used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading We cannot say sometimes why we do a thing; every reason may be against it--common sense, habit, inclination, experience, duty, all may be pulling the other way, and yet we tear ourselves loose, and do the thing, urged by some invisible motive of whose existence we are hardly conscious.
accuratelyadverbUS /ˈækjərətli/
with few mistakes
From this reading It is impossible to define motives accurately, even our own.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading We cannot say sometimes why we do a thing; every reason may be against it--common sense, habit, inclination, experience, duty, all may be pulling the other way, and yet we tear ourselves loose, and do the thing, urged by some invisible motive of whose existence we are hardly conscious.
(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 We cannot say sometimes why we do a thing; every reason may be against it--common sense, habit, inclination, experience, duty, all may be pulling the other way, and yet we tear ourselves loose, and do the thing, urged by some invisible motive of whose existence we are hardly conscious.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "I think I may as well go and call on her, as I have nothing else to do."
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We cannot say sometimes why we do a thing; every reason may be against it--common sense, habit, inclination, experience, duty, all may be pulling the other way, and yet we tear ourselves loose, and do the thing, urged by some invisible motive of whose existence we are hardly conscious.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "I think I may as well go and call on her, as I have nothing else to do."
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading We cannot say sometimes why we do a thing; every reason may be against it--common sense, habit, inclination, experience, duty, all may be pulling the other way, and yet we tear ourselves loose, and do the thing, urged by some invisible motive of whose existence we are hardly conscious.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading We cannot say sometimes why we do a thing; every reason may be against it--common sense, habit, inclination, experience, duty, all may be pulling the other way, and yet we tear ourselves loose, and do the thing, urged by some invisible motive of whose existence we are hardly conscious.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading "I think I may as well go and call on her, as I have nothing else to do."
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We cannot say sometimes why we do a thing; every reason may be against it--common sense, habit, inclination, experience, duty, all may be pulling the other way, and yet we tear ourselves loose, and do the thing, urged by some invisible motive of whose existence we are hardly conscious.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading We cannot say sometimes why we do a thing; every reason may be against it--common sense, habit, inclination, experience, duty, all may be pulling the other way, and yet we tear ourselves loose, and do the thing, urged by some invisible motive of whose existence we are hardly conscious.
intentionally conceived
From this reading We cannot say sometimes why we do a thing; every reason may be against it--common sense, habit, inclination, experience, duty, all may be pulling the other way, and yet we tear ourselves loose, and do the thing, urged by some invisible motive of whose existence we are hardly conscious.
defineverbUS /dɪˈfaɪn/
determine the essential quality of
From this reading It is impossible to define motives accurately, even our own.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "I think I may as well go and call on her, as I have nothing else to do."
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Where does Miss Toosey live?" said John Rossitter on Monday morning.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading We cannot say sometimes why we do a thing; every reason may be against it--common sense, habit, inclination, experience, duty, all may be pulling the other way, and yet we tear ourselves loose, and do the thing, urged by some invisible motive of whose existence we are hardly conscious.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I think I may as well go and call on her, as I have nothing else to do."
divisible by two
From this reading It is impossible to define motives accurately, even our own.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading We cannot say sometimes why we do a thing; every reason may be against it--common sense, habit, inclination, experience, duty, all may be pulling the other way, and yet we tear ourselves loose, and do the thing, urged by some invisible motive of whose existence we are hardly conscious.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading We cannot say sometimes why we do a thing; every reason may be against it--common sense, habit, inclination, experience, duty, all may be pulling the other way, and yet we tear ourselves loose, and do the thing, urged by some invisible motive of whose existence we are hardly conscious.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading We cannot say sometimes why we do a thing; every reason may be against it--common sense, habit, inclination, experience, duty, all may be pulling the other way, and yet we tear ourselves loose, and do the thing, urged by some invisible motive of whose existence we are hardly conscious.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "I think I may as well go and call on her, as I have nothing else to do."
an established custom
From this reading We cannot say sometimes why we do a thing; every reason may be against it--common sense, habit, inclination, experience, duty, all may be pulling the other way, and yet we tear ourselves loose, and do the thing, urged by some invisible motive of whose existence we are hardly conscious.
only a very short time before
From this reading We cannot say sometimes why we do a thing; every reason may be against it--common sense, habit, inclination, experience, duty, all may be pulling the other way, and yet we tear ourselves loose, and do the thing, urged by some invisible motive of whose existence we are hardly conscious.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "I think I may as well go and call on her, as I have nothing else to do."
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "I think I may as well go and call on her, as I have nothing else to do."
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I do not know what impelled him to go.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I think I may as well go and call on her, as I have nothing else to do."
impelledadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpeld/
urged or forced to action through moral pressure
From this reading I do not know what impelled him to go.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading It is impossible to define motives accurately, even our own.
inclinationnounUS /ˌɪnkləˈneɪʃən/
an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others
From this reading We cannot say sometimes why we do a thing; every reason may be against it--common sense, habit, inclination, experience, duty, all may be pulling the other way, and yet we tear ourselves loose, and do the thing, urged by some invisible motive of whose existence we are hardly conscious.
invisibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɪzəbəl/
impossible or nearly impossible to see; imperceptible by the eye
From this reading We cannot say sometimes why we do a thing; every reason may be against it--common sense, habit, inclination, experience, duty, all may be pulling the other way, and yet we tear ourselves loose, and do the thing, urged by some invisible motive of whose existence we are hardly conscious.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is impossible to define motives accurately, even our own.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is impossible to define motives accurately, even our own.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading "Where does Miss Toosey live?" said John Rossitter on Monday morning.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading I do not know what impelled him to go.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading "Where does Miss Toosey live?" said John Rossitter on Monday morning.
not compact or dense in structure or arrangement
From this reading We cannot say sometimes why we do a thing; every reason may be against it--common sense, habit, inclination, experience, duty, all may be pulling the other way, and yet we tear ourselves loose, and do the thing, urged by some invisible motive of whose existence we are hardly conscious.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading "I think I may as well go and call on her, as I have nothing else to do."
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading "Where does Miss Toosey live?" said John Rossitter on Monday morning.
MondaynounUS /ˈmʌndi/
the second day of the week; the first working day
From this reading "Where does Miss Toosey live?" said John Rossitter on Monday morning.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading "Where does Miss Toosey live?" said John Rossitter on Monday morning.
motivenounUS /ˈmoʊtɪv/
the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
From this reading We cannot say sometimes why we do a thing; every reason may be against it--common sense, habit, inclination, experience, duty, all may be pulling the other way, and yet we tear ourselves loose, and do the thing, urged by some invisible motive of whose existence we are hardly conscious.
motivesnounUS /ˈmoʊtɪvz/
plural of “motive” — the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
From this reading It is impossible to define motives accurately, even our own.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I do not know what impelled him to go.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading "I think I may as well go and call on her, as I have nothing else to do."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We cannot say sometimes why we do a thing; every reason may be against it--common sense, habit, inclination, experience, duty, all may be pulling the other way, and yet we tear ourselves loose, and do the thing, urged by some invisible motive of whose existence we are hardly conscious.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "Where does Miss Toosey live?" said John Rossitter on Monday morning.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading We cannot say sometimes why we do a thing; every reason may be against it--common sense, habit, inclination, experience, duty, all may be pulling the other way, and yet we tear ourselves loose, and do the thing, urged by some invisible motive of whose existence we are hardly conscious.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading It is impossible to define motives accurately, even our own.
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading We cannot say sometimes why we do a thing; every reason may be against it--common sense, habit, inclination, experience, duty, all may be pulling the other way, and yet we tear ourselves loose, and do the thing, urged by some invisible motive of whose existence we are hardly conscious.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading It is impossible to define motives accurately, even our own.
the act of pulling; applying force to move something toward or with you
From this reading We cannot say sometimes why we do a thing; every reason may be against it--common sense, habit, inclination, experience, duty, all may be pulling the other way, and yet we tear ourselves loose, and do the thing, urged by some invisible motive of whose existence we are hardly conscious.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading We cannot say sometimes why we do a thing; every reason may be against it--common sense, habit, inclination, experience, duty, all may be pulling the other way, and yet we tear ourselves loose, and do the thing, urged by some invisible motive of whose existence we are hardly conscious.
Rossitter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Where does Miss Toosey live?" said John Rossitter on Monday morning.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Where does Miss Toosey live?" said John Rossitter on Monday morning.
express in words
From this reading We cannot say sometimes why we do a thing; every reason may be against it--common sense, habit, inclination, experience, duty, all may be pulling the other way, and yet we tear ourselves loose, and do the thing, urged by some invisible motive of whose existence we are hardly conscious.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading We cannot say sometimes why we do a thing; every reason may be against it--common sense, habit, inclination, experience, duty, all may be pulling the other way, and yet we tear ourselves loose, and do the thing, urged by some invisible motive of whose existence we are hardly conscious.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading We cannot say sometimes why we do a thing; every reason may be against it--common sense, habit, inclination, experience, duty, all may be pulling the other way, and yet we tear ourselves loose, and do the thing, urged by some invisible motive of whose existence we are hardly conscious.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading We cannot say sometimes why we do a thing; every reason may be against it--common sense, habit, inclination, experience, duty, all may be pulling the other way, and yet we tear ourselves loose, and do the thing, urged by some invisible motive of whose existence we are hardly conscious.
separate or cause to separate abruptly
From this reading We cannot say sometimes why we do a thing; every reason may be against it--common sense, habit, inclination, experience, duty, all may be pulling the other way, and yet we tear ourselves loose, and do the thing, urged by some invisible motive of whose existence we are hardly conscious.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading We cannot say sometimes why we do a thing; every reason may be against it--common sense, habit, inclination, experience, duty, all may be pulling the other way, and yet we tear ourselves loose, and do the thing, urged by some invisible motive of whose existence we are hardly conscious.
a special situation
From this reading We cannot say sometimes why we do a thing; every reason may be against it--common sense, habit, inclination, experience, duty, all may be pulling the other way, and yet we tear ourselves loose, and do the thing, urged by some invisible motive of whose existence we are hardly conscious.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading "I think I may as well go and call on her, as I have nothing else to do."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "I think I may as well go and call on her, as I have nothing else to do."
Toosey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Where does Miss Toosey live?" said John Rossitter on Monday morning.
past form of “urge” — force or impel in an indicated direction
From this reading We cannot say sometimes why we do a thing; every reason may be against it--common sense, habit, inclination, experience, duty, all may be pulling the other way, and yet we tear ourselves loose, and do the thing, urged by some invisible motive of whose existence we are hardly conscious.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading We cannot say sometimes why we do a thing; every reason may be against it--common sense, habit, inclination, experience, duty, all may be pulling the other way, and yet we tear ourselves loose, and do the thing, urged by some invisible motive of whose existence we are hardly conscious.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We cannot say sometimes why we do a thing; every reason may be against it--common sense, habit, inclination, experience, duty, all may be pulling the other way, and yet we tear ourselves loose, and do the thing, urged by some invisible motive of whose existence we are hardly conscious.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading "I think I may as well go and call on her, as I have nothing else to do."
used to ask for information about something
From this reading I do not know what impelled him to go.
in or at the place that
From this reading "Where does Miss Toosey live?" said John Rossitter on Monday morning.
belonging to which person
From this reading We cannot say sometimes why we do a thing; every reason may be against it--common sense, habit, inclination, experience, duty, all may be pulling the other way, and yet we tear ourselves loose, and do the thing, urged by some invisible motive of whose existence we are hardly conscious.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading We cannot say sometimes why we do a thing; every reason may be against it--common sense, habit, inclination, experience, duty, all may be pulling the other way, and yet we tear ourselves loose, and do the thing, urged by some invisible motive of whose existence we are hardly conscious.
but in spite of that
From this reading We cannot say sometimes why we do a thing; every reason may be against it--common sense, habit, inclination, experience, duty, all may be pulling the other way, and yet we tear ourselves loose, and do the thing, urged by some invisible motive of whose existence we are hardly conscious.
