used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
amuseverbUS /əˈmjuːz/
occupy in an agreeable, entertaining or pleasant fashion
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading If he fell desperately in love and made a fool of himself, I am sure I should not think any worse of him, and it would do him no harm.”
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I do wonder for my part how men can be so taken in!--and our Maurice who is so clever!--and she is not even pretty--if she had been pretty one could have understood.”
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading I do wonder for my part how men can be so taken in!--and our Maurice who is so clever!--and she is not even pretty--if she had been pretty one could have understood.”
bridling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading “My dear Clara,” said I, “perhaps it is not very complimentary to your brother, but I do think the most sensible thing Maurice could do would be to fall in love.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading I do wonder for my part how men can be so taken in!--and our Maurice who is so clever!--and she is not even pretty--if she had been pretty one could have understood.”
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I don’t say of course with Miss Reredos; but then, you see, we can’t choose the person.
pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading I don’t say of course with Miss Reredos; but then, you see, we can’t choose the person.
Clara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “My dear Clara,” said I, “perhaps it is not very complimentary to your brother, but I do think the most sensible thing Maurice could do would be to fall in love.
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
From this reading I do wonder for my part how men can be so taken in!--and our Maurice who is so clever!--and she is not even pretty--if she had been pretty one could have understood.”
complimentaryadjectiveUS /ˌkɑːmpləˈmentəri/
conveying or resembling a compliment
From this reading “My dear Clara,” said I, “perhaps it is not very complimentary to your brother, but I do think the most sensible thing Maurice could do would be to fall in love.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I do wonder for my part how men can be so taken in!--and our Maurice who is so clever!--and she is not even pretty--if she had been pretty one could have understood.”
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading I don’t say of course with Miss Reredos; but then, you see, we can’t choose the person.
Crofton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
dearly loved
From this reading “My dear Clara,” said I, “perhaps it is not very complimentary to your brother, but I do think the most sensible thing Maurice could do would be to fall in love.
desperatelyadverbUS /ˈdespərətli/
with great urgency
From this reading If he fell desperately in love and made a fool of himself, I am sure I should not think any worse of him, and it would do him no harm.”
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading I do wonder for my part how men can be so taken in!--and our Maurice who is so clever!--and she is not even pretty--if she had been pretty one could have understood.”
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
divisible by two
From this reading I do wonder for my part how men can be so taken in!--and our Maurice who is so clever!--and she is not even pretty--if she had been pretty one could have understood.”
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading “My dear Clara,” said I, “perhaps it is not very complimentary to your brother, but I do think the most sensible thing Maurice could do would be to fall in love.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading If he fell desperately in love and made a fool of himself, I am sure I should not think any worse of him, and it would do him no harm.”
flirtingnounUS /ˈflɜːrtɪŋ/
playful behavior intended to arouse sexual interest
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
a person who lacks good judgment
From this reading If he fell desperately in love and made a fool of himself, I am sure I should not think any worse of him, and it would do him no harm.”
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I do wonder for my part how men can be so taken in!--and our Maurice who is so clever!--and she is not even pretty--if she had been pretty one could have understood.”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I do wonder for my part how men can be so taken in!--and our Maurice who is so clever!--and she is not even pretty--if she had been pretty one could have understood.”
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I do wonder for my part how men can be so taken in!--and our Maurice who is so clever!--and she is not even pretty--if she had been pretty one could have understood.”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If he fell desperately in love and made a fool of himself, I am sure I should not think any worse of him, and it would do him no harm.”
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading If he fell desperately in love and made a fool of himself, I am sure I should not think any worse of him, and it would do him no harm.”
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading If he fell desperately in love and made a fool of himself, I am sure I should not think any worse of him, and it would do him no harm.”
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do wonder for my part how men can be so taken in!--and our Maurice who is so clever!--and she is not even pretty--if she had been pretty one could have understood.”
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading I do wonder for my part how men can be so taken in!--and our Maurice who is so clever!--and she is not even pretty--if she had been pretty one could have understood.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
free from evil or guilt
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading “My dear Clara,” said I, “perhaps it is not very complimentary to your brother, but I do think the most sensible thing Maurice could do would be to fall in love.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading If he fell desperately in love and made a fool of himself, I am sure I should not think any worse of him, and it would do him no harm.”
Maurice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do wonder for my part how men can be so taken in!--and our Maurice who is so clever!--and she is not even pretty--if she had been pretty one could have understood.”
the force of workers available
From this reading I do wonder for my part how men can be so taken in!--and our Maurice who is so clever!--and she is not even pretty--if she had been pretty one could have understood.”
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
used to form the superlative
From this reading “My dear Clara,” said I, “perhaps it is not very complimentary to your brother, but I do think the most sensible thing Maurice could do would be to fall in love.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I do wonder for my part how men can be so taken in!--and our Maurice who is so clever!--and she is not even pretty--if she had been pretty one could have understood.”
not any; not one
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I do wonder for my part how men can be so taken in!--and our Maurice who is so clever!--and she is not even pretty--if she had been pretty one could have understood.”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I don’t say of course with Miss Reredos; but then, you see, we can’t choose the person.
offendedadjectiveUS /əˈfendəd/
emotionally hurt or upset or annoyed
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I do wonder for my part how men can be so taken in!--and our Maurice who is so clever!--and she is not even pretty--if she had been pretty one could have understood.”
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading I do wonder for my part how men can be so taken in!--and our Maurice who is so clever!--and she is not even pretty--if she had been pretty one could have understood.”
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading I do wonder for my part how men can be so taken in!--and our Maurice who is so clever!--and she is not even pretty--if she had been pretty one could have understood.”
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
by chance
From this reading “My dear Clara,” said I, “perhaps it is not very complimentary to your brother, but I do think the most sensible thing Maurice could do would be to fall in love.
a human being
From this reading I don’t say of course with Miss Reredos; but then, you see, we can’t choose the person.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading I do wonder for my part how men can be so taken in!--and our Maurice who is so clever!--and she is not even pretty--if she had been pretty one could have understood.”
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
Reredosnoun
a painted or carved screen placed above and behind an altar or communion table
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
inspiring scornful pity
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
express in words
From this reading I don’t say of course with Miss Reredos; but then, you see, we can’t choose the person.
Sedgwick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading I don’t say of course with Miss Reredos; but then, you see, we can’t choose the person.
showing reason or sound judgment
From this reading “My dear Clara,” said I, “perhaps it is not very complimentary to your brother, but I do think the most sensible thing Maurice could do would be to fall in love.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I do wonder for my part how men can be so taken in!--and our Maurice who is so clever!--and she is not even pretty--if she had been pretty one could have understood.”
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading If he fell desperately in love and made a fool of himself, I am sure I should not think any worse of him, and it would do him no harm.”
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I do wonder for my part how men can be so taken in!--and our Maurice who is so clever!--and she is not even pretty--if she had been pretty one could have understood.”
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading If he fell desperately in love and made a fool of himself, I am sure I should not think any worse of him, and it would do him no harm.”
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading I do wonder for my part how men can be so taken in!--and our Maurice who is so clever!--and she is not even pretty--if she had been pretty one could have understood.”
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “My dear Clara,” said I, “perhaps it is not very complimentary to your brother, but I do think the most sensible thing Maurice could do would be to fall in love.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading I don’t say of course with Miss Reredos; but then, you see, we can’t choose the person.
there's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
a special situation
From this reading “My dear Clara,” said I, “perhaps it is not very complimentary to your brother, but I do think the most sensible thing Maurice could do would be to fall in love.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “My dear Clara,” said I, “perhaps it is not very complimentary to your brother, but I do think the most sensible thing Maurice could do would be to fall in love.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading I do wonder for my part how men can be so taken in!--and our Maurice who is so clever!--and she is not even pretty--if she had been pretty one could have understood.”
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
precisely as stated
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
Moral excellence and goodness of character; the highest human attainment in Stoic philosophy.
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading I don’t say of course with Miss Reredos; but then, you see, we can’t choose the person.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
which person or people
From this reading I do wonder for my part how men can be so taken in!--and our Maurice who is so clever!--and she is not even pretty--if she had been pretty one could have understood.”
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
in the company of; together with
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading I do wonder for my part how men can be so taken in!--and our Maurice who is so clever!--and she is not even pretty--if she had been pretty one could have understood.”
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading If he fell desperately in love and made a fool of himself, I am sure I should not think any worse of him, and it would do him no harm.”
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “My dear Clara,” said I, “perhaps it is not very complimentary to your brother, but I do think the most sensible thing Maurice could do would be to fall in love.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading “Well, really!” said little Mrs. Sedgwick, bridling with offended virtue, “I don’t think I am very hard upon a little innocent flirting--sometimes, you know, there’s no harm in it--and young people will amuse themselves; but _really_, Mrs. Crofton, _that_ Miss Reredos is quite ridiculous.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “My dear Clara,” said I, “perhaps it is not very complimentary to your brother, but I do think the most sensible thing Maurice could do would be to fall in love.
