be told, that neither conjugal attachments, maternal affections, nor even the care of a kingdom's welfare or a nation's glory, can excuse a person who has received a summons to the realms of death.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading _Mercury_.--I know you have an amiable, affectionate husband, and several fine children; but you need not be told, that neither conjugal attachments, maternal affections, nor even the care of a kingdom's welfare or a nation's glory, can excuse a person who has received a summons to the realms of death.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading MERCURY--AND A MODERN FINE LADY.
attachmentsnounUS /əˈtætʃmənts/
plural of “attachment” — a feeling of affection for a person or an institution
From this reading _Mercury_.--I know you have an amiable, affectionate husband, and several fine children; but you need not be told, that neither conjugal attachments, maternal affections, nor even the care of a kingdom's welfare or a nation's glory, can excuse a person who has received a summons to the realms of death.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading _Mercury_.--I know you have an amiable, affectionate husband, and several fine children; but you need not be told, that neither conjugal attachments, maternal affections, nor even the care of a kingdom's welfare or a nation's glory, can excuse a person who has received a summons to the realms of death.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading _Mercury_.--I know you have an amiable, affectionate husband, and several fine children; but you need not be told, that neither conjugal attachments, maternal affections, nor even the care of a kingdom's welfare or a nation's glory, can excuse a person who has received a summons to the realms of death.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading _Mercury_.--I know you have an amiable, affectionate husband, and several fine children; but you need not be told, that neither conjugal attachments, maternal affections, nor even the care of a kingdom's welfare or a nation's glory, can excuse a person who has received a summons to the realms of death.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Mrs. Modish_.--Indeed, Mr. Mercury, I cannot have the pleasure of waiting upon you now.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading _Mercury_.--I know you have an amiable, affectionate husband, and several fine children; but you need not be told, that neither conjugal attachments, maternal affections, nor even the care of a kingdom's welfare or a nation's glory, can excuse a person who has received a summons to the realms of death.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading _Mercury_.--I know you have an amiable, affectionate husband, and several fine children; but you need not be told, that neither conjugal attachments, maternal affections, nor even the care of a kingdom's welfare or a nation's glory, can excuse a person who has received a summons to the realms of death.
conjugaladjectiveUS /ˈkɑːndʒəɡəl/
of or relating to marriage or to the relationship between a wife and husband
From this reading _Mercury_.--I know you have an amiable, affectionate husband, and several fine children; but you need not be told, that neither conjugal attachments, maternal affections, nor even the care of a kingdom's welfare or a nation's glory, can excuse a person who has received a summons to the realms of death.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading _Mercury_.--I know you have an amiable, affectionate husband, and several fine children; but you need not be told, that neither conjugal attachments, maternal affections, nor even the care of a kingdom's welfare or a nation's glory, can excuse a person who has received a summons to the realms of death.
DIALOGUEnounUS /ˈdaɪəlɔːɡ/
a conversation between two persons
From this reading DIALOGUE XXVII.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading I am engaged, absolutely engaged.
divisible by two
From this reading _Mercury_.--I know you have an amiable, affectionate husband, and several fine children; but you need not be told, that neither conjugal attachments, maternal affections, nor even the care of a kingdom's welfare or a nation's glory, can excuse a person who has received a summons to the realms of death.
accept an excuse for
From this reading _Mercury_.--I know you have an amiable, affectionate husband, and several fine children; but you need not be told, that neither conjugal attachments, maternal affections, nor even the care of a kingdom's welfare or a nation's glory, can excuse a person who has received a summons to the realms of death.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading MERCURY--AND A MODERN FINE LADY.
a state of high honor
From this reading _Mercury_.--I know you have an amiable, affectionate husband, and several fine children; but you need not be told, that neither conjugal attachments, maternal affections, nor even the care of a kingdom's welfare or a nation's glory, can excuse a person who has received a summons to the realms of death.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _Mercury_.--I know you have an amiable, affectionate husband, and several fine children; but you need not be told, that neither conjugal attachments, maternal affections, nor even the care of a kingdom's welfare or a nation's glory, can excuse a person who has received a summons to the realms of death.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading _Mrs. Modish_.--Indeed, Mr. Mercury, I cannot have the pleasure of waiting upon you now.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading _Mercury_.--I know you have an amiable, affectionate husband, and several fine children; but you need not be told, that neither conjugal attachments, maternal affections, nor even the care of a kingdom's welfare or a nation's glory, can excuse a person who has received a summons to the realms of death.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading _Mrs. Modish_.--Indeed, Mr. Mercury, I cannot have the pleasure of waiting upon you now.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading _Mrs. Modish_.--Indeed, Mr. Mercury, I cannot have the pleasure of waiting upon you now.
kingdom'snounUS /ˈkɪŋdəmz/
possessive form of “kingdom” — a domain in which something is dominant
From this reading _Mercury_.--I know you have an amiable, affectionate husband, and several fine children; but you need not be told, that neither conjugal attachments, maternal affections, nor even the care of a kingdom's welfare or a nation's glory, can excuse a person who has received a summons to the realms of death.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading _Mercury_.--I know you have an amiable, affectionate husband, and several fine children; but you need not be told, that neither conjugal attachments, maternal affections, nor even the care of a kingdom's welfare or a nation's glory, can excuse a person who has received a summons to the realms of death.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading MERCURY--AND A MODERN FINE LADY.
maternaladjectiveUS /məˈtɜːrnəl/
characteristic of a mother
From this reading _Mercury_.--I know you have an amiable, affectionate husband, and several fine children; but you need not be told, that neither conjugal attachments, maternal affections, nor even the care of a kingdom's welfare or a nation's glory, can excuse a person who has received a summons to the realms of death.
MERCURYnounUS /ˈmɜːrkjəri/
a heavy silvery toxic univalent and bivalent metallic element; the only metal that is liquid at ordinary temperatures
From this reading MERCURY--AND A MODERN FINE LADY.
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
From this reading MERCURY--AND A MODERN FINE LADY.
Modishadjective
in the current fashion or style
From this reading _Mrs. Modish_.--Indeed, Mr. Mercury, I cannot have the pleasure of waiting upon you now.
a form of address for a man
From this reading _Mrs. Modish_.--Indeed, Mr. Mercury, I cannot have the pleasure of waiting upon you now.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading _Mrs. Modish_.--Indeed, Mr. Mercury, I cannot have the pleasure of waiting upon you now.
nation'snounUS /ˈneɪʃənz/
possessive form of “nation” — a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading _Mercury_.--I know you have an amiable, affectionate husband, and several fine children; but you need not be told, that neither conjugal attachments, maternal affections, nor even the care of a kingdom's welfare or a nation's glory, can excuse a person who has received a summons to the realms of death.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading _Mercury_.--I know you have an amiable, affectionate husband, and several fine children; but you need not be told, that neither conjugal attachments, maternal affections, nor even the care of a kingdom's welfare or a nation's glory, can excuse a person who has received a summons to the realms of death.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading _Mercury_.--I know you have an amiable, affectionate husband, and several fine children; but you need not be told, that neither conjugal attachments, maternal affections, nor even the care of a kingdom's welfare or a nation's glory, can excuse a person who has received a summons to the realms of death.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading _Mercury_.--I know you have an amiable, affectionate husband, and several fine children; but you need not be told, that neither conjugal attachments, maternal affections, nor even the care of a kingdom's welfare or a nation's glory, can excuse a person who has received a summons to the realms of death.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading _Mercury_.--I know you have an amiable, affectionate husband, and several fine children; but you need not be told, that neither conjugal attachments, maternal affections, nor even the care of a kingdom's welfare or a nation's glory, can excuse a person who has received a summons to the realms of death.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading _Mrs. Modish_.--Indeed, Mr. Mercury, I cannot have the pleasure of waiting upon you now.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _Mrs. Modish_.--Indeed, Mr. Mercury, I cannot have the pleasure of waiting upon you now.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading _Mercury_.--I know you have an amiable, affectionate husband, and several fine children; but you need not be told, that neither conjugal attachments, maternal affections, nor even the care of a kingdom's welfare or a nation's glory, can excuse a person who has received a summons to the realms of death.
a human being
From this reading _Mercury_.--I know you have an amiable, affectionate husband, and several fine children; but you need not be told, that neither conjugal attachments, maternal affections, nor even the care of a kingdom's welfare or a nation's glory, can excuse a person who has received a summons to the realms of death.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading _Mrs. Modish_.--Indeed, Mr. Mercury, I cannot have the pleasure of waiting upon you now.
realmsnounUS /relmz/
plural of “realm” — a domain in which something is dominant
From this reading _Mercury_.--I know you have an amiable, affectionate husband, and several fine children; but you need not be told, that neither conjugal attachments, maternal affections, nor even the care of a kingdom's welfare or a nation's glory, can excuse a person who has received a summons to the realms of death.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading _Mercury_.--I know you have an amiable, affectionate husband, and several fine children; but you need not be told, that neither conjugal attachments, maternal affections, nor even the care of a kingdom's welfare or a nation's glory, can excuse a person who has received a summons to the realms of death.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading _Mercury_.--I know you have an amiable, affectionate husband, and several fine children; but you need not be told, that neither conjugal attachments, maternal affections, nor even the care of a kingdom's welfare or a nation's glory, can excuse a person who has received a summons to the realms of death.
summonsnounUS /ˈsʌmənz/
a request to be present
From this reading _Mercury_.--I know you have an amiable, affectionate husband, and several fine children; but you need not be told, that neither conjugal attachments, maternal affections, nor even the care of a kingdom's welfare or a nation's glory, can excuse a person who has received a summons to the realms of death.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading _Mercury_.--I know you have an amiable, affectionate husband, and several fine children; but you need not be told, that neither conjugal attachments, maternal affections, nor even the care of a kingdom's welfare or a nation's glory, can excuse a person who has received a summons to the realms of death.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _Mrs. Modish_.--Indeed, Mr. Mercury, I cannot have the pleasure of waiting upon you now.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _Mercury_.--I know you have an amiable, affectionate husband, and several fine children; but you need not be told, that neither conjugal attachments, maternal affections, nor even the care of a kingdom's welfare or a nation's glory, can excuse a person who has received a summons to the realms of death.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading _Mercury_.--I know you have an amiable, affectionate husband, and several fine children; but you need not be told, that neither conjugal attachments, maternal affections, nor even the care of a kingdom's welfare or a nation's glory, can excuse a person who has received a summons to the realms of death.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading _Mrs. Modish_.--Indeed, Mr. Mercury, I cannot have the pleasure of waiting upon you now.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading _Mrs. Modish_.--Indeed, Mr. Mercury, I cannot have the pleasure of waiting upon you now.
welfarenounUS /ˈwelfer/
governmental provision of economic assistance to persons in need
From this reading _Mercury_.--I know you have an amiable, affectionate husband, and several fine children; but you need not be told, that neither conjugal attachments, maternal affections, nor even the care of a kingdom's welfare or a nation's glory, can excuse a person who has received a summons to the realms of death.
which person or people
From this reading _Mercury_.--I know you have an amiable, affectionate husband, and several fine children; but you need not be told, that neither conjugal attachments, maternal affections, nor even the care of a kingdom's welfare or a nation's glory, can excuse a person who has received a summons to the realms of death.
XXVIInoun
the cardinal number that is the sum of twenty-six and one
From this reading DIALOGUE XXVII.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading _Mrs. Modish_.--Indeed, Mr. Mercury, I cannot have the pleasure of waiting upon you now.
