Chapter XXIX · Chapter 29

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.

a cherished desire

From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.

achieved or reached

From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading His desire for military honour was that it might raise him in Beatrix’s eyes.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.

one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship

From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.

the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state

From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.

(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation

From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.

with no protection or shield

From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.

opinion or judgment

From this reading His desire for military honour was that it might raise him in Beatrix’s eyes.

marked by intense agitation or emotion

From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading His desire for military honour was that it might raise him in Beatrix’s eyes.

past form of “forward” — send or ship onward from an intermediate post or station in transit

From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.

obtain

From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.

a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.

possessive form of “gentleman” — a man of refinement

From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.

plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement

From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.

the state of being honored

From this reading His desire for military honour was that it might raise him in Beatrix’s eyes.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading His desire for military honour was that it might raise him in Beatrix’s eyes.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading His desire for military honour was that it might raise him in Beatrix’s eyes.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading ’Twas next to nobility and wealth the only kind of rank she valued.

the collection of rules imposed by authority

From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.

the literary culture

From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading His desire for military honour was that it might raise him in Beatrix’s eyes.

of or relating to the study of the principles of warfare

From this reading His desire for military honour was that it might raise him in Beatrix’s eyes.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.

used to form the superlative

From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.

the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior

From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading ’Twas next to nobility and wealth the only kind of rank she valued.

not any; not one

From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.

a privileged class holding hereditary titles

From this reading ’Twas next to nobility and wealth the only kind of rank she valued.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.

and nothing more

From this reading ’Twas next to nobility and wealth the only kind of rank she valued.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.

above and across; more than

From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.

by chance

From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.

plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished

From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.

participate in games or sport

From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.

(of games) engaged in

From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.

engage in a rehearsal

From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.

a message issued in behalf of some product or cause or idea or person or institution

From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.

most quickly

From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.

raise the level or amount of something

From this reading His desire for military honour was that it might raise him in Beatrix’s eyes.

a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another

From this reading ’Twas next to nobility and wealth the only kind of rank she valued.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.

the state of being held in high esteem and honor

From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.

third-person singular of “require” — require as useful, just, or proper

From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.

past form of “risk” — expose to a chance of loss or damage

From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading ’Twas next to nobility and wealth the only kind of rank she valued.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.

characterized by speed; moving with or capable of moving with high speed

From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.

(law) a right or legal share of something; a financial involvement with something

From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.

be agreeable or acceptable to

From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.

a fact that has been verified

From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading ’Twas next to nobility and wealth the only kind of rank she valued.

(usually used in combination) having value of a specified kind

From this reading ’Twas next to nobility and wealth the only kind of rank she valued.

precisely as stated

From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.

the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money

From this reading ’Twas next to nobility and wealth the only kind of rank she valued.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.

be the winner in a contest or competition; be victorious

From this reading So he had no suit to play but the red one, and he played it; and this, in truth, was the reason of his speedy promotion; for he exposed himself more than most gentlemen do, and risked more to win more.

hope for; have a wish

From this reading That feverish desire to gain a little reputation which Esmond had had, left him now perhaps that he had attained some portion of his wish, and the great motive of his ambition was over.

the basic unit of money in South Korea

From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading It was the stake quickest won or lost too; for law is a very long game that requires a life to practise; and to be distinguished in letters or the Church would not have forwarded the poor gentleman’s plans in the least.