used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The idea of living on unfriendly terms with him or his wife appeared preposterous, whereas a single false step at this critical period might easily make Bridget her enemy for life.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading OPEN CONFESSION Sybil Clynesworth made an unconditional surrender.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The idea of living on unfriendly terms with him or his wife appeared preposterous, whereas a single false step at this critical period might easily make Bridget her enemy for life.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But while she would have been prepared to go to great lengths in order to prevent her brother from entering into what she could not help regarding as an unsuitable marriage, she saw that he had made up his mind.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The idea of living on unfriendly terms with him or his wife appeared preposterous, whereas a single false step at this critical period might easily make Bridget her enemy for life.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But while she would have been prepared to go to great lengths in order to prevent her brother from entering into what she could not help regarding as an unsuitable marriage, she saw that he had made up his mind.
BridgetnounUS /ˈbrɪdʒət/
Irish abbess; a patron saint of Ireland (453-523)
From this reading It was true that, never having seen Bridget, she failed to understand Jimmy's facile satisfaction.
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading But while she would have been prepared to go to great lengths in order to prevent her brother from entering into what she could not help regarding as an unsuitable marriage, she saw that he had made up his mind.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But while she would have been prepared to go to great lengths in order to prevent her brother from entering into what she could not help regarding as an unsuitable marriage, she saw that he had made up his mind.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading She certainly still considered that he was ridiculously credulous.
Clynesworth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPEN CONFESSION Sybil Clynesworth made an unconditional surrender.
an admission of misdeeds or faults
From this reading OPEN CONFESSION Sybil Clynesworth made an unconditional surrender.
carefully weighed
From this reading She certainly still considered that he was ridiculously credulous.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But while she would have been prepared to go to great lengths in order to prevent her brother from entering into what she could not help regarding as an unsuitable marriage, she saw that he had made up his mind.
credulousadjectiveUS /ˈkredʒələs/
disposed to believe on little evidence
From this reading She certainly still considered that he was ridiculously credulous.
criticaladjectiveUS /ˈkrɪtɪkəl/
marked by a tendency to find and call attention to errors and flaws
From this reading The idea of living on unfriendly terms with him or his wife appeared preposterous, whereas a single false step at this critical period might easily make Bridget her enemy for life.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading The idea of living on unfriendly terms with him or his wife appeared preposterous, whereas a single false step at this critical period might easily make Bridget her enemy for life.
an opposing military force
From this reading The idea of living on unfriendly terms with him or his wife appeared preposterous, whereas a single false step at this critical period might easily make Bridget her enemy for life.
a movement into or inward
From this reading But while she would have been prepared to go to great lengths in order to prevent her brother from entering into what she could not help regarding as an unsuitable marriage, she saw that he had made up his mind.
facileadjectiveUS /ˈfæsəl/
superficially impressive, but lacking depth and attention to the true complexities of a subject
From this reading It was true that, never having seen Bridget, she failed to understand Jimmy's facile satisfaction.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading It was true that, never having seen Bridget, she failed to understand Jimmy's facile satisfaction.
not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality
From this reading The idea of living on unfriendly terms with him or his wife appeared preposterous, whereas a single false step at this critical period might easily make Bridget her enemy for life.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The idea of living on unfriendly terms with him or his wife appeared preposterous, whereas a single false step at this critical period might easily make Bridget her enemy for life.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But while she would have been prepared to go to great lengths in order to prevent her brother from entering into what she could not help regarding as an unsuitable marriage, she saw that he had made up his mind.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading But while she would have been prepared to go to great lengths in order to prevent her brother from entering into what she could not help regarding as an unsuitable marriage, she saw that he had made up his mind.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading But while she would have been prepared to go to great lengths in order to prevent her brother from entering into what she could not help regarding as an unsuitable marriage, she saw that he had made up his mind.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But while she would have been prepared to go to great lengths in order to prevent her brother from entering into what she could not help regarding as an unsuitable marriage, she saw that he had made up his mind.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But while she would have been prepared to go to great lengths in order to prevent her brother from entering into what she could not help regarding as an unsuitable marriage, she saw that he had made up his mind.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading It was true that, never having seen Bridget, she failed to understand Jimmy's facile satisfaction.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She certainly still considered that he was ridiculously credulous.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading But while she would have been prepared to go to great lengths in order to prevent her brother from entering into what she could not help regarding as an unsuitable marriage, she saw that he had made up his mind.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading But while she would have been prepared to go to great lengths in order to prevent her brother from entering into what she could not help regarding as an unsuitable marriage, she saw that he had made up his mind.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The idea of living on unfriendly terms with him or his wife appeared preposterous, whereas a single false step at this critical period might easily make Bridget her enemy for life.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But while she would have been prepared to go to great lengths in order to prevent her brother from entering into what she could not help regarding as an unsuitable marriage, she saw that he had made up his mind.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The idea of living on unfriendly terms with him or his wife appeared preposterous, whereas a single false step at this critical period might easily make Bridget her enemy for life.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But while she would have been prepared to go to great lengths in order to prevent her brother from entering into what she could not help regarding as an unsuitable marriage, she saw that he had made up his mind.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading But while she would have been prepared to go to great lengths in order to prevent her brother from entering into what she could not help regarding as an unsuitable marriage, she saw that he had made up his mind.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was true that, never having seen Bridget, she failed to understand Jimmy's facile satisfaction.
Jimmy'snounUS /ˈdʒɪmiz/
possessive form of “jimmy” — a short crowbar
From this reading It was true that, never having seen Bridget, she failed to understand Jimmy's facile satisfaction.
lengthsnounUS /leŋkθs/
plural of “length” — the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading But while she would have been prepared to go to great lengths in order to prevent her brother from entering into what she could not help regarding as an unsuitable marriage, she saw that he had made up his mind.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The idea of living on unfriendly terms with him or his wife appeared preposterous, whereas a single false step at this critical period might easily make Bridget her enemy for life.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading The idea of living on unfriendly terms with him or his wife appeared preposterous, whereas a single false step at this critical period might easily make Bridget her enemy for life.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading OPEN CONFESSION Sybil Clynesworth made an unconditional surrender.
engage in
From this reading The idea of living on unfriendly terms with him or his wife appeared preposterous, whereas a single false step at this critical period might easily make Bridget her enemy for life.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading But while she would have been prepared to go to great lengths in order to prevent her brother from entering into what she could not help regarding as an unsuitable marriage, she saw that he had made up his mind.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The idea of living on unfriendly terms with him or his wife appeared preposterous, whereas a single false step at this critical period might easily make Bridget her enemy for life.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading But while she would have been prepared to go to great lengths in order to prevent her brother from entering into what she could not help regarding as an unsuitable marriage, she saw that he had made up his mind.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading It was true that, never having seen Bridget, she failed to understand Jimmy's facile satisfaction.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But while she would have been prepared to go to great lengths in order to prevent her brother from entering into what she could not help regarding as an unsuitable marriage, she saw that he had made up his mind.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The idea of living on unfriendly terms with him or his wife appeared preposterous, whereas a single false step at this critical period might easily make Bridget her enemy for life.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The idea of living on unfriendly terms with him or his wife appeared preposterous, whereas a single false step at this critical period might easily make Bridget her enemy for life.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading OPEN CONFESSION Sybil Clynesworth made an unconditional surrender.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The idea of living on unfriendly terms with him or his wife appeared preposterous, whereas a single false step at this critical period might easily make Bridget her enemy for life.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading But while she would have been prepared to go to great lengths in order to prevent her brother from entering into what she could not help regarding as an unsuitable marriage, she saw that he had made up his mind.
an amount of time
From this reading The idea of living on unfriendly terms with him or his wife appeared preposterous, whereas a single false step at this critical period might easily make Bridget her enemy for life.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading But while she would have been prepared to go to great lengths in order to prevent her brother from entering into what she could not help regarding as an unsuitable marriage, she saw that he had made up his mind.
preposterousadjectiveUS /prɪˈpɑːstərəs/
so unreasonable as to invite derision
From this reading The idea of living on unfriendly terms with him or his wife appeared preposterous, whereas a single false step at this critical period might easily make Bridget her enemy for life.
keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading But while she would have been prepared to go to great lengths in order to prevent her brother from entering into what she could not help regarding as an unsuitable marriage, she saw that he had made up his mind.
regardingverbUS /rɪˈɡɑːrdɪŋ/
-ing form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading But while she would have been prepared to go to great lengths in order to prevent her brother from entering into what she could not help regarding as an unsuitable marriage, she saw that he had made up his mind.
ridiculouslyadverbUS /rəˈdɪkjələsli/
so as to arouse or deserve laughter
From this reading She certainly still considered that he was ridiculously credulous.
the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation
From this reading It was true that, never having seen Bridget, she failed to understand Jimmy's facile satisfaction.
cut with a saw
From this reading But while she would have been prepared to go to great lengths in order to prevent her brother from entering into what she could not help regarding as an unsuitable marriage, she saw that he had made up his mind.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading It was true that, never having seen Bridget, she failed to understand Jimmy's facile satisfaction.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was true that, never having seen Bridget, she failed to understand Jimmy's facile satisfaction.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading The idea of living on unfriendly terms with him or his wife appeared preposterous, whereas a single false step at this critical period might easily make Bridget her enemy for life.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading The idea of living on unfriendly terms with him or his wife appeared preposterous, whereas a single false step at this critical period might easily make Bridget her enemy for life.
not in physical motion
From this reading She certainly still considered that he was ridiculously credulous.
surrendernounUS /sərˈendər/
acceptance of despair
From this reading OPEN CONFESSION Sybil Clynesworth made an unconditional surrender.
Sybil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPEN CONFESSION Sybil Clynesworth made an unconditional surrender.
status with respect to the relations between people or groups
From this reading The idea of living on unfriendly terms with him or his wife appeared preposterous, whereas a single false step at this critical period might easily make Bridget her enemy for life.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was true that, never having seen Bridget, she failed to understand Jimmy's facile satisfaction.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The idea of living on unfriendly terms with him or his wife appeared preposterous, whereas a single false step at this critical period might easily make Bridget her enemy for life.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The idea of living on unfriendly terms with him or his wife appeared preposterous, whereas a single false step at this critical period might easily make Bridget her enemy for life.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was true that, never having seen Bridget, she failed to understand Jimmy's facile satisfaction.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading It was true that, never having seen Bridget, she failed to understand Jimmy's facile satisfaction.
unconditionaladjectiveUS /ˌʌnkənˈdɪʃənəl/
not conditional
From this reading OPEN CONFESSION Sybil Clynesworth made an unconditional surrender.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading It was true that, never having seen Bridget, she failed to understand Jimmy's facile satisfaction.
unfriendlyadjectiveUS /ənˈfrendli/
not easy to understand or use
From this reading The idea of living on unfriendly terms with him or his wife appeared preposterous, whereas a single false step at this critical period might easily make Bridget her enemy for life.
unsuitableadjectiveUS /ənˈsuːtəbəl/
not meant or adapted for a particular purpose
From this reading But while she would have been prepared to go to great lengths in order to prevent her brother from entering into what she could not help regarding as an unsuitable marriage, she saw that he had made up his mind.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading But while she would have been prepared to go to great lengths in order to prevent her brother from entering into what she could not help regarding as an unsuitable marriage, she saw that he had made up his mind.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was true that, never having seen Bridget, she failed to understand Jimmy's facile satisfaction.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But while she would have been prepared to go to great lengths in order to prevent her brother from entering into what she could not help regarding as an unsuitable marriage, she saw that he had made up his mind.
whereasconjunctionUS /weˈræz/
in contrast with the fact that
From this reading The idea of living on unfriendly terms with him or his wife appeared preposterous, whereas a single false step at this critical period might easily make Bridget her enemy for life.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading But while she would have been prepared to go to great lengths in order to prevent her brother from entering into what she could not help regarding as an unsuitable marriage, she saw that he had made up his mind.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading The idea of living on unfriendly terms with him or his wife appeared preposterous, whereas a single false step at this critical period might easily make Bridget her enemy for life.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The idea of living on unfriendly terms with him or his wife appeared preposterous, whereas a single false step at this critical period might easily make Bridget her enemy for life.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading But while she would have been prepared to go to great lengths in order to prevent her brother from entering into what she could not help regarding as an unsuitable marriage, she saw that he had made up his mind.
