used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading About a year after Paul and Leonore were married, they received a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Purcell, travelling in all the state that money could buy and ingenuity devise.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading About a year after Paul and Leonore were married, they received a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Purcell, travelling in all the state that money could buy and ingenuity devise.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading About a year after Paul and Leonore were married, they received a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Purcell, travelling in all the state that money could buy and ingenuity devise.
(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 About a year after Paul and Leonore were married, they received a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Purcell, travelling in all the state that money could buy and ingenuity devise.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading He was allowed a tailor's bill though,--and he looked down at a new suit with all his old complacency.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading About a year after Paul and Leonore were married, they received a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Purcell, travelling in all the state that money could buy and ingenuity devise.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He was allowed a tailor's bill though,--and he looked down at a new suit with all his old complacency.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading Val was glorious: even prouder of his new wife's cleverness than he had been of her predecessor's beauty.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Val was glorious: even prouder of his new wife's cleverness than he had been of her predecessor's beauty.
a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading He was allowed a tailor's bill though,--and he looked down at a new suit with all his old complacency.
obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
From this reading About a year after Paul and Leonore were married, they received a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Purcell, travelling in all the state that money could buy and ingenuity devise.
clevernessnounUS /ˈklev.ər.nəs/
The quality of being intelligent, quick to understand, and resourceful in danger.
From this reading Val was glorious: even prouder of his new wife's cleverness than he had been of her predecessor's beauty.
complacencynounUS /kəmˈpleɪsənsi/
the feeling you have when you are satisfied with yourself
From this reading He was allowed a tailor's bill though,--and he looked down at a new suit with all his old complacency.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading About a year after Paul and Leonore were married, they received a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Purcell, travelling in all the state that money could buy and ingenuity devise.
deviseverbUS /dɪˈvaɪz/
come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort
From this reading About a year after Paul and Leonore were married, they received a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Purcell, travelling in all the state that money could buy and ingenuity devise.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He was allowed a tailor's bill though,--and he looked down at a new suit with all his old complacency.
constituting the full quantity or extent; complete
From this reading Marietta was superb: there never was such a woman; managed everything--ran the entire show.
EPILOGUEnounUS /ˈepəlɔːɡ/
a short speech (often in verse) addressed directly to the audience by an actor at the end of a play
From this reading EPILOGUE.
divisible by two
From this reading Val was glorious: even prouder of his new wife's cleverness than he had been of her predecessor's beauty.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Marietta was superb: there never was such a woman; managed everything--ran the entire show.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading About a year after Paul and Leonore were married, they received a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Purcell, travelling in all the state that money could buy and ingenuity devise.
having or deserving or conferring glory
From this reading Val was glorious: even prouder of his new wife's cleverness than he had been of her predecessor's beauty.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Val was glorious: even prouder of his new wife's cleverness than he had been of her predecessor's beauty.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Val was glorious: even prouder of his new wife's cleverness than he had been of her predecessor's beauty.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Val was glorious: even prouder of his new wife's cleverness than he had been of her predecessor's beauty.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Val was glorious: even prouder of his new wife's cleverness than he had been of her predecessor's beauty.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading About a year after Paul and Leonore were married, they received a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Purcell, travelling in all the state that money could buy and ingenuity devise.
ingenuitynounUS /ˌɪndʒəˈnuːətiː/
the power of creative imagination
From this reading About a year after Paul and Leonore were married, they received a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Purcell, travelling in all the state that money could buy and ingenuity devise.
Leonore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About a year after Paul and Leonore were married, they received a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Purcell, travelling in all the state that money could buy and ingenuity devise.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He was allowed a tailor's bill though,--and he looked down at a new suit with all his old complacency.
past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading Marietta was superb: there never was such a woman; managed everything--ran the entire show.
Marietta
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marietta was superb: there never was such a woman; managed everything--ran the entire show.
joined in matrimony
From this reading About a year after Paul and Leonore were married, they received a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Purcell, travelling in all the state that money could buy and ingenuity devise.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading About a year after Paul and Leonore were married, they received a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Purcell, travelling in all the state that money could buy and ingenuity devise.
a form of address for a man
From this reading About a year after Paul and Leonore were married, they received a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Purcell, travelling in all the state that money could buy and ingenuity devise.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading About a year after Paul and Leonore were married, they received a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Purcell, travelling in all the state that money could buy and ingenuity devise.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Marietta was superb: there never was such a woman; managed everything--ran the entire show.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Val was glorious: even prouder of his new wife's cleverness than he had been of her predecessor's beauty.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Val was glorious: even prouder of his new wife's cleverness than he had been of her predecessor's beauty.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He was allowed a tailor's bill though,--and he looked down at a new suit with all his old complacency.
United States feminist (1885-1977)
From this reading About a year after Paul and Leonore were married, they received a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Purcell, travelling in all the state that money could buy and ingenuity devise.
predecessor'snounUS /ˈpredəsesərz/
possessive form of “predecessor” — one who precedes you in time (as in holding a position or office)
From this reading Val was glorious: even prouder of his new wife's cleverness than he had been of her predecessor's beauty.
prouderadjectiveUS /ˈpraʊdər/
comparative of “proud” — feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading Val was glorious: even prouder of his new wife's cleverness than he had been of her predecessor's beauty.
PurcellnounUS /pərˈsel/
English organist at Westminster Abbey and composer of many theatrical pieces (1659-1695)
From this reading About a year after Paul and Leonore were married, they received a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Purcell, travelling in all the state that money could buy and ingenuity devise.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Marietta was superb: there never was such a woman; managed everything--ran the entire show.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading About a year after Paul and Leonore were married, they received a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Purcell, travelling in all the state that money could buy and ingenuity devise.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Marietta was superb: there never was such a woman; managed everything--ran the entire show.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading About a year after Paul and Leonore were married, they received a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Purcell, travelling in all the state that money could buy and ingenuity devise.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Marietta was superb: there never was such a woman; managed everything--ran the entire show.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading He was allowed a tailor's bill though,--and he looked down at a new suit with all his old complacency.
superbadjectiveUS /sʊˈpɜːrb/
of surpassing excellence
From this reading Marietta was superb: there never was such a woman; managed everything--ran the entire show.
tailor's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was allowed a tailor's bill though,--and he looked down at a new suit with all his old complacency.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Val was glorious: even prouder of his new wife's cleverness than he had been of her predecessor's beauty.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading About a year after Paul and Leonore were married, they received a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Purcell, travelling in all the state that money could buy and ingenuity devise.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading About a year after Paul and Leonore were married, they received a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Purcell, travelling in all the state that money could buy and ingenuity devise.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Marietta was superb: there never was such a woman; managed everything--ran the entire show.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading About a year after Paul and Leonore were married, they received a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Purcell, travelling in all the state that money could buy and ingenuity devise.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading He was allowed a tailor's bill though,--and he looked down at a new suit with all his old complacency.
the act of going from one place to another
From this reading About a year after Paul and Leonore were married, they received a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Purcell, travelling in all the state that money could buy and ingenuity devise.
Val
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Val was glorious: even prouder of his new wife's cleverness than he had been of her predecessor's beauty.
ValentinenounUS /ˈvæləntaɪn/
a sweetheart chosen to receive a greeting on Saint Valentine's Day
From this reading About a year after Paul and Leonore were married, they received a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Purcell, travelling in all the state that money could buy and ingenuity devise.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading About a year after Paul and Leonore were married, they received a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Purcell, travelling in all the state that money could buy and ingenuity devise.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Val was glorious: even prouder of his new wife's cleverness than he had been of her predecessor's beauty.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading About a year after Paul and Leonore were married, they received a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Purcell, travelling in all the state that money could buy and ingenuity devise.
wife'snounUS /waɪfs/
possessive form of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Val was glorious: even prouder of his new wife's cleverness than he had been of her predecessor's beauty.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was allowed a tailor's bill though,--and he looked down at a new suit with all his old complacency.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Marietta was superb: there never was such a woman; managed everything--ran the entire show.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading About a year after Paul and Leonore were married, they received a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Purcell, travelling in all the state that money could buy and ingenuity devise.
