used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was not in a very light-hearted humour, I can scarcely tell why.
quickly and without warning
From this reading “Nelly, where is Molyneux?” asked her brother abruptly.
(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 The boy was a far-seeing boy,--he might have private reasons of his own which increased his predisposition to see things in an uncomfortable light; but, at all events, Jenny was of opinion that Innocent’s chances of happiness were somewhat diminished; and, being uncomfortable himself, he had no particular objection to make other people uncomfortable.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The boy was a far-seeing boy,--he might have private reasons of his own which increased his predisposition to see things in an uncomfortable light; but, at all events, Jenny was of opinion that Innocent’s chances of happiness were somewhat diminished; and, being uncomfortable himself, he had no particular objection to make other people uncomfortable.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The boy was a far-seeing boy,--he might have private reasons of his own which increased his predisposition to see things in an uncomfortable light; but, at all events, Jenny was of opinion that Innocent’s chances of happiness were somewhat diminished; and, being uncomfortable himself, he had no particular objection to make other people uncomfortable.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “Nelly, where is Molyneux?” asked her brother abruptly.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The boy was a far-seeing boy,--he might have private reasons of his own which increased his predisposition to see things in an uncomfortable light; but, at all events, Jenny was of opinion that Innocent’s chances of happiness were somewhat diminished; and, being uncomfortable himself, he had no particular objection to make other people uncomfortable.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Jenny had just come back from the railway-station, where he had been seeing Innocent off.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Jenny had just come back from the railway-station, where he had been seeing Innocent off.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The boy was a far-seeing boy,--he might have private reasons of his own which increased his predisposition to see things in an uncomfortable light; but, at all events, Jenny was of opinion that Innocent’s chances of happiness were somewhat diminished; and, being uncomfortable himself, he had no particular objection to make other people uncomfortable.
a youthful male person
From this reading The boy was a far-seeing boy,--he might have private reasons of his own which increased his predisposition to see things in an uncomfortable light; but, at all events, Jenny was of opinion that Innocent’s chances of happiness were somewhat diminished; and, being uncomfortable himself, he had no particular objection to make other people uncomfortable.
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading “Nelly, where is Molyneux?” asked her brother abruptly.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The boy was a far-seeing boy,--he might have private reasons of his own which increased his predisposition to see things in an uncomfortable light; but, at all events, Jenny was of opinion that Innocent’s chances of happiness were somewhat diminished; and, being uncomfortable himself, he had no particular objection to make other people uncomfortable.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading He was not in a very light-hearted humour, I can scarcely tell why.
plural of “chance” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading The boy was a far-seeing boy,--he might have private reasons of his own which increased his predisposition to see things in an uncomfortable light; but, at all events, Jenny was of opinion that Innocent’s chances of happiness were somewhat diminished; and, being uncomfortable himself, he had no particular objection to make other people uncomfortable.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Jenny had just come back from the railway-station, where he had been seeing Innocent off.
diminishedadjectiveUS /dɪˈmɪnɪʃt/
impaired by diminution
From this reading The boy was a far-seeing boy,--he might have private reasons of his own which increased his predisposition to see things in an uncomfortable light; but, at all events, Jenny was of opinion that Innocent’s chances of happiness were somewhat diminished; and, being uncomfortable himself, he had no particular objection to make other people uncomfortable.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading The boy was a far-seeing boy,--he might have private reasons of his own which increased his predisposition to see things in an uncomfortable light; but, at all events, Jenny was of opinion that Innocent’s chances of happiness were somewhat diminished; and, being uncomfortable himself, he had no particular objection to make other people uncomfortable.
far-seeing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boy was a far-seeing boy,--he might have private reasons of his own which increased his predisposition to see things in an uncomfortable light; but, at all events, Jenny was of opinion that Innocent’s chances of happiness were somewhat diminished; and, being uncomfortable himself, he had no particular objection to make other people uncomfortable.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Jenny had just come back from the railway-station, where he had been seeing Innocent off.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Jenny had just come back from the railway-station, where he had been seeing Innocent off.
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading The boy was a far-seeing boy,--he might have private reasons of his own which increased his predisposition to see things in an uncomfortable light; but, at all events, Jenny was of opinion that Innocent’s chances of happiness were somewhat diminished; and, being uncomfortable himself, he had no particular objection to make other people uncomfortable.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The boy was a far-seeing boy,--he might have private reasons of his own which increased his predisposition to see things in an uncomfortable light; but, at all events, Jenny was of opinion that Innocent’s chances of happiness were somewhat diminished; and, being uncomfortable himself, he had no particular objection to make other people uncomfortable.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Jenny had just come back from the railway-station, where he had been seeing Innocent off.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading “Nelly, where is Molyneux?” asked her brother abruptly.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The boy was a far-seeing boy,--he might have private reasons of his own which increased his predisposition to see things in an uncomfortable light; but, at all events, Jenny was of opinion that Innocent’s chances of happiness were somewhat diminished; and, being uncomfortable himself, he had no particular objection to make other people uncomfortable.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The boy was a far-seeing boy,--he might have private reasons of his own which increased his predisposition to see things in an uncomfortable light; but, at all events, Jenny was of opinion that Innocent’s chances of happiness were somewhat diminished; and, being uncomfortable himself, he had no particular objection to make other people uncomfortable.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading He was not in a very light-hearted humour, I can scarcely tell why.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading He was not in a very light-hearted humour, I can scarcely tell why.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was not in a very light-hearted humour, I can scarcely tell why.
made greater in size or amount or degree
From this reading The boy was a far-seeing boy,--he might have private reasons of his own which increased his predisposition to see things in an uncomfortable light; but, at all events, Jenny was of opinion that Innocent’s chances of happiness were somewhat diminished; and, being uncomfortable himself, he had no particular objection to make other people uncomfortable.
free from evil or guilt
From this reading Jenny had just come back from the railway-station, where he had been seeing Innocent off.
Innocent's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boy was a far-seeing boy,--he might have private reasons of his own which increased his predisposition to see things in an uncomfortable light; but, at all events, Jenny was of opinion that Innocent’s chances of happiness were somewhat diminished; and, being uncomfortable himself, he had no particular objection to make other people uncomfortable.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Nelly, where is Molyneux?” asked her brother abruptly.
JennynounUS /ˈdʒeni/
United States architect who designed the first skyscraper in which a metal skeleton was used (1832-1907)
From this reading Jenny had just come back from the railway-station, where he had been seeing Innocent off.
JENNY'SnounUS /ˈdʒeniz/
possessive form of “jenny” — United States architect who designed the first skyscraper in which a metal skeleton was used (1832-1907)
From this reading JENNY’S MEDITATION.
and nothing more
From this reading Jenny had just come back from the railway-station, where he had been seeing Innocent off.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The boy was a far-seeing boy,--he might have private reasons of his own which increased his predisposition to see things in an uncomfortable light; but, at all events, Jenny was of opinion that Innocent’s chances of happiness were somewhat diminished; and, being uncomfortable himself, he had no particular objection to make other people uncomfortable.
light-heartedadjective
carefree and happy and lighthearted
From this reading He was not in a very light-hearted humour, I can scarcely tell why.
engage in
From this reading The boy was a far-seeing boy,--he might have private reasons of his own which increased his predisposition to see things in an uncomfortable light; but, at all events, Jenny was of opinion that Innocent’s chances of happiness were somewhat diminished; and, being uncomfortable himself, he had no particular objection to make other people uncomfortable.
MEDITATIONnounUS /ˌmedəˈteɪʃən/
continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature
From this reading JENNY’S MEDITATION.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The boy was a far-seeing boy,--he might have private reasons of his own which increased his predisposition to see things in an uncomfortable light; but, at all events, Jenny was of opinion that Innocent’s chances of happiness were somewhat diminished; and, being uncomfortable himself, he had no particular objection to make other people uncomfortable.
Molyneux
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Nelly, where is Molyneux?” asked her brother abruptly.
Nelly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Nelly, where is Molyneux?” asked her brother abruptly.
not any; not one
From this reading The boy was a far-seeing boy,--he might have private reasons of his own which increased his predisposition to see things in an uncomfortable light; but, at all events, Jenny was of opinion that Innocent’s chances of happiness were somewhat diminished; and, being uncomfortable himself, he had no particular objection to make other people uncomfortable.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was not in a very light-hearted humour, I can scarcely tell why.
objectionnounUS /əbˈdʒekʃən/
the act of expressing earnest opposition or protest
From this reading The boy was a far-seeing boy,--he might have private reasons of his own which increased his predisposition to see things in an uncomfortable light; but, at all events, Jenny was of opinion that Innocent’s chances of happiness were somewhat diminished; and, being uncomfortable himself, he had no particular objection to make other people uncomfortable.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The boy was a far-seeing boy,--he might have private reasons of his own which increased his predisposition to see things in an uncomfortable light; but, at all events, Jenny was of opinion that Innocent’s chances of happiness were somewhat diminished; and, being uncomfortable himself, he had no particular objection to make other people uncomfortable.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Jenny had just come back from the railway-station, where he had been seeing Innocent off.
a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading The boy was a far-seeing boy,--he might have private reasons of his own which increased his predisposition to see things in an uncomfortable light; but, at all events, Jenny was of opinion that Innocent’s chances of happiness were somewhat diminished; and, being uncomfortable himself, he had no particular objection to make other people uncomfortable.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The boy was a far-seeing boy,--he might have private reasons of his own which increased his predisposition to see things in an uncomfortable light; but, at all events, Jenny was of opinion that Innocent’s chances of happiness were somewhat diminished; and, being uncomfortable himself, he had no particular objection to make other people uncomfortable.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The boy was a far-seeing boy,--he might have private reasons of his own which increased his predisposition to see things in an uncomfortable light; but, at all events, Jenny was of opinion that Innocent’s chances of happiness were somewhat diminished; and, being uncomfortable himself, he had no particular objection to make other people uncomfortable.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading The boy was a far-seeing boy,--he might have private reasons of his own which increased his predisposition to see things in an uncomfortable light; but, at all events, Jenny was of opinion that Innocent’s chances of happiness were somewhat diminished; and, being uncomfortable himself, he had no particular objection to make other people uncomfortable.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading The boy was a far-seeing boy,--he might have private reasons of his own which increased his predisposition to see things in an uncomfortable light; but, at all events, Jenny was of opinion that Innocent’s chances of happiness were somewhat diminished; and, being uncomfortable himself, he had no particular objection to make other people uncomfortable.
predispositionnounUS /ˌpriːdɪspəˈzɪʃən/
susceptibility to a pathogen
From this reading The boy was a far-seeing boy,--he might have private reasons of his own which increased his predisposition to see things in an uncomfortable light; but, at all events, Jenny was of opinion that Innocent’s chances of happiness were somewhat diminished; and, being uncomfortable himself, he had no particular objection to make other people uncomfortable.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading The boy was a far-seeing boy,--he might have private reasons of his own which increased his predisposition to see things in an uncomfortable light; but, at all events, Jenny was of opinion that Innocent’s chances of happiness were somewhat diminished; and, being uncomfortable himself, he had no particular objection to make other people uncomfortable.
railway-station
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jenny had just come back from the railway-station, where he had been seeing Innocent off.
plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading The boy was a far-seeing boy,--he might have private reasons of his own which increased his predisposition to see things in an uncomfortable light; but, at all events, Jenny was of opinion that Innocent’s chances of happiness were somewhat diminished; and, being uncomfortable himself, he had no particular objection to make other people uncomfortable.
only a very short time before
From this reading He was not in a very light-hearted humour, I can scarcely tell why.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The boy was a far-seeing boy,--he might have private reasons of his own which increased his predisposition to see things in an uncomfortable light; but, at all events, Jenny was of opinion that Innocent’s chances of happiness were somewhat diminished; and, being uncomfortable himself, he had no particular objection to make other people uncomfortable.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading Jenny had just come back from the railway-station, where he had been seeing Innocent off.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading The boy was a far-seeing boy,--he might have private reasons of his own which increased his predisposition to see things in an uncomfortable light; but, at all events, Jenny was of opinion that Innocent’s chances of happiness were somewhat diminished; and, being uncomfortable himself, he had no particular objection to make other people uncomfortable.
express in words
From this reading He was not in a very light-hearted humour, I can scarcely tell why.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The boy was a far-seeing boy,--he might have private reasons of his own which increased his predisposition to see things in an uncomfortable light; but, at all events, Jenny was of opinion that Innocent’s chances of happiness were somewhat diminished; and, being uncomfortable himself, he had no particular objection to make other people uncomfortable.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Jenny had just come back from the railway-station, where he had been seeing Innocent off.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading The boy was a far-seeing boy,--he might have private reasons of his own which increased his predisposition to see things in an uncomfortable light; but, at all events, Jenny was of opinion that Innocent’s chances of happiness were somewhat diminished; and, being uncomfortable himself, he had no particular objection to make other people uncomfortable.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The boy was a far-seeing boy,--he might have private reasons of his own which increased his predisposition to see things in an uncomfortable light; but, at all events, Jenny was of opinion that Innocent’s chances of happiness were somewhat diminished; and, being uncomfortable himself, he had no particular objection to make other people uncomfortable.
uncomfortableadjectiveUS /ənˈkʌmfərtəbəl/
conducive to or feeling mental discomfort
From this reading The boy was a far-seeing boy,--he might have private reasons of his own which increased his predisposition to see things in an uncomfortable light; but, at all events, Jenny was of opinion that Innocent’s chances of happiness were somewhat diminished; and, being uncomfortable himself, he had no particular objection to make other people uncomfortable.
precisely as stated
From this reading He was not in a very light-hearted humour, I can scarcely tell why.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was not in a very light-hearted humour, I can scarcely tell why.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The boy was a far-seeing boy,--he might have private reasons of his own which increased his predisposition to see things in an uncomfortable light; but, at all events, Jenny was of opinion that Innocent’s chances of happiness were somewhat diminished; and, being uncomfortable himself, he had no particular objection to make other people uncomfortable.
in or at the place that
From this reading “Nelly, where is Molyneux?” asked her brother abruptly.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The boy was a far-seeing boy,--he might have private reasons of his own which increased his predisposition to see things in an uncomfortable light; but, at all events, Jenny was of opinion that Innocent’s chances of happiness were somewhat diminished; and, being uncomfortable himself, he had no particular objection to make other people uncomfortable.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading He was not in a very light-hearted humour, I can scarcely tell why.
