used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Love in a cottage is admittedly no failure, quite delightful; but those who have tried it usually end by owning that love in comfort would be no less charming.
adaptingverbUS /əˈdæptɪŋ/
-ing form of “adapt” — make fit for, or change to suit a new purpose
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
admittedlyadverbUS /ædˈmɪtɪdli/
as acknowledged
From this reading Love in a cottage is admittedly no failure, quite delightful; but those who have tried it usually end by owning that love in comfort would be no less charming.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Love in a cottage is admittedly no failure, quite delightful; but those who have tried it usually end by owning that love in comfort would be no less charming.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
(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 Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
Brett
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Within two years from marriage they had told upon Hubert Brett.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Love in a cottage is admittedly no failure, quite delightful; but those who have tried it usually end by owning that love in comfort would be no less charming.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Love in a cottage is admittedly no failure, quite delightful; but those who have tried it usually end by owning that love in comfort would be no less charming.
pleasing or delighting
From this reading Love in a cottage is admittedly no failure, quite delightful; but those who have tried it usually end by owning that love in comfort would be no less charming.
cleverlyadverbUS /ˈklevərli/
in a clever manner
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading Love in a cottage is admittedly no failure, quite delightful; but those who have tried it usually end by owning that love in comfort would be no less charming.
a small house with a single story
From this reading Love in a cottage is admittedly no failure, quite delightful; but those who have tried it usually end by owning that love in comfort would be no less charming.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
daintyadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪnti/
delicately beautiful
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
greatly pleasing or entertaining
From this reading Love in a cottage is admittedly no failure, quite delightful; but those who have tried it usually end by owning that love in comfort would be no less charming.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Love in a cottage is admittedly no failure, quite delightful; but those who have tried it usually end by owning that love in comfort would be no less charming.
having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
failsverbUS /feɪlz/
third-person singular of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
an act that fails
From this reading Love in a cottage is admittedly no failure, quite delightful; but those who have tried it usually end by owning that love in comfort would be no less charming.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Within two years from marriage they had told upon Hubert Brett.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Within two years from marriage they had told upon Hubert Brett.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Love in a cottage is admittedly no failure, quite delightful; but those who have tried it usually end by owning that love in comfort would be no less charming.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
HelenanounUS /ˈhelənə/
capital of the state of Montana; located in western Montana
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
housekeepernounUS /ˈhaʊskiːpər/
a servant who is employed to perform domestic task in a household
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
Hubert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So it was with Hubert.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Love in a cottage is admittedly no failure, quite delightful; but those who have tried it usually end by owning that love in comfort would be no less charming.
incomenounUS /ˈɪnkʌm/
the financial gain (earned or unearned) accruing over a given period of time
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Love in a cottage is admittedly no failure, quite delightful; but those who have tried it usually end by owning that love in comfort would be no less charming.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading WAS IT WORTH WHILE?
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Love in a cottage is admittedly no failure, quite delightful; but those who have tried it usually end by owning that love in comfort would be no less charming.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading Love in a cottage is admittedly no failure, quite delightful; but those who have tried it usually end by owning that love in comfort would be no less charming.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading Within two years from marriage they had told upon Hubert Brett.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
not any; not one
From this reading Love in a cottage is admittedly no failure, quite delightful; but those who have tried it usually end by owning that love in comfort would be no less charming.
no person; not anyone
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
owningverbUS /ˈoʊnɪŋ/
-ing form of “own” — have ownership or possession of
From this reading Love in a cottage is admittedly no failure, quite delightful; but those who have tried it usually end by owning that love in comfort would be no less charming.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Love in a cottage is admittedly no failure, quite delightful; but those who have tried it usually end by owning that love in comfort would be no less charming.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So it was with Hubert.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
express in words
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Love in a cottage is admittedly no failure, quite delightful; but those who have tried it usually end by owning that love in comfort would be no less charming.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Within two years from marriage they had told upon Hubert Brett.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Love in a cottage is admittedly no failure, quite delightful; but those who have tried it usually end by owning that love in comfort would be no less charming.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading Love in a cottage is admittedly no failure, quite delightful; but those who have tried it usually end by owning that love in comfort would be no less charming.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Within two years from marriage they had told upon Hubert Brett.
uncomfortableadjectiveUS /ənˈkʌmfərtəbəl/
conducive to or feeling mental discomfort
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
except if; if not
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Within two years from marriage they had told upon Hubert Brett.
under normal conditions
From this reading Love in a cottage is admittedly no failure, quite delightful; but those who have tried it usually end by owning that love in comfort would be no less charming.
variableadjectiveUS /ˈveriəbəl/
liable to or capable of change
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
WASauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading WAS IT WORTH WHILE?
structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
WHILEconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading WAS IT WORTH WHILE?
which person or people
From this reading Love in a cottage is admittedly no failure, quite delightful; but those who have tried it usually end by owning that love in comfort would be no less charming.
in the company of; together with
From this reading So it was with Hubert.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Within two years from marriage they had told upon Hubert Brett.
worriedadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrid/
afflicted with or marked by anxious uneasiness or trouble or grief
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading WAS IT WORTH WHILE?
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Love in a cottage is admittedly no failure, quite delightful; but those who have tried it usually end by owning that love in comfort would be no less charming.
produce a literary work
From this reading Nobody, he told himself, could be a better little housekeeper than Helena, no little home more fresh and dainty than their own: but though she never worried him, cleverly adapting their ways to a variable income, he was always faced by the uncomfortable thought: "If this book fails--" or "unless I write some short stories--" and after a while these things begin to tell.
a late time of life
From this reading Within two years from marriage they had told upon Hubert Brett.
