used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A calculating plotter, cool in temperament, full of common-sense, an ex-governess, having parsimonious habits, a genuine woman of business, always proper, always active, unsexed, void of the voluptuous softness and diabolical transport which can give brilliancy to her character and charm to her profession.
actionsnounUS /ˈækʃənz/
plural of “action” — something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading The author loses no opportunity of expressing his own; through two-thirds of the book he pursues her with sarcasms and misfortunes; he puts only false words, perfidious actions, revolting sentiments, in her mouth.
tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading A calculating plotter, cool in temperament, full of common-sense, an ex-governess, having parsimonious habits, a genuine woman of business, always proper, always active, unsexed, void of the voluptuous softness and diabolical transport which can give brilliancy to her character and charm to her profession.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading A calculating plotter, cool in temperament, full of common-sense, an ex-governess, having parsimonious habits, a genuine woman of business, always proper, always active, unsexed, void of the voluptuous softness and diabolical transport which can give brilliancy to her character and charm to her profession.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A calculating plotter, cool in temperament, full of common-sense, an ex-governess, having parsimonious habits, a genuine woman of business, always proper, always active, unsexed, void of the voluptuous softness and diabolical transport which can give brilliancy to her character and charm to her profession.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Before such passion and logic, what is Becky Sharp?
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading The author loses no opportunity of expressing his own; through two-thirds of the book he pursues her with sarcasms and misfortunes; he puts only false words, perfidious actions, revolting sentiments, in her mouth.
aversionnounUS /əˈvɜːrʒən/
a feeling of intense dislike
From this reading Nothing is more fit to inspire aversion.
barristernounUS /ˈbærɪstər/
a British or Canadian lawyer who speaks in the higher courts of law on behalf of either the defense or prosecution
From this reading She is not a prostitute, but a petticoated and heartless barrister.
Becky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before such passion and logic, what is Becky Sharp?
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before such passion and logic, what is Becky Sharp?
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading The author loses no opportunity of expressing his own; through two-thirds of the book he pursues her with sarcasms and misfortunes; he puts only false words, perfidious actions, revolting sentiments, in her mouth.
brilliancynoun
a quality that outshines the usual
From this reading A calculating plotter, cool in temperament, full of common-sense, an ex-governess, having parsimonious habits, a genuine woman of business, always proper, always active, unsexed, void of the voluptuous softness and diabolical transport which can give brilliancy to her character and charm to her profession.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading A calculating plotter, cool in temperament, full of common-sense, an ex-governess, having parsimonious habits, a genuine woman of business, always proper, always active, unsexed, void of the voluptuous softness and diabolical transport which can give brilliancy to her character and charm to her profession.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She is not a prostitute, but a petticoated and heartless barrister.
calculatingadjectiveUS /ˈkælkjəleɪtɪŋ/
acting with a specific goal
From this reading A calculating plotter, cool in temperament, full of common-sense, an ex-governess, having parsimonious habits, a genuine woman of business, always proper, always active, unsexed, void of the voluptuous softness and diabolical transport which can give brilliancy to her character and charm to her profession.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading A calculating plotter, cool in temperament, full of common-sense, an ex-governess, having parsimonious habits, a genuine woman of business, always proper, always active, unsexed, void of the voluptuous softness and diabolical transport which can give brilliancy to her character and charm to her profession.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading A calculating plotter, cool in temperament, full of common-sense, an ex-governess, having parsimonious habits, a genuine woman of business, always proper, always active, unsexed, void of the voluptuous softness and diabolical transport which can give brilliancy to her character and charm to her profession.
attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates
From this reading A calculating plotter, cool in temperament, full of common-sense, an ex-governess, having parsimonious habits, a genuine woman of business, always proper, always active, unsexed, void of the voluptuous softness and diabolical transport which can give brilliancy to her character and charm to her profession.
common-sense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A calculating plotter, cool in temperament, full of common-sense, an ex-governess, having parsimonious habits, a genuine woman of business, always proper, always active, unsexed, void of the voluptuous softness and diabolical transport which can give brilliancy to her character and charm to her profession.
neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
From this reading A calculating plotter, cool in temperament, full of common-sense, an ex-governess, having parsimonious habits, a genuine woman of business, always proper, always active, unsexed, void of the voluptuous softness and diabolical transport which can give brilliancy to her character and charm to her profession.
diabolicaladjectiveUS /ˌdaɪəˈbɑːlɪkəl/
showing the cunning or ingenuity or wickedness typical of a devil
From this reading A calculating plotter, cool in temperament, full of common-sense, an ex-governess, having parsimonious habits, a genuine woman of business, always proper, always active, unsexed, void of the voluptuous softness and diabolical transport which can give brilliancy to her character and charm to her profession.
ex-governess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A calculating plotter, cool in temperament, full of common-sense, an ex-governess, having parsimonious habits, a genuine woman of business, always proper, always active, unsexed, void of the voluptuous softness and diabolical transport which can give brilliancy to her character and charm to her profession.
expressingverbUS /ɪkˈspresɪŋ/
-ing form of “express” — give expression to
From this reading The author loses no opportunity of expressing his own; through two-thirds of the book he pursues her with sarcasms and misfortunes; he puts only false words, perfidious actions, revolting sentiments, in her mouth.
not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality
From this reading The author loses no opportunity of expressing his own; through two-thirds of the book he pursues her with sarcasms and misfortunes; he puts only false words, perfidious actions, revolting sentiments, in her mouth.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading Nothing is more fit to inspire aversion.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading A calculating plotter, cool in temperament, full of common-sense, an ex-governess, having parsimonious habits, a genuine woman of business, always proper, always active, unsexed, void of the voluptuous softness and diabolical transport which can give brilliancy to her character and charm to her profession.
genuineadjectiveUS /ˈdʒenjəwən/
not fake or counterfeit
From this reading A calculating plotter, cool in temperament, full of common-sense, an ex-governess, having parsimonious habits, a genuine woman of business, always proper, always active, unsexed, void of the voluptuous softness and diabolical transport which can give brilliancy to her character and charm to her profession.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading A calculating plotter, cool in temperament, full of common-sense, an ex-governess, having parsimonious habits, a genuine woman of business, always proper, always active, unsexed, void of the voluptuous softness and diabolical transport which can give brilliancy to her character and charm to her profession.
plural of “habit” — an established custom
From this reading A calculating plotter, cool in temperament, full of common-sense, an ex-governess, having parsimonious habits, a genuine woman of business, always proper, always active, unsexed, void of the voluptuous softness and diabolical transport which can give brilliancy to her character and charm to her profession.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading A calculating plotter, cool in temperament, full of common-sense, an ex-governess, having parsimonious habits, a genuine woman of business, always proper, always active, unsexed, void of the voluptuous softness and diabolical transport which can give brilliancy to her character and charm to her profession.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The author loses no opportunity of expressing his own; through two-thirds of the book he pursues her with sarcasms and misfortunes; he puts only false words, perfidious actions, revolting sentiments, in her mouth.
heartlessadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrtləs/
lacking in feeling or pity or warmth
From this reading She is not a prostitute, but a petticoated and heartless barrister.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A calculating plotter, cool in temperament, full of common-sense, an ex-governess, having parsimonious habits, a genuine woman of business, always proper, always active, unsexed, void of the voluptuous softness and diabolical transport which can give brilliancy to her character and charm to her profession.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The author loses no opportunity of expressing his own; through two-thirds of the book he pursues her with sarcasms and misfortunes; he puts only false words, perfidious actions, revolting sentiments, in her mouth.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A calculating plotter, cool in temperament, full of common-sense, an ex-governess, having parsimonious habits, a genuine woman of business, always proper, always active, unsexed, void of the voluptuous softness and diabolical transport which can give brilliancy to her character and charm to her profession.
inspireverbUS /ˌɪnˈspaɪr/
heighten or intensify
From this reading Nothing is more fit to inspire aversion.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Before such passion and logic, what is Becky Sharp?
logicnounUS /ˈlɑːdʒɪk/
the branch of philosophy that analyzes inference
From this reading Before such passion and logic, what is Becky Sharp?
losesverbUS /ˈluːzəz/
third-person singular of “lose” — fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
From this reading The author loses no opportunity of expressing his own; through two-thirds of the book he pursues her with sarcasms and misfortunes; he puts only false words, perfidious actions, revolting sentiments, in her mouth.
misfortunesnounUS /mɪˈsfɔːrtʃənz/
plural of “misfortune” — unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event
From this reading The author loses no opportunity of expressing his own; through two-thirds of the book he pursues her with sarcasms and misfortunes; he puts only false words, perfidious actions, revolting sentiments, in her mouth.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Nothing is more fit to inspire aversion.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading The author loses no opportunity of expressing his own; through two-thirds of the book he pursues her with sarcasms and misfortunes; he puts only false words, perfidious actions, revolting sentiments, in her mouth.
not any; not one
From this reading The author loses no opportunity of expressing his own; through two-thirds of the book he pursues her with sarcasms and misfortunes; he puts only false words, perfidious actions, revolting sentiments, in her mouth.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She is not a prostitute, but a petticoated and heartless barrister.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Nothing is more fit to inspire aversion.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A calculating plotter, cool in temperament, full of common-sense, an ex-governess, having parsimonious habits, a genuine woman of business, always proper, always active, unsexed, void of the voluptuous softness and diabolical transport which can give brilliancy to her character and charm to her profession.
and nothing more
From this reading The author loses no opportunity of expressing his own; through two-thirds of the book he pursues her with sarcasms and misfortunes; he puts only false words, perfidious actions, revolting sentiments, in her mouth.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading The author loses no opportunity of expressing his own; through two-thirds of the book he pursues her with sarcasms and misfortunes; he puts only false words, perfidious actions, revolting sentiments, in her mouth.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The author loses no opportunity of expressing his own; through two-thirds of the book he pursues her with sarcasms and misfortunes; he puts only false words, perfidious actions, revolting sentiments, in her mouth.
parsimoniousadjectiveUS /ˌpɑːrsəˈmoʊniəs/
excessively unwilling to spend
From this reading A calculating plotter, cool in temperament, full of common-sense, an ex-governess, having parsimonious habits, a genuine woman of business, always proper, always active, unsexed, void of the voluptuous softness and diabolical transport which can give brilliancy to her character and charm to her profession.
a strong feeling or emotion
From this reading Before such passion and logic, what is Becky Sharp?
perfidiousadjective
tending to betray; especially having a treacherous character as attributed to the Carthaginians by the Romans
From this reading The author loses no opportunity of expressing his own; through two-thirds of the book he pursues her with sarcasms and misfortunes; he puts only false words, perfidious actions, revolting sentiments, in her mouth.
petticoatedadjective
wearing or furnished with a petticoat
From this reading She is not a prostitute, but a petticoated and heartless barrister.
plotternounUS /ˈplɑːtər/
a planner who draws up a personal scheme of action
From this reading A calculating plotter, cool in temperament, full of common-sense, an ex-governess, having parsimonious habits, a genuine woman of business, always proper, always active, unsexed, void of the voluptuous softness and diabolical transport which can give brilliancy to her character and charm to her profession.
the body of people in a learned occupation
From this reading A calculating plotter, cool in temperament, full of common-sense, an ex-governess, having parsimonious habits, a genuine woman of business, always proper, always active, unsexed, void of the voluptuous softness and diabolical transport which can give brilliancy to her character and charm to her profession.
marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
From this reading A calculating plotter, cool in temperament, full of common-sense, an ex-governess, having parsimonious habits, a genuine woman of business, always proper, always active, unsexed, void of the voluptuous softness and diabolical transport which can give brilliancy to her character and charm to her profession.
prostitutenounUS /ˈprɑːstətuːt/
a woman who engages in sexual intercourse for money
From this reading She is not a prostitute, but a petticoated and heartless barrister.
pursuesverbUS /pərˈsuːz/
third-person singular of “pursue” — carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in
From this reading The author loses no opportunity of expressing his own; through two-thirds of the book he pursues her with sarcasms and misfortunes; he puts only false words, perfidious actions, revolting sentiments, in her mouth.
putsnounUS /pʊts/
plural of “put” — the option to sell a given stock (or stock index or commodity future) at a given price before a given date
From this reading The author loses no opportunity of expressing his own; through two-thirds of the book he pursues her with sarcasms and misfortunes; he puts only false words, perfidious actions, revolting sentiments, in her mouth.
revoltingadjectiveUS /riˈvoʊltɪŋ/
highly offensive; arousing aversion or disgust
From this reading The author loses no opportunity of expressing his own; through two-thirds of the book he pursues her with sarcasms and misfortunes; he puts only false words, perfidious actions, revolting sentiments, in her mouth.
sarcasms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The author loses no opportunity of expressing his own; through two-thirds of the book he pursues her with sarcasms and misfortunes; he puts only false words, perfidious actions, revolting sentiments, in her mouth.
sentimentsnounUS /ˈsentəmənts/
plural of “sentiment” — tender, romantic, or nostalgic feeling or emotion
From this reading The author loses no opportunity of expressing his own; through two-thirds of the book he pursues her with sarcasms and misfortunes; he puts only false words, perfidious actions, revolting sentiments, in her mouth.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading Before such passion and logic, what is Becky Sharp?
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She is not a prostitute, but a petticoated and heartless barrister.
softnessnounUS /ˈsɔːftnəs/
the property of giving little resistance to pressure and being easily cut or molded
From this reading A calculating plotter, cool in temperament, full of common-sense, an ex-governess, having parsimonious habits, a genuine woman of business, always proper, always active, unsexed, void of the voluptuous softness and diabolical transport which can give brilliancy to her character and charm to her profession.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Before such passion and logic, what is Becky Sharp?
temperamentnounUS /ˈtemprəmənt/
your usual mood
From this reading A calculating plotter, cool in temperament, full of common-sense, an ex-governess, having parsimonious habits, a genuine woman of business, always proper, always active, unsexed, void of the voluptuous softness and diabolical transport which can give brilliancy to her character and charm to her profession.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A calculating plotter, cool in temperament, full of common-sense, an ex-governess, having parsimonious habits, a genuine woman of business, always proper, always active, unsexed, void of the voluptuous softness and diabolical transport which can give brilliancy to her character and charm to her profession.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The author loses no opportunity of expressing his own; through two-thirds of the book he pursues her with sarcasms and misfortunes; he puts only false words, perfidious actions, revolting sentiments, in her mouth.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A calculating plotter, cool in temperament, full of common-sense, an ex-governess, having parsimonious habits, a genuine woman of business, always proper, always active, unsexed, void of the voluptuous softness and diabolical transport which can give brilliancy to her character and charm to her profession.
transportnounUS /trænˈspɔːrt/
something that serves as a means of transportation
From this reading A calculating plotter, cool in temperament, full of common-sense, an ex-governess, having parsimonious habits, a genuine woman of business, always proper, always active, unsexed, void of the voluptuous softness and diabolical transport which can give brilliancy to her character and charm to her profession.
two-thirdsnounUS /ˌtuːˈθɜːrdz/
two of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading The author loses no opportunity of expressing his own; through two-thirds of the book he pursues her with sarcasms and misfortunes; he puts only false words, perfidious actions, revolting sentiments, in her mouth.
unsexedadjective
deprived of sexual capacity or sexual attributes
From this reading A calculating plotter, cool in temperament, full of common-sense, an ex-governess, having parsimonious habits, a genuine woman of business, always proper, always active, unsexed, void of the voluptuous softness and diabolical transport which can give brilliancy to her character and charm to her profession.
voidadjectiveUS /vɔɪd/
lacking any legal or binding force
From this reading A calculating plotter, cool in temperament, full of common-sense, an ex-governess, having parsimonious habits, a genuine woman of business, always proper, always active, unsexed, void of the voluptuous softness and diabolical transport which can give brilliancy to her character and charm to her profession.
voluptuousadjectiveUS /vəˈlʌptʃəwəs/
having strong sexual appeal
From this reading A calculating plotter, cool in temperament, full of common-sense, an ex-governess, having parsimonious habits, a genuine woman of business, always proper, always active, unsexed, void of the voluptuous softness and diabolical transport which can give brilliancy to her character and charm to her profession.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Before such passion and logic, what is Becky Sharp?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A calculating plotter, cool in temperament, full of common-sense, an ex-governess, having parsimonious habits, a genuine woman of business, always proper, always active, unsexed, void of the voluptuous softness and diabolical transport which can give brilliancy to her character and charm to her profession.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The author loses no opportunity of expressing his own; through two-thirds of the book he pursues her with sarcasms and misfortunes; he puts only false words, perfidious actions, revolting sentiments, in her mouth.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading A calculating plotter, cool in temperament, full of common-sense, an ex-governess, having parsimonious habits, a genuine woman of business, always proper, always active, unsexed, void of the voluptuous softness and diabolical transport which can give brilliancy to her character and charm to her profession.
the words that are spoken
From this reading The author loses no opportunity of expressing his own; through two-thirds of the book he pursues her with sarcasms and misfortunes; he puts only false words, perfidious actions, revolting sentiments, in her mouth.
