used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Since his first attempt and its abrupt termination, he had been somewhat bewildered; he had failed to decide whether he was an engaged man open to congratulations, or a rejected suitor to be condoled with.
abruptadjectiveUS /əˈbrʌpt/
marked by sudden changes in subject and sharp transitions
From this reading Since his first attempt and its abrupt termination, he had been somewhat bewildered; he had failed to decide whether he was an engaged man open to congratulations, or a rejected suitor to be condoled with.
(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 He could have sworn at himself to think that it was all his fault that she had stopped just at the critical moment, when she might have committed herself and given him some real encouragement.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Since his first attempt and its abrupt termination, he had been somewhat bewildered; he had failed to decide whether he was an engaged man open to congratulations, or a rejected suitor to be condoled with.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Since his first attempt and its abrupt termination, he had been somewhat bewildered; he had failed to decide whether he was an engaged man open to congratulations, or a rejected suitor to be condoled with.
ardentadjectiveUS /ˈɑːrdənt/
characterized by intense emotion
From this reading COULEUR de ROSE Hepsey had been so busy with helping the Maxwells that for some time no opportunity had occurred for Jonathan to press his ardent suit.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As near as he could recollect, it was: "I'll think it over, and perhaps some day--" Then he had committed the indiscretion of grasping her hand, causing her to drop her stitches before she had ended what she was going to say.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He could have sworn at himself to think that it was all his fault that she had stopped just at the critical moment, when she might have committed herself and given him some real encouragement.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Since his first attempt and its abrupt termination, he had been somewhat bewildered; he had failed to decide whether he was an engaged man open to congratulations, or a rejected suitor to be condoled with.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Since his first attempt and its abrupt termination, he had been somewhat bewildered; he had failed to decide whether he was an engaged man open to congratulations, or a rejected suitor to be condoled with.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading COULEUR de ROSE Hepsey had been so busy with helping the Maxwells that for some time no opportunity had occurred for Jonathan to press his ardent suit.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading As near as he could recollect, it was: "I'll think it over, and perhaps some day--" Then he had committed the indiscretion of grasping her hand, causing her to drop her stitches before she had ended what she was going to say.
bewilderedadjectiveUS /bɪˈwɪldərd/
perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment
From this reading Since his first attempt and its abrupt termination, he had been somewhat bewildered; he had failed to decide whether he was an engaged man open to congratulations, or a rejected suitor to be condoled with.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading COULEUR de ROSE Hepsey had been so busy with helping the Maxwells that for some time no opportunity had occurred for Jonathan to press his ardent suit.
causingnounUS /ˈkɑːzɪŋ/
the act of causing something to happen
From this reading As near as he could recollect, it was: "I'll think it over, and perhaps some day--" Then he had committed the indiscretion of grasping her hand, causing her to drop her stitches before she had ended what she was going to say.
bound or obligated, as under a pledge to a particular cause, action, or attitude
From this reading As near as he could recollect, it was: "I'll think it over, and perhaps some day--" Then he had committed the indiscretion of grasping her hand, causing her to drop her stitches before she had ended what she was going to say.
condoled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since his first attempt and its abrupt termination, he had been somewhat bewildered; he had failed to decide whether he was an engaged man open to congratulations, or a rejected suitor to be condoled with.
congratulationsnounUS /kənˌɡrætʃəˈleɪʃənz/
an expression of approval and commendation
From this reading Since his first attempt and its abrupt termination, he had been somewhat bewildered; he had failed to decide whether he was an engaged man open to congratulations, or a rejected suitor to be condoled with.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading As near as he could recollect, it was: "I'll think it over, and perhaps some day--" Then he had committed the indiscretion of grasping her hand, causing her to drop her stitches before she had ended what she was going to say.
COULEUR
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading COULEUR de ROSE Hepsey had been so busy with helping the Maxwells that for some time no opportunity had occurred for Jonathan to press his ardent suit.
criticaladjectiveUS /ˈkrɪtɪkəl/
marked by a tendency to find and call attention to errors and flaws
From this reading He could have sworn at himself to think that it was all his fault that she had stopped just at the critical moment, when she might have committed herself and given him some real encouragement.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading As near as he could recollect, it was: "I'll think it over, and perhaps some day--" Then he had committed the indiscretion of grasping her hand, causing her to drop her stitches before she had ended what she was going to say.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading COULEUR de ROSE Hepsey had been so busy with helping the Maxwells that for some time no opportunity had occurred for Jonathan to press his ardent suit.
reach, make, or come to a decision about something
From this reading Since his first attempt and its abrupt termination, he had been somewhat bewildered; he had failed to decide whether he was an engaged man open to congratulations, or a rejected suitor to be condoled with.
let fall to the ground
From this reading As near as he could recollect, it was: "I'll think it over, and perhaps some day--" Then he had committed the indiscretion of grasping her hand, causing her to drop her stitches before she had ended what she was going to say.
encouragementnounUS /enˈkɜːrɪdʒmənt/
the expression of approval and support
From this reading He could have sworn at himself to think that it was all his fault that she had stopped just at the critical moment, when she might have committed herself and given him some real encouragement.
endedadjectiveUS /ˈendəd/
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading As near as he could recollect, it was: "I'll think it over, and perhaps some day--" Then he had committed the indiscretion of grasping her hand, causing her to drop her stitches before she had ended what she was going to say.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading Since his first attempt and its abrupt termination, he had been somewhat bewildered; he had failed to decide whether he was an engaged man open to congratulations, or a rejected suitor to be condoled with.
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading He tried to recall exactly what she had said.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading Since his first attempt and its abrupt termination, he had been somewhat bewildered; he had failed to decide whether he was an engaged man open to congratulations, or a rejected suitor to be condoled with.
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading He could have sworn at himself to think that it was all his fault that she had stopped just at the critical moment, when she might have committed herself and given him some real encouragement.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Since his first attempt and its abrupt termination, he had been somewhat bewildered; he had failed to decide whether he was an engaged man open to congratulations, or a rejected suitor to be condoled with.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading COULEUR de ROSE Hepsey had been so busy with helping the Maxwells that for some time no opportunity had occurred for Jonathan to press his ardent suit.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading He could have sworn at himself to think that it was all his fault that she had stopped just at the critical moment, when she might have committed herself and given him some real encouragement.
the act of departing
From this reading As near as he could recollect, it was: "I'll think it over, and perhaps some day--" Then he had committed the indiscretion of grasping her hand, causing her to drop her stitches before she had ended what she was going to say.
graspingnounUS /ˈɡræspɪŋ/
understanding with difficulty
From this reading As near as he could recollect, it was: "I'll think it over, and perhaps some day--" Then he had committed the indiscretion of grasping her hand, causing her to drop her stitches before she had ended what she was going to say.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading COULEUR de ROSE Hepsey had been so busy with helping the Maxwells that for some time no opportunity had occurred for Jonathan to press his ardent suit.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading As near as he could recollect, it was: "I'll think it over, and perhaps some day--" Then he had committed the indiscretion of grasping her hand, causing her to drop her stitches before she had ended what she was going to say.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He could have sworn at himself to think that it was all his fault that she had stopped just at the critical moment, when she might have committed herself and given him some real encouragement.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Since his first attempt and its abrupt termination, he had been somewhat bewildered; he had failed to decide whether he was an engaged man open to congratulations, or a rejected suitor to be condoled with.
helpingnounUS /ˈhelpɪŋ/
an individual quantity of food or drink taken as part of a meal
From this reading COULEUR de ROSE Hepsey had been so busy with helping the Maxwells that for some time no opportunity had occurred for Jonathan to press his ardent suit.
Hepsey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading COULEUR de ROSE Hepsey had been so busy with helping the Maxwells that for some time no opportunity had occurred for Jonathan to press his ardent suit.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading As near as he could recollect, it was: "I'll think it over, and perhaps some day--" Then he had committed the indiscretion of grasping her hand, causing her to drop her stitches before she had ended what she was going to say.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading He could have sworn at himself to think that it was all his fault that she had stopped just at the critical moment, when she might have committed herself and given him some real encouragement.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He could have sworn at himself to think that it was all his fault that she had stopped just at the critical moment, when she might have committed herself and given him some real encouragement.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He could have sworn at himself to think that it was all his fault that she had stopped just at the critical moment, when she might have committed herself and given him some real encouragement.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading COULEUR de ROSE Hepsey had been so busy with helping the Maxwells that for some time no opportunity had occurred for Jonathan to press his ardent suit.
I'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As near as he could recollect, it was: "I'll think it over, and perhaps some day--" Then he had committed the indiscretion of grasping her hand, causing her to drop her stitches before she had ended what she was going to say.
indiscretionnounUS /ˌɪndɪˈskreʃən/
the trait of being injudicious
From this reading As near as he could recollect, it was: "I'll think it over, and perhaps some day--" Then he had committed the indiscretion of grasping her hand, causing her to drop her stitches before she had ended what she was going to say.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As near as he could recollect, it was: "I'll think it over, and perhaps some day--" Then he had committed the indiscretion of grasping her hand, causing her to drop her stitches before she had ended what she was going to say.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Since his first attempt and its abrupt termination, he had been somewhat bewildered; he had failed to decide whether he was an engaged man open to congratulations, or a rejected suitor to be condoled with.
JonathannounUS /ˈdʒɑːnəθən/
red late-ripening apple; primarily eaten raw
From this reading COULEUR de ROSE Hepsey had been so busy with helping the Maxwells that for some time no opportunity had occurred for Jonathan to press his ardent suit.
and nothing more
From this reading He could have sworn at himself to think that it was all his fault that she had stopped just at the critical moment, when she might have committed herself and given him some real encouragement.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Since his first attempt and its abrupt termination, he had been somewhat bewildered; he had failed to decide whether he was an engaged man open to congratulations, or a rejected suitor to be condoled with.
Maxwells
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading COULEUR de ROSE Hepsey had been so busy with helping the Maxwells that for some time no opportunity had occurred for Jonathan to press his ardent suit.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He could have sworn at himself to think that it was all his fault that she had stopped just at the critical moment, when she might have committed herself and given him some real encouragement.
a particular point in time
From this reading He could have sworn at himself to think that it was all his fault that she had stopped just at the critical moment, when she might have committed herself and given him some real encouragement.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading As near as he could recollect, it was: "I'll think it over, and perhaps some day--" Then he had committed the indiscretion of grasping her hand, causing her to drop her stitches before she had ended what she was going to say.
not any; not one
From this reading COULEUR de ROSE Hepsey had been so busy with helping the Maxwells that for some time no opportunity had occurred for Jonathan to press his ardent suit.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading COULEUR de ROSE Hepsey had been so busy with helping the Maxwells that for some time no opportunity had occurred for Jonathan to press his ardent suit.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As near as he could recollect, it was: "I'll think it over, and perhaps some day--" Then he had committed the indiscretion of grasping her hand, causing her to drop her stitches before she had ended what she was going to say.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Since his first attempt and its abrupt termination, he had been somewhat bewildered; he had failed to decide whether he was an engaged man open to congratulations, or a rejected suitor to be condoled with.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading COULEUR de ROSE Hepsey had been so busy with helping the Maxwells that for some time no opportunity had occurred for Jonathan to press his ardent suit.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Since his first attempt and its abrupt termination, he had been somewhat bewildered; he had failed to decide whether he was an engaged man open to congratulations, or a rejected suitor to be condoled with.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading As near as he could recollect, it was: "I'll think it over, and perhaps some day--" Then he had committed the indiscretion of grasping her hand, causing her to drop her stitches before she had ended what she was going to say.
by chance
From this reading As near as he could recollect, it was: "I'll think it over, and perhaps some day--" Then he had committed the indiscretion of grasping her hand, causing her to drop her stitches before she had ended what she was going to say.
exert pressure or force to or upon
From this reading COULEUR de ROSE Hepsey had been so busy with helping the Maxwells that for some time no opportunity had occurred for Jonathan to press his ardent suit.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading He could have sworn at himself to think that it was all his fault that she had stopped just at the critical moment, when she might have committed herself and given him some real encouragement.
recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading He tried to recall exactly what she had said.
recollectverbUS /ˌrekəˈlekt/
recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading As near as he could recollect, it was: "I'll think it over, and perhaps some day--" Then he had committed the indiscretion of grasping her hand, causing her to drop her stitches before she had ended what she was going to say.
rejectedadjectiveUS /rɪˈdʒektɪd/
rebuffed (by a lover) without warning
From this reading Since his first attempt and its abrupt termination, he had been somewhat bewildered; he had failed to decide whether he was an engaged man open to congratulations, or a rejected suitor to be condoled with.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading COULEUR de ROSE Hepsey had been so busy with helping the Maxwells that for some time no opportunity had occurred for Jonathan to press his ardent suit.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading He tried to recall exactly what she had said.
express in words
From this reading As near as he could recollect, it was: "I'll think it over, and perhaps some day--" Then he had committed the indiscretion of grasping her hand, causing her to drop her stitches before she had ended what she was going to say.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He tried to recall exactly what she had said.
SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Since his first attempt and its abrupt termination, he had been somewhat bewildered; he had failed to decide whether he was an engaged man open to congratulations, or a rejected suitor to be condoled with.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading COULEUR de ROSE Hepsey had been so busy with helping the Maxwells that for some time no opportunity had occurred for Jonathan to press his ardent suit.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading COULEUR de ROSE Hepsey had been so busy with helping the Maxwells that for some time no opportunity had occurred for Jonathan to press his ardent suit.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading Since his first attempt and its abrupt termination, he had been somewhat bewildered; he had failed to decide whether he was an engaged man open to congratulations, or a rejected suitor to be condoled with.
stitchesnounUS /ˈstɪtʃɪz/
plural of “stitch” — a link or loop or knot made by an implement in knitting, crocheting, embroidery, or sewing
From this reading As near as he could recollect, it was: "I'll think it over, and perhaps some day--" Then he had committed the indiscretion of grasping her hand, causing her to drop her stitches before she had ended what she was going to say.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading He could have sworn at himself to think that it was all his fault that she had stopped just at the critical moment, when she might have committed herself and given him some real encouragement.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading COULEUR de ROSE Hepsey had been so busy with helping the Maxwells that for some time no opportunity had occurred for Jonathan to press his ardent suit.
suitornounUS /ˈsuːtər/
a man who courts a woman
From this reading Since his first attempt and its abrupt termination, he had been somewhat bewildered; he had failed to decide whether he was an engaged man open to congratulations, or a rejected suitor to be condoled with.
swornadjectiveUS /swɔːrn/
bound by or as if by an oath
From this reading He could have sworn at himself to think that it was all his fault that she had stopped just at the critical moment, when she might have committed herself and given him some real encouragement.
terminationnounUS /tərməˈneɪʃən/
a coming to an end of a contract period
From this reading Since his first attempt and its abrupt termination, he had been somewhat bewildered; he had failed to decide whether he was an engaged man open to congratulations, or a rejected suitor to be condoled with.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading COULEUR de ROSE Hepsey had been so busy with helping the Maxwells that for some time no opportunity had occurred for Jonathan to press his ardent suit.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading COULEUR de ROSE Hepsey had been so busy with helping the Maxwells that for some time no opportunity had occurred for Jonathan to press his ardent suit.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading As near as he could recollect, it was: "I'll think it over, and perhaps some day--" Then he had committed the indiscretion of grasping her hand, causing her to drop her stitches before she had ended what she was going to say.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading As near as he could recollect, it was: "I'll think it over, and perhaps some day--" Then he had committed the indiscretion of grasping her hand, causing her to drop her stitches before she had ended what she was going to say.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading COULEUR de ROSE Hepsey had been so busy with helping the Maxwells that for some time no opportunity had occurred for Jonathan to press his ardent suit.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading COULEUR de ROSE Hepsey had been so busy with helping the Maxwells that for some time no opportunity had occurred for Jonathan to press his ardent suit.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading He tried to recall exactly what she had said.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Since his first attempt and its abrupt termination, he had been somewhat bewildered; he had failed to decide whether he was an engaged man open to congratulations, or a rejected suitor to be condoled with.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He tried to recall exactly what she had said.
at the time that
From this reading He could have sworn at himself to think that it was all his fault that she had stopped just at the critical moment, when she might have committed herself and given him some real encouragement.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Since his first attempt and its abrupt termination, he had been somewhat bewildered; he had failed to decide whether he was an engaged man open to congratulations, or a rejected suitor to be condoled with.
in the company of; together with
From this reading COULEUR de ROSE Hepsey had been so busy with helping the Maxwells that for some time no opportunity had occurred for Jonathan to press his ardent suit.
