used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Dickens made everybody laugh, or cry, so that they could not go about their business till they had got their faces in wrinkles; and Thackeray settled like a meatfly on whatever one had got for dinner, and made one sick of it.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Dickens made everybody laugh, or cry, so that they could not go about their business till they had got their faces in wrinkles; and Thackeray settled like a meatfly on whatever one had got for dinner, and made one sick of it.
(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 Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Scott made his romance so ridiculous, that, since his day, one can't help fancying helmets were always pasteboard, and horses were always hobby.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Miss Edgeworth made her morality so impertinent that, since her time, it has only been with fear and trembling that any good novelist has ventured to show the slightest bias in favour of the Ten Commandments.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
biasnounUS /ˈbaɪəs/
a partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situation
From this reading Miss Edgeworth made her morality so impertinent that, since her time, it has only been with fear and trembling that any good novelist has ventured to show the slightest bias in favour of the Ten Commandments.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading Dickens made everybody laugh, or cry, so that they could not go about their business till they had got their faces in wrinkles; and Thackeray settled like a meatfly on whatever one had got for dinner, and made one sick of it.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Scott made his romance so ridiculous, that, since his day, one can't help fancying helmets were always pasteboard, and horses were always hobby.
CommandmentsnounUS /kəˈmændmənts/
plural of “commandment” — something that is commanded
From this reading Miss Edgeworth made her morality so impertinent that, since her time, it has only been with fear and trembling that any good novelist has ventured to show the slightest bias in favour of the Ten Commandments.
conjecturing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Dickens made everybody laugh, or cry, so that they could not go about their business till they had got their faces in wrinkles; and Thackeray settled like a meatfly on whatever one had got for dinner, and made one sick of it.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading Dickens made everybody laugh, or cry, so that they could not go about their business till they had got their faces in wrinkles; and Thackeray settled like a meatfly on whatever one had got for dinner, and made one sick of it.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Scott made his romance so ridiculous, that, since his day, one can't help fancying helmets were always pasteboard, and horses were always hobby.
DickensnounUS /ˈdɪkənz/
a word used in exclamations of confusion
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
dimlyadverbUS /ˈdɪmli/
in a dim indistinct manner
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading Dickens made everybody laugh, or cry, so that they could not go about their business till they had got their faces in wrinkles; and Thackeray settled like a meatfly on whatever one had got for dinner, and made one sick of it.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Of the essential mischief done by them, there is, unhappily, no doubt whatever.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading Of the essential mischief done by them, there is, unhappily, no doubt whatever.
dynastiesnounUS /ˈdaɪnəstiz/
plural of “dynasty” — a sequence of powerful leaders in the same family
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
Edgeworth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
effectedadjectiveUS /ɪˈfektɪd/
settled securely and unconditionally
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
essentialadjectiveUS /eˈsenʃəl/
absolutely necessary; vitally necessary
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
every person
From this reading Dickens made everybody laugh, or cry, so that they could not go about their business till they had got their faces in wrinkles; and Thackeray settled like a meatfly on whatever one had got for dinner, and made one sick of it.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Dickens made everybody laugh, or cry, so that they could not go about their business till they had got their faces in wrinkles; and Thackeray settled like a meatfly on whatever one had got for dinner, and made one sick of it.
fancying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Scott made his romance so ridiculous, that, since his day, one can't help fancying helmets were always pasteboard, and horses were always hobby.
a feeling of favorable regard
From this reading Miss Edgeworth made her morality so impertinent that, since her time, it has only been with fear and trembling that any good novelist has ventured to show the slightest bias in favour of the Ten Commandments.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading Miss Edgeworth made her morality so impertinent that, since her time, it has only been with fear and trembling that any good novelist has ventured to show the slightest bias in favour of the Ten Commandments.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Dickens made everybody laugh, or cry, so that they could not go about their business till they had got their faces in wrinkles; and Thackeray settled like a meatfly on whatever one had got for dinner, and made one sick of it.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Dickens made everybody laugh, or cry, so that they could not go about their business till they had got their faces in wrinkles; and Thackeray settled like a meatfly on whatever one had got for dinner, and made one sick of it.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Dickens made everybody laugh, or cry, so that they could not go about their business till they had got their faces in wrinkles; and Thackeray settled like a meatfly on whatever one had got for dinner, and made one sick of it.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
helmetsnounUS /ˈhelməts/
plural of “helmet” — armor plate that protects the head
From this reading Scott made his romance so ridiculous, that, since his day, one can't help fancying helmets were always pasteboard, and horses were always hobby.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Scott made his romance so ridiculous, that, since his day, one can't help fancying helmets were always pasteboard, and horses were always hobby.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Miss Edgeworth made her morality so impertinent that, since her time, it has only been with fear and trembling that any good novelist has ventured to show the slightest bias in favour of the Ten Commandments.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Scott made his romance so ridiculous, that, since his day, one can't help fancying helmets were always pasteboard, and horses were always hobby.
hobbynounUS /ˈhɑːbi/
an auxiliary activity
From this reading Scott made his romance so ridiculous, that, since his day, one can't help fancying helmets were always pasteboard, and horses were always hobby.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading Scott made his romance so ridiculous, that, since his day, one can't help fancying helmets were always pasteboard, and horses were always hobby.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
impertinentadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɜːrtənənt/
characterized by a lightly pert and exuberant quality
From this reading Miss Edgeworth made her morality so impertinent that, since her time, it has only been with fear and trembling that any good novelist has ventured to show the slightest bias in favour of the Ten Commandments.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
intentionsnounUS /ˌɪnˈtentʃənz/
plural of “intention” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Of the essential mischief done by them, there is, unhappily, no doubt whatever.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Miss Edgeworth made her morality so impertinent that, since her time, it has only been with fear and trembling that any good novelist has ventured to show the slightest bias in favour of the Ten Commandments.
the sound of laughing
From this reading Dickens made everybody laugh, or cry, so that they could not go about their business till they had got their faces in wrinkles; and Thackeray settled like a meatfly on whatever one had got for dinner, and made one sick of it.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Dickens made everybody laugh, or cry, so that they could not go about their business till they had got their faces in wrinkles; and Thackeray settled like a meatfly on whatever one had got for dinner, and made one sick of it.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Miss Edgeworth made her morality so impertinent that, since her time, it has only been with fear and trembling that any good novelist has ventured to show the slightest bias in favour of the Ten Commandments.
meatfly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dickens made everybody laugh, or cry, so that they could not go about their business till they had got their faces in wrinkles; and Thackeray settled like a meatfly on whatever one had got for dinner, and made one sick of it.
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
reckless or malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others
From this reading Of the essential mischief done by them, there is, unhappily, no doubt whatever.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
moralitynounUS /mərˈæləti/
concern with the distinction between good and evil or right and wrong; right or good conduct
From this reading Miss Edgeworth made her morality so impertinent that, since her time, it has only been with fear and trembling that any good novelist has ventured to show the slightest bias in favour of the Ten Commandments.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
not any; not one
From this reading Of the essential mischief done by them, there is, unhappily, no doubt whatever.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Dickens made everybody laugh, or cry, so that they could not go about their business till they had got their faces in wrinkles; and Thackeray settled like a meatfly on whatever one had got for dinner, and made one sick of it.
novelistnounUS /ˈnɑːvələst/
one who writes novels
From this reading Miss Edgeworth made her morality so impertinent that, since her time, it has only been with fear and trembling that any good novelist has ventured to show the slightest bias in favour of the Ten Commandments.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Dickens made everybody laugh, or cry, so that they could not go about their business till they had got their faces in wrinkles; and Thackeray settled like a meatfly on whatever one had got for dinner, and made one sick of it.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Scott made his romance so ridiculous, that, since his day, one can't help fancying helmets were always pasteboard, and horses were always hobby.
and nothing more
From this reading Miss Edgeworth made her morality so impertinent that, since her time, it has only been with fear and trembling that any good novelist has ventured to show the slightest bias in favour of the Ten Commandments.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
pasteboardnoun
stiff cardboard made by pasting together layers of paper
From this reading Scott made his romance so ridiculous, that, since his day, one can't help fancying helmets were always pasteboard, and horses were always hobby.
a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
inspiring scornful pity
From this reading Scott made his romance so ridiculous, that, since his day, one can't help fancying helmets were always pasteboard, and horses were always hobby.
risenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪzən/
(of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
a relationship between two lovers
From this reading Scott made his romance so ridiculous, that, since his day, one can't help fancying helmets were always pasteboard, and horses were always hobby.
ScottnounUS /skɑːt/
award-winning United States film actor (1928-1999)
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading Dickens made everybody laugh, or cry, so that they could not go about their business till they had got their faces in wrinkles; and Thackeray settled like a meatfly on whatever one had got for dinner, and made one sick of it.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Miss Edgeworth made her morality so impertinent that, since her time, it has only been with fear and trembling that any good novelist has ventured to show the slightest bias in favour of the Ten Commandments.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading Dickens made everybody laugh, or cry, so that they could not go about their business till they had got their faces in wrinkles; and Thackeray settled like a meatfly on whatever one had got for dinner, and made one sick of it.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Miss Edgeworth made her morality so impertinent that, since her time, it has only been with fear and trembling that any good novelist has ventured to show the slightest bias in favour of the Ten Commandments.
superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some
From this reading Miss Edgeworth made her morality so impertinent that, since her time, it has only been with fear and trembling that any good novelist has ventured to show the slightest bias in favour of the Ten Commandments.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Miss Edgeworth made her morality so impertinent that, since her time, it has only been with fear and trembling that any good novelist has ventured to show the slightest bias in favour of the Ten Commandments.
tale-tellers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading Miss Edgeworth made her morality so impertinent that, since her time, it has only been with fear and trembling that any good novelist has ventured to show the slightest bias in favour of the Ten Commandments.
ThackeraynounUS /ˈθækəri/
English writer (born in India) (1811-1863)
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Miss Edgeworth made her morality so impertinent that, since her time, it has only been with fear and trembling that any good novelist has ventured to show the slightest bias in favour of the Ten Commandments.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Dickens made everybody laugh, or cry, so that they could not go about their business till they had got their faces in wrinkles; and Thackeray settled like a meatfly on whatever one had got for dinner, and made one sick of it.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Of the essential mischief done by them, there is, unhappily, no doubt whatever.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
up to a particular time
From this reading Dickens made everybody laugh, or cry, so that they could not go about their business till they had got their faces in wrinkles; and Thackeray settled like a meatfly on whatever one had got for dinner, and made one sick of it.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Miss Edgeworth made her morality so impertinent that, since her time, it has only been with fear and trembling that any good novelist has ventured to show the slightest bias in favour of the Ten Commandments.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Miss Edgeworth made her morality so impertinent that, since her time, it has only been with fear and trembling that any good novelist has ventured to show the slightest bias in favour of the Ten Commandments.
a shaky motion
From this reading Miss Edgeworth made her morality so impertinent that, since her time, it has only been with fear and trembling that any good novelist has ventured to show the slightest bias in favour of the Ten Commandments.
unhappilyadverbUS /ənˈhæpəli/
in an unpleasant way
From this reading Of the essential mischief done by them, there is, unhappily, no doubt whatever.
past form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers
From this reading Miss Edgeworth made her morality so impertinent that, since her time, it has only been with fear and trembling that any good novelist has ventured to show the slightest bias in favour of the Ten Commandments.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Scott made his romance so ridiculous, that, since his day, one can't help fancying helmets were always pasteboard, and horses were always hobby.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading Of the essential mischief done by them, there is, unhappily, no doubt whatever.
belonging to which person
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Miss Edgeworth made her morality so impertinent that, since her time, it has only been with fear and trembling that any good novelist has ventured to show the slightest bias in favour of the Ten Commandments.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Of the four great English tale-tellers whose dynasties have set or risen within my own memory--Miss Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, and Thackeray--I find myself greatly at pause in conjecturing, however dimly, what essential good has been effected by them, though they all had the best intentions.
wrinklesnounUS /ˈrɪŋkəlz/
plural of “wrinkle” — a slight depression or fold in the smoothness of a surface
From this reading Dickens made everybody laugh, or cry, so that they could not go about their business till they had got their faces in wrinkles; and Thackeray settled like a meatfly on whatever one had got for dinner, and made one sick of it.
