used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Jacob, in the midst of those pleasant activities necessitated by his change of fortunes, found time to write a letter.
consider or hold as true
From this reading I have a further object in writing to you, which I hesitate to touch upon for fear I should give you offence, but I do beg, Miss Bultiwell, that you will accept my offer in a kind and generous spirit, and believe that it is entirely dictated by feelings of friendship for you.
activitiesnounUS /ækˈtɪvətiz/
plural of “activity” — any specific behavior
From this reading Jacob, in the midst of those pleasant activities necessitated by his change of fortunes, found time to write a letter.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He wrote it with great care and after many revisions, and not until after it was dispatched did he realise with how much anxiety he awaited the reply.
in addition
From this reading Dear Miss Bultiwell, I am venturing to write these few lines to assure you of my very deep sympathy with you in the loss which you have sustained, and I beg also to express the earnest hope that you will not associate me in any way with those misfortunes of your father which I was powerless to avert or lighten.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading Dear Miss Bultiwell, I am venturing to write these few lines to assure you of my very deep sympathy with you in the loss which you have sustained, and I beg also to express the earnest hope that you will not associate me in any way with those misfortunes of your father which I was powerless to avert or lighten.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He wrote it with great care and after many revisions, and not until after it was dispatched did he realise with how much anxiety he awaited the reply.
(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic
From this reading He wrote it with great care and after many revisions, and not until after it was dispatched did he realise with how much anxiety he awaited the reply.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Dear Miss Bultiwell, I am venturing to write these few lines to assure you of my very deep sympathy with you in the loss which you have sustained, and I beg also to express the earnest hope that you will not associate me in any way with those misfortunes of your father which I was powerless to avert or lighten.
associateverbUS /əˈsoʊsiət/
make a logical or causal connection
From this reading Dear Miss Bultiwell, I am venturing to write these few lines to assure you of my very deep sympathy with you in the loss which you have sustained, and I beg also to express the earnest hope that you will not associate me in any way with those misfortunes of your father which I was powerless to avert or lighten.
make certain of
From this reading Dear Miss Bultiwell, I am venturing to write these few lines to assure you of my very deep sympathy with you in the loss which you have sustained, and I beg also to express the earnest hope that you will not associate me in any way with those misfortunes of your father which I was powerless to avert or lighten.
avertverbUS /əˈvɜːrt/
prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening
From this reading Dear Miss Bultiwell, I am venturing to write these few lines to assure you of my very deep sympathy with you in the loss which you have sustained, and I beg also to express the earnest hope that you will not associate me in any way with those misfortunes of your father which I was powerless to avert or lighten.
awaitedadjectiveUS /əˈweɪtɪd/
expected hopefully
From this reading He wrote it with great care and after many revisions, and not until after it was dispatched did he realise with how much anxiety he awaited the reply.
call upon in supplication; entreat
From this reading Dear Miss Bultiwell, I am venturing to write these few lines to assure you of my very deep sympathy with you in the loss which you have sustained, and I beg also to express the earnest hope that you will not associate me in any way with those misfortunes of your father which I was powerless to avert or lighten.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading I have a further object in writing to you, which I hesitate to touch upon for fear I should give you offence, but I do beg, Miss Bultiwell, that you will accept my offer in a kind and generous spirit, and believe that it is entirely dictated by feelings of friendship for you.
Bultiwell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dear Miss Bultiwell, I am venturing to write these few lines to assure you of my very deep sympathy with you in the loss which you have sustained, and I beg also to express the earnest hope that you will not associate me in any way with those misfortunes of your father which I was powerless to avert or lighten.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I have a further object in writing to you, which I hesitate to touch upon for fear I should give you offence, but I do beg, Miss Bultiwell, that you will accept my offer in a kind and generous spirit, and believe that it is entirely dictated by feelings of friendship for you.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Jacob, in the midst of those pleasant activities necessitated by his change of fortunes, found time to write a letter.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading He wrote it with great care and after many revisions, and not until after it was dispatched did he realise with how much anxiety he awaited the reply.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading Jacob, in the midst of those pleasant activities necessitated by his change of fortunes, found time to write a letter.
a small house with a single story
From this reading The Cottage, Marlingden.
dearly loved
From this reading Dear Miss Bultiwell, I am venturing to write these few lines to assure you of my very deep sympathy with you in the loss which you have sustained, and I beg also to express the earnest hope that you will not associate me in any way with those misfortunes of your father which I was powerless to avert or lighten.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading Dear Miss Bultiwell, I am venturing to write these few lines to assure you of my very deep sympathy with you in the loss which you have sustained, and I beg also to express the earnest hope that you will not associate me in any way with those misfortunes of your father which I was powerless to avert or lighten.
dictatedadjectiveUS /dɪkˈteɪtɪd/
determined or decided upon as by an authority
From this reading I have a further object in writing to you, which I hesitate to touch upon for fear I should give you offence, but I do beg, Miss Bultiwell, that you will accept my offer in a kind and generous spirit, and believe that it is entirely dictated by feelings of friendship for you.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He wrote it with great care and after many revisions, and not until after it was dispatched did he realise with how much anxiety he awaited the reply.
dispatchedverbUS /dɪˈspætʃt/
past form of “dispatch” — send away towards a designated goal
From this reading He wrote it with great care and after many revisions, and not until after it was dispatched did he realise with how much anxiety he awaited the reply.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading I have a further object in writing to you, which I hesitate to touch upon for fear I should give you offence, but I do beg, Miss Bultiwell, that you will accept my offer in a kind and generous spirit, and believe that it is entirely dictated by feelings of friendship for you.
characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions
From this reading Dear Miss Bultiwell, I am venturing to write these few lines to assure you of my very deep sympathy with you in the loss which you have sustained, and I beg also to express the earnest hope that you will not associate me in any way with those misfortunes of your father which I was powerless to avert or lighten.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading I have a further object in writing to you, which I hesitate to touch upon for fear I should give you offence, but I do beg, Miss Bultiwell, that you will accept my offer in a kind and generous spirit, and believe that it is entirely dictated by feelings of friendship for you.
give expression to
From this reading Dear Miss Bultiwell, I am venturing to write these few lines to assure you of my very deep sympathy with you in the loss which you have sustained, and I beg also to express the earnest hope that you will not associate me in any way with those misfortunes of your father which I was powerless to avert or lighten.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Dear Miss Bultiwell, I am venturing to write these few lines to assure you of my very deep sympathy with you in the loss which you have sustained, and I beg also to express the earnest hope that you will not associate me in any way with those misfortunes of your father which I was powerless to avert or lighten.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading I have a further object in writing to you, which I hesitate to touch upon for fear I should give you offence, but I do beg, Miss Bultiwell, that you will accept my offer in a kind and generous spirit, and believe that it is entirely dictated by feelings of friendship for you.
emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)
From this reading I have a further object in writing to you, which I hesitate to touch upon for fear I should give you offence, but I do beg, Miss Bultiwell, that you will accept my offer in a kind and generous spirit, and believe that it is entirely dictated by feelings of friendship for you.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Dear Miss Bultiwell, I am venturing to write these few lines to assure you of my very deep sympathy with you in the loss which you have sustained, and I beg also to express the earnest hope that you will not associate me in any way with those misfortunes of your father which I was powerless to avert or lighten.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I have a further object in writing to you, which I hesitate to touch upon for fear I should give you offence, but I do beg, Miss Bultiwell, that you will accept my offer in a kind and generous spirit, and believe that it is entirely dictated by feelings of friendship for you.
fortunesnounUS /ˈfɔːrtʃənz/
plural of “fortune” — an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading Jacob, in the midst of those pleasant activities necessitated by his change of fortunes, found time to write a letter.
set up or found
From this reading Jacob, in the midst of those pleasant activities necessitated by his change of fortunes, found time to write a letter.
the state of being friends (or friendly)
From this reading I have a further object in writing to you, which I hesitate to touch upon for fear I should give you offence, but I do beg, Miss Bultiwell, that you will accept my offer in a kind and generous spirit, and believe that it is entirely dictated by feelings of friendship for you.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading I have a further object in writing to you, which I hesitate to touch upon for fear I should give you offence, but I do beg, Miss Bultiwell, that you will accept my offer in a kind and generous spirit, and believe that it is entirely dictated by feelings of friendship for you.
willing to give and share unstintingly
From this reading I have a further object in writing to you, which I hesitate to touch upon for fear I should give you offence, but I do beg, Miss Bultiwell, that you will accept my offer in a kind and generous spirit, and believe that it is entirely dictated by feelings of friendship for you.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading I have a further object in writing to you, which I hesitate to touch upon for fear I should give you offence, but I do beg, Miss Bultiwell, that you will accept my offer in a kind and generous spirit, and believe that it is entirely dictated by feelings of friendship for you.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading He wrote it with great care and after many revisions, and not until after it was dispatched did he realise with how much anxiety he awaited the reply.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Dear Miss Bultiwell, I am venturing to write these few lines to assure you of my very deep sympathy with you in the loss which you have sustained, and I beg also to express the earnest hope that you will not associate me in any way with those misfortunes of your father which I was powerless to avert or lighten.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He wrote it with great care and after many revisions, and not until after it was dispatched did he realise with how much anxiety he awaited the reply.
hesitateverbUS /ˈhezəteɪt/
pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
From this reading I have a further object in writing to you, which I hesitate to touch upon for fear I should give you offence, but I do beg, Miss Bultiwell, that you will accept my offer in a kind and generous spirit, and believe that it is entirely dictated by feelings of friendship for you.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Jacob, in the midst of those pleasant activities necessitated by his change of fortunes, found time to write a letter.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading Dear Miss Bultiwell, I am venturing to write these few lines to assure you of my very deep sympathy with you in the loss which you have sustained, and I beg also to express the earnest hope that you will not associate me in any way with those misfortunes of your father which I was powerless to avert or lighten.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wrote it with great care and after many revisions, and not until after it was dispatched did he realise with how much anxiety he awaited the reply.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Dear Miss Bultiwell, I am venturing to write these few lines to assure you of my very deep sympathy with you in the loss which you have sustained, and I beg also to express the earnest hope that you will not associate me in any way with those misfortunes of your father which I was powerless to avert or lighten.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Jacob, in the midst of those pleasant activities necessitated by his change of fortunes, found time to write a letter.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I have a further object in writing to you, which I hesitate to touch upon for fear I should give you offence, but I do beg, Miss Bultiwell, that you will accept my offer in a kind and generous spirit, and believe that it is entirely dictated by feelings of friendship for you.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He wrote it with great care and after many revisions, and not until after it was dispatched did he realise with how much anxiety he awaited the reply.
JacobnounUS /ˈdʒeɪkəb/
French biochemist who (with Jacques Monod) studied regulatory processes in cells (born in 1920)
From this reading Jacob, in the midst of those pleasant activities necessitated by his change of fortunes, found time to write a letter.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading I have a further object in writing to you, which I hesitate to touch upon for fear I should give you offence, but I do beg, Miss Bultiwell, that you will accept my offer in a kind and generous spirit, and believe that it is entirely dictated by feelings of friendship for you.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading Jacob, in the midst of those pleasant activities necessitated by his change of fortunes, found time to write a letter.
lightenverbUS /ˈlaɪtən/
make more cheerful
From this reading Dear Miss Bultiwell, I am venturing to write these few lines to assure you of my very deep sympathy with you in the loss which you have sustained, and I beg also to express the earnest hope that you will not associate me in any way with those misfortunes of your father which I was powerless to avert or lighten.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading Dear Miss Bultiwell, I am venturing to write these few lines to assure you of my very deep sympathy with you in the loss which you have sustained, and I beg also to express the earnest hope that you will not associate me in any way with those misfortunes of your father which I was powerless to avert or lighten.
something that is lost
From this reading Dear Miss Bultiwell, I am venturing to write these few lines to assure you of my very deep sympathy with you in the loss which you have sustained, and I beg also to express the earnest hope that you will not associate me in any way with those misfortunes of your father which I was powerless to avert or lighten.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading He wrote it with great care and after many revisions, and not until after it was dispatched did he realise with how much anxiety he awaited the reply.
Marlingden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Cottage, Marlingden.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Dear Miss Bultiwell, I am venturing to write these few lines to assure you of my very deep sympathy with you in the loss which you have sustained, and I beg also to express the earnest hope that you will not associate me in any way with those misfortunes of your father which I was powerless to avert or lighten.
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading Jacob, in the midst of those pleasant activities necessitated by his change of fortunes, found time to write a letter.
misfortunesnounUS /mɪˈsfɔːrtʃənz/
plural of “misfortune” — unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event
From this reading Dear Miss Bultiwell, I am venturing to write these few lines to assure you of my very deep sympathy with you in the loss which you have sustained, and I beg also to express the earnest hope that you will not associate me in any way with those misfortunes of your father which I was powerless to avert or lighten.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Dear Miss Bultiwell, I am venturing to write these few lines to assure you of my very deep sympathy with you in the loss which you have sustained, and I beg also to express the earnest hope that you will not associate me in any way with those misfortunes of your father which I was powerless to avert or lighten.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He wrote it with great care and after many revisions, and not until after it was dispatched did he realise with how much anxiety he awaited the reply.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Dear Miss Bultiwell, I am venturing to write these few lines to assure you of my very deep sympathy with you in the loss which you have sustained, and I beg also to express the earnest hope that you will not associate me in any way with those misfortunes of your father which I was powerless to avert or lighten.
necessitatedverbUS /nəˈsesəteɪtəd/
past form of “necessitate” — require as useful, just, or proper
From this reading Jacob, in the midst of those pleasant activities necessitated by his change of fortunes, found time to write a letter.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He wrote it with great care and after many revisions, and not until after it was dispatched did he realise with how much anxiety he awaited the reply.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading I have a further object in writing to you, which I hesitate to touch upon for fear I should give you offence, but I do beg, Miss Bultiwell, that you will accept my offer in a kind and generous spirit, and believe that it is entirely dictated by feelings of friendship for you.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Jacob, in the midst of those pleasant activities necessitated by his change of fortunes, found time to write a letter.
offencenoun
the action of attacking an enemy
From this reading I have a further object in writing to you, which I hesitate to touch upon for fear I should give you offence, but I do beg, Miss Bultiwell, that you will accept my offer in a kind and generous spirit, and believe that it is entirely dictated by feelings of friendship for you.
make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading I have a further object in writing to you, which I hesitate to touch upon for fear I should give you offence, but I do beg, Miss Bultiwell, that you will accept my offer in a kind and generous spirit, and believe that it is entirely dictated by feelings of friendship for you.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Dear Miss Bultiwell, I am venturing to write these few lines to assure you of my very deep sympathy with you in the loss which you have sustained, and I beg also to express the earnest hope that you will not associate me in any way with those misfortunes of your father which I was powerless to avert or lighten.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading Jacob, in the midst of those pleasant activities necessitated by his change of fortunes, found time to write a letter.
powerlessadjectiveUS /ˈpaʊərləs/
lacking power
From this reading Dear Miss Bultiwell, I am venturing to write these few lines to assure you of my very deep sympathy with you in the loss which you have sustained, and I beg also to express the earnest hope that you will not associate me in any way with those misfortunes of your father which I was powerless to avert or lighten.
realiseverbUS /ˈriːəlaɪz/
earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages
From this reading He wrote it with great care and after many revisions, and not until after it was dispatched did he realise with how much anxiety he awaited the reply.
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading He wrote it with great care and after many revisions, and not until after it was dispatched did he realise with how much anxiety he awaited the reply.
revisionsnounUS /riˈvɪʒənz/
plural of “revision” — the act of revising or altering (involving reconsideration and modification)
From this reading He wrote it with great care and after many revisions, and not until after it was dispatched did he realise with how much anxiety he awaited the reply.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading I have a further object in writing to you, which I hesitate to touch upon for fear I should give you offence, but I do beg, Miss Bultiwell, that you will accept my offer in a kind and generous spirit, and believe that it is entirely dictated by feelings of friendship for you.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading I have a further object in writing to you, which I hesitate to touch upon for fear I should give you offence, but I do beg, Miss Bultiwell, that you will accept my offer in a kind and generous spirit, and believe that it is entirely dictated by feelings of friendship for you.
sustainedadjectiveUS /səˈsteɪnd/
maintained at length without interruption or weakening
From this reading Dear Miss Bultiwell, I am venturing to write these few lines to assure you of my very deep sympathy with you in the loss which you have sustained, and I beg also to express the earnest hope that you will not associate me in any way with those misfortunes of your father which I was powerless to avert or lighten.
an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion
From this reading Dear Miss Bultiwell, I am venturing to write these few lines to assure you of my very deep sympathy with you in the loss which you have sustained, and I beg also to express the earnest hope that you will not associate me in any way with those misfortunes of your father which I was powerless to avert or lighten.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Dear Miss Bultiwell, I am venturing to write these few lines to assure you of my very deep sympathy with you in the loss which you have sustained, and I beg also to express the earnest hope that you will not associate me in any way with those misfortunes of your father which I was powerless to avert or lighten.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Jacob, in the midst of those pleasant activities necessitated by his change of fortunes, found time to write a letter.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Dear Miss Bultiwell, I am venturing to write these few lines to assure you of my very deep sympathy with you in the loss which you have sustained, and I beg also to express the earnest hope that you will not associate me in any way with those misfortunes of your father which I was powerless to avert or lighten.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Jacob, in the midst of those pleasant activities necessitated by his change of fortunes, found time to write a letter.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Jacob, in the midst of those pleasant activities necessitated by his change of fortunes, found time to write a letter.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Jacob, in the midst of those pleasant activities necessitated by his change of fortunes, found time to write a letter.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading I have a further object in writing to you, which I hesitate to touch upon for fear I should give you offence, but I do beg, Miss Bultiwell, that you will accept my offer in a kind and generous spirit, and believe that it is entirely dictated by feelings of friendship for you.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading He wrote it with great care and after many revisions, and not until after it was dispatched did he realise with how much anxiety he awaited the reply.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading I have a further object in writing to you, which I hesitate to touch upon for fear I should give you offence, but I do beg, Miss Bultiwell, that you will accept my offer in a kind and generous spirit, and believe that it is entirely dictated by feelings of friendship for you.
venturingverbUS /ˈventʃərɪŋ/
-ing form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers
From this reading Dear Miss Bultiwell, I am venturing to write these few lines to assure you of my very deep sympathy with you in the loss which you have sustained, and I beg also to express the earnest hope that you will not associate me in any way with those misfortunes of your father which I was powerless to avert or lighten.
precisely as stated
From this reading Dear Miss Bultiwell, I am venturing to write these few lines to assure you of my very deep sympathy with you in the loss which you have sustained, and I beg also to express the earnest hope that you will not associate me in any way with those misfortunes of your father which I was powerless to avert or lighten.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He wrote it with great care and after many revisions, and not until after it was dispatched did he realise with how much anxiety he awaited the reply.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Dear Miss Bultiwell, I am venturing to write these few lines to assure you of my very deep sympathy with you in the loss which you have sustained, and I beg also to express the earnest hope that you will not associate me in any way with those misfortunes of your father which I was powerless to avert or lighten.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Dear Miss Bultiwell, I am venturing to write these few lines to assure you of my very deep sympathy with you in the loss which you have sustained, and I beg also to express the earnest hope that you will not associate me in any way with those misfortunes of your father which I was powerless to avert or lighten.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Dear Miss Bultiwell, I am venturing to write these few lines to assure you of my very deep sympathy with you in the loss which you have sustained, and I beg also to express the earnest hope that you will not associate me in any way with those misfortunes of your father which I was powerless to avert or lighten.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He wrote it with great care and after many revisions, and not until after it was dispatched did he realise with how much anxiety he awaited the reply.
produce a literary work
From this reading Jacob, in the midst of those pleasant activities necessitated by his change of fortunes, found time to write a letter.
the act of creating written works
From this reading I have a further object in writing to you, which I hesitate to touch upon for fear I should give you offence, but I do beg, Miss Bultiwell, that you will accept my offer in a kind and generous spirit, and believe that it is entirely dictated by feelings of friendship for you.
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading He wrote it with great care and after many revisions, and not until after it was dispatched did he realise with how much anxiety he awaited the reply.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Dear Miss Bultiwell, I am venturing to write these few lines to assure you of my very deep sympathy with you in the loss which you have sustained, and I beg also to express the earnest hope that you will not associate me in any way with those misfortunes of your father which I was powerless to avert or lighten.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Dear Miss Bultiwell, I am venturing to write these few lines to assure you of my very deep sympathy with you in the loss which you have sustained, and I beg also to express the earnest hope that you will not associate me in any way with those misfortunes of your father which I was powerless to avert or lighten.
