used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading If he had been there, it would have been a most awkward thing for me to meet him, or to refuse to do so.
a positive feeling of liking
From this reading The latter course would probably have been the one forced upon me by self-respect and affection toward my cousin; and yet if so, I could scarcely have avoided an explanation with my host.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading At first sight that seemed the honest thing to do; but three things made against it.
in the past
From this reading From the nature of the subject, and several other reasons, this would have been most unpleasant; and even now I was haunted with doubts, as I had been from the first, whether I ought not to have told Mrs. Hockin long ago what had been said of him.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The latter course would probably have been the one forced upon me by self-respect and affection toward my cousin; and yet if so, I could scarcely have avoided an explanation with my host.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The latter course would probably have been the one forced upon me by self-respect and affection toward my cousin; and yet if so, I could scarcely have avoided an explanation with my host.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading From the nature of the subject, and several other reasons, this would have been most unpleasant; and even now I was haunted with doubts, as I had been from the first, whether I ought not to have told Mrs. Hockin long ago what had been said of him.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At first sight that seemed the honest thing to do; but three things made against it.
avoidedverbUS /əˈvɔɪdɪd/
past form of “avoid” — stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
From this reading The latter course would probably have been the one forced upon me by self-respect and affection toward my cousin; and yet if so, I could scarcely have avoided an explanation with my host.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading CONVICTION Sir Montague Hockin, to my great delight, was still away from Bruntsea.
awkwardadjectiveUS /ˈɑːkwərd/
causing inconvenience
From this reading If he had been there, it would have been a most awkward thing for me to meet him, or to refuse to do so.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading If he had been there, it would have been a most awkward thing for me to meet him, or to refuse to do so.
Bruntsea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CONVICTION Sir Montague Hockin, to my great delight, was still away from Bruntsea.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At first sight that seemed the honest thing to do; but three things made against it.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The latter course would probably have been the one forced upon me by self-respect and affection toward my cousin; and yet if so, I could scarcely have avoided an explanation with my host.
an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence
From this reading CONVICTION Sir Montague Hockin, to my great delight, was still away from Bruntsea.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The latter course would probably have been the one forced upon me by self-respect and affection toward my cousin; and yet if so, I could scarcely have avoided an explanation with my host.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading The latter course would probably have been the one forced upon me by self-respect and affection toward my cousin; and yet if so, I could scarcely have avoided an explanation with my host.
the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading The latter course would probably have been the one forced upon me by self-respect and affection toward my cousin; and yet if so, I could scarcely have avoided an explanation with my host.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading CONVICTION Sir Montague Hockin, to my great delight, was still away from Bruntsea.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading If he had been there, it would have been a most awkward thing for me to meet him, or to refuse to do so.
doubtsnounUS /daʊts/
plural of “doubt” — the state of being unsure of something
From this reading From the nature of the subject, and several other reasons, this would have been most unpleasant; and even now I was haunted with doubts, as I had been from the first, whether I ought not to have told Mrs. Hockin long ago what had been said of him.
divisible by two
From this reading From the nature of the subject, and several other reasons, this would have been most unpleasant; and even now I was haunted with doubts, as I had been from the first, whether I ought not to have told Mrs. Hockin long ago what had been said of him.
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading The latter course would probably have been the one forced upon me by self-respect and affection toward my cousin; and yet if so, I could scarcely have avoided an explanation with my host.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading From the nature of the subject, and several other reasons, this would have been most unpleasant; and even now I was haunted with doubts, as I had been from the first, whether I ought not to have told Mrs. Hockin long ago what had been said of him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading If he had been there, it would have been a most awkward thing for me to meet him, or to refuse to do so.
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading The latter course would probably have been the one forced upon me by self-respect and affection toward my cousin; and yet if so, I could scarcely have avoided an explanation with my host.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading CONVICTION Sir Montague Hockin, to my great delight, was still away from Bruntsea.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading CONVICTION Sir Montague Hockin, to my great delight, was still away from Bruntsea.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading If he had been there, it would have been a most awkward thing for me to meet him, or to refuse to do so.
hauntedadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːntɪd/
having or showing excessive or compulsive concern with something
From this reading From the nature of the subject, and several other reasons, this would have been most unpleasant; and even now I was haunted with doubts, as I had been from the first, whether I ought not to have told Mrs. Hockin long ago what had been said of him.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If he had been there, it would have been a most awkward thing for me to meet him, or to refuse to do so.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If he had been there, it would have been a most awkward thing for me to meet him, or to refuse to do so.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading If he had been there, it would have been a most awkward thing for me to meet him, or to refuse to do so.
Hockin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CONVICTION Sir Montague Hockin, to my great delight, was still away from Bruntsea.
not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent
From this reading At first sight that seemed the honest thing to do; but three things made against it.
a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
From this reading The latter course would probably have been the one forced upon me by self-respect and affection toward my cousin; and yet if so, I could scarcely have avoided an explanation with my host.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The latter course would probably have been the one forced upon me by self-respect and affection toward my cousin; and yet if so, I could scarcely have avoided an explanation with my host.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If he had been there, it would have been a most awkward thing for me to meet him, or to refuse to do so.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If he had been there, it would have been a most awkward thing for me to meet him, or to refuse to do so.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading The latter course would probably have been the one forced upon me by self-respect and affection toward my cousin; and yet if so, I could scarcely have avoided an explanation with my host.
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 From the nature of the subject, and several other reasons, this would have been most unpleasant; and even now I was haunted with doubts, as I had been from the first, whether I ought not to have told Mrs. Hockin long ago what had been said of him.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading At first sight that seemed the honest thing to do; but three things made against it.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading If he had been there, it would have been a most awkward thing for me to meet him, or to refuse to do so.
come together
From this reading If he had been there, it would have been a most awkward thing for me to meet him, or to refuse to do so.
Montague
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CONVICTION Sir Montague Hockin, to my great delight, was still away from Bruntsea.
used to form the superlative
From this reading If he had been there, it would have been a most awkward thing for me to meet him, or to refuse to do so.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading From the nature of the subject, and several other reasons, this would have been most unpleasant; and even now I was haunted with doubts, as I had been from the first, whether I ought not to have told Mrs. Hockin long ago what had been said of him.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading CONVICTION Sir Montague Hockin, to my great delight, was still away from Bruntsea.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading From the nature of the subject, and several other reasons, this would have been most unpleasant; and even now I was haunted with doubts, as I had been from the first, whether I ought not to have told Mrs. Hockin long ago what had been said of him.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading From the nature of the subject, and several other reasons, this would have been most unpleasant; and even now I was haunted with doubts, as I had been from the first, whether I ought not to have told Mrs. Hockin long ago what had been said of him.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading From the nature of the subject, and several other reasons, this would have been most unpleasant; and even now I was haunted with doubts, as I had been from the first, whether I ought not to have told Mrs. Hockin long ago what had been said of him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading From the nature of the subject, and several other reasons, this would have been most unpleasant; and even now I was haunted with doubts, as I had been from the first, whether I ought not to have told Mrs. Hockin long ago what had been said of him.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The latter course would probably have been the one forced upon me by self-respect and affection toward my cousin; and yet if so, I could scarcely have avoided an explanation with my host.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading If he had been there, it would have been a most awkward thing for me to meet him, or to refuse to do so.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading From the nature of the subject, and several other reasons, this would have been most unpleasant; and even now I was haunted with doubts, as I had been from the first, whether I ought not to have told Mrs. Hockin long ago what had been said of him.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading From the nature of the subject, and several other reasons, this would have been most unpleasant; and even now I was haunted with doubts, as I had been from the first, whether I ought not to have told Mrs. Hockin long ago what had been said of him.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading The latter course would probably have been the one forced upon me by self-respect and affection toward my cousin; and yet if so, I could scarcely have avoided an explanation with my host.
plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading From the nature of the subject, and several other reasons, this would have been most unpleasant; and even now I was haunted with doubts, as I had been from the first, whether I ought not to have told Mrs. Hockin long ago what had been said of him.
show unwillingness towards
From this reading If he had been there, it would have been a most awkward thing for me to meet him, or to refuse to do so.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading From the nature of the subject, and several other reasons, this would have been most unpleasant; and even now I was haunted with doubts, as I had been from the first, whether I ought not to have told Mrs. Hockin long ago what had been said of him.
only a very short time before
From this reading The latter course would probably have been the one forced upon me by self-respect and affection toward my cousin; and yet if so, I could scarcely have avoided an explanation with my host.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading At first sight that seemed the honest thing to do; but three things made against it.
self-respectnounUS /ˌselfrɪˈspekt/
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading The latter course would probably have been the one forced upon me by self-respect and affection toward my cousin; and yet if so, I could scarcely have avoided an explanation with my host.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading From the nature of the subject, and several other reasons, this would have been most unpleasant; and even now I was haunted with doubts, as I had been from the first, whether I ought not to have told Mrs. Hockin long ago what had been said of him.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading At first sight that seemed the honest thing to do; but three things made against it.
term of address for a man
From this reading CONVICTION Sir Montague Hockin, to my great delight, was still away from Bruntsea.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading If he had been there, it would have been a most awkward thing for me to meet him, or to refuse to do so.
not in physical motion
From this reading CONVICTION Sir Montague Hockin, to my great delight, was still away from Bruntsea.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading From the nature of the subject, and several other reasons, this would have been most unpleasant; and even now I was haunted with doubts, as I had been from the first, whether I ought not to have told Mrs. Hockin long ago what had been said of him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At first sight that seemed the honest thing to do; but three things made against it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The latter course would probably have been the one forced upon me by self-respect and affection toward my cousin; and yet if so, I could scarcely have avoided an explanation with my host.
in or at that place or location
From this reading If he had been there, it would have been a most awkward thing for me to meet him, or to refuse to do so.
a special situation
From this reading If he had been there, it would have been a most awkward thing for me to meet him, or to refuse to do so.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading At first sight that seemed the honest thing to do; but three things made against it.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading From the nature of the subject, and several other reasons, this would have been most unpleasant; and even now I was haunted with doubts, as I had been from the first, whether I ought not to have told Mrs. Hockin long ago what had been said of him.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading At first sight that seemed the honest thing to do; but three things made against it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading CONVICTION Sir Montague Hockin, to my great delight, was still away from Bruntsea.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading From the nature of the subject, and several other reasons, this would have been most unpleasant; and even now I was haunted with doubts, as I had been from the first, whether I ought not to have told Mrs. Hockin long ago what had been said of him.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading The latter course would probably have been the one forced upon me by self-respect and affection toward my cousin; and yet if so, I could scarcely have avoided an explanation with my host.
unpleasantadjectiveUS /ənˈplezənt/
offensive or disagreeable; causing discomfort or unhappiness
From this reading From the nature of the subject, and several other reasons, this would have been most unpleasant; and even now I was haunted with doubts, as I had been from the first, whether I ought not to have told Mrs. Hockin long ago what had been said of him.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The latter course would probably have been the one forced upon me by self-respect and affection toward my cousin; and yet if so, I could scarcely have avoided an explanation with my host.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading CONVICTION Sir Montague Hockin, to my great delight, was still away from Bruntsea.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading From the nature of the subject, and several other reasons, this would have been most unpleasant; and even now I was haunted with doubts, as I had been from the first, whether I ought not to have told Mrs. Hockin long ago what had been said of him.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading From the nature of the subject, and several other reasons, this would have been most unpleasant; and even now I was haunted with doubts, as I had been from the first, whether I ought not to have told Mrs. Hockin long ago what had been said of him.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The latter course would probably have been the one forced upon me by self-respect and affection toward my cousin; and yet if so, I could scarcely have avoided an explanation with my host.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If he had been there, it would have been a most awkward thing for me to meet him, or to refuse to do so.
but in spite of that
From this reading The latter course would probably have been the one forced upon me by self-respect and affection toward my cousin; and yet if so, I could scarcely have avoided an explanation with my host.
