used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They didn’t believe in the sheltered-life system, but that was perhaps because they rather under-estimated their own idea of what constituted a shelter.
allowingverbUS /əˈlaʊɪŋ/
-ing form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading There were certain risks, of course, in allowing your daughters to play mixed hockey, smoke cigarettes and belong to a suffrage movement (they could attend meetings, but weren’t to throw stones).
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There were certain risks, of course, in allowing your daughters to play mixed hockey, smoke cigarettes and belong to a suffrage movement (they could attend meetings, but weren’t to throw stones).
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The Pinsents never saw any reason why they shouldn’t be modern without--as they expressed it--going too far.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The Pinsents never saw any reason why they shouldn’t be modern without--as they expressed it--going too far.
be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.
From this reading There were certain risks, of course, in allowing your daughters to play mixed hockey, smoke cigarettes and belong to a suffrage movement (they could attend meetings, but weren’t to throw stones).
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Bernard Shaw rolled off them like water from a duck’s back.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The Pinsents never saw any reason why they shouldn’t be modern without--as they expressed it--going too far.
for the reason that
From this reading They didn’t believe in the sheltered-life system, but that was perhaps because they rather under-estimated their own idea of what constituted a shelter.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading They didn’t believe in the sheltered-life system, but that was perhaps because they rather under-estimated their own idea of what constituted a shelter.
be owned by; be in the possession of
From this reading There were certain risks, of course, in allowing your daughters to play mixed hockey, smoke cigarettes and belong to a suffrage movement (they could attend meetings, but weren’t to throw stones).
BernardnounUS /bərˈnɑːrd/
French physiologist noted for research on secretions of the alimentary canal and the glycogenic function of the liver (1813-1878)
From this reading Bernard Shaw rolled off them like water from a duck’s back.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They didn’t believe in the sheltered-life system, but that was perhaps because they rather under-estimated their own idea of what constituted a shelter.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading There were certain risks, of course, in allowing your daughters to play mixed hockey, smoke cigarettes and belong to a suffrage movement (they could attend meetings, but weren’t to throw stones).
cigarettesnounUS /ˌsɪɡərˈets/
plural of “cigarette” — finely ground tobacco wrapped in paper; for smoking
From this reading There were certain risks, of course, in allowing your daughters to play mixed hockey, smoke cigarettes and belong to a suffrage movement (they could attend meetings, but weren’t to throw stones).
concessionsnounUS /kənˈseʃənz/
plural of “concession” — a contract granting the right to operate a subsidiary business
From this reading Still, it was strange how little harm these concessions to modernity had done the Pinsent girls.
constitutedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnstətuːtəd/
brought about or set up or accepted; especially long established
From this reading They didn’t believe in the sheltered-life system, but that was perhaps because they rather under-estimated their own idea of what constituted a shelter.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading There were certain risks, of course, in allowing your daughters to play mixed hockey, smoke cigarettes and belong to a suffrage movement (they could attend meetings, but weren’t to throw stones).
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading There were certain risks, of course, in allowing your daughters to play mixed hockey, smoke cigarettes and belong to a suffrage movement (they could attend meetings, but weren’t to throw stones).
plural of “daughter” — a female human offspring
From this reading There were certain risks, of course, in allowing your daughters to play mixed hockey, smoke cigarettes and belong to a suffrage movement (they could attend meetings, but weren’t to throw stones).
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They didn’t believe in the sheltered-life system, but that was perhaps because they rather under-estimated their own idea of what constituted a shelter.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Still, it was strange how little harm these concessions to modernity had done the Pinsent girls.
duck'snounUS /dʌks/
possessive form of “duck” — small wild or domesticated web-footed broad-billed swimming bird usually having a depressed body and short legs
From this reading Bernard Shaw rolled off them like water from a duck’s back.
communicated in words
From this reading The Pinsents never saw any reason why they shouldn’t be modern without--as they expressed it--going too far.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading The Pinsents never saw any reason why they shouldn’t be modern without--as they expressed it--going too far.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Bernard Shaw rolled off them like water from a duck’s back.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading Still, it was strange how little harm these concessions to modernity had done the Pinsent girls.
the act of departing
From this reading The Pinsents never saw any reason why they shouldn’t be modern without--as they expressed it--going too far.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Still, it was strange how little harm these concessions to modernity had done the Pinsent girls.
any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.
From this reading Still, it was strange how little harm these concessions to modernity had done the Pinsent girls.
hockeynounUS /ˈhɑːki/
a game resembling ice hockey that is played on an open field; two opposing teams use curved hockey sticks try to drive a ball into the opponents' net
From this reading There were certain risks, of course, in allowing your daughters to play mixed hockey, smoke cigarettes and belong to a suffrage movement (they could attend meetings, but weren’t to throw stones).
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, it was strange how little harm these concessions to modernity had done the Pinsent girls.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading They didn’t believe in the sheltered-life system, but that was perhaps because they rather under-estimated their own idea of what constituted a shelter.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They didn’t believe in the sheltered-life system, but that was perhaps because they rather under-estimated their own idea of what constituted a shelter.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The Pinsents never saw any reason why they shouldn’t be modern without--as they expressed it--going too far.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Bernard Shaw rolled off them like water from a duck’s back.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Still, it was strange how little harm these concessions to modernity had done the Pinsent girls.
meetingsnounUS /ˈmiːtɪŋz/
plural of “meeting” — a formally arranged gathering
From this reading There were certain risks, of course, in allowing your daughters to play mixed hockey, smoke cigarettes and belong to a suffrage movement (they could attend meetings, but weren’t to throw stones).
consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds
From this reading There were certain risks, of course, in allowing your daughters to play mixed hockey, smoke cigarettes and belong to a suffrage movement (they could attend meetings, but weren’t to throw stones).
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
From this reading The Pinsents never saw any reason why they shouldn’t be modern without--as they expressed it--going too far.
modernitynounUS /mɑːˈdɜːrnəti/
the quality of being current or of the present
From this reading Still, it was strange how little harm these concessions to modernity had done the Pinsent girls.
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading There were certain risks, of course, in allowing your daughters to play mixed hockey, smoke cigarettes and belong to a suffrage movement (they could attend meetings, but weren’t to throw stones).
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading The Pinsents never saw any reason why they shouldn’t be modern without--as they expressed it--going too far.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They didn’t believe in the sheltered-life system, but that was perhaps because they rather under-estimated their own idea of what constituted a shelter.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Bernard Shaw rolled off them like water from a duck’s back.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading They didn’t believe in the sheltered-life system, but that was perhaps because they rather under-estimated their own idea of what constituted a shelter.
by chance
From this reading They didn’t believe in the sheltered-life system, but that was perhaps because they rather under-estimated their own idea of what constituted a shelter.
Pinsent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, it was strange how little harm these concessions to modernity had done the Pinsent girls.
Pinsents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Pinsents never saw any reason why they shouldn’t be modern without--as they expressed it--going too far.
participate in games or sport
From this reading There were certain risks, of course, in allowing your daughters to play mixed hockey, smoke cigarettes and belong to a suffrage movement (they could attend meetings, but weren’t to throw stones).
on the contrary
From this reading They didn’t believe in the sheltered-life system, but that was perhaps because they rather under-estimated their own idea of what constituted a shelter.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading The Pinsents never saw any reason why they shouldn’t be modern without--as they expressed it--going too far.
risksnounUS /rɪsks/
plural of “risk” — a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading There were certain risks, of course, in allowing your daughters to play mixed hockey, smoke cigarettes and belong to a suffrage movement (they could attend meetings, but weren’t to throw stones).
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading Bernard Shaw rolled off them like water from a duck’s back.
cut with a saw
From this reading The Pinsents never saw any reason why they shouldn’t be modern without--as they expressed it--going too far.
ShawnounUS /ʃɔː/
United States clarinetist and leader of a swing band (1910-2004)
From this reading Bernard Shaw rolled off them like water from a duck’s back.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading They didn’t believe in the sheltered-life system, but that was perhaps because they rather under-estimated their own idea of what constituted a shelter.
sheltered-life
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They didn’t believe in the sheltered-life system, but that was perhaps because they rather under-estimated their own idea of what constituted a shelter.
shouldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Pinsents never saw any reason why they shouldn’t be modern without--as they expressed it--going too far.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading There were certain risks, of course, in allowing your daughters to play mixed hockey, smoke cigarettes and belong to a suffrage movement (they could attend meetings, but weren’t to throw stones).
not in physical motion
From this reading Still, it was strange how little harm these concessions to modernity had done the Pinsent girls.
plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading There were certain risks, of course, in allowing your daughters to play mixed hockey, smoke cigarettes and belong to a suffrage movement (they could attend meetings, but weren’t to throw stones).
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading Still, it was strange how little harm these concessions to modernity had done the Pinsent girls.
suffragenounUS /ˈsʌfrɪdʒ/
a legal right guaranteed by the 15th amendment to the US Constitution; guaranteed to women by the 19th amendment
From this reading There were certain risks, of course, in allowing your daughters to play mixed hockey, smoke cigarettes and belong to a suffrage movement (they could attend meetings, but weren’t to throw stones).
instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity
From this reading They didn’t believe in the sheltered-life system, but that was perhaps because they rather under-estimated their own idea of what constituted a shelter.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They didn’t believe in the sheltered-life system, but that was perhaps because they rather under-estimated their own idea of what constituted a shelter.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Pinsents never saw any reason why they shouldn’t be modern without--as they expressed it--going too far.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They didn’t believe in the sheltered-life system, but that was perhaps because they rather under-estimated their own idea of what constituted a shelter.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Bernard Shaw rolled off them like water from a duck’s back.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were certain risks, of course, in allowing your daughters to play mixed hockey, smoke cigarettes and belong to a suffrage movement (they could attend meetings, but weren’t to throw stones).
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Still, it was strange how little harm these concessions to modernity had done the Pinsent girls.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Pinsents never saw any reason why they shouldn’t be modern without--as they expressed it--going too far.
propel through the air
From this reading There were certain risks, of course, in allowing your daughters to play mixed hockey, smoke cigarettes and belong to a suffrage movement (they could attend meetings, but weren’t to throw stones).
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There were certain risks, of course, in allowing your daughters to play mixed hockey, smoke cigarettes and belong to a suffrage movement (they could attend meetings, but weren’t to throw stones).
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The Pinsents never saw any reason why they shouldn’t be modern without--as they expressed it--going too far.
under-estimated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They didn’t believe in the sheltered-life system, but that was perhaps because they rather under-estimated their own idea of what constituted a shelter.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They didn’t believe in the sheltered-life system, but that was perhaps because they rather under-estimated their own idea of what constituted a shelter.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading Bernard Shaw rolled off them like water from a duck’s back.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were certain risks, of course, in allowing your daughters to play mixed hockey, smoke cigarettes and belong to a suffrage movement (they could attend meetings, but weren’t to throw stones).
weren't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were certain risks, of course, in allowing your daughters to play mixed hockey, smoke cigarettes and belong to a suffrage movement (they could attend meetings, but weren’t to throw stones).
used to ask for information about something
From this reading They didn’t believe in the sheltered-life system, but that was perhaps because they rather under-estimated their own idea of what constituted a shelter.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading The Pinsents never saw any reason why they shouldn’t be modern without--as they expressed it--going too far.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The Pinsents never saw any reason why they shouldn’t be modern without--as they expressed it--going too far.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading There were certain risks, of course, in allowing your daughters to play mixed hockey, smoke cigarettes and belong to a suffrage movement (they could attend meetings, but weren’t to throw stones).
