used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This Caroline Ryder was a character almost impossible to present so as to enable the reader to recognize her should she cross his path: so great was the contradiction between what she was, and what she seemed; and so perfect was the imitation.
adornedadjectiveUS /əˈdɔːrnd/
provided with something intended to increase its beauty or distinction
From this reading She was a woman that brought to bear upon foolish, culpable, loves, a mental power that would have adorned the wool-sack.
advisableadjectiveUS /ədˈvaɪzəbəl/
worthy of being recommended or suggested; prudent or wise
From this reading The moment prudence or waning inclination made it advisable to break with the reigning favourite, she set to work to cool him down by deliberate coldness, sullenness, insolence; and generally succeeded.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading This Caroline Ryder was a character almost impossible to present so as to enable the reader to recognize her should she cross his path: so great was the contradiction between what she was, and what she seemed; and so perfect was the imitation.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This Caroline Ryder was a character almost impossible to present so as to enable the reader to recognize her should she cross his path: so great was the contradiction between what she was, and what she seemed; and so perfect was the imitation.
ardentlyadverbUS /ˈɑːrdəntli/
in an ardent manner
From this reading She was a married woman, separated from her husband by mutual consent: and she had had many lovers, each of whom she had loved ardently--for a little while.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading This Caroline Ryder was a character almost impossible to present so as to enable the reader to recognize her should she cross his path: so great was the contradiction between what she was, and what she seemed; and so perfect was the imitation.
have
From this reading She was a woman that brought to bear upon foolish, culpable, loves, a mental power that would have adorned the wool-sack.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading This Caroline Ryder was a character almost impossible to present so as to enable the reader to recognize her should she cross his path: so great was the contradiction between what she was, and what she seemed; and so perfect was the imitation.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading She looked a respectable young spinster, with a grace of manner beyond her station, and a decency and propriety of demeanour that inspired respect.
terminate
From this reading The moment prudence or waning inclination made it advisable to break with the reigning favourite, she set to work to cool him down by deliberate coldness, sullenness, insolence; and generally succeeded.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading She was a woman that brought to bear upon foolish, culpable, loves, a mental power that would have adorned the wool-sack.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She was a married woman, separated from her husband by mutual consent: and she had had many lovers, each of whom she had loved ardently--for a little while.
CarolineadjectiveUS /ˈkerəlaɪn/
of or relating to the life and times of kings Charles I or Charles II of England
From this reading This Caroline Ryder was a character almost impossible to present so as to enable the reader to recognize her should she cross his path: so great was the contradiction between what she was, and what she seemed; and so perfect was the imitation.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading This Caroline Ryder was a character almost impossible to present so as to enable the reader to recognize her should she cross his path: so great was the contradiction between what she was, and what she seemed; and so perfect was the imitation.
coldnessnounUS /ˈkoʊldnəs/
the sensation produced by low temperatures
From this reading The moment prudence or waning inclination made it advisable to break with the reigning favourite, she set to work to cool him down by deliberate coldness, sullenness, insolence; and generally succeeded.
permission to do something
From this reading She was a married woman, separated from her husband by mutual consent: and she had had many lovers, each of whom she had loved ardently--for a little while.
contradictionnounUS /ˌkɑːntrəˈdɪkʃən/
opposition between two conflicting forces or ideas
From this reading This Caroline Ryder was a character almost impossible to present so as to enable the reader to recognize her should she cross his path: so great was the contradiction between what she was, and what she seemed; and so perfect was the imitation.
neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
From this reading The moment prudence or waning inclination made it advisable to break with the reigning favourite, she set to work to cool him down by deliberate coldness, sullenness, insolence; and generally succeeded.
travel across or pass over
From this reading This Caroline Ryder was a character almost impossible to present so as to enable the reader to recognize her should she cross his path: so great was the contradiction between what she was, and what she seemed; and so perfect was the imitation.
culpableadjectiveUS /ˈkʌlpəbəl/
deserving blame or censure as being wrong or evil or injurious
From this reading She was a woman that brought to bear upon foolish, culpable, loves, a mental power that would have adorned the wool-sack.
decencynounUS /ˈdiːsənsi/
the quality of conforming to standards of propriety and morality
From this reading She looked a respectable young spinster, with a grace of manner beyond her station, and a decency and propriety of demeanour that inspired respect.
deliberateadjectiveUS /dɪˈlɪbərət/
carefully thought out in advance
From this reading The moment prudence or waning inclination made it advisable to break with the reigning favourite, she set to work to cool him down by deliberate coldness, sullenness, insolence; and generally succeeded.
demeanournounUS /dɪˈmiːnər/
(behavioral attributes) the way a person behaves toward other people
From this reading She looked a respectable young spinster, with a grace of manner beyond her station, and a decency and propriety of demeanour that inspired respect.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The moment prudence or waning inclination made it advisable to break with the reigning favourite, she set to work to cool him down by deliberate coldness, sullenness, insolence; and generally succeeded.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading She was a married woman, separated from her husband by mutual consent: and she had had many lovers, each of whom she had loved ardently--for a little while.
enableverbUS /eˈneɪbəl/
render capable or able for some task
From this reading This Caroline Ryder was a character almost impossible to present so as to enable the reader to recognize her should she cross his path: so great was the contradiction between what she was, and what she seemed; and so perfect was the imitation.
a competitor thought likely to win
From this reading The moment prudence or waning inclination made it advisable to break with the reigning favourite, she set to work to cool him down by deliberate coldness, sullenness, insolence; and generally succeeded.
devoid of good sense or judgment
From this reading She was a woman that brought to bear upon foolish, culpable, loves, a mental power that would have adorned the wool-sack.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She was a married woman, separated from her husband by mutual consent: and she had had many lovers, each of whom she had loved ardently--for a little while.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She was a married woman, separated from her husband by mutual consent: and she had had many lovers, each of whom she had loved ardently--for a little while.
usually; as a rule
From this reading The moment prudence or waning inclination made it advisable to break with the reigning favourite, she set to work to cool him down by deliberate coldness, sullenness, insolence; and generally succeeded.
(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading She looked a respectable young spinster, with a grace of manner beyond her station, and a decency and propriety of demeanour that inspired respect.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading This Caroline Ryder was a character almost impossible to present so as to enable the reader to recognize her should she cross his path: so great was the contradiction between what she was, and what she seemed; and so perfect was the imitation.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She was a married woman, separated from her husband by mutual consent: and she had had many lovers, each of whom she had loved ardently--for a little while.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She was a woman that brought to bear upon foolish, culpable, loves, a mental power that would have adorned the wool-sack.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading This Caroline Ryder was a character almost impossible to present so as to enable the reader to recognize her should she cross his path: so great was the contradiction between what she was, and what she seemed; and so perfect was the imitation.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The moment prudence or waning inclination made it advisable to break with the reigning favourite, she set to work to cool him down by deliberate coldness, sullenness, insolence; and generally succeeded.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading This Caroline Ryder was a character almost impossible to present so as to enable the reader to recognize her should she cross his path: so great was the contradiction between what she was, and what she seemed; and so perfect was the imitation.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading She was a married woman, separated from her husband by mutual consent: and she had had many lovers, each of whom she had loved ardently--for a little while.
imitationnounUS /ˌɪməˈteɪʃən/
the doctrine that representations of nature or human behavior should be accurate imitations
From this reading This Caroline Ryder was a character almost impossible to present so as to enable the reader to recognize her should she cross his path: so great was the contradiction between what she was, and what she seemed; and so perfect was the imitation.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading This Caroline Ryder was a character almost impossible to present so as to enable the reader to recognize her should she cross his path: so great was the contradiction between what she was, and what she seemed; and so perfect was the imitation.
inclinationnounUS /ˌɪnkləˈneɪʃən/
an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others
From this reading The moment prudence or waning inclination made it advisable to break with the reigning favourite, she set to work to cool him down by deliberate coldness, sullenness, insolence; and generally succeeded.
insolencenounUS /ˈɪnsələns/
the trait of being rude and impertinent; inclined to take liberties
From this reading The moment prudence or waning inclination made it advisable to break with the reigning favourite, she set to work to cool him down by deliberate coldness, sullenness, insolence; and generally succeeded.
inspiredadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈspaɪərd/
being of such surpassing excellence as to suggest inspiration by the gods
From this reading She looked a respectable young spinster, with a grace of manner beyond her station, and a decency and propriety of demeanour that inspired respect.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The moment prudence or waning inclination made it advisable to break with the reigning favourite, she set to work to cool him down by deliberate coldness, sullenness, insolence; and generally succeeded.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She was a married woman, separated from her husband by mutual consent: and she had had many lovers, each of whom she had loved ardently--for a little while.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading She looked a respectable young spinster, with a grace of manner beyond her station, and a decency and propriety of demeanour that inspired respect.
held dear
From this reading She was a married woman, separated from her husband by mutual consent: and she had had many lovers, each of whom she had loved ardently--for a little while.
loversnounUS /ˈlʌvərz/
plural of “lover” — a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
From this reading She was a married woman, separated from her husband by mutual consent: and she had had many lovers, each of whom she had loved ardently--for a little while.
plural of “love” — a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading She was a woman that brought to bear upon foolish, culpable, loves, a mental power that would have adorned the wool-sack.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The moment prudence or waning inclination made it advisable to break with the reigning favourite, she set to work to cool him down by deliberate coldness, sullenness, insolence; and generally succeeded.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading She looked a respectable young spinster, with a grace of manner beyond her station, and a decency and propriety of demeanour that inspired respect.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading She was a married woman, separated from her husband by mutual consent: and she had had many lovers, each of whom she had loved ardently--for a little while.
joined in matrimony
From this reading She was a married woman, separated from her husband by mutual consent: and she had had many lovers, each of whom she had loved ardently--for a little while.
involving the mind or an intellectual process
From this reading She was a woman that brought to bear upon foolish, culpable, loves, a mental power that would have adorned the wool-sack.
a particular point in time
From this reading The moment prudence or waning inclination made it advisable to break with the reigning favourite, she set to work to cool him down by deliberate coldness, sullenness, insolence; and generally succeeded.
mutualadjectiveUS /ˈmjuːtʃuːəl/
common to or shared by two or more parties
From this reading She was a married woman, separated from her husband by mutual consent: and she had had many lovers, each of whom she had loved ardently--for a little while.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She looked a respectable young spinster, with a grace of manner beyond her station, and a decency and propriety of demeanour that inspired respect.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The moment prudence or waning inclination made it advisable to break with the reigning favourite, she set to work to cool him down by deliberate coldness, sullenness, insolence; and generally succeeded.
a course of conduct
From this reading This Caroline Ryder was a character almost impossible to present so as to enable the reader to recognize her should she cross his path: so great was the contradiction between what she was, and what she seemed; and so perfect was the imitation.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading This Caroline Ryder was a character almost impossible to present so as to enable the reader to recognize her should she cross his path: so great was the contradiction between what she was, and what she seemed; and so perfect was the imitation.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading She was a woman that brought to bear upon foolish, culpable, loves, a mental power that would have adorned the wool-sack.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading This Caroline Ryder was a character almost impossible to present so as to enable the reader to recognize her should she cross his path: so great was the contradiction between what she was, and what she seemed; and so perfect was the imitation.
proprietynounUS /prəˈpraɪəti/
correct or appropriate behavior
From this reading She looked a respectable young spinster, with a grace of manner beyond her station, and a decency and propriety of demeanour that inspired respect.
prudencenounUS /ˈpruːdəns/
discretion in practical affairs
From this reading The moment prudence or waning inclination made it advisable to break with the reigning favourite, she set to work to cool him down by deliberate coldness, sullenness, insolence; and generally succeeded.
a person who enjoys reading
From this reading This Caroline Ryder was a character almost impossible to present so as to enable the reader to recognize her should she cross his path: so great was the contradiction between what she was, and what she seemed; and so perfect was the imitation.
recognizeverbUS /ˈrekəɡnaɪz/
accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority
From this reading This Caroline Ryder was a character almost impossible to present so as to enable the reader to recognize her should she cross his path: so great was the contradiction between what she was, and what she seemed; and so perfect was the imitation.
reigningadjectiveUS /ˈreɪnɪŋ/
exercising power or authority
From this reading The moment prudence or waning inclination made it advisable to break with the reigning favourite, she set to work to cool him down by deliberate coldness, sullenness, insolence; and generally succeeded.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading She looked a respectable young spinster, with a grace of manner beyond her station, and a decency and propriety of demeanour that inspired respect.
characterized by socially or conventionally acceptable morals
From this reading She looked a respectable young spinster, with a grace of manner beyond her station, and a decency and propriety of demeanour that inspired respect.
Ryder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This Caroline Ryder was a character almost impossible to present so as to enable the reader to recognize her should she cross his path: so great was the contradiction between what she was, and what she seemed; and so perfect was the imitation.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading This Caroline Ryder was a character almost impossible to present so as to enable the reader to recognize her should she cross his path: so great was the contradiction between what she was, and what she seemed; and so perfect was the imitation.
being or feeling set or kept apart from others
From this reading She was a married woman, separated from her husband by mutual consent: and she had had many lovers, each of whom she had loved ardently--for a little while.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The moment prudence or waning inclination made it advisable to break with the reigning favourite, she set to work to cool him down by deliberate coldness, sullenness, insolence; and generally succeeded.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This Caroline Ryder was a character almost impossible to present so as to enable the reader to recognize her should she cross his path: so great was the contradiction between what she was, and what she seemed; and so perfect was the imitation.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading This Caroline Ryder was a character almost impossible to present so as to enable the reader to recognize her should she cross his path: so great was the contradiction between what she was, and what she seemed; and so perfect was the imitation.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading This Caroline Ryder was a character almost impossible to present so as to enable the reader to recognize her should she cross his path: so great was the contradiction between what she was, and what she seemed; and so perfect was the imitation.
spinsternounUS /ˈspɪnstər/
an elderly unmarried woman
From this reading She looked a respectable young spinster, with a grace of manner beyond her station, and a decency and propriety of demeanour that inspired respect.
a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose
From this reading She looked a respectable young spinster, with a grace of manner beyond her station, and a decency and propriety of demeanour that inspired respect.
past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal
From this reading The moment prudence or waning inclination made it advisable to break with the reigning favourite, she set to work to cool him down by deliberate coldness, sullenness, insolence; and generally succeeded.
sullennessnoun
a gloomy ill-tempered feeling
From this reading The moment prudence or waning inclination made it advisable to break with the reigning favourite, she set to work to cool him down by deliberate coldness, sullenness, insolence; and generally succeeded.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She looked a respectable young spinster, with a grace of manner beyond her station, and a decency and propriety of demeanour that inspired respect.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading This Caroline Ryder was a character almost impossible to present so as to enable the reader to recognize her should she cross his path: so great was the contradiction between what she was, and what she seemed; and so perfect was the imitation.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This Caroline Ryder was a character almost impossible to present so as to enable the reader to recognize her should she cross his path: so great was the contradiction between what she was, and what she seemed; and so perfect was the imitation.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This Caroline Ryder was a character almost impossible to present so as to enable the reader to recognize her should she cross his path: so great was the contradiction between what she was, and what she seemed; and so perfect was the imitation.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading She was a woman that brought to bear upon foolish, culpable, loves, a mental power that would have adorned the wool-sack.
waningnounUS /ˈweɪnɪŋ/
a gradual decrease in magnitude or extent
From this reading The moment prudence or waning inclination made it advisable to break with the reigning favourite, she set to work to cool him down by deliberate coldness, sullenness, insolence; and generally succeeded.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This Caroline Ryder was a character almost impossible to present so as to enable the reader to recognize her should she cross his path: so great was the contradiction between what she was, and what she seemed; and so perfect was the imitation.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading This Caroline Ryder was a character almost impossible to present so as to enable the reader to recognize her should she cross his path: so great was the contradiction between what she was, and what she seemed; and so perfect was the imitation.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading She was a married woman, separated from her husband by mutual consent: and she had had many lovers, each of whom she had loved ardently--for a little while.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She was a married woman, separated from her husband by mutual consent: and she had had many lovers, each of whom she had loved ardently--for a little while.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She looked a respectable young spinster, with a grace of manner beyond her station, and a decency and propriety of demeanour that inspired respect.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading She was a married woman, separated from her husband by mutual consent: and she had had many lovers, each of whom she had loved ardently--for a little while.
wool-sack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was a woman that brought to bear upon foolish, culpable, loves, a mental power that would have adorned the wool-sack.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading The moment prudence or waning inclination made it advisable to break with the reigning favourite, she set to work to cool him down by deliberate coldness, sullenness, insolence; and generally succeeded.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She was a woman that brought to bear upon foolish, culpable, loves, a mental power that would have adorned the wool-sack.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading She looked a respectable young spinster, with a grace of manner beyond her station, and a decency and propriety of demeanour that inspired respect.
