used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Life is so complicated a game that the devices of skill are liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances incalculable as the descent of thistledown.--GEORGE ELIOT'S _Romola_.
air-blown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life is so complicated a game that the devices of skill are liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances incalculable as the descent of thistledown.--GEORGE ELIOT'S _Romola_.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Life is so complicated a game that the devices of skill are liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances incalculable as the descent of thistledown.--GEORGE ELIOT'S _Romola_.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Life is so complicated a game that the devices of skill are liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances incalculable as the descent of thistledown.--GEORGE ELIOT'S _Romola_.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "I need not ask what your success was," said she, smiling, as she joined him.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Life is so complicated a game that the devices of skill are liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances incalculable as the descent of thistledown.--GEORGE ELIOT'S _Romola_.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Life is so complicated a game that the devices of skill are liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances incalculable as the descent of thistledown.--GEORGE ELIOT'S _Romola_.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Life is so complicated a game that the devices of skill are liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances incalculable as the descent of thistledown.--GEORGE ELIOT'S _Romola_.
plural of “chance” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Life is so complicated a game that the devices of skill are liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances incalculable as the descent of thistledown.--GEORGE ELIOT'S _Romola_.
without doubt or question
From this reading "Your face shows that clearly enough."
complicatedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmpləkeɪtəd/
difficult to analyze or understand
From this reading Life is so complicated a game that the devices of skill are liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances incalculable as the descent of thistledown.--GEORGE ELIOT'S _Romola_.
defeatedadjectiveUS /dɪˈfiːtəd/
beaten or overcome; not victorious
From this reading Life is so complicated a game that the devices of skill are liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances incalculable as the descent of thistledown.--GEORGE ELIOT'S _Romola_.
descentnounUS /dɪˈsent/
An action of moving downward, dropping, or falling into a deeper place.
From this reading Life is so complicated a game that the devices of skill are liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances incalculable as the descent of thistledown.--GEORGE ELIOT'S _Romola_.
desultoryadjectiveUS /ˈdesəltɔːri/
marked by lack of definite plan or regularity or purpose; jumping from one thing to another
From this reading During Jack's visit to her father's office, Nina passed the time in desultory shopping until she met him on King Street.
devicesnounUS /dɪˈvaɪsəz/
an inclination or desire; used in the plural in the phrase “left to your own devices”
From this reading Life is so complicated a game that the devices of skill are liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances incalculable as the descent of thistledown.--GEORGE ELIOT'S _Romola_.
dook
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Nothing less than a dook," groaned Jack, good-humoredly.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During Jack's visit to her father's office, Nina passed the time in desultory shopping until she met him on King Street.
ELIOT'SnounUS /ˈeliəts/
possessive form of “eliot” — British poet (born in the United States) who won the Nobel prize for literature; his plays are outstanding examples of modern verse drama (1888-1965)
From this reading Life is so complicated a game that the devices of skill are liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances incalculable as the descent of thistledown.--GEORGE ELIOT'S _Romola_.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading "Your face shows that clearly enough."
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Life is so complicated a game that the devices of skill are liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances incalculable as the descent of thistledown.--GEORGE ELIOT'S _Romola_.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading "Your face shows that clearly enough."
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading During Jack's visit to her father's office, Nina passed the time in desultory shopping until she met him on King Street.
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading Life is so complicated a game that the devices of skill are liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances incalculable as the descent of thistledown.--GEORGE ELIOT'S _Romola_.
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading Life is so complicated a game that the devices of skill are liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances incalculable as the descent of thistledown.--GEORGE ELIOT'S _Romola_.
good-humoredly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Nothing less than a dook," groaned Jack, good-humoredly.
groanedverbUS /ɡroʊnd/
past form of “groan” — indicate pain, discomfort, or displeasure
From this reading "Nothing less than a dook," groaned Jack, good-humoredly.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading During Jack's visit to her father's office, Nina passed the time in desultory shopping until she met him on King Street.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading During Jack's visit to her father's office, Nina passed the time in desultory shopping until she met him on King Street.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I need not ask what your success was," said she, smiling, as she joined him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading During Jack's visit to her father's office, Nina passed the time in desultory shopping until she met him on King Street.
incalculableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkælkjələbəl/
not able to be computed or enumerated
From this reading Life is so complicated a game that the devices of skill are liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances incalculable as the descent of thistledown.--GEORGE ELIOT'S _Romola_.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Life is so complicated a game that the devices of skill are liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances incalculable as the descent of thistledown.--GEORGE ELIOT'S _Romola_.
a small worthless amount
From this reading "Nothing less than a dook," groaned Jack, good-humoredly.
Jack'snounUS /dʒæks/
possessive form of “jack” — a small worthless amount
From this reading During Jack's visit to her father's office, Nina passed the time in desultory shopping until she met him on King Street.
of or relating to two people who are married to each other
From this reading "I need not ask what your success was," said she, smiling, as she joined him.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading During Jack's visit to her father's office, Nina passed the time in desultory shopping until she met him on King Street.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading "Nothing less than a dook," groaned Jack, good-humoredly.
liableadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪəbəl/
at risk of or subject to experiencing something usually unpleasant
From this reading Life is so complicated a game that the devices of skill are liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances incalculable as the descent of thistledown.--GEORGE ELIOT'S _Romola_.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Life is so complicated a game that the devices of skill are liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances incalculable as the descent of thistledown.--GEORGE ELIOT'S _Romola_.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading During Jack's visit to her father's office, Nina passed the time in desultory shopping until she met him on King Street.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading "I need not ask what your success was," said she, smiling, as she joined him.
NinanounUS /ˈniːnə/
the Babylonian goddess of the watery deep and daughter of Ea
From this reading During Jack's visit to her father's office, Nina passed the time in desultory shopping until she met him on King Street.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "I need not ask what your success was," said she, smiling, as she joined him.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading "Nothing less than a dook," groaned Jack, good-humoredly.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Life is so complicated a game that the devices of skill are liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances incalculable as the descent of thistledown.--GEORGE ELIOT'S _Romola_.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading During Jack's visit to her father's office, Nina passed the time in desultory shopping until she met him on King Street.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading During Jack's visit to her father's office, Nina passed the time in desultory shopping until she met him on King Street.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading During Jack's visit to her father's office, Nina passed the time in desultory shopping until she met him on King Street.
Romola
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life is so complicated a game that the devices of skill are liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances incalculable as the descent of thistledown.--GEORGE ELIOT'S _Romola_.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I need not ask what your success was," said she, smiling, as she joined him.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading During Jack's visit to her father's office, Nina passed the time in desultory shopping until she met him on King Street.
shoppingnounUS /ˈʃɑːpɪŋ/
searching for or buying goods or services
From this reading During Jack's visit to her father's office, Nina passed the time in desultory shopping until she met him on King Street.
plural of “show” — the act of publicly exhibiting or entertaining
From this reading "Your face shows that clearly enough."
an ability that has been acquired by training
From this reading Life is so complicated a game that the devices of skill are liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances incalculable as the descent of thistledown.--GEORGE ELIOT'S _Romola_.
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading "I need not ask what your success was," said she, smiling, as she joined him.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Life is so complicated a game that the devices of skill are liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances incalculable as the descent of thistledown.--GEORGE ELIOT'S _Romola_.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading During Jack's visit to her father's office, Nina passed the time in desultory shopping until she met him on King Street.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading "I need not ask what your success was," said she, smiling, as she joined him.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading "Nothing less than a dook," groaned Jack, good-humoredly.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Life is so complicated a game that the devices of skill are liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances incalculable as the descent of thistledown.--GEORGE ELIOT'S _Romola_.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Life is so complicated a game that the devices of skill are liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances incalculable as the descent of thistledown.--GEORGE ELIOT'S _Romola_.
thistledownnoun
pappus of a thistle consisting of silky featherlike hairs attached to the seed-like fruit of a thistle
From this reading Life is so complicated a game that the devices of skill are liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances incalculable as the descent of thistledown.--GEORGE ELIOT'S _Romola_.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading During Jack's visit to her father's office, Nina passed the time in desultory shopping until she met him on King Street.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Life is so complicated a game that the devices of skill are liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances incalculable as the descent of thistledown.--GEORGE ELIOT'S _Romola_.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading Life is so complicated a game that the devices of skill are liable to be defeated at every turn by air-blown chances incalculable as the descent of thistledown.--GEORGE ELIOT'S _Romola_.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading During Jack's visit to her father's office, Nina passed the time in desultory shopping until she met him on King Street.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading During Jack's visit to her father's office, Nina passed the time in desultory shopping until she met him on King Street.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I need not ask what your success was," said she, smiling, as she joined him.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "I need not ask what your success was," said she, smiling, as she joined him.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I need not ask what your success was," said she, smiling, as she joined him.
