used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There did not lack times in John Rawn's social life when he felt a very considerable trepidation regarding himself.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading The first two-thirds, not being able to determine which that latter half may be, exist in continual fear that they may guess wrongly in these vulgar fractions, and so make pretense where pretense is of no avail.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading About one-half the other third know that fact.
Extreme physical or mental suffering; intense anguish.
From this reading Shoddy fears nothing so much as what vulgarly is called "the real thing;" but the trouble with shoddy, the anxiety, nay, the agony of shoddy, bluff, pretense, insincerity, whatever you care to call it, lies largely in the fact that shoddy can not always tell when it has been discovered to be shoddy.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Shoddy fears nothing so much as what vulgarly is called "the real thing;" but the trouble with shoddy, the anxiety, nay, the agony of shoddy, bluff, pretense, insincerity, whatever you care to call it, lies largely in the fact that shoddy can not always tell when it has been discovered to be shoddy.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The first two-thirds, not being able to determine which that latter half may be, exist in continual fear that they may guess wrongly in these vulgar fractions, and so make pretense where pretense is of no avail.
(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 Shoddy fears nothing so much as what vulgarly is called "the real thing;" but the trouble with shoddy, the anxiety, nay, the agony of shoddy, bluff, pretense, insincerity, whatever you care to call it, lies largely in the fact that shoddy can not always tell when it has been discovered to be shoddy.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Shoddy fears nothing so much as what vulgarly is called "the real thing;" but the trouble with shoddy, the anxiety, nay, the agony of shoddy, bluff, pretense, insincerity, whatever you care to call it, lies largely in the fact that shoddy can not always tell when it has been discovered to be shoddy.
a particular environment or surrounding influence
From this reading THE COMPETENCIES OF MISS DELAWARE I Two-thirds of the inhabitants of this world live in that unreal atmosphere best described by the vulgar word of "bluff."
availverbUS /əˈveɪl/
use to one's advantage
From this reading The first two-thirds, not being able to determine which that latter half may be, exist in continual fear that they may guess wrongly in these vulgar fractions, and so make pretense where pretense is of no avail.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The first two-thirds, not being able to determine which that latter half may be, exist in continual fear that they may guess wrongly in these vulgar fractions, and so make pretense where pretense is of no avail.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Shoddy fears nothing so much as what vulgarly is called "the real thing;" but the trouble with shoddy, the anxiety, nay, the agony of shoddy, bluff, pretense, insincerity, whatever you care to call it, lies largely in the fact that shoddy can not always tell when it has been discovered to be shoddy.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The first two-thirds, not being able to determine which that latter half may be, exist in continual fear that they may guess wrongly in these vulgar fractions, and so make pretense where pretense is of no avail.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading THE COMPETENCIES OF MISS DELAWARE I Two-thirds of the inhabitants of this world live in that unreal atmosphere best described by the vulgar word of "bluff."
bluffnounUS /blʌf/
a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)
From this reading THE COMPETENCIES OF MISS DELAWARE I Two-thirds of the inhabitants of this world live in that unreal atmosphere best described by the vulgar word of "bluff."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Shoddy fears nothing so much as what vulgarly is called "the real thing;" but the trouble with shoddy, the anxiety, nay, the agony of shoddy, bluff, pretense, insincerity, whatever you care to call it, lies largely in the fact that shoddy can not always tell when it has been discovered to be shoddy.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE COMPETENCIES OF MISS DELAWARE I Two-thirds of the inhabitants of this world live in that unreal atmosphere best described by the vulgar word of "bluff."
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Shoddy fears nothing so much as what vulgarly is called "the real thing;" but the trouble with shoddy, the anxiety, nay, the agony of shoddy, bluff, pretense, insincerity, whatever you care to call it, lies largely in the fact that shoddy can not always tell when it has been discovered to be shoddy.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Shoddy fears nothing so much as what vulgarly is called "the real thing;" but the trouble with shoddy, the anxiety, nay, the agony of shoddy, bluff, pretense, insincerity, whatever you care to call it, lies largely in the fact that shoddy can not always tell when it has been discovered to be shoddy.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Shoddy fears nothing so much as what vulgarly is called "the real thing;" but the trouble with shoddy, the anxiety, nay, the agony of shoddy, bluff, pretense, insincerity, whatever you care to call it, lies largely in the fact that shoddy can not always tell when it has been discovered to be shoddy.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading Shoddy fears nothing so much as what vulgarly is called "the real thing;" but the trouble with shoddy, the anxiety, nay, the agony of shoddy, bluff, pretense, insincerity, whatever you care to call it, lies largely in the fact that shoddy can not always tell when it has been discovered to be shoddy.
COMPETENCIESnounUS /ˈkɑːmpətɪnsiz/
plural of “competency” — the quality of being adequately or well qualified physically and intellectually
From this reading THE COMPETENCIES OF MISS DELAWARE I Two-thirds of the inhabitants of this world live in that unreal atmosphere best described by the vulgar word of "bluff."
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading There did not lack times in John Rawn's social life when he felt a very considerable trepidation regarding himself.
continualadjectiveUS /kənˈtɪnjuːəl/
recurring regularly or frequently in a prolonged and closely spaced series
From this reading The first two-thirds, not being able to determine which that latter half may be, exist in continual fear that they may guess wrongly in these vulgar fractions, and so make pretense where pretense is of no avail.
DELAWAREnounUS /ˈdeləwer/
a river that rises in the Catskills in southeastern New York and flows southward along the border of Pennsylvania with New York and New Jersey to northern Delaware where it empties into Delaware Bay
From this reading THE COMPETENCIES OF MISS DELAWARE I Two-thirds of the inhabitants of this world live in that unreal atmosphere best described by the vulgar word of "bluff."
represented in words especially with sharpness and detail
From this reading THE COMPETENCIES OF MISS DELAWARE I Two-thirds of the inhabitants of this world live in that unreal atmosphere best described by the vulgar word of "bluff."
determineverbUS /dəˈtɜːrmən/
establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study
From this reading The first two-thirds, not being able to determine which that latter half may be, exist in continual fear that they may guess wrongly in these vulgar fractions, and so make pretense where pretense is of no avail.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading There did not lack times in John Rawn's social life when he felt a very considerable trepidation regarding himself.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading Shoddy fears nothing so much as what vulgarly is called "the real thing;" but the trouble with shoddy, the anxiety, nay, the agony of shoddy, bluff, pretense, insincerity, whatever you care to call it, lies largely in the fact that shoddy can not always tell when it has been discovered to be shoddy.
existverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪst/
have an existence, be extant
From this reading The first two-thirds, not being able to determine which that latter half may be, exist in continual fear that they may guess wrongly in these vulgar fractions, and so make pretense where pretense is of no avail.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading About one-half the other third know that fact.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading The first two-thirds, not being able to determine which that latter half may be, exist in continual fear that they may guess wrongly in these vulgar fractions, and so make pretense where pretense is of no avail.
plural of “fear” — an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
From this reading Shoddy fears nothing so much as what vulgarly is called "the real thing;" but the trouble with shoddy, the anxiety, nay, the agony of shoddy, bluff, pretense, insincerity, whatever you care to call it, lies largely in the fact that shoddy can not always tell when it has been discovered to be shoddy.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading There did not lack times in John Rawn's social life when he felt a very considerable trepidation regarding himself.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The first two-thirds, not being able to determine which that latter half may be, exist in continual fear that they may guess wrongly in these vulgar fractions, and so make pretense where pretense is of no avail.
fractionsnounUS /ˈfrækʃənz/
plural of “fraction” — a component of a mixture that has been separated by a fractional process
From this reading The first two-thirds, not being able to determine which that latter half may be, exist in continual fear that they may guess wrongly in these vulgar fractions, and so make pretense where pretense is of no avail.
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading The first two-thirds, not being able to determine which that latter half may be, exist in continual fear that they may guess wrongly in these vulgar fractions, and so make pretense where pretense is of no avail.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The first two-thirds, not being able to determine which that latter half may be, exist in continual fear that they may guess wrongly in these vulgar fractions, and so make pretense where pretense is of no avail.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Shoddy fears nothing so much as what vulgarly is called "the real thing;" but the trouble with shoddy, the anxiety, nay, the agony of shoddy, bluff, pretense, insincerity, whatever you care to call it, lies largely in the fact that shoddy can not always tell when it has been discovered to be shoddy.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There did not lack times in John Rawn's social life when he felt a very considerable trepidation regarding himself.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading There did not lack times in John Rawn's social life when he felt a very considerable trepidation regarding himself.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE COMPETENCIES OF MISS DELAWARE I Two-thirds of the inhabitants of this world live in that unreal atmosphere best described by the vulgar word of "bluff."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE COMPETENCIES OF MISS DELAWARE I Two-thirds of the inhabitants of this world live in that unreal atmosphere best described by the vulgar word of "bluff."
plural of “inhabitant” — a person who inhabits a particular place
From this reading THE COMPETENCIES OF MISS DELAWARE I Two-thirds of the inhabitants of this world live in that unreal atmosphere best described by the vulgar word of "bluff."
insinceritynoun
the quality of not being open or truthful; deceitful or hypocritical
From this reading Shoddy fears nothing so much as what vulgarly is called "the real thing;" but the trouble with shoddy, the anxiety, nay, the agony of shoddy, bluff, pretense, insincerity, whatever you care to call it, lies largely in the fact that shoddy can not always tell when it has been discovered to be shoddy.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The first two-thirds, not being able to determine which that latter half may be, exist in continual fear that they may guess wrongly in these vulgar fractions, and so make pretense where pretense is of no avail.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Shoddy fears nothing so much as what vulgarly is called "the real thing;" but the trouble with shoddy, the anxiety, nay, the agony of shoddy, bluff, pretense, insincerity, whatever you care to call it, lies largely in the fact that shoddy can not always tell when it has been discovered to be shoddy.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading There did not lack times in John Rawn's social life when he felt a very considerable trepidation regarding himself.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading About one-half the other third know that fact.
the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable
From this reading There did not lack times in John Rawn's social life when he felt a very considerable trepidation regarding himself.
largelyadverbUS /ˈlɑːrdʒli/
in large part; mainly or chiefly
From this reading Shoddy fears nothing so much as what vulgarly is called "the real thing;" but the trouble with shoddy, the anxiety, nay, the agony of shoddy, bluff, pretense, insincerity, whatever you care to call it, lies largely in the fact that shoddy can not always tell when it has been discovered to be shoddy.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading The first two-thirds, not being able to determine which that latter half may be, exist in continual fear that they may guess wrongly in these vulgar fractions, and so make pretense where pretense is of no avail.
plural of “lie” — a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth
From this reading Shoddy fears nothing so much as what vulgarly is called "the real thing;" but the trouble with shoddy, the anxiety, nay, the agony of shoddy, bluff, pretense, insincerity, whatever you care to call it, lies largely in the fact that shoddy can not always tell when it has been discovered to be shoddy.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading There did not lack times in John Rawn's social life when he felt a very considerable trepidation regarding himself.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading THE COMPETENCIES OF MISS DELAWARE I Two-thirds of the inhabitants of this world live in that unreal atmosphere best described by the vulgar word of "bluff."
engage in
From this reading The first two-thirds, not being able to determine which that latter half may be, exist in continual fear that they may guess wrongly in these vulgar fractions, and so make pretense where pretense is of no avail.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading The first two-thirds, not being able to determine which that latter half may be, exist in continual fear that they may guess wrongly in these vulgar fractions, and so make pretense where pretense is of no avail.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading THE COMPETENCIES OF MISS DELAWARE I Two-thirds of the inhabitants of this world live in that unreal atmosphere best described by the vulgar word of "bluff."
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Shoddy fears nothing so much as what vulgarly is called "the real thing;" but the trouble with shoddy, the anxiety, nay, the agony of shoddy, bluff, pretense, insincerity, whatever you care to call it, lies largely in the fact that shoddy can not always tell when it has been discovered to be shoddy.
an old word for “no”
From this reading Shoddy fears nothing so much as what vulgarly is called "the real thing;" but the trouble with shoddy, the anxiety, nay, the agony of shoddy, bluff, pretense, insincerity, whatever you care to call it, lies largely in the fact that shoddy can not always tell when it has been discovered to be shoddy.
not any; not one
From this reading The first two-thirds, not being able to determine which that latter half may be, exist in continual fear that they may guess wrongly in these vulgar fractions, and so make pretense where pretense is of no avail.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The first two-thirds, not being able to determine which that latter half may be, exist in continual fear that they may guess wrongly in these vulgar fractions, and so make pretense where pretense is of no avail.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Shoddy fears nothing so much as what vulgarly is called "the real thing;" but the trouble with shoddy, the anxiety, nay, the agony of shoddy, bluff, pretense, insincerity, whatever you care to call it, lies largely in the fact that shoddy can not always tell when it has been discovered to be shoddy.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE COMPETENCIES OF MISS DELAWARE I Two-thirds of the inhabitants of this world live in that unreal atmosphere best described by the vulgar word of "bluff."
one-halfnoun
one of two equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading About one-half the other third know that fact.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading About one-half the other third know that fact.
pretensenounUS /priˈtens/
the act of giving a false appearance
From this reading The first two-thirds, not being able to determine which that latter half may be, exist in continual fear that they may guess wrongly in these vulgar fractions, and so make pretense where pretense is of no avail.
Rawn's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There did not lack times in John Rawn's social life when he felt a very considerable trepidation regarding himself.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading Shoddy fears nothing so much as what vulgarly is called "the real thing;" but the trouble with shoddy, the anxiety, nay, the agony of shoddy, bluff, pretense, insincerity, whatever you care to call it, lies largely in the fact that shoddy can not always tell when it has been discovered to be shoddy.
-ing form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading There did not lack times in John Rawn's social life when he felt a very considerable trepidation regarding himself.
ShoddyadjectiveUS /ˈʃɑːdi/
made of inferior workmanship and materials
From this reading Shoddy fears nothing so much as what vulgarly is called "the real thing;" but the trouble with shoddy, the anxiety, nay, the agony of shoddy, bluff, pretense, insincerity, whatever you care to call it, lies largely in the fact that shoddy can not always tell when it has been discovered to be shoddy.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The first two-thirds, not being able to determine which that latter half may be, exist in continual fear that they may guess wrongly in these vulgar fractions, and so make pretense where pretense is of no avail.
relating to human society and its members
From this reading There did not lack times in John Rawn's social life when he felt a very considerable trepidation regarding himself.
express in words
From this reading Shoddy fears nothing so much as what vulgarly is called "the real thing;" but the trouble with shoddy, the anxiety, nay, the agony of shoddy, bluff, pretense, insincerity, whatever you care to call it, lies largely in the fact that shoddy can not always tell when it has been discovered to be shoddy.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE COMPETENCIES OF MISS DELAWARE I Two-thirds of the inhabitants of this world live in that unreal atmosphere best described by the vulgar word of "bluff."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE COMPETENCIES OF MISS DELAWARE I Two-thirds of the inhabitants of this world live in that unreal atmosphere best described by the vulgar word of "bluff."
in or at that place or location
From this reading There did not lack times in John Rawn's social life when he felt a very considerable trepidation regarding himself.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The first two-thirds, not being able to determine which that latter half may be, exist in continual fear that they may guess wrongly in these vulgar fractions, and so make pretense where pretense is of no avail.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The first two-thirds, not being able to determine which that latter half may be, exist in continual fear that they may guess wrongly in these vulgar fractions, and so make pretense where pretense is of no avail.
a special situation
From this reading Shoddy fears nothing so much as what vulgarly is called "the real thing;" but the trouble with shoddy, the anxiety, nay, the agony of shoddy, bluff, pretense, insincerity, whatever you care to call it, lies largely in the fact that shoddy can not always tell when it has been discovered to be shoddy.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading About one-half the other third know that fact.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading THE COMPETENCIES OF MISS DELAWARE I Two-thirds of the inhabitants of this world live in that unreal atmosphere best described by the vulgar word of "bluff."
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading There did not lack times in John Rawn's social life when he felt a very considerable trepidation regarding himself.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The first two-thirds, not being able to determine which that latter half may be, exist in continual fear that they may guess wrongly in these vulgar fractions, and so make pretense where pretense is of no avail.
trepidationnounUS /ˌtrepɪˈdeɪʃən/
a feeling of alarm or dread
From this reading There did not lack times in John Rawn's social life when he felt a very considerable trepidation regarding himself.
a source of difficulty
From this reading Shoddy fears nothing so much as what vulgarly is called "the real thing;" but the trouble with shoddy, the anxiety, nay, the agony of shoddy, bluff, pretense, insincerity, whatever you care to call it, lies largely in the fact that shoddy can not always tell when it has been discovered to be shoddy.
Two-thirdsnounUS /ˌtuːˈθɜːrdz/
two of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading THE COMPETENCIES OF MISS DELAWARE I Two-thirds of the inhabitants of this world live in that unreal atmosphere best described by the vulgar word of "bluff."
unrealadjectiveUS /ənˈriːl/
lacking in reality or substance or genuineness; not corresponding to acknowledged facts or criteria
From this reading THE COMPETENCIES OF MISS DELAWARE I Two-thirds of the inhabitants of this world live in that unreal atmosphere best described by the vulgar word of "bluff."
precisely as stated
From this reading There did not lack times in John Rawn's social life when he felt a very considerable trepidation regarding himself.
vulgaradjectiveUS /ˈvʌlɡər/
lacking refinement or cultivation or taste
From this reading THE COMPETENCIES OF MISS DELAWARE I Two-thirds of the inhabitants of this world live in that unreal atmosphere best described by the vulgar word of "bluff."
vulgarlyadverb
in a smutty manner
From this reading Shoddy fears nothing so much as what vulgarly is called "the real thing;" but the trouble with shoddy, the anxiety, nay, the agony of shoddy, bluff, pretense, insincerity, whatever you care to call it, lies largely in the fact that shoddy can not always tell when it has been discovered to be shoddy.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Shoddy fears nothing so much as what vulgarly is called "the real thing;" but the trouble with shoddy, the anxiety, nay, the agony of shoddy, bluff, pretense, insincerity, whatever you care to call it, lies largely in the fact that shoddy can not always tell when it has been discovered to be shoddy.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading Shoddy fears nothing so much as what vulgarly is called "the real thing;" but the trouble with shoddy, the anxiety, nay, the agony of shoddy, bluff, pretense, insincerity, whatever you care to call it, lies largely in the fact that shoddy can not always tell when it has been discovered to be shoddy.
at the time that
From this reading Shoddy fears nothing so much as what vulgarly is called "the real thing;" but the trouble with shoddy, the anxiety, nay, the agony of shoddy, bluff, pretense, insincerity, whatever you care to call it, lies largely in the fact that shoddy can not always tell when it has been discovered to be shoddy.
in or at the place that
From this reading The first two-thirds, not being able to determine which that latter half may be, exist in continual fear that they may guess wrongly in these vulgar fractions, and so make pretense where pretense is of no avail.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The first two-thirds, not being able to determine which that latter half may be, exist in continual fear that they may guess wrongly in these vulgar fractions, and so make pretense where pretense is of no avail.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Shoddy fears nothing so much as what vulgarly is called "the real thing;" but the trouble with shoddy, the anxiety, nay, the agony of shoddy, bluff, pretense, insincerity, whatever you care to call it, lies largely in the fact that shoddy can not always tell when it has been discovered to be shoddy.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading THE COMPETENCIES OF MISS DELAWARE I Two-thirds of the inhabitants of this world live in that unreal atmosphere best described by the vulgar word of "bluff."
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading THE COMPETENCIES OF MISS DELAWARE I Two-thirds of the inhabitants of this world live in that unreal atmosphere best described by the vulgar word of "bluff."
wronglyadverbUS /ˈrɔːŋli/
without justice or fairness
From this reading The first two-thirds, not being able to determine which that latter half may be, exist in continual fear that they may guess wrongly in these vulgar fractions, and so make pretense where pretense is of no avail.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Shoddy fears nothing so much as what vulgarly is called "the real thing;" but the trouble with shoddy, the anxiety, nay, the agony of shoddy, bluff, pretense, insincerity, whatever you care to call it, lies largely in the fact that shoddy can not always tell when it has been discovered to be shoddy.
