used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _Not quite an idiot; for her busy brain Sought, by poor cunning, trifling points to gain; Success in childish projects her delight._ _----So weak a mind, No art could lead, and no compulsion bind.
the state of being absent
From this reading Mrs Boswell, however, received me with her usual simper; and suffered the evening to arrive before she began to investigate, with great contrivance and circumlocution, the cause of my unusual absence.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Cecil's tale, which included all the evening festivities,--the ball,--the throwing of the stocking, and the libation of whisky, which was dashed over the married pair, detained me so long, that Mrs Boswell and my pupil were at home an hour before me.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading _Not quite an idiot; for her busy brain Sought, by poor cunning, trifling points to gain; Success in childish projects her delight._ _----So weak a mind, No art could lead, and no compulsion bind.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _Not quite an idiot; for her busy brain Sought, by poor cunning, trifling points to gain; Success in childish projects her delight._ _----So weak a mind, No art could lead, and no compulsion bind.
reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading Mrs Boswell, however, received me with her usual simper; and suffered the evening to arrive before she began to investigate, with great contrivance and circumlocution, the cause of my unusual absence.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading _Not quite an idiot; for her busy brain Sought, by poor cunning, trifling points to gain; Success in childish projects her delight._ _----So weak a mind, No art could lead, and no compulsion bind.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Cecil's tale, which included all the evening festivities,--the ball,--the throwing of the stocking, and the libation of whisky, which was dashed over the married pair, detained me so long, that Mrs Boswell and my pupil were at home an hour before me.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading Cecil's tale, which included all the evening festivities,--the ball,--the throwing of the stocking, and the libation of whisky, which was dashed over the married pair, detained me so long, that Mrs Boswell and my pupil were at home an hour before me.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Though provoked at her useless cunning, I readily told her where I had been.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Cecil's tale, which included all the evening festivities,--the ball,--the throwing of the stocking, and the libation of whisky, which was dashed over the married pair, detained me so long, that Mrs Boswell and my pupil were at home an hour before me.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Mrs Boswell, however, received me with her usual simper; and suffered the evening to arrive before she began to investigate, with great contrivance and circumlocution, the cause of my unusual absence.
bindverbUS /baɪnd/
stick to firmly
From this reading _Not quite an idiot; for her busy brain Sought, by poor cunning, trifling points to gain; Success in childish projects her delight._ _----So weak a mind, No art could lead, and no compulsion bind.
BoswellnounUS /ˈbɑːzwel/
Scottish author noted for his biography of Samuel Johnson (1740-1795)
From this reading Cecil's tale, which included all the evening festivities,--the ball,--the throwing of the stocking, and the libation of whisky, which was dashed over the married pair, detained me so long, that Mrs Boswell and my pupil were at home an hour before me.
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading _Not quite an idiot; for her busy brain Sought, by poor cunning, trifling points to gain; Success in childish projects her delight._ _----So weak a mind, No art could lead, and no compulsion bind.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading _Not quite an idiot; for her busy brain Sought, by poor cunning, trifling points to gain; Success in childish projects her delight._ _----So weak a mind, No art could lead, and no compulsion bind.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading _Not quite an idiot; for her busy brain Sought, by poor cunning, trifling points to gain; Success in childish projects her delight._ _----So weak a mind, No art could lead, and no compulsion bind.
callousadjectiveUS /ˈkæləs/
emotionally hardened
From this reading The rudest force would fail such mind to tame, And she was callous to rebuke and shame._ Crabbe.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading Mrs Boswell, however, received me with her usual simper; and suffered the evening to arrive before she began to investigate, with great contrivance and circumlocution, the cause of my unusual absence.
Cecil's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cecil's tale, which included all the evening festivities,--the ball,--the throwing of the stocking, and the libation of whisky, which was dashed over the married pair, detained me so long, that Mrs Boswell and my pupil were at home an hour before me.
childishadjectiveUS /ˈtʃaɪldɪʃ/
indicating a lack of maturity
From this reading _Not quite an idiot; for her busy brain Sought, by poor cunning, trifling points to gain; Success in childish projects her delight._ _----So weak a mind, No art could lead, and no compulsion bind.
circumlocutionnoun
a style that involves indirect ways of expressing things
From this reading Mrs Boswell, however, received me with her usual simper; and suffered the evening to arrive before she began to investigate, with great contrivance and circumlocution, the cause of my unusual absence.
compulsionnounUS /kəmˈpʌlʃən/
an urge to do or say something that might be better left undone or unsaid
From this reading _Not quite an idiot; for her busy brain Sought, by poor cunning, trifling points to gain; Success in childish projects her delight._ _----So weak a mind, No art could lead, and no compulsion bind.
contrivancenounUS /kənˈtraɪvəns/
a device or control that is very useful for a particular job
From this reading Mrs Boswell, however, received me with her usual simper; and suffered the evening to arrive before she began to investigate, with great contrivance and circumlocution, the cause of my unusual absence.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading _Not quite an idiot; for her busy brain Sought, by poor cunning, trifling points to gain; Success in childish projects her delight._ _----So weak a mind, No art could lead, and no compulsion bind.
Crabbe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rudest force would fail such mind to tame, And she was callous to rebuke and shame._ Crabbe.
cunningadjectiveUS /ˈkʌnɪŋ/
attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness
From this reading _Not quite an idiot; for her busy brain Sought, by poor cunning, trifling points to gain; Success in childish projects her delight._ _----So weak a mind, No art could lead, and no compulsion bind.
having gaps or spaces
From this reading Cecil's tale, which included all the evening festivities,--the ball,--the throwing of the stocking, and the libation of whisky, which was dashed over the married pair, detained me so long, that Mrs Boswell and my pupil were at home an hour before me.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading _Not quite an idiot; for her busy brain Sought, by poor cunning, trifling points to gain; Success in childish projects her delight._ _----So weak a mind, No art could lead, and no compulsion bind.
detainedverbUS /dɪˈteɪnd/
past form of “detain” — deprive of freedom; take into confinement
From this reading Cecil's tale, which included all the evening festivities,--the ball,--the throwing of the stocking, and the libation of whisky, which was dashed over the married pair, detained me so long, that Mrs Boswell and my pupil were at home an hour before me.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Cecil's tale, which included all the evening festivities,--the ball,--the throwing of the stocking, and the libation of whisky, which was dashed over the married pair, detained me so long, that Mrs Boswell and my pupil were at home an hour before me.
fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading The rudest force would fail such mind to tame, And she was callous to rebuke and shame._ Crabbe.
festivitiesnounUS /feˈstɪvətiz/
plural of “festivity” — any joyous diversion
From this reading Cecil's tale, which included all the evening festivities,--the ball,--the throwing of the stocking, and the libation of whisky, which was dashed over the married pair, detained me so long, that Mrs Boswell and my pupil were at home an hour before me.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading _Not quite an idiot; for her busy brain Sought, by poor cunning, trifling points to gain; Success in childish projects her delight._ _----So weak a mind, No art could lead, and no compulsion bind.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading The rudest force would fail such mind to tame, And she was callous to rebuke and shame._ Crabbe.
obtain
From this reading _Not quite an idiot; for her busy brain Sought, by poor cunning, trifling points to gain; Success in childish projects her delight._ _----So weak a mind, No art could lead, and no compulsion bind.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Mrs Boswell, however, received me with her usual simper; and suffered the evening to arrive before she began to investigate, with great contrivance and circumlocution, the cause of my unusual absence.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Though provoked at her useless cunning, I readily told her where I had been.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading _Not quite an idiot; for her busy brain Sought, by poor cunning, trifling points to gain; Success in childish projects her delight._ _----So weak a mind, No art could lead, and no compulsion bind.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Cecil's tale, which included all the evening festivities,--the ball,--the throwing of the stocking, and the libation of whisky, which was dashed over the married pair, detained me so long, that Mrs Boswell and my pupil were at home an hour before me.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Cecil's tale, which included all the evening festivities,--the ball,--the throwing of the stocking, and the libation of whisky, which was dashed over the married pair, detained me so long, that Mrs Boswell and my pupil were at home an hour before me.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Mrs Boswell, however, received me with her usual simper; and suffered the evening to arrive before she began to investigate, with great contrivance and circumlocution, the cause of my unusual absence.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Though provoked at her useless cunning, I readily told her where I had been.
idiotnounUS /ˈɪdiːət/
a person of subnormal intelligence
From this reading _Not quite an idiot; for her busy brain Sought, by poor cunning, trifling points to gain; Success in childish projects her delight._ _----So weak a mind, No art could lead, and no compulsion bind.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _Not quite an idiot; for her busy brain Sought, by poor cunning, trifling points to gain; Success in childish projects her delight._ _----So weak a mind, No art could lead, and no compulsion bind.
includedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkluːdəd/
enclosed in the same envelope or package
From this reading Cecil's tale, which included all the evening festivities,--the ball,--the throwing of the stocking, and the libation of whisky, which was dashed over the married pair, detained me so long, that Mrs Boswell and my pupil were at home an hour before me.
investigateverbUS /ˌɪnˈvestəɡeɪt/
investigate scientifically
From this reading Mrs Boswell, however, received me with her usual simper; and suffered the evening to arrive before she began to investigate, with great contrivance and circumlocution, the cause of my unusual absence.
take somebody somewhere
From this reading _Not quite an idiot; for her busy brain Sought, by poor cunning, trifling points to gain; Success in childish projects her delight._ _----So weak a mind, No art could lead, and no compulsion bind.
libationnoun
(facetious) a serving of an alcoholic beverage
From this reading Cecil's tale, which included all the evening festivities,--the ball,--the throwing of the stocking, and the libation of whisky, which was dashed over the married pair, detained me so long, that Mrs Boswell and my pupil were at home an hour before me.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Cecil's tale, which included all the evening festivities,--the ball,--the throwing of the stocking, and the libation of whisky, which was dashed over the married pair, detained me so long, that Mrs Boswell and my pupil were at home an hour before me.
joined in matrimony
From this reading Cecil's tale, which included all the evening festivities,--the ball,--the throwing of the stocking, and the libation of whisky, which was dashed over the married pair, detained me so long, that Mrs Boswell and my pupil were at home an hour before me.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Cecil's tale, which included all the evening festivities,--the ball,--the throwing of the stocking, and the libation of whisky, which was dashed over the married pair, detained me so long, that Mrs Boswell and my pupil were at home an hour before me.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading _Not quite an idiot; for her busy brain Sought, by poor cunning, trifling points to gain; Success in childish projects her delight._ _----So weak a mind, No art could lead, and no compulsion bind.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Cecil's tale, which included all the evening festivities,--the ball,--the throwing of the stocking, and the libation of whisky, which was dashed over the married pair, detained me so long, that Mrs Boswell and my pupil were at home an hour before me.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Cecil's tale, which included all the evening festivities,--the ball,--the throwing of the stocking, and the libation of whisky, which was dashed over the married pair, detained me so long, that Mrs Boswell and my pupil were at home an hour before me.
not any; not one
From this reading _Not quite an idiot; for her busy brain Sought, by poor cunning, trifling points to gain; Success in childish projects her delight._ _----So weak a mind, No art could lead, and no compulsion bind.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading _Not quite an idiot; for her busy brain Sought, by poor cunning, trifling points to gain; Success in childish projects her delight._ _----So weak a mind, No art could lead, and no compulsion bind.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Cecil's tale, which included all the evening festivities,--the ball,--the throwing of the stocking, and the libation of whisky, which was dashed over the married pair, detained me so long, that Mrs Boswell and my pupil were at home an hour before me.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Cecil's tale, which included all the evening festivities,--the ball,--the throwing of the stocking, and the libation of whisky, which was dashed over the married pair, detained me so long, that Mrs Boswell and my pupil were at home an hour before me.
a set of two similar things considered as a unit
From this reading Cecil's tale, which included all the evening festivities,--the ball,--the throwing of the stocking, and the libation of whisky, which was dashed over the married pair, detained me so long, that Mrs Boswell and my pupil were at home an hour before me.
plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading _Not quite an idiot; for her busy brain Sought, by poor cunning, trifling points to gain; Success in childish projects her delight._ _----So weak a mind, No art could lead, and no compulsion bind.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading _Not quite an idiot; for her busy brain Sought, by poor cunning, trifling points to gain; Success in childish projects her delight._ _----So weak a mind, No art could lead, and no compulsion bind.
projectsnounUS /ˈprɑːdʒekts/
plural of “project” — any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading _Not quite an idiot; for her busy brain Sought, by poor cunning, trifling points to gain; Success in childish projects her delight._ _----So weak a mind, No art could lead, and no compulsion bind.
provokedadjectiveUS /prəˈvoʊkt/
incited, especially deliberately, to anger
From this reading Though provoked at her useless cunning, I readily told her where I had been.
pupilnounUS /ˈpjuːpəl/
a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution
From this reading Cecil's tale, which included all the evening festivities,--the ball,--the throwing of the stocking, and the libation of whisky, which was dashed over the married pair, detained me so long, that Mrs Boswell and my pupil were at home an hour before me.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading _Not quite an idiot; for her busy brain Sought, by poor cunning, trifling points to gain; Success in childish projects her delight._ _----So weak a mind, No art could lead, and no compulsion bind.
without much difficulty
From this reading Though provoked at her useless cunning, I readily told her where I had been.
rebukeverbUS /riˈbjuːk/
censure severely or angrily
From this reading The rudest force would fail such mind to tame, And she was callous to rebuke and shame._ Crabbe.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading Mrs Boswell, however, received me with her usual simper; and suffered the evening to arrive before she began to investigate, with great contrivance and circumlocution, the cause of my unusual absence.
rudestadjectiveUS /ˈruːdəst/
superlative of “rude” — socially incorrect in behavior
From this reading The rudest force would fail such mind to tame, And she was callous to rebuke and shame._ Crabbe.
a painful emotion resulting from an awareness of inadequacy or guilt
From this reading The rudest force would fail such mind to tame, And she was callous to rebuke and shame._ Crabbe.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The rudest force would fail such mind to tame, And she was callous to rebuke and shame._ Crabbe.
simpernounUS /ˈsɪmpər/
a silly self-conscious smile
From this reading Mrs Boswell, however, received me with her usual simper; and suffered the evening to arrive before she began to investigate, with great contrivance and circumlocution, the cause of my unusual absence.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading _Not quite an idiot; for her busy brain Sought, by poor cunning, trifling points to gain; Success in childish projects her delight._ _----So weak a mind, No art could lead, and no compulsion bind.
that is looked for
From this reading _Not quite an idiot; for her busy brain Sought, by poor cunning, trifling points to gain; Success in childish projects her delight._ _----So weak a mind, No art could lead, and no compulsion bind.
stockingnounUS /ˈstɑːkɪŋ/
close-fitting hosiery to cover the foot and leg; come in matched pairs (usually used in the plural)
From this reading Cecil's tale, which included all the evening festivities,--the ball,--the throwing of the stocking, and the libation of whisky, which was dashed over the married pair, detained me so long, that Mrs Boswell and my pupil were at home an hour before me.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading _Not quite an idiot; for her busy brain Sought, by poor cunning, trifling points to gain; Success in childish projects her delight._ _----So weak a mind, No art could lead, and no compulsion bind.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The rudest force would fail such mind to tame, And she was callous to rebuke and shame._ Crabbe.
past form of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to
From this reading Mrs Boswell, however, received me with her usual simper; and suffered the evening to arrive before she began to investigate, with great contrivance and circumlocution, the cause of my unusual absence.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading Cecil's tale, which included all the evening festivities,--the ball,--the throwing of the stocking, and the libation of whisky, which was dashed over the married pair, detained me so long, that Mrs Boswell and my pupil were at home an hour before me.
tameverbUS /teɪm/
correct by punishment or discipline
From this reading The rudest force would fail such mind to tame, And she was callous to rebuke and shame._ Crabbe.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Cecil's tale, which included all the evening festivities,--the ball,--the throwing of the stocking, and the libation of whisky, which was dashed over the married pair, detained me so long, that Mrs Boswell and my pupil were at home an hour before me.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The rudest force would fail such mind to tame, And she was callous to rebuke and shame._ Crabbe.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Though provoked at her useless cunning, I readily told her where I had been.
-ing form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading Cecil's tale, which included all the evening festivities,--the ball,--the throwing of the stocking, and the libation of whisky, which was dashed over the married pair, detained me so long, that Mrs Boswell and my pupil were at home an hour before me.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _Not quite an idiot; for her busy brain Sought, by poor cunning, trifling points to gain; Success in childish projects her delight._ _----So weak a mind, No art could lead, and no compulsion bind.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Though provoked at her useless cunning, I readily told her where I had been.
triflingnounUS /ˈtraɪflɪŋ/
the deliberate act of delaying and playing instead of working
From this reading _Not quite an idiot; for her busy brain Sought, by poor cunning, trifling points to gain; Success in childish projects her delight._ _----So weak a mind, No art could lead, and no compulsion bind.
not usual or common or ordinary
From this reading Mrs Boswell, however, received me with her usual simper; and suffered the evening to arrive before she began to investigate, with great contrivance and circumlocution, the cause of my unusual absence.
having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully
From this reading Though provoked at her useless cunning, I readily told her where I had been.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading Mrs Boswell, however, received me with her usual simper; and suffered the evening to arrive before she began to investigate, with great contrivance and circumlocution, the cause of my unusual absence.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The rudest force would fail such mind to tame, And she was callous to rebuke and shame._ Crabbe.
wanting in physical strength
From this reading _Not quite an idiot; for her busy brain Sought, by poor cunning, trifling points to gain; Success in childish projects her delight._ _----So weak a mind, No art could lead, and no compulsion bind.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Cecil's tale, which included all the evening festivities,--the ball,--the throwing of the stocking, and the libation of whisky, which was dashed over the married pair, detained me so long, that Mrs Boswell and my pupil were at home an hour before me.
in or at the place that
From this reading Though provoked at her useless cunning, I readily told her where I had been.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Cecil's tale, which included all the evening festivities,--the ball,--the throwing of the stocking, and the libation of whisky, which was dashed over the married pair, detained me so long, that Mrs Boswell and my pupil were at home an hour before me.
whiskynounUS /ˈwɪski/
a liquor made from fermented mash of grain
From this reading Cecil's tale, which included all the evening festivities,--the ball,--the throwing of the stocking, and the libation of whisky, which was dashed over the married pair, detained me so long, that Mrs Boswell and my pupil were at home an hour before me.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mrs Boswell, however, received me with her usual simper; and suffered the evening to arrive before she began to investigate, with great contrivance and circumlocution, the cause of my unusual absence.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The rudest force would fail such mind to tame, And she was callous to rebuke and shame._ Crabbe.
