11
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BATH, October 11, 1769.
1769
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BATH, October 11, 1769.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading I got hither last Sunday, the day after I left London, less fatigued than I expected to have been; and now crawl about this place upon my three legs, but am kept in countenance by many of my fellow-crawlers; the last part of the Sphinx's riddle approaches, and I shall soon end, as I began, upon all fours.
accountnounUS /əˈkaʊnt/
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading Your orders and yourself come under this description; and therefore I must give you an account of my arrival and existence, such as it is, here.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading I got hither last Sunday, the day after I left London, less fatigued than I expected to have been; and now crawl about this place upon my three legs, but am kept in countenance by many of my fellow-crawlers; the last part of the Sphinx's riddle approaches, and I shall soon end, as I began, upon all fours.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 I got hither last Sunday, the day after I left London, less fatigued than I expected to have been; and now crawl about this place upon my three legs, but am kept in countenance by many of my fellow-crawlers; the last part of the Sphinx's riddle approaches, and I shall soon end, as I began, upon all fours.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading MADAM: Nobody can be more willing and ready to obey orders than I am; but then I must like the orders and the orderer.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Your orders and yourself come under this description; and therefore I must give you an account of my arrival and existence, such as it is, here.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading MADAM: Nobody can be more willing and ready to obey orders than I am; but then I must like the orders and the orderer.
approachesnounUS /əˈproʊtʃəz/
plural of “approach” — ideas or actions intended to deal with a problem or situation
From this reading I got hither last Sunday, the day after I left London, less fatigued than I expected to have been; and now crawl about this place upon my three legs, but am kept in countenance by many of my fellow-crawlers; the last part of the Sphinx's riddle approaches, and I shall soon end, as I began, upon all fours.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I hope our two boys are well, for then I am sure you are so.
arrivalnounUS /ərˈaɪvəl/
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading Your orders and yourself come under this description; and therefore I must give you an account of my arrival and existence, such as it is, here.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Your orders and yourself come under this description; and therefore I must give you an account of my arrival and existence, such as it is, here.
assureverbUS /əˈʃʊr/
make certain of
From this reading When you happen to see either Monsieur or Madame Perny, I beg you will give them this melancholic proof of my caducity, and tell them that the last time I went to see the boys, I carried the Michaelmas quarterage in my pocket; and when I was there I totally forgot it; but assure them, that I have not the least intention to bilk them, and will pay them faithfully the two quarters together, at Christmas.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When you happen to see either Monsieur or Madame Perny, I beg you will give them this melancholic proof of my caducity, and tell them that the last time I went to see the boys, I carried the Michaelmas quarterage in my pocket; and when I was there I totally forgot it; but assure them, that I have not the least intention to bilk them, and will pay them faithfully the two quarters together, at Christmas.
BATHnounUS /bæθ/
a vessel containing liquid in which something is immersed (as to process it or to maintain it at a constant temperature or to lubricate it)
From this reading BATH, October 11, 1769.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading MADAM: Nobody can be more willing and ready to obey orders than I am; but then I must like the orders and the orderer.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading I got hither last Sunday, the day after I left London, less fatigued than I expected to have been; and now crawl about this place upon my three legs, but am kept in countenance by many of my fellow-crawlers; the last part of the Sphinx's riddle approaches, and I shall soon end, as I began, upon all fours.
begverbUS /beɡ/
call upon in supplication; entreat
From this reading When you happen to see either Monsieur or Madame Perny, I beg you will give them this melancholic proof of my caducity, and tell them that the last time I went to see the boys, I carried the Michaelmas quarterage in my pocket; and when I was there I totally forgot it; but assure them, that I have not the least intention to bilk them, and will pay them faithfully the two quarters together, at Christmas.
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading I got hither last Sunday, the day after I left London, less fatigued than I expected to have been; and now crawl about this place upon my three legs, but am kept in countenance by many of my fellow-crawlers; the last part of the Sphinx's riddle approaches, and I shall soon end, as I began, upon all fours.
bilkverbUS /bɪlk/
cheat somebody out of what is due, especially money
From this reading When you happen to see either Monsieur or Madame Perny, I beg you will give them this melancholic proof of my caducity, and tell them that the last time I went to see the boys, I carried the Michaelmas quarterage in my pocket; and when I was there I totally forgot it; but assure them, that I have not the least intention to bilk them, and will pay them faithfully the two quarters together, at Christmas.
boysnounUS /bɔɪz/
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading When you happen to see either Monsieur or Madame Perny, I beg you will give them this melancholic proof of my caducity, and tell them that the last time I went to see the boys, I carried the Michaelmas quarterage in my pocket; and when I was there I totally forgot it; but assure them, that I have not the least intention to bilk them, and will pay them faithfully the two quarters together, at Christmas.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading MADAM: Nobody can be more willing and ready to obey orders than I am; but then I must like the orders and the orderer.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I got hither last Sunday, the day after I left London, less fatigued than I expected to have been; and now crawl about this place upon my three legs, but am kept in countenance by many of my fellow-crawlers; the last part of the Sphinx's riddle approaches, and I shall soon end, as I began, upon all fours.
caducity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When you happen to see either Monsieur or Madame Perny, I beg you will give them this melancholic proof of my caducity, and tell them that the last time I went to see the boys, I carried the Michaelmas quarterage in my pocket; and when I was there I totally forgot it; but assure them, that I have not the least intention to bilk them, and will pay them faithfully the two quarters together, at Christmas.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading MADAM: Nobody can be more willing and ready to obey orders than I am; but then I must like the orders and the orderer.
carriedverbUS /ˈkærid/
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading When you happen to see either Monsieur or Madame Perny, I beg you will give them this melancholic proof of my caducity, and tell them that the last time I went to see the boys, I carried the Michaelmas quarterage in my pocket; and when I was there I totally forgot it; but assure them, that I have not the least intention to bilk them, and will pay them faithfully the two quarters together, at Christmas.
CHESTERFIELDnounUS /ˈtʃestərfiːld/
suave and witty English statesman remembered mostly for letters to his son (1694-1773)
From this reading I am, with great truth and esteem, your most faithful, humble servant, CHESTERFIELD.
ChristmasnounUS /ˈkrɪsməs/
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading When you happen to see either Monsieur or Madame Perny, I beg you will give them this melancholic proof of my caducity, and tell them that the last time I went to see the boys, I carried the Michaelmas quarterage in my pocket; and when I was there I totally forgot it; but assure them, that I have not the least intention to bilk them, and will pay them faithfully the two quarters together, at Christmas.
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Your orders and yourself come under this description; and therefore I must give you an account of my arrival and existence, such as it is, here.
countenancenounUS /ˈkaʊntənəns/
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading I got hither last Sunday, the day after I left London, less fatigued than I expected to have been; and now crawl about this place upon my three legs, but am kept in countenance by many of my fellow-crawlers; the last part of the Sphinx's riddle approaches, and I shall soon end, as I began, upon all fours.
crawlverbUS /krɔːl/
move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading I got hither last Sunday, the day after I left London, less fatigued than I expected to have been; and now crawl about this place upon my three legs, but am kept in countenance by many of my fellow-crawlers; the last part of the Sphinx's riddle approaches, and I shall soon end, as I began, upon all fours.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading I got hither last Sunday, the day after I left London, less fatigued than I expected to have been; and now crawl about this place upon my three legs, but am kept in countenance by many of my fellow-crawlers; the last part of the Sphinx's riddle approaches, and I shall soon end, as I began, upon all fours.
descriptionnounUS /dɪˈskrɪpʃən/
a statement that represents something in words
From this reading Your orders and yourself come under this description; and therefore I must give you an account of my arrival and existence, such as it is, here.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading When you happen to see either Monsieur or Madame Perny, I beg you will give them this melancholic proof of my caducity, and tell them that the last time I went to see the boys, I carried the Michaelmas quarterage in my pocket; and when I was there I totally forgot it; but assure them, that I have not the least intention to bilk them, and will pay them faithfully the two quarters together, at Christmas.
endnounUS /end/
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading I got hither last Sunday, the day after I left London, less fatigued than I expected to have been; and now crawl about this place upon my three legs, but am kept in countenance by many of my fellow-crawlers; the last part of the Sphinx's riddle approaches, and I shall soon end, as I began, upon all fours.
esteemnounUS /əˈstiːm/
the condition of being honored (esteemed or respected or well regarded)
From this reading I am, with great truth and esteem, your most faithful, humble servant, CHESTERFIELD.
existencenounUS /eɡˈzɪstəns/
the state or fact of existing
From this reading Your orders and yourself come under this description; and therefore I must give you an account of my arrival and existence, such as it is, here.
expectedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspektəd/
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading I got hither last Sunday, the day after I left London, less fatigued than I expected to have been; and now crawl about this place upon my three legs, but am kept in countenance by many of my fellow-crawlers; the last part of the Sphinx's riddle approaches, and I shall soon end, as I began, upon all fours.
faithfuladjectiveUS /ˈfeɪθfəl/
steadfast in affection or allegiance
From this reading I am, with great truth and esteem, your most faithful, humble servant, CHESTERFIELD.
faithfullyadverbUS /ˈfeɪθfəli/
in a faithful manner
From this reading When you happen to see either Monsieur or Madame Perny, I beg you will give them this melancholic proof of my caducity, and tell them that the last time I went to see the boys, I carried the Michaelmas quarterage in my pocket; and when I was there I totally forgot it; but assure them, that I have not the least intention to bilk them, and will pay them faithfully the two quarters together, at Christmas.
fatiguedadjectiveUS /fəˈtiːɡd/
drained of energy or effectiveness; extremely tired; completely exhausted
From this reading I got hither last Sunday, the day after I left London, less fatigued than I expected to have been; and now crawl about this place upon my three legs, but am kept in countenance by many of my fellow-crawlers; the last part of the Sphinx's riddle approaches, and I shall soon end, as I began, upon all fours.
fellow-crawlers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I got hither last Sunday, the day after I left London, less fatigued than I expected to have been; and now crawl about this place upon my three legs, but am kept in countenance by many of my fellow-crawlers; the last part of the Sphinx's riddle approaches, and I shall soon end, as I began, upon all fours.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I hope our two boys are well, for then I am sure you are so.
forgotverbUS /fərˈɡɑːt/
inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading When you happen to see either Monsieur or Madame Perny, I beg you will give them this melancholic proof of my caducity, and tell them that the last time I went to see the boys, I carried the Michaelmas quarterage in my pocket; and when I was there I totally forgot it; but assure them, that I have not the least intention to bilk them, and will pay them faithfully the two quarters together, at Christmas.
foursnounUS /fɔːrz/
plural of “four” — the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading I got hither last Sunday, the day after I left London, less fatigued than I expected to have been; and now crawl about this place upon my three legs, but am kept in countenance by many of my fellow-crawlers; the last part of the Sphinx's riddle approaches, and I shall soon end, as I began, upon all fours.
giveverbUS /ɡɪv/
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Your orders and yourself come under this description; and therefore I must give you an account of my arrival and existence, such as it is, here.
gotverbUS /ɡɑːt/
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading I got hither last Sunday, the day after I left London, less fatigued than I expected to have been; and now crawl about this place upon my three legs, but am kept in countenance by many of my fellow-crawlers; the last part of the Sphinx's riddle approaches, and I shall soon end, as I began, upon all fours.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading I am, with great truth and esteem, your most faithful, humble servant, CHESTERFIELD.
happenverbUS /ˈhæpən/
come to pass
From this reading When you happen to see either Monsieur or Madame Perny, I beg you will give them this melancholic proof of my caducity, and tell them that the last time I went to see the boys, I carried the Michaelmas quarterage in my pocket; and when I was there I totally forgot it; but assure them, that I have not the least intention to bilk them, and will pay them faithfully the two quarters together, at Christmas.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I got hither last Sunday, the day after I left London, less fatigued than I expected to have been; and now crawl about this place upon my three legs, but am kept in countenance by many of my fellow-crawlers; the last part of the Sphinx's riddle approaches, and I shall soon end, as I began, upon all fours.
hereadverbUS /hiːr/
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Your orders and yourself come under this description; and therefore I must give you an account of my arrival and existence, such as it is, here.
hitheradverbUS /ˈhɪðər/
an old word meaning “to this place”
From this reading I got hither last Sunday, the day after I left London, less fatigued than I expected to have been; and now crawl about this place upon my three legs, but am kept in countenance by many of my fellow-crawlers; the last part of the Sphinx's riddle approaches, and I shall soon end, as I began, upon all fours.
hopenounUS /hoʊp/
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading I hope our two boys are well, for then I am sure you are so.
humbleadjectiveUS /ˈhʌmbəl/
low or inferior in station or quality
From this reading I am, with great truth and esteem, your most faithful, humble servant, CHESTERFIELD.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading MADAM: Nobody can be more willing and ready to obey orders than I am; but then I must like the orders and the orderer.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I got hither last Sunday, the day after I left London, less fatigued than I expected to have been; and now crawl about this place upon my three legs, but am kept in countenance by many of my fellow-crawlers; the last part of the Sphinx's riddle approaches, and I shall soon end, as I began, upon all fours.
intentionnounUS /ˌɪnˈtentʃən/
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading When you happen to see either Monsieur or Madame Perny, I beg you will give them this melancholic proof of my caducity, and tell them that the last time I went to see the boys, I carried the Michaelmas quarterage in my pocket; and when I was there I totally forgot it; but assure them, that I have not the least intention to bilk them, and will pay them faithfully the two quarters together, at Christmas.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Your orders and yourself come under this description; and therefore I must give you an account of my arrival and existence, such as it is, here.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Your orders and yourself come under this description; and therefore I must give you an account of my arrival and existence, such as it is, here.
keptadjectiveUS /kept/
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading I got hither last Sunday, the day after I left London, less fatigued than I expected to have been; and now crawl about this place upon my three legs, but am kept in countenance by many of my fellow-crawlers; the last part of the Sphinx's riddle approaches, and I shall soon end, as I began, upon all fours.
lastadjectiveUS /læst/
immediately past
From this reading I got hither last Sunday, the day after I left London, less fatigued than I expected to have been; and now crawl about this place upon my three legs, but am kept in countenance by many of my fellow-crawlers; the last part of the Sphinx's riddle approaches, and I shall soon end, as I began, upon all fours.
leastadjectiveUS /liːst/
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading When you happen to see either Monsieur or Madame Perny, I beg you will give them this melancholic proof of my caducity, and tell them that the last time I went to see the boys, I carried the Michaelmas quarterage in my pocket; and when I was there I totally forgot it; but assure them, that I have not the least intention to bilk them, and will pay them faithfully the two quarters together, at Christmas.
leftnounUS /left/
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading I got hither last Sunday, the day after I left London, less fatigued than I expected to have been; and now crawl about this place upon my three legs, but am kept in countenance by many of my fellow-crawlers; the last part of the Sphinx's riddle approaches, and I shall soon end, as I began, upon all fours.
legsnounUS /leɡz/
staying power
From this reading I got hither last Sunday, the day after I left London, less fatigued than I expected to have been; and now crawl about this place upon my three legs, but am kept in countenance by many of my fellow-crawlers; the last part of the Sphinx's riddle approaches, and I shall soon end, as I began, upon all fours.
lessadverbUS /les/
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading I got hither last Sunday, the day after I left London, less fatigued than I expected to have been; and now crawl about this place upon my three legs, but am kept in countenance by many of my fellow-crawlers; the last part of the Sphinx's riddle approaches, and I shall soon end, as I began, upon all fours.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading MADAM: Nobody can be more willing and ready to obey orders than I am; but then I must like the orders and the orderer.
LondonnounUS /ˈlʌndən/
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading I got hither last Sunday, the day after I left London, less fatigued than I expected to have been; and now crawl about this place upon my three legs, but am kept in countenance by many of my fellow-crawlers; the last part of the Sphinx's riddle approaches, and I shall soon end, as I began, upon all fours.
MADAMnounUS /ˈmædəm/
a woman of refinement
From this reading MADAM: Nobody can be more willing and ready to obey orders than I am; but then I must like the orders and the orderer.
MadamenounUS /ˈmædəm/
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading When you happen to see either Monsieur or Madame Perny, I beg you will give them this melancholic proof of my caducity, and tell them that the last time I went to see the boys, I carried the Michaelmas quarterage in my pocket; and when I was there I totally forgot it; but assure them, that I have not the least intention to bilk them, and will pay them faithfully the two quarters together, at Christmas.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading I got hither last Sunday, the day after I left London, less fatigued than I expected to have been; and now crawl about this place upon my three legs, but am kept in countenance by many of my fellow-crawlers; the last part of the Sphinx's riddle approaches, and I shall soon end, as I began, upon all fours.
melancholicnounUS /ˌmelənˈkɑːlɪk/
someone subject to melancholia
From this reading When you happen to see either Monsieur or Madame Perny, I beg you will give them this melancholic proof of my caducity, and tell them that the last time I went to see the boys, I carried the Michaelmas quarterage in my pocket; and when I was there I totally forgot it; but assure them, that I have not the least intention to bilk them, and will pay them faithfully the two quarters together, at Christmas.
Michaelmasnoun
honoring the archangel Michael; a quarter day in England, Wales, and Ireland
From this reading When you happen to see either Monsieur or Madame Perny, I beg you will give them this melancholic proof of my caducity, and tell them that the last time I went to see the boys, I carried the Michaelmas quarterage in my pocket; and when I was there I totally forgot it; but assure them, that I have not the least intention to bilk them, and will pay them faithfully the two quarters together, at Christmas.
MonsieurnounUS /məˈsjɜːr/
used as a French courtesy title; equivalent to English “Mr”
From this reading When you happen to see either Monsieur or Madame Perny, I beg you will give them this melancholic proof of my caducity, and tell them that the last time I went to see the boys, I carried the Michaelmas quarterage in my pocket; and when I was there I totally forgot it; but assure them, that I have not the least intention to bilk them, and will pay them faithfully the two quarters together, at Christmas.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading MADAM: Nobody can be more willing and ready to obey orders than I am; but then I must like the orders and the orderer.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading I am, with great truth and esteem, your most faithful, humble servant, CHESTERFIELD.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading MADAM: Nobody can be more willing and ready to obey orders than I am; but then I must like the orders and the orderer.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Your orders and yourself come under this description; and therefore I must give you an account of my arrival and existence, such as it is, here.
NobodypronounUS /ˈnoʊbɑːdiː/
no person; not anyone
From this reading MADAM: Nobody can be more willing and ready to obey orders than I am; but then I must like the orders and the orderer.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading When you happen to see either Monsieur or Madame Perny, I beg you will give them this melancholic proof of my caducity, and tell them that the last time I went to see the boys, I carried the Michaelmas quarterage in my pocket; and when I was there I totally forgot it; but assure them, that I have not the least intention to bilk them, and will pay them faithfully the two quarters together, at Christmas.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading I got hither last Sunday, the day after I left London, less fatigued than I expected to have been; and now crawl about this place upon my three legs, but am kept in countenance by many of my fellow-crawlers; the last part of the Sphinx's riddle approaches, and I shall soon end, as I began, upon all fours.
obeyverbUS /oʊˈbeɪ/
be obedient to
From this reading MADAM: Nobody can be more willing and ready to obey orders than I am; but then I must like the orders and the orderer.
OctobernounUS /ɑːkˈtoʊbər/
the month following September and preceding November
From this reading BATH, October 11, 1769.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Your orders and yourself come under this description; and therefore I must give you an account of my arrival and existence, such as it is, here.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading When you happen to see either Monsieur or Madame Perny, I beg you will give them this melancholic proof of my caducity, and tell them that the last time I went to see the boys, I carried the Michaelmas quarterage in my pocket; and when I was there I totally forgot it; but assure them, that I have not the least intention to bilk them, and will pay them faithfully the two quarters together, at Christmas.
orderernoun
someone who places an order to buy
From this reading MADAM: Nobody can be more willing and ready to obey orders than I am; but then I must like the orders and the orderer.
ordersnounUS /ˈɔːrdərz/
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading MADAM: Nobody can be more willing and ready to obey orders than I am; but then I must like the orders and the orderer.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading I hope our two boys are well, for then I am sure you are so.
partnounUS /pɑːrt/
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading I got hither last Sunday, the day after I left London, less fatigued than I expected to have been; and now crawl about this place upon my three legs, but am kept in countenance by many of my fellow-crawlers; the last part of the Sphinx's riddle approaches, and I shall soon end, as I began, upon all fours.
payverbUS /peɪ/
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading When you happen to see either Monsieur or Madame Perny, I beg you will give them this melancholic proof of my caducity, and tell them that the last time I went to see the boys, I carried the Michaelmas quarterage in my pocket; and when I was there I totally forgot it; but assure them, that I have not the least intention to bilk them, and will pay them faithfully the two quarters together, at Christmas.
Perny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When you happen to see either Monsieur or Madame Perny, I beg you will give them this melancholic proof of my caducity, and tell them that the last time I went to see the boys, I carried the Michaelmas quarterage in my pocket; and when I was there I totally forgot it; but assure them, that I have not the least intention to bilk them, and will pay them faithfully the two quarters together, at Christmas.
placenounUS /pleɪs/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading I got hither last Sunday, the day after I left London, less fatigued than I expected to have been; and now crawl about this place upon my three legs, but am kept in countenance by many of my fellow-crawlers; the last part of the Sphinx's riddle approaches, and I shall soon end, as I began, upon all fours.
pocketnounUS /ˈpɑːkət/
a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading When you happen to see either Monsieur or Madame Perny, I beg you will give them this melancholic proof of my caducity, and tell them that the last time I went to see the boys, I carried the Michaelmas quarterage in my pocket; and when I was there I totally forgot it; but assure them, that I have not the least intention to bilk them, and will pay them faithfully the two quarters together, at Christmas.
proofnounUS /pruːf/
any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something
From this reading When you happen to see either Monsieur or Madame Perny, I beg you will give them this melancholic proof of my caducity, and tell them that the last time I went to see the boys, I carried the Michaelmas quarterage in my pocket; and when I was there I totally forgot it; but assure them, that I have not the least intention to bilk them, and will pay them faithfully the two quarters together, at Christmas.
quarterage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When you happen to see either Monsieur or Madame Perny, I beg you will give them this melancholic proof of my caducity, and tell them that the last time I went to see the boys, I carried the Michaelmas quarterage in my pocket; and when I was there I totally forgot it; but assure them, that I have not the least intention to bilk them, and will pay them faithfully the two quarters together, at Christmas.
quartersnounUS /ˈkwɔːrtərz/
housing available for people to live in
From this reading When you happen to see either Monsieur or Madame Perny, I beg you will give them this melancholic proof of my caducity, and tell them that the last time I went to see the boys, I carried the Michaelmas quarterage in my pocket; and when I was there I totally forgot it; but assure them, that I have not the least intention to bilk them, and will pay them faithfully the two quarters together, at Christmas.
readyadjectiveUS /ˈredi/
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading MADAM: Nobody can be more willing and ready to obey orders than I am; but then I must like the orders and the orderer.
riddleverbUS /ˈrɪdəl/
pierce with many holes
From this reading I got hither last Sunday, the day after I left London, less fatigued than I expected to have been; and now crawl about this place upon my three legs, but am kept in countenance by many of my fellow-crawlers; the last part of the Sphinx's riddle approaches, and I shall soon end, as I began, upon all fours.
seeverbUS /siː/
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading When you happen to see either Monsieur or Madame Perny, I beg you will give them this melancholic proof of my caducity, and tell them that the last time I went to see the boys, I carried the Michaelmas quarterage in my pocket; and when I was there I totally forgot it; but assure them, that I have not the least intention to bilk them, and will pay them faithfully the two quarters together, at Christmas.
servantnounUS /ˈsɜːrvənt/
a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading I am, with great truth and esteem, your most faithful, humble servant, CHESTERFIELD.
shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading I got hither last Sunday, the day after I left London, less fatigued than I expected to have been; and now crawl about this place upon my three legs, but am kept in countenance by many of my fellow-crawlers; the last part of the Sphinx's riddle approaches, and I shall soon end, as I began, upon all fours.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I hope our two boys are well, for then I am sure you are so.
soonadverbUS /suːn/
in the near future
From this reading I got hither last Sunday, the day after I left London, less fatigued than I expected to have been; and now crawl about this place upon my three legs, but am kept in countenance by many of my fellow-crawlers; the last part of the Sphinx's riddle approaches, and I shall soon end, as I began, upon all fours.
Sphinx's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I got hither last Sunday, the day after I left London, less fatigued than I expected to have been; and now crawl about this place upon my three legs, but am kept in countenance by many of my fellow-crawlers; the last part of the Sphinx's riddle approaches, and I shall soon end, as I began, upon all fours.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Your orders and yourself come under this description; and therefore I must give you an account of my arrival and existence, such as it is, here.
SundaynounUS /ˈsʌndeɪ/
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading I got hither last Sunday, the day after I left London, less fatigued than I expected to have been; and now crawl about this place upon my three legs, but am kept in countenance by many of my fellow-crawlers; the last part of the Sphinx's riddle approaches, and I shall soon end, as I began, upon all fours.
sureadjectiveUS /ʃʊr/
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading I hope our two boys are well, for then I am sure you are so.
tellverbUS /tel/
express in words
From this reading When you happen to see either Monsieur or Madame Perny, I beg you will give them this melancholic proof of my caducity, and tell them that the last time I went to see the boys, I carried the Michaelmas quarterage in my pocket; and when I was there I totally forgot it; but assure them, that I have not the least intention to bilk them, and will pay them faithfully the two quarters together, at Christmas.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading MADAM: Nobody can be more willing and ready to obey orders than I am; but then I must like the orders and the orderer.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When you happen to see either Monsieur or Madame Perny, I beg you will give them this melancholic proof of my caducity, and tell them that the last time I went to see the boys, I carried the Michaelmas quarterage in my pocket; and when I was there I totally forgot it; but assure them, that I have not the least intention to bilk them, and will pay them faithfully the two quarters together, at Christmas.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MADAM: Nobody can be more willing and ready to obey orders than I am; but then I must like the orders and the orderer.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading When you happen to see either Monsieur or Madame Perny, I beg you will give them this melancholic proof of my caducity, and tell them that the last time I went to see the boys, I carried the Michaelmas quarterage in my pocket; and when I was there I totally forgot it; but assure them, that I have not the least intention to bilk them, and will pay them faithfully the two quarters together, at Christmas.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading MADAM: Nobody can be more willing and ready to obey orders than I am; but then I must like the orders and the orderer.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading When you happen to see either Monsieur or Madame Perny, I beg you will give them this melancholic proof of my caducity, and tell them that the last time I went to see the boys, I carried the Michaelmas quarterage in my pocket; and when I was there I totally forgot it; but assure them, that I have not the least intention to bilk them, and will pay them faithfully the two quarters together, at Christmas.
thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading Your orders and yourself come under this description; and therefore I must give you an account of my arrival and existence, such as it is, here.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Your orders and yourself come under this description; and therefore I must give you an account of my arrival and existence, such as it is, here.
threenounUS /θriː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading I got hither last Sunday, the day after I left London, less fatigued than I expected to have been; and now crawl about this place upon my three legs, but am kept in countenance by many of my fellow-crawlers; the last part of the Sphinx's riddle approaches, and I shall soon end, as I began, upon all fours.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading When you happen to see either Monsieur or Madame Perny, I beg you will give them this melancholic proof of my caducity, and tell them that the last time I went to see the boys, I carried the Michaelmas quarterage in my pocket; and when I was there I totally forgot it; but assure them, that I have not the least intention to bilk them, and will pay them faithfully the two quarters together, at Christmas.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading MADAM: Nobody can be more willing and ready to obey orders than I am; but then I must like the orders and the orderer.
togetheradverbUS /təˈɡeðər/
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading When you happen to see either Monsieur or Madame Perny, I beg you will give them this melancholic proof of my caducity, and tell them that the last time I went to see the boys, I carried the Michaelmas quarterage in my pocket; and when I was there I totally forgot it; but assure them, that I have not the least intention to bilk them, and will pay them faithfully the two quarters together, at Christmas.
totallyadverbUS /ˈtoʊtəli/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading When you happen to see either Monsieur or Madame Perny, I beg you will give them this melancholic proof of my caducity, and tell them that the last time I went to see the boys, I carried the Michaelmas quarterage in my pocket; and when I was there I totally forgot it; but assure them, that I have not the least intention to bilk them, and will pay them faithfully the two quarters together, at Christmas.
truthnounUS /truːθ/
a fact that has been verified
From this reading I am, with great truth and esteem, your most faithful, humble servant, CHESTERFIELD.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading When you happen to see either Monsieur or Madame Perny, I beg you will give them this melancholic proof of my caducity, and tell them that the last time I went to see the boys, I carried the Michaelmas quarterage in my pocket; and when I was there I totally forgot it; but assure them, that I have not the least intention to bilk them, and will pay them faithfully the two quarters together, at Christmas.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Your orders and yourself come under this description; and therefore I must give you an account of my arrival and existence, such as it is, here.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading I got hither last Sunday, the day after I left London, less fatigued than I expected to have been; and now crawl about this place upon my three legs, but am kept in countenance by many of my fellow-crawlers; the last part of the Sphinx's riddle approaches, and I shall soon end, as I began, upon all fours.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When you happen to see either Monsieur or Madame Perny, I beg you will give them this melancholic proof of my caducity, and tell them that the last time I went to see the boys, I carried the Michaelmas quarterage in my pocket; and when I was there I totally forgot it; but assure them, that I have not the least intention to bilk them, and will pay them faithfully the two quarters together, at Christmas.
welladverbUS /wel/
(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 hope our two boys are well, for then I am sure you are so.
wentverbUS /went/
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading When you happen to see either Monsieur or Madame Perny, I beg you will give them this melancholic proof of my caducity, and tell them that the last time I went to see the boys, I carried the Michaelmas quarterage in my pocket; and when I was there I totally forgot it; but assure them, that I have not the least intention to bilk them, and will pay them faithfully the two quarters together, at Christmas.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When you happen to see either Monsieur or Madame Perny, I beg you will give them this melancholic proof of my caducity, and tell them that the last time I went to see the boys, I carried the Michaelmas quarterage in my pocket; and when I was there I totally forgot it; but assure them, that I have not the least intention to bilk them, and will pay them faithfully the two quarters together, at Christmas.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading When you happen to see either Monsieur or Madame Perny, I beg you will give them this melancholic proof of my caducity, and tell them that the last time I went to see the boys, I carried the Michaelmas quarterage in my pocket; and when I was there I totally forgot it; but assure them, that I have not the least intention to bilk them, and will pay them faithfully the two quarters together, at Christmas.
willingadjectiveUS /ˈwɪlɪŋ/
disposed or inclined toward
From this reading MADAM: Nobody can be more willing and ready to obey orders than I am; but then I must like the orders and the orderer.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading I am, with great truth and esteem, your most faithful, humble servant, CHESTERFIELD.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Your orders and yourself come under this description; and therefore I must give you an account of my arrival and existence, such as it is, here.
YourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Your orders and yourself come under this description; and therefore I must give you an account of my arrival and existence, such as it is, here.
yourselfpronounUS /jərˈself/
used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action
From this reading Your orders and yourself come under this description; and therefore I must give you an account of my arrival and existence, such as it is, here.
