used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
(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 In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
attentiveadjectiveUS /əˈtentɪv/
(often followed by “to”) giving care or attention
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
attentivelyadverbUS /əˈtentɪvli/
with attention; in an attentive manner
From this reading My mother was in a very earnest mood, but uncle Bryan, except that he listened attentively to what she was saying, seemed in no way stirred.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
BryannounUS /ˈbraɪən/
United States lawyer and politician who advocated free silver and prosecuted John Scopes (1925) for teaching evolution in a Tennessee high school (1860-1925)
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading My mother was in a very earnest mood, but uncle Bryan, except that he listened attentively to what she was saying, seemed in no way stirred.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
detailnounUS /dɪˈteɪl/
an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions
From this reading My mother was in a very earnest mood, but uncle Bryan, except that he listened attentively to what she was saying, seemed in no way stirred.
Emma
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'I will promise nothing, Emma,' he replied; 'I made a promise once in my life, and I received a promise in return.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
evincedverbUS /ɪˈvɪnst/
past form of “evince” — give expression to
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
apart from; not including
From this reading My mother was in a very earnest mood, but uncle Bryan, except that he listened attentively to what she was saying, seemed in no way stirred.
experiencesnounUS /ɪkˈspɪriənsɪz/
plural of “experience” — the accumulation of knowledge or skill that results from direct participation in events or activities
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
the act of departing
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading My mother was in a very earnest mood, but uncle Bryan, except that he listened attentively to what she was saying, seemed in no way stirred.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
indicationnounUS /ˌɪndəˈkeɪʃən/
something that serves to indicate or suggest
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
indifferentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdɪfrənt/
marked by a lack of interest
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading 'I will promise nothing, Emma,' he replied; 'I made a promise once in my life, and I received a promise in return.
life'snounUS /laɪfs/
possessive form of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading My mother was in a very earnest mood, but uncle Bryan, except that he listened attentively to what she was saying, seemed in no way stirred.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading 'I will promise nothing, Emma,' he replied; 'I made a promise once in my life, and I received a promise in return.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading 'You will promise me, Bryan,' my mother said.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading My mother was in a very earnest mood, but uncle Bryan, except that he listened attentively to what she was saying, seemed in no way stirred.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
not any; not one
From this reading My mother was in a very earnest mood, but uncle Bryan, except that he listened attentively to what she was saying, seemed in no way stirred.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading 'I will promise nothing, Emma,' he replied; 'I made a promise once in my life, and I received a promise in return.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
on one occasion
From this reading 'I will promise nothing, Emma,' he replied; 'I made a promise once in my life, and I received a promise in return.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
make a promise or commitment
From this reading 'You will promise me, Bryan,' my mother said.
reasonablyadverbUS /ˈriːzənəbli/
to certain extent or degree
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading 'I will promise nothing, Emma,' he replied; 'I made a promise once in my life, and I received a promise in return.
referencenounUS /ˈrefərəns/
a remark that calls attention to something or someone
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading 'I will promise nothing, Emma,' he replied; 'I made a promise once in my life, and I received a promise in return.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading 'I will promise nothing, Emma,' he replied; 'I made a promise once in my life, and I received a promise in return.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading 'You will promise me, Bryan,' my mother said.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading My mother was in a very earnest mood, but uncle Bryan, except that he listened attentively to what she was saying, seemed in no way stirred.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading My mother was in a very earnest mood, but uncle Bryan, except that he listened attentively to what she was saying, seemed in no way stirred.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading My mother was in a very earnest mood, but uncle Bryan, except that he listened attentively to what she was saying, seemed in no way stirred.
smallestadjectiveUS /ˈsmɔːləst/
superlative of “small” — limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading My mother was in a very earnest mood, but uncle Bryan, except that he listened attentively to what she was saying, seemed in no way stirred.
required or under orders
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading My mother was in a very earnest mood, but uncle Bryan, except that he listened attentively to what she was saying, seemed in no way stirred.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
in an exhaustive manner
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
precisely as stated
From this reading My mother was in a very earnest mood, but uncle Bryan, except that he listened attentively to what she was saying, seemed in no way stirred.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading My mother was in a very earnest mood, but uncle Bryan, except that he listened attentively to what she was saying, seemed in no way stirred.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading My mother was in a very earnest mood, but uncle Bryan, except that he listened attentively to what she was saying, seemed in no way stirred.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading My mother was in a very earnest mood, but uncle Bryan, except that he listened attentively to what she was saying, seemed in no way stirred.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
which person or people
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading 'You will promise me, Bryan,' my mother said.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading 'You will promise me, Bryan,' my mother said.
