used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When a man sets his happiness in the balance, he is apt to be contented with a very slight turning of the scale.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading ACCEPTED.
acceptingadjectiveUS /ækˈseptɪŋ/
tolerating without protest
From this reading It was not that he refrained from reflecting upon the girl’s manner of accepting his offer.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mr. Gilbert Monckton had no contemptible opinion of his own judgment and deliberation, his perceptive faculties and powers of reasoning; but as blindly as Macbeth accepted the promises of the oracular voices in the witches’ cave, so did this grave and eminent lawyer receive those few cold words in which Eleanor Vane consented to be his wife.
aptadjectiveUS /æpt/
(usually followed by “to”) naturally disposed toward
From this reading When a man sets his happiness in the balance, he is apt to be contented with a very slight turning of the scale.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He is not likely to be critical as to the wording of the verdict which gives him the prize he has asked for.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading He is not likely to be critical as to the wording of the verdict which gives him the prize he has asked for.
balanceverbUS /ˈbæləns/
bring into balance or equilibrium
From this reading When a man sets his happiness in the balance, he is apt to be contented with a very slight turning of the scale.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading When a man sets his happiness in the balance, he is apt to be contented with a very slight turning of the scale.
blindlyadverbUS /ˈblaɪndli/
without seeing or looking
From this reading Mr. Gilbert Monckton had no contemptible opinion of his own judgment and deliberation, his perceptive faculties and powers of reasoning; but as blindly as Macbeth accepted the promises of the oracular voices in the witches’ cave, so did this grave and eminent lawyer receive those few cold words in which Eleanor Vane consented to be his wife.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Mr. Gilbert Monckton had no contemptible opinion of his own judgment and deliberation, his perceptive faculties and powers of reasoning; but as blindly as Macbeth accepted the promises of the oracular voices in the witches’ cave, so did this grave and eminent lawyer receive those few cold words in which Eleanor Vane consented to be his wife.
a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea
From this reading Mr. Gilbert Monckton had no contemptible opinion of his own judgment and deliberation, his perceptive faculties and powers of reasoning; but as blindly as Macbeth accepted the promises of the oracular voices in the witches’ cave, so did this grave and eminent lawyer receive those few cold words in which Eleanor Vane consented to be his wife.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading Mr. Gilbert Monckton had no contemptible opinion of his own judgment and deliberation, his perceptive faculties and powers of reasoning; but as blindly as Macbeth accepted the promises of the oracular voices in the witches’ cave, so did this grave and eminent lawyer receive those few cold words in which Eleanor Vane consented to be his wife.
consentedverbUS /kənˈsentɪd/
past form of “consent” — give an affirmative reply to; respond favorably to
From this reading Mr. Gilbert Monckton had no contemptible opinion of his own judgment and deliberation, his perceptive faculties and powers of reasoning; but as blindly as Macbeth accepted the promises of the oracular voices in the witches’ cave, so did this grave and eminent lawyer receive those few cold words in which Eleanor Vane consented to be his wife.
contemptibleadjectiveUS /kənˈtemptəbəl/
deserving of contempt or scorn
From this reading Mr. Gilbert Monckton had no contemptible opinion of his own judgment and deliberation, his perceptive faculties and powers of reasoning; but as blindly as Macbeth accepted the promises of the oracular voices in the witches’ cave, so did this grave and eminent lawyer receive those few cold words in which Eleanor Vane consented to be his wife.
contentedadjectiveUS /kənˈtentəd/
satisfied or showing satisfaction with things as they are
From this reading When a man sets his happiness in the balance, he is apt to be contented with a very slight turning of the scale.
criticaladjectiveUS /ˈkrɪtɪkəl/
marked by a tendency to find and call attention to errors and flaws
From this reading He is not likely to be critical as to the wording of the verdict which gives him the prize he has asked for.
deliberationnounUS /dɪˌlɪbərˈeɪʃən/
(usually plural) discussion of all sides of a question
From this reading Mr. Gilbert Monckton had no contemptible opinion of his own judgment and deliberation, his perceptive faculties and powers of reasoning; but as blindly as Macbeth accepted the promises of the oracular voices in the witches’ cave, so did this grave and eminent lawyer receive those few cold words in which Eleanor Vane consented to be his wife.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Mr. Gilbert Monckton had no contemptible opinion of his own judgment and deliberation, his perceptive faculties and powers of reasoning; but as blindly as Macbeth accepted the promises of the oracular voices in the witches’ cave, so did this grave and eminent lawyer receive those few cold words in which Eleanor Vane consented to be his wife.
Eleanor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Gilbert Monckton had no contemptible opinion of his own judgment and deliberation, his perceptive faculties and powers of reasoning; but as blindly as Macbeth accepted the promises of the oracular voices in the witches’ cave, so did this grave and eminent lawyer receive those few cold words in which Eleanor Vane consented to be his wife.
eminentadjectiveUS /ˈemənənt/
standing above others in quality or position
From this reading Mr. Gilbert Monckton had no contemptible opinion of his own judgment and deliberation, his perceptive faculties and powers of reasoning; but as blindly as Macbeth accepted the promises of the oracular voices in the witches’ cave, so did this grave and eminent lawyer receive those few cold words in which Eleanor Vane consented to be his wife.
facultiesnounUS /ˈfækəltiz/
plural of “faculty” — one of the inherent cognitive or perceptual powers of the mind
From this reading Mr. Gilbert Monckton had no contemptible opinion of his own judgment and deliberation, his perceptive faculties and powers of reasoning; but as blindly as Macbeth accepted the promises of the oracular voices in the witches’ cave, so did this grave and eminent lawyer receive those few cold words in which Eleanor Vane consented to be his wife.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Mr. Gilbert Monckton had no contemptible opinion of his own judgment and deliberation, his perceptive faculties and powers of reasoning; but as blindly as Macbeth accepted the promises of the oracular voices in the witches’ cave, so did this grave and eminent lawyer receive those few cold words in which Eleanor Vane consented to be his wife.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He is not likely to be critical as to the wording of the verdict which gives him the prize he has asked for.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was not that he refrained from reflecting upon the girl’s manner of accepting his offer.
GilbertnounUS /ˈɡɪlbərt/
a unit of magnetomotive force equal to 0.7958 ampere-turns
From this reading Mr. Gilbert Monckton had no contemptible opinion of his own judgment and deliberation, his perceptive faculties and powers of reasoning; but as blindly as Macbeth accepted the promises of the oracular voices in the witches’ cave, so did this grave and eminent lawyer receive those few cold words in which Eleanor Vane consented to be his wife.
girl'snounUS /ɡɜːrlz/
possessive form of “girl” — a young female
From this reading It was not that he refrained from reflecting upon the girl’s manner of accepting his offer.
plural of “give” — the elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length
From this reading He is not likely to be critical as to the wording of the verdict which gives him the prize he has asked for.
death of a person
From this reading Mr. Gilbert Monckton had no contemptible opinion of his own judgment and deliberation, his perceptive faculties and powers of reasoning; but as blindly as Macbeth accepted the promises of the oracular voices in the witches’ cave, so did this grave and eminent lawyer receive those few cold words in which Eleanor Vane consented to be his wife.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mr. Gilbert Monckton had no contemptible opinion of his own judgment and deliberation, his perceptive faculties and powers of reasoning; but as blindly as Macbeth accepted the promises of the oracular voices in the witches’ cave, so did this grave and eminent lawyer receive those few cold words in which Eleanor Vane consented to be his wife.
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading When a man sets his happiness in the balance, he is apt to be contented with a very slight turning of the scale.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He is not likely to be critical as to the wording of the verdict which gives him the prize he has asked for.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When a man sets his happiness in the balance, he is apt to be contented with a very slight turning of the scale.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He is not likely to be critical as to the wording of the verdict which gives him the prize he has asked for.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When a man sets his happiness in the balance, he is apt to be contented with a very slight turning of the scale.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When a man sets his happiness in the balance, he is apt to be contented with a very slight turning of the scale.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When a man sets his happiness in the balance, he is apt to be contented with a very slight turning of the scale.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was not that he refrained from reflecting upon the girl’s manner of accepting his offer.
an opinion formed by judging something
From this reading Mr. Gilbert Monckton had no contemptible opinion of his own judgment and deliberation, his perceptive faculties and powers of reasoning; but as blindly as Macbeth accepted the promises of the oracular voices in the witches’ cave, so did this grave and eminent lawyer receive those few cold words in which Eleanor Vane consented to be his wife.
a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice
From this reading Mr. Gilbert Monckton had no contemptible opinion of his own judgment and deliberation, his perceptive faculties and powers of reasoning; but as blindly as Macbeth accepted the promises of the oracular voices in the witches’ cave, so did this grave and eminent lawyer receive those few cold words in which Eleanor Vane consented to be his wife.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading He is not likely to be critical as to the wording of the verdict which gives him the prize he has asked for.
MacbethnounUS /məkˈbeθ/
king of Scotland (died in 1057)
From this reading Mr. Gilbert Monckton had no contemptible opinion of his own judgment and deliberation, his perceptive faculties and powers of reasoning; but as blindly as Macbeth accepted the promises of the oracular voices in the witches’ cave, so did this grave and eminent lawyer receive those few cold words in which Eleanor Vane consented to be his wife.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading When a man sets his happiness in the balance, he is apt to be contented with a very slight turning of the scale.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading It was not that he refrained from reflecting upon the girl’s manner of accepting his offer.
Monckton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Gilbert Monckton had no contemptible opinion of his own judgment and deliberation, his perceptive faculties and powers of reasoning; but as blindly as Macbeth accepted the promises of the oracular voices in the witches’ cave, so did this grave and eminent lawyer receive those few cold words in which Eleanor Vane consented to be his wife.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Gilbert Monckton had no contemptible opinion of his own judgment and deliberation, his perceptive faculties and powers of reasoning; but as blindly as Macbeth accepted the promises of the oracular voices in the witches’ cave, so did this grave and eminent lawyer receive those few cold words in which Eleanor Vane consented to be his wife.
not any; not one
From this reading Mr. Gilbert Monckton had no contemptible opinion of his own judgment and deliberation, his perceptive faculties and powers of reasoning; but as blindly as Macbeth accepted the promises of the oracular voices in the witches’ cave, so did this grave and eminent lawyer receive those few cold words in which Eleanor Vane consented to be his wife.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He is not likely to be critical as to the wording of the verdict which gives him the prize he has asked for.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When a man sets his happiness in the balance, he is apt to be contented with a very slight turning of the scale.
make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading It was not that he refrained from reflecting upon the girl’s manner of accepting his offer.
a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading Mr. Gilbert Monckton had no contemptible opinion of his own judgment and deliberation, his perceptive faculties and powers of reasoning; but as blindly as Macbeth accepted the promises of the oracular voices in the witches’ cave, so did this grave and eminent lawyer receive those few cold words in which Eleanor Vane consented to be his wife.
oracularadjective
of or relating to an oracle
From this reading Mr. Gilbert Monckton had no contemptible opinion of his own judgment and deliberation, his perceptive faculties and powers of reasoning; but as blindly as Macbeth accepted the promises of the oracular voices in the witches’ cave, so did this grave and eminent lawyer receive those few cold words in which Eleanor Vane consented to be his wife.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Mr. Gilbert Monckton had no contemptible opinion of his own judgment and deliberation, his perceptive faculties and powers of reasoning; but as blindly as Macbeth accepted the promises of the oracular voices in the witches’ cave, so did this grave and eminent lawyer receive those few cold words in which Eleanor Vane consented to be his wife.
perceptiveadjectiveUS /pərˈseptɪv/
of or relating to perception
From this reading Mr. Gilbert Monckton had no contemptible opinion of his own judgment and deliberation, his perceptive faculties and powers of reasoning; but as blindly as Macbeth accepted the promises of the oracular voices in the witches’ cave, so did this grave and eminent lawyer receive those few cold words in which Eleanor Vane consented to be his wife.
plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence
From this reading Mr. Gilbert Monckton had no contemptible opinion of his own judgment and deliberation, his perceptive faculties and powers of reasoning; but as blindly as Macbeth accepted the promises of the oracular voices in the witches’ cave, so did this grave and eminent lawyer receive those few cold words in which Eleanor Vane consented to be his wife.
something given for victory or superiority in a contest or competition or for winning a lottery
From this reading He is not likely to be critical as to the wording of the verdict which gives him the prize he has asked for.
promisesnounUS /ˈprɑːməsəz/
plural of “promise” — a verbal commitment by one person to another agreeing to do (or not to do) something in the future
From this reading Mr. Gilbert Monckton had no contemptible opinion of his own judgment and deliberation, his perceptive faculties and powers of reasoning; but as blindly as Macbeth accepted the promises of the oracular voices in the witches’ cave, so did this grave and eminent lawyer receive those few cold words in which Eleanor Vane consented to be his wife.
reasoningnounUS /ˈriːzənɪŋ/
thinking that is coherent and logical
From this reading Mr. Gilbert Monckton had no contemptible opinion of his own judgment and deliberation, his perceptive faculties and powers of reasoning; but as blindly as Macbeth accepted the promises of the oracular voices in the witches’ cave, so did this grave and eminent lawyer receive those few cold words in which Eleanor Vane consented to be his wife.
get something; come into possession of
From this reading Mr. Gilbert Monckton had no contemptible opinion of his own judgment and deliberation, his perceptive faculties and powers of reasoning; but as blindly as Macbeth accepted the promises of the oracular voices in the witches’ cave, so did this grave and eminent lawyer receive those few cold words in which Eleanor Vane consented to be his wife.
reflectingadjectiveUS /rɪˈflektɪŋ/
causing reflection or having a device that reflects
From this reading It was not that he refrained from reflecting upon the girl’s manner of accepting his offer.
refrainedverbUS /rɪˈfreɪnd/
past form of “refrain” — resist doing something
From this reading It was not that he refrained from reflecting upon the girl’s manner of accepting his offer.
scalenounUS /skeɪl/
an ordered reference standard
From this reading When a man sets his happiness in the balance, he is apt to be contented with a very slight turning of the scale.
setsnounUS /sets/
plural of “set” — a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used
From this reading When a man sets his happiness in the balance, he is apt to be contented with a very slight turning of the scale.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading When a man sets his happiness in the balance, he is apt to be contented with a very slight turning of the scale.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Mr. Gilbert Monckton had no contemptible opinion of his own judgment and deliberation, his perceptive faculties and powers of reasoning; but as blindly as Macbeth accepted the promises of the oracular voices in the witches’ cave, so did this grave and eminent lawyer receive those few cold words in which Eleanor Vane consented to be his wife.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was not that he refrained from reflecting upon the girl’s manner of accepting his offer.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When a man sets his happiness in the balance, he is apt to be contented with a very slight turning of the scale.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Mr. Gilbert Monckton had no contemptible opinion of his own judgment and deliberation, his perceptive faculties and powers of reasoning; but as blindly as Macbeth accepted the promises of the oracular voices in the witches’ cave, so did this grave and eminent lawyer receive those few cold words in which Eleanor Vane consented to be his wife.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Mr. Gilbert Monckton had no contemptible opinion of his own judgment and deliberation, his perceptive faculties and powers of reasoning; but as blindly as Macbeth accepted the promises of the oracular voices in the witches’ cave, so did this grave and eminent lawyer receive those few cold words in which Eleanor Vane consented to be his wife.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When a man sets his happiness in the balance, he is apt to be contented with a very slight turning of the scale.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading When a man sets his happiness in the balance, he is apt to be contented with a very slight turning of the scale.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It was not that he refrained from reflecting upon the girl’s manner of accepting his offer.
VanenounUS /veɪn/
mechanical device attached to an elevated structure; rotates freely to show the direction of the wind
From this reading Mr. Gilbert Monckton had no contemptible opinion of his own judgment and deliberation, his perceptive faculties and powers of reasoning; but as blindly as Macbeth accepted the promises of the oracular voices in the witches’ cave, so did this grave and eminent lawyer receive those few cold words in which Eleanor Vane consented to be his wife.
verdictnounUS /ˈvɜːrdɪkt/
(law) the findings of a jury on issues of fact submitted to it for decision; can be used in formulating a judgment
From this reading He is not likely to be critical as to the wording of the verdict which gives him the prize he has asked for.
precisely as stated
From this reading When a man sets his happiness in the balance, he is apt to be contented with a very slight turning of the scale.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Mr. Gilbert Monckton had no contemptible opinion of his own judgment and deliberation, his perceptive faculties and powers of reasoning; but as blindly as Macbeth accepted the promises of the oracular voices in the witches’ cave, so did this grave and eminent lawyer receive those few cold words in which Eleanor Vane consented to be his wife.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was not that he refrained from reflecting upon the girl’s manner of accepting his offer.
at the time that
From this reading When a man sets his happiness in the balance, he is apt to be contented with a very slight turning of the scale.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He is not likely to be critical as to the wording of the verdict which gives him the prize he has asked for.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Mr. Gilbert Monckton had no contemptible opinion of his own judgment and deliberation, his perceptive faculties and powers of reasoning; but as blindly as Macbeth accepted the promises of the oracular voices in the witches’ cave, so did this grave and eminent lawyer receive those few cold words in which Eleanor Vane consented to be his wife.
witchesnounUS /ˈwɪtʃəz/
plural of “witch” — a female sorcerer or magician
From this reading Mr. Gilbert Monckton had no contemptible opinion of his own judgment and deliberation, his perceptive faculties and powers of reasoning; but as blindly as Macbeth accepted the promises of the oracular voices in the witches’ cave, so did this grave and eminent lawyer receive those few cold words in which Eleanor Vane consented to be his wife.
in the company of; together with
From this reading When a man sets his happiness in the balance, he is apt to be contented with a very slight turning of the scale.
wordingnounUS /ˈwɜːrdɪŋ/
the manner in which something is expressed in words
From this reading He is not likely to be critical as to the wording of the verdict which gives him the prize he has asked for.
the words that are spoken
From this reading Mr. Gilbert Monckton had no contemptible opinion of his own judgment and deliberation, his perceptive faculties and powers of reasoning; but as blindly as Macbeth accepted the promises of the oracular voices in the witches’ cave, so did this grave and eminent lawyer receive those few cold words in which Eleanor Vane consented to be his wife.
