used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The first visit which Bertie was able to make was to the cottage--to see Mrs. Harley, as he said, gravely--but I fear he did not get a very satisfactory reception.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading The first visit which Bertie was able to make was to the cottage--to see Mrs. Harley, as he said, gravely--but I fear he did not get a very satisfactory reception.
anew
From this reading He told me he thought Alice greatly changed when he returned; but he was not communicative on the subject, and had a decided inclination to go back again.
Alice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He told me he thought Alice greatly changed when he returned; but he was not communicative on the subject, and had a decided inclination to go back again.
(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 She thought, no doubt, that everybody had suspected that secret of hers--and with unconscious self-importance, that it was whispered throughout the country with secret smiles over all her former unmarried-woman superiority to vulgar love-affairs.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He told me he thought Alice greatly changed when he returned; but he was not communicative on the subject, and had a decided inclination to go back again.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The first visit which Bertie was able to make was to the cottage--to see Mrs. Harley, as he said, gravely--but I fear he did not get a very satisfactory reception.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading He told me he thought Alice greatly changed when he returned; but he was not communicative on the subject, and had a decided inclination to go back again.
Bertie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first visit which Bertie was able to make was to the cottage--to see Mrs. Harley, as he said, gravely--but I fear he did not get a very satisfactory reception.
past form of “betray” — reveal unintentionally
From this reading She had betrayed herself to me, and, for a moment, to Maurice.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading Perhaps the wavering, pleasant, half-conscious sentiment, and tender youthful reminiscence, with which Bertie came home, was the better of a little opposition to warm it into independent life; and Alice had reason enough for a double share of perversity and caprice, though Bertie knew nothing of that.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The first visit which Bertie was able to make was to the cottage--to see Mrs. Harley, as he said, gravely--but I fear he did not get a very satisfactory reception.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Perhaps the wavering, pleasant, half-conscious sentiment, and tender youthful reminiscence, with which Bertie came home, was the better of a little opposition to warm it into independent life; and Alice had reason enough for a double share of perversity and caprice, though Bertie knew nothing of that.
capricenounUS /kəˈpriːs/
a sudden desire
From this reading Perhaps the wavering, pleasant, half-conscious sentiment, and tender youthful reminiscence, with which Bertie came home, was the better of a little opposition to warm it into independent life; and Alice had reason enough for a double share of perversity and caprice, though Bertie knew nothing of that.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading He told me he thought Alice greatly changed when he returned; but he was not communicative on the subject, and had a decided inclination to go back again.
communicativeadjectiveUS /kəˈmjuːnəkətɪv/
of or relating to communication
From this reading He told me he thought Alice greatly changed when he returned; but he was not communicative on the subject, and had a decided inclination to go back again.
a small house with a single story
From this reading The first visit which Bertie was able to make was to the cottage--to see Mrs. Harley, as he said, gravely--but I fear he did not get a very satisfactory reception.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading She thought, no doubt, that everybody had suspected that secret of hers--and with unconscious self-importance, that it was whispered throughout the country with secret smiles over all her former unmarried-woman superiority to vulgar love-affairs.
recognizable; marked
From this reading He told me he thought Alice greatly changed when he returned; but he was not communicative on the subject, and had a decided inclination to go back again.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The first visit which Bertie was able to make was to the cottage--to see Mrs. Harley, as he said, gravely--but I fear he did not get a very satisfactory reception.
increase twofold
From this reading Perhaps the wavering, pleasant, half-conscious sentiment, and tender youthful reminiscence, with which Bertie came home, was the better of a little opposition to warm it into independent life; and Alice had reason enough for a double share of perversity and caprice, though Bertie knew nothing of that.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading She thought, no doubt, that everybody had suspected that secret of hers--and with unconscious self-importance, that it was whispered throughout the country with secret smiles over all her former unmarried-woman superiority to vulgar love-affairs.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Perhaps the wavering, pleasant, half-conscious sentiment, and tender youthful reminiscence, with which Bertie came home, was the better of a little opposition to warm it into independent life; and Alice had reason enough for a double share of perversity and caprice, though Bertie knew nothing of that.
every person
From this reading She thought, no doubt, that everybody had suspected that secret of hers--and with unconscious self-importance, that it was whispered throughout the country with secret smiles over all her former unmarried-woman superiority to vulgar love-affairs.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading The first visit which Bertie was able to make was to the cottage--to see Mrs. Harley, as he said, gravely--but I fear he did not get a very satisfactory reception.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The first visit which Bertie was able to make was to the cottage--to see Mrs. Harley, as he said, gravely--but I fear he did not get a very satisfactory reception.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Perhaps the wavering, pleasant, half-conscious sentiment, and tender youthful reminiscence, with which Bertie came home, was the better of a little opposition to warm it into independent life; and Alice had reason enough for a double share of perversity and caprice, though Bertie knew nothing of that.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading She thought, no doubt, that everybody had suspected that secret of hers--and with unconscious self-importance, that it was whispered throughout the country with secret smiles over all her former unmarried-woman superiority to vulgar love-affairs.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading The first visit which Bertie was able to make was to the cottage--to see Mrs. Harley, as he said, gravely--but I fear he did not get a very satisfactory reception.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He told me he thought Alice greatly changed when he returned; but he was not communicative on the subject, and had a decided inclination to go back again.
in a grave and sober manner
From this reading The first visit which Bertie was able to make was to the cottage--to see Mrs. Harley, as he said, gravely--but I fear he did not get a very satisfactory reception.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading He told me he thought Alice greatly changed when he returned; but he was not communicative on the subject, and had a decided inclination to go back again.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He told me he thought Alice greatly changed when he returned; but he was not communicative on the subject, and had a decided inclination to go back again.
half-conscious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps the wavering, pleasant, half-conscious sentiment, and tender youthful reminiscence, with which Bertie came home, was the better of a little opposition to warm it into independent life; and Alice had reason enough for a double share of perversity and caprice, though Bertie knew nothing of that.
Harley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first visit which Bertie was able to make was to the cottage--to see Mrs. Harley, as he said, gravely--but I fear he did not get a very satisfactory reception.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The first visit which Bertie was able to make was to the cottage--to see Mrs. Harley, as he said, gravely--but I fear he did not get a very satisfactory reception.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She thought, no doubt, that everybody had suspected that secret of hers--and with unconscious self-importance, that it was whispered throughout the country with secret smiles over all her former unmarried-woman superiority to vulgar love-affairs.
the one or ones belonging to her
From this reading She thought, no doubt, that everybody had suspected that secret of hers--and with unconscious self-importance, that it was whispered throughout the country with secret smiles over all her former unmarried-woman superiority to vulgar love-affairs.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She had betrayed herself to me, and, for a moment, to Maurice.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Perhaps the wavering, pleasant, half-conscious sentiment, and tender youthful reminiscence, with which Bertie came home, was the better of a little opposition to warm it into independent life; and Alice had reason enough for a double share of perversity and caprice, though Bertie knew nothing of that.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The first visit which Bertie was able to make was to the cottage--to see Mrs. Harley, as he said, gravely--but I fear he did not get a very satisfactory reception.
inclinationnounUS /ˌɪnkləˈneɪʃən/
an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others
From this reading He told me he thought Alice greatly changed when he returned; but he was not communicative on the subject, and had a decided inclination to go back again.
independentadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈpendənt/
free from external control and constraint
From this reading Perhaps the wavering, pleasant, half-conscious sentiment, and tender youthful reminiscence, with which Bertie came home, was the better of a little opposition to warm it into independent life; and Alice had reason enough for a double share of perversity and caprice, though Bertie knew nothing of that.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Perhaps the wavering, pleasant, half-conscious sentiment, and tender youthful reminiscence, with which Bertie came home, was the better of a little opposition to warm it into independent life; and Alice had reason enough for a double share of perversity and caprice, though Bertie knew nothing of that.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Perhaps the wavering, pleasant, half-conscious sentiment, and tender youthful reminiscence, with which Bertie came home, was the better of a little opposition to warm it into independent life; and Alice had reason enough for a double share of perversity and caprice, though Bertie knew nothing of that.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Perhaps the wavering, pleasant, half-conscious sentiment, and tender youthful reminiscence, with which Bertie came home, was the better of a little opposition to warm it into independent life; and Alice had reason enough for a double share of perversity and caprice, though Bertie knew nothing of that.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Perhaps the wavering, pleasant, half-conscious sentiment, and tender youthful reminiscence, with which Bertie came home, was the better of a little opposition to warm it into independent life; and Alice had reason enough for a double share of perversity and caprice, though Bertie knew nothing of that.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Perhaps the wavering, pleasant, half-conscious sentiment, and tender youthful reminiscence, with which Bertie came home, was the better of a little opposition to warm it into independent life; and Alice had reason enough for a double share of perversity and caprice, though Bertie knew nothing of that.
love-affairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She thought, no doubt, that everybody had suspected that secret of hers--and with unconscious self-importance, that it was whispered throughout the country with secret smiles over all her former unmarried-woman superiority to vulgar love-affairs.
engage in
From this reading The first visit which Bertie was able to make was to the cottage--to see Mrs. Harley, as he said, gravely--but I fear he did not get a very satisfactory reception.
Maurice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had betrayed herself to me, and, for a moment, to Maurice.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He told me he thought Alice greatly changed when he returned; but he was not communicative on the subject, and had a decided inclination to go back again.
a particular point in time
From this reading She had betrayed herself to me, and, for a moment, to Maurice.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading The first visit which Bertie was able to make was to the cottage--to see Mrs. Harley, as he said, gravely--but I fear he did not get a very satisfactory reception.
not any; not one
From this reading She thought, no doubt, that everybody had suspected that secret of hers--and with unconscious self-importance, that it was whispered throughout the country with secret smiles over all her former unmarried-woman superiority to vulgar love-affairs.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The first visit which Bertie was able to make was to the cottage--to see Mrs. Harley, as he said, gravely--but I fear he did not get a very satisfactory reception.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Perhaps the wavering, pleasant, half-conscious sentiment, and tender youthful reminiscence, with which Bertie came home, was the better of a little opposition to warm it into independent life; and Alice had reason enough for a double share of perversity and caprice, though Bertie knew nothing of that.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Perhaps the wavering, pleasant, half-conscious sentiment, and tender youthful reminiscence, with which Bertie came home, was the better of a little opposition to warm it into independent life; and Alice had reason enough for a double share of perversity and caprice, though Bertie knew nothing of that.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He told me he thought Alice greatly changed when he returned; but he was not communicative on the subject, and had a decided inclination to go back again.
oppositionnounUS /ˌɑːpəˈzɪʃən/
the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with
From this reading Perhaps the wavering, pleasant, half-conscious sentiment, and tender youthful reminiscence, with which Bertie came home, was the better of a little opposition to warm it into independent life; and Alice had reason enough for a double share of perversity and caprice, though Bertie knew nothing of that.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading She thought, no doubt, that everybody had suspected that secret of hers--and with unconscious self-importance, that it was whispered throughout the country with secret smiles over all her former unmarried-woman superiority to vulgar love-affairs.
by chance
From this reading Perhaps the wavering, pleasant, half-conscious sentiment, and tender youthful reminiscence, with which Bertie came home, was the better of a little opposition to warm it into independent life; and Alice had reason enough for a double share of perversity and caprice, though Bertie knew nothing of that.
perversitynounUS /pərˈvɜːrsəti/
deliberate and stubborn unruliness and resistance to guidance or discipline
From this reading Perhaps the wavering, pleasant, half-conscious sentiment, and tender youthful reminiscence, with which Bertie came home, was the better of a little opposition to warm it into independent life; and Alice had reason enough for a double share of perversity and caprice, though Bertie knew nothing of that.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading Perhaps the wavering, pleasant, half-conscious sentiment, and tender youthful reminiscence, with which Bertie came home, was the better of a little opposition to warm it into independent life; and Alice had reason enough for a double share of perversity and caprice, though Bertie knew nothing of that.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading Perhaps the wavering, pleasant, half-conscious sentiment, and tender youthful reminiscence, with which Bertie came home, was the better of a little opposition to warm it into independent life; and Alice had reason enough for a double share of perversity and caprice, though Bertie knew nothing of that.
receptionnounUS /rɪˈsepʃən/
the manner in which something is greeted
From this reading The first visit which Bertie was able to make was to the cottage--to see Mrs. Harley, as he said, gravely--but I fear he did not get a very satisfactory reception.
reminiscencenounUS /ˌreməˈnɪsəns/
a mental impression retained and recalled from the past
From this reading Perhaps the wavering, pleasant, half-conscious sentiment, and tender youthful reminiscence, with which Bertie came home, was the better of a little opposition to warm it into independent life; and Alice had reason enough for a double share of perversity and caprice, though Bertie knew nothing of that.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading He told me he thought Alice greatly changed when he returned; but he was not communicative on the subject, and had a decided inclination to go back again.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading The first visit which Bertie was able to make was to the cottage--to see Mrs. Harley, as he said, gravely--but I fear he did not get a very satisfactory reception.
satisfactoryadjectiveUS /ˌsætəˈsfæktri/
giving satisfaction
From this reading The first visit which Bertie was able to make was to the cottage--to see Mrs. Harley, as he said, gravely--but I fear he did not get a very satisfactory reception.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading She thought, no doubt, that everybody had suspected that secret of hers--and with unconscious self-importance, that it was whispered throughout the country with secret smiles over all her former unmarried-woman superiority to vulgar love-affairs.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The first visit which Bertie was able to make was to the cottage--to see Mrs. Harley, as he said, gravely--but I fear he did not get a very satisfactory reception.
self-importancenoun
an inflated feeling of pride in your superiority to others
From this reading She thought, no doubt, that everybody had suspected that secret of hers--and with unconscious self-importance, that it was whispered throughout the country with secret smiles over all her former unmarried-woman superiority to vulgar love-affairs.
tender, romantic, or nostalgic feeling or emotion
From this reading Perhaps the wavering, pleasant, half-conscious sentiment, and tender youthful reminiscence, with which Bertie came home, was the better of a little opposition to warm it into independent life; and Alice had reason enough for a double share of perversity and caprice, though Bertie knew nothing of that.
have in common
From this reading Perhaps the wavering, pleasant, half-conscious sentiment, and tender youthful reminiscence, with which Bertie came home, was the better of a little opposition to warm it into independent life; and Alice had reason enough for a double share of perversity and caprice, though Bertie knew nothing of that.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had betrayed herself to me, and, for a moment, to Maurice.
smilesnounUS /smaɪlz/
plural of “smile” — a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading She thought, no doubt, that everybody had suspected that secret of hers--and with unconscious self-importance, that it was whispered throughout the country with secret smiles over all her former unmarried-woman superiority to vulgar love-affairs.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading He told me he thought Alice greatly changed when he returned; but he was not communicative on the subject, and had a decided inclination to go back again.
superioritynounUS /ˌsuːpɪriˈɔːrɪti/
the quality of being superior
From this reading She thought, no doubt, that everybody had suspected that secret of hers--and with unconscious self-importance, that it was whispered throughout the country with secret smiles over all her former unmarried-woman superiority to vulgar love-affairs.
believed likely
From this reading She thought, no doubt, that everybody had suspected that secret of hers--and with unconscious self-importance, that it was whispered throughout the country with secret smiles over all her former unmarried-woman superiority to vulgar love-affairs.
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading Perhaps the wavering, pleasant, half-conscious sentiment, and tender youthful reminiscence, with which Bertie came home, was the better of a little opposition to warm it into independent life; and Alice had reason enough for a double share of perversity and caprice, though Bertie knew nothing of that.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Perhaps the wavering, pleasant, half-conscious sentiment, and tender youthful reminiscence, with which Bertie came home, was the better of a little opposition to warm it into independent life; and Alice had reason enough for a double share of perversity and caprice, though Bertie knew nothing of that.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The first visit which Bertie was able to make was to the cottage--to see Mrs. Harley, as he said, gravely--but I fear he did not get a very satisfactory reception.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Perhaps the wavering, pleasant, half-conscious sentiment, and tender youthful reminiscence, with which Bertie came home, was the better of a little opposition to warm it into independent life; and Alice had reason enough for a double share of perversity and caprice, though Bertie knew nothing of that.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading He told me he thought Alice greatly changed when he returned; but he was not communicative on the subject, and had a decided inclination to go back again.
in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period
From this reading She thought, no doubt, that everybody had suspected that secret of hers--and with unconscious self-importance, that it was whispered throughout the country with secret smiles over all her former unmarried-woman superiority to vulgar love-affairs.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The first visit which Bertie was able to make was to the cottage--to see Mrs. Harley, as he said, gravely--but I fear he did not get a very satisfactory reception.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading He told me he thought Alice greatly changed when he returned; but he was not communicative on the subject, and had a decided inclination to go back again.
not conscious; lacking awareness and the capacity for sensory perception as if asleep or dead
From this reading She thought, no doubt, that everybody had suspected that secret of hers--and with unconscious self-importance, that it was whispered throughout the country with secret smiles over all her former unmarried-woman superiority to vulgar love-affairs.
unmarried-woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She thought, no doubt, that everybody had suspected that secret of hers--and with unconscious self-importance, that it was whispered throughout the country with secret smiles over all her former unmarried-woman superiority to vulgar love-affairs.
precisely as stated
From this reading The first visit which Bertie was able to make was to the cottage--to see Mrs. Harley, as he said, gravely--but I fear he did not get a very satisfactory reception.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading The first visit which Bertie was able to make was to the cottage--to see Mrs. Harley, as he said, gravely--but I fear he did not get a very satisfactory reception.
vulgaradjectiveUS /ˈvʌlɡər/
lacking refinement or cultivation or taste
From this reading She thought, no doubt, that everybody had suspected that secret of hers--and with unconscious self-importance, that it was whispered throughout the country with secret smiles over all her former unmarried-woman superiority to vulgar love-affairs.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading Perhaps the wavering, pleasant, half-conscious sentiment, and tender youthful reminiscence, with which Bertie came home, was the better of a little opposition to warm it into independent life; and Alice had reason enough for a double share of perversity and caprice, though Bertie knew nothing of that.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The first visit which Bertie was able to make was to the cottage--to see Mrs. Harley, as he said, gravely--but I fear he did not get a very satisfactory reception.
waveringnounUS /ˈweɪvərɪŋ/
indecision in speech or action
From this reading Perhaps the wavering, pleasant, half-conscious sentiment, and tender youthful reminiscence, with which Bertie came home, was the better of a little opposition to warm it into independent life; and Alice had reason enough for a double share of perversity and caprice, though Bertie knew nothing of that.
at the time that
From this reading He told me he thought Alice greatly changed when he returned; but he was not communicative on the subject, and had a decided inclination to go back again.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The first visit which Bertie was able to make was to the cottage--to see Mrs. Harley, as he said, gravely--but I fear he did not get a very satisfactory reception.
spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords
From this reading She thought, no doubt, that everybody had suspected that secret of hers--and with unconscious self-importance, that it was whispered throughout the country with secret smiles over all her former unmarried-woman superiority to vulgar love-affairs.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Perhaps the wavering, pleasant, half-conscious sentiment, and tender youthful reminiscence, with which Bertie came home, was the better of a little opposition to warm it into independent life; and Alice had reason enough for a double share of perversity and caprice, though Bertie knew nothing of that.
youthfuladjectiveUS /ˈjuːθfəl/
suggestive of youth; vigorous and fresh
From this reading Perhaps the wavering, pleasant, half-conscious sentiment, and tender youthful reminiscence, with which Bertie came home, was the better of a little opposition to warm it into independent life; and Alice had reason enough for a double share of perversity and caprice, though Bertie knew nothing of that.
