used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Three days passed by, and still poor Rose received no answer to her letter, but remained a prey to alternate hopes and fears and all “The gnawing torture of an anxious mind.”
abuseverbUS /əˈbjuːs/
treat badly
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
abusingverbUS /əˈbjuːzɪŋ/
-ing form of “abuse” — treat badly
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
in the past
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
(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 Three days passed by, and still poor Rose received no answer to her letter, but remained a prey to alternate hopes and fears and all “The gnawing torture of an anxious mind.”
alternateadjectiveUS /ˈɔːltərnət/
every second one of a series
From this reading Three days passed by, and still poor Rose received no answer to her letter, but remained a prey to alternate hopes and fears and all “The gnawing torture of an anxious mind.”
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Three days passed by, and still poor Rose received no answer to her letter, but remained a prey to alternate hopes and fears and all “The gnawing torture of an anxious mind.”
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Three days passed by, and still poor Rose received no answer to her letter, but remained a prey to alternate hopes and fears and all “The gnawing torture of an anxious mind.”
react verbally
From this reading Three days passed by, and still poor Rose received no answer to her letter, but remained a prey to alternate hopes and fears and all “The gnawing torture of an anxious mind.”
eagerly desirous
From this reading Three days passed by, and still poor Rose received no answer to her letter, but remained a prey to alternate hopes and fears and all “The gnawing torture of an anxious mind.”
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
Arundel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
authorsnounUS /ˈɔːθərz/
plural of “author” — writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I don’t set up for a judge of poetry, though I know what pleases me and what doesn’t (I should be a donkey if I did not, you’ll say); for instance, the present school of ‘suggestive’ poetry doesn’t suit me at all.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading And now to business.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Three days passed by, and still poor Rose received no answer to her letter, but remained a prey to alternate hopes and fears and all “The gnawing torture of an anxious mind.”
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Three days passed by, and still poor Rose received no answer to her letter, but remained a prey to alternate hopes and fears and all “The gnawing torture of an anxious mind.”
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
cavalierlyadverbUS /ˌkævəˈlɪrli/
in a proud and domineering manner
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
characteristicnounUS /ˌkerəktərˈɪstɪk/
a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
CornishnounUS /ˈkɔːrnɪʃ/
a Celtic language spoken in Cornwall
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Three days passed by, and still poor Rose received no answer to her letter, but remained a prey to alternate hopes and fears and all “The gnawing torture of an anxious mind.”
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
dearly loved
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
deservingadjectiveUS /dɪˈzɜːrvɪŋ/
(often used ironically) worthy of being treated in a particular way
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading I don’t set up for a judge of poetry, though I know what pleases me and what doesn’t (I should be a donkey if I did not, you’ll say); for instance, the present school of ‘suggestive’ poetry doesn’t suit me at all.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
doesn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I don’t set up for a judge of poetry, though I know what pleases me and what doesn’t (I should be a donkey if I did not, you’ll say); for instance, the present school of ‘suggestive’ poetry doesn’t suit me at all.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I don’t set up for a judge of poetry, though I know what pleases me and what doesn’t (I should be a donkey if I did not, you’ll say); for instance, the present school of ‘suggestive’ poetry doesn’t suit me at all.
donkeynounUS /ˈdɑːŋki/
the symbol of the Democratic Party; introduced in cartoons by Thomas Nast in 1874
From this reading I don’t set up for a judge of poetry, though I know what pleases me and what doesn’t (I should be a donkey if I did not, you’ll say); for instance, the present school of ‘suggestive’ poetry doesn’t suit me at all.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
eaglenounUS /ˈiːɡəl/
any of various large keen-sighted diurnal birds of prey noted for their broad wings and strong soaring flight
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
give expression to
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
a feeling of favorable regard
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
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 Three days passed by, and still poor Rose received no answer to her letter, but remained a prey to alternate hopes and fears and all “The gnawing torture of an anxious mind.”
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
following the third position; number four in a countable series
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
gnawingverbUS /ˈnɔːɪŋ/
-ing form of “gnaw” — bite or chew on with the teeth
From this reading Three days passed by, and still poor Rose received no answer to her letter, but remained a prey to alternate hopes and fears and all “The gnawing torture of an anxious mind.”
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Three days passed by, and still poor Rose received no answer to her letter, but remained a prey to alternate hopes and fears and all “The gnawing torture of an anxious mind.”
plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading Three days passed by, and still poor Rose received no answer to her letter, but remained a prey to alternate hopes and fears and all “The gnawing torture of an anxious mind.”
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
plural of “idea” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading I don’t set up for a judge of poetry, though I know what pleases me and what doesn’t (I should be a donkey if I did not, you’ll say); for instance, the present school of ‘suggestive’ poetry doesn’t suit me at all.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
inexpressiblyadverb
to an inexpressible degree
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
an occurrence of something
From this reading I don’t set up for a judge of poetry, though I know what pleases me and what doesn’t (I should be a donkey if I did not, you’ll say); for instance, the present school of ‘suggestive’ poetry doesn’t suit me at all.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
determine the result of (a competition)
From this reading I don’t set up for a judge of poetry, though I know what pleases me and what doesn’t (I should be a donkey if I did not, you’ll say); for instance, the present school of ‘suggestive’ poetry doesn’t suit me at all.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading I don’t set up for a judge of poetry, though I know what pleases me and what doesn’t (I should be a donkey if I did not, you’ll say); for instance, the present school of ‘suggestive’ poetry doesn’t suit me at all.
immediately past
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
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 On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading Three days passed by, and still poor Rose received no answer to her letter, but remained a prey to alternate hopes and fears and all “The gnawing torture of an anxious mind.”
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
creative writing of recognized artistic value
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
locomotivenounUS /ˌloʊkəˈmoʊtɪv/
a wheeled vehicle consisting of a self-propelled engine that is used to draw trains along railway tracks
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Three days passed by, and still poor Rose received no answer to her letter, but remained a prey to alternate hopes and fears and all “The gnawing torture of an anxious mind.”
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
not any; not one
From this reading Three days passed by, and still poor Rose received no answer to her letter, but remained a prey to alternate hopes and fears and all “The gnawing torture of an anxious mind.”
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I don’t set up for a judge of poetry, though I know what pleases me and what doesn’t (I should be a donkey if I did not, you’ll say); for instance, the present school of ‘suggestive’ poetry doesn’t suit me at all.
a brief written record
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading And now to business.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Three days passed by, and still poor Rose received no answer to her letter, but remained a prey to alternate hopes and fears and all “The gnawing torture of an anxious mind.”
old-fashionedadjectiveUS /ˌoʊldˈfæʃənd/
out of fashion
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
and nothing more
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
packetnounUS /ˈpækət/
a collection of things wrapped or boxed together
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Three days passed by, and still poor Rose received no answer to her letter, but remained a prey to alternate hopes and fears and all “The gnawing torture of an anxious mind.”
phrasesnounUS /ˈfreɪzəz/
plural of “phrase” — an expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
pick-pocket
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
pleasesverbUS /ˈpliːzɪz/
third-person singular of “please” — give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading I don’t set up for a judge of poetry, though I know what pleases me and what doesn’t (I should be a donkey if I did not, you’ll say); for instance, the present school of ‘suggestive’ poetry doesn’t suit me at all.
literature in metrical form
From this reading I don’t set up for a judge of poetry, though I know what pleases me and what doesn’t (I should be a donkey if I did not, you’ll say); for instance, the present school of ‘suggestive’ poetry doesn’t suit me at all.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading Three days passed by, and still poor Rose received no answer to her letter, but remained a prey to alternate hopes and fears and all “The gnawing torture of an anxious mind.”
prejudicenounUS /ˈpredʒədɪs/
a partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situation
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading I don’t set up for a judge of poetry, though I know what pleases me and what doesn’t (I should be a donkey if I did not, you’ll say); for instance, the present school of ‘suggestive’ poetry doesn’t suit me at all.
preynounUS /preɪ/
a person who is the aim of an attack (especially a victim of ridicule or exploitation) by some hostile person or influence
From this reading Three days passed by, and still poor Rose received no answer to her letter, but remained a prey to alternate hopes and fears and all “The gnawing torture of an anxious mind.”
railwaynounUS /ˈreɪlweɪ/
line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading Three days passed by, and still poor Rose received no answer to her letter, but remained a prey to alternate hopes and fears and all “The gnawing torture of an anxious mind.”
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Three days passed by, and still poor Rose received no answer to her letter, but remained a prey to alternate hopes and fears and all “The gnawing torture of an anxious mind.”
express the need or desire for
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
resonantadjectiveUS /ˈrezənənt/
characterized by resonance
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Three days passed by, and still poor Rose received no answer to her letter, but remained a prey to alternate hopes and fears and all “The gnawing torture of an anxious mind.”
express in words
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
an educational institution
From this reading I don’t set up for a judge of poetry, though I know what pleases me and what doesn’t (I should be a donkey if I did not, you’ll say); for instance, the present school of ‘suggestive’ poetry doesn’t suit me at all.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading I don’t set up for a judge of poetry, though I know what pleases me and what doesn’t (I should be a donkey if I did not, you’ll say); for instance, the present school of ‘suggestive’ poetry doesn’t suit me at all.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading I don’t set up for a judge of poetry, though I know what pleases me and what doesn’t (I should be a donkey if I did not, you’ll say); for instance, the present school of ‘suggestive’ poetry doesn’t suit me at all.
simplifyverbUS /ˈsɪmpləfaɪ/
make simpler or easier or reduce in complexity or extent
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
steamverbUS /stiːm/
travel by means of steam power
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
put, fix, force, or implant
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
not in physical motion
From this reading Three days passed by, and still poor Rose received no answer to her letter, but remained a prey to alternate hopes and fears and all “The gnawing torture of an anxious mind.”
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
suggestverbUS /səˈdʒest/
make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
suggestiveadjectiveUS /səˈdʒestɪv/
tending to suggest or imply
From this reading I don’t set up for a judge of poetry, though I know what pleases me and what doesn’t (I should be a donkey if I did not, you’ll say); for instance, the present school of ‘suggestive’ poetry doesn’t suit me at all.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading I don’t set up for a judge of poetry, though I know what pleases me and what doesn’t (I should be a donkey if I did not, you’ll say); for instance, the present school of ‘suggestive’ poetry doesn’t suit me at all.
tendverbUS /tend/
have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Three days passed by, and still poor Rose received no answer to her letter, but remained a prey to alternate hopes and fears and all “The gnawing torture of an anxious mind.”
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
a special situation
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading I don’t set up for a judge of poetry, though I know what pleases me and what doesn’t (I should be a donkey if I did not, you’ll say); for instance, the present school of ‘suggestive’ poetry doesn’t suit me at all.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Three days passed by, and still poor Rose received no answer to her letter, but remained a prey to alternate hopes and fears and all “The gnawing torture of an anxious mind.”
tinnounUS /tɪn/
a silvery malleable metallic element that resists corrosion; used in many alloys and to coat other metals to prevent corrosion; obtained chiefly from cassiterite where it occurs as tin oxide
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Three days passed by, and still poor Rose received no answer to her letter, but remained a prey to alternate hopes and fears and all “The gnawing torture of an anxious mind.”
tortureverbUS /ˈtɔːrtʃər/
torment emotionally or mentally
From this reading Three days passed by, and still poor Rose received no answer to her letter, but remained a prey to alternate hopes and fears and all “The gnawing torture of an anxious mind.”
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
treatingverbUS /ˈtriːtɪŋ/
-ing form of “treat” — interact in a certain way
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
a source of difficulty
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
the cognitive condition of someone who understands
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading I don’t set up for a judge of poetry, though I know what pleases me and what doesn’t (I should be a donkey if I did not, you’ll say); for instance, the present school of ‘suggestive’ poetry doesn’t suit me at all.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading I don’t set up for a judge of poetry, though I know what pleases me and what doesn’t (I should be a donkey if I did not, you’ll say); for instance, the present school of ‘suggestive’ poetry doesn’t suit me at all.
at the time that
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading But then I have an old-fashioned prejudice in favour of understanding what I read, and calling a railway locomotive a ‘_resonant steam eagle_,’ for instance, does not tend to simplify literature; the only thing such phrases ‘suggest’ to me is that it would be a great deal better if the authors were content to stick to plain English, and when they have such inexpressibly grand ideas, not to trouble themselves to express them at all.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
you'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I don’t set up for a judge of poetry, though I know what pleases me and what doesn’t (I should be a donkey if I did not, you’ll say); for instance, the present school of ‘suggestive’ poetry doesn’t suit me at all.
you've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading On the fourth arrived the following characteristic note:-- “My dear Miss Arundel,--I dare say you’ve been abusing me like a pick-pocket; at least I must have appeared to you deserving of such abuse, for treating your request so cavalierly; but the fact is, I have been down in a Cornish tin mine for the last two days, and only received your packet on my arrival in town, an hour ago.
