used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It is probably true that when things are at their worst they begin to mend, but the little complications common to man sometimes exhibit a ghastly ingenuity of contrivance before that most desirable point is reached.
adaptedadjectiveUS /əˈdæptɪd/
changed in order to improve or made more fit for a particular purpose
From this reading As Manvers said, we are wonderful creatures, and beautifully adapted for bearing things.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The doctor came--a doctor whose words were literally words of gold--and said, worry, overstrain, change of air, out of doors, sunshine; and Maud’s determination to leave London was made easy for her.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As Manvers said, we are wonderful creatures, and beautifully adapted for bearing things.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It is probably true that when things are at their worst they begin to mend, but the little complications common to man sometimes exhibit a ghastly ingenuity of contrivance before that most desirable point is reached.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As Manvers said, we are wonderful creatures, and beautifully adapted for bearing things.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It is probably true that when things are at their worst they begin to mend, but the little complications common to man sometimes exhibit a ghastly ingenuity of contrivance before that most desirable point is reached.
relevant relation or interconnection
From this reading As Manvers said, we are wonderful creatures, and beautifully adapted for bearing things.
beautifullyadverbUS /ˈbjuːtəfli/
in a beautiful manner
From this reading As Manvers said, we are wonderful creatures, and beautifully adapted for bearing things.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But Nature has been merciful enough to give most of us a weak point, and when the weak point is touched we are privileged to break down.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It is probably true that when things are at their worst they begin to mend, but the little complications common to man sometimes exhibit a ghastly ingenuity of contrivance before that most desirable point is reached.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading It is probably true that when things are at their worst they begin to mend, but the little complications common to man sometimes exhibit a ghastly ingenuity of contrivance before that most desirable point is reached.
terminate
From this reading But Nature has been merciful enough to give most of us a weak point, and when the weak point is touched we are privileged to break down.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It is probably true that when things are at their worst they begin to mend, but the little complications common to man sometimes exhibit a ghastly ingenuity of contrivance before that most desirable point is reached.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The doctor came--a doctor whose words were literally words of gold--and said, worry, overstrain, change of air, out of doors, sunshine; and Maud’s determination to leave London was made easy for her.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading The doctor came--a doctor whose words were literally words of gold--and said, worry, overstrain, change of air, out of doors, sunshine; and Maud’s determination to leave London was made easy for her.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading It is probably true that when things are at their worst they begin to mend, but the little complications common to man sometimes exhibit a ghastly ingenuity of contrivance before that most desirable point is reached.
complicationsnounUS /ˌkɑːmpləˈkeɪʃənz/
plural of “complication” — the act or process of complicating
From this reading It is probably true that when things are at their worst they begin to mend, but the little complications common to man sometimes exhibit a ghastly ingenuity of contrivance before that most desirable point is reached.
contrivancenounUS /kənˈtraɪvəns/
a device or control that is very useful for a particular job
From this reading It is probably true that when things are at their worst they begin to mend, but the little complications common to man sometimes exhibit a ghastly ingenuity of contrivance before that most desirable point is reached.
plural of “creature” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading As Manvers said, we are wonderful creatures, and beautifully adapted for bearing things.
desirableadjectiveUS /dɪˈzaɪrəbəl/
worth having or seeking or achieving
From this reading It is probably true that when things are at their worst they begin to mend, but the little complications common to man sometimes exhibit a ghastly ingenuity of contrivance before that most desirable point is reached.
determinationnounUS /dɪˌtɜːrməˈneɪʃən/
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading The doctor came--a doctor whose words were literally words of gold--and said, worry, overstrain, change of air, out of doors, sunshine; and Maud’s determination to leave London was made easy for her.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading Maud, whose moral nature was very robust, was not physically strong, and that night she fainted incontinently in the middle of dinner.
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading The doctor came--a doctor whose words were literally words of gold--and said, worry, overstrain, change of air, out of doors, sunshine; and Maud’s determination to leave London was made easy for her.
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The doctor came--a doctor whose words were literally words of gold--and said, worry, overstrain, change of air, out of doors, sunshine; and Maud’s determination to leave London was made easy for her.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading But Nature has been merciful enough to give most of us a weak point, and when the weak point is touched we are privileged to break down.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading The doctor came--a doctor whose words were literally words of gold--and said, worry, overstrain, change of air, out of doors, sunshine; and Maud’s determination to leave London was made easy for her.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading But Nature has been merciful enough to give most of us a weak point, and when the weak point is touched we are privileged to break down.
exhibitverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪbɪt/
show an attribute, property, knowledge, or skill
From this reading It is probably true that when things are at their worst they begin to mend, but the little complications common to man sometimes exhibit a ghastly ingenuity of contrivance before that most desirable point is reached.
faintedverbUS /ˈfeɪntɪd/
past form of “faint” — pass out from weakness, physical or emotional distress due to a loss of blood supply to the brain
From this reading Maud, whose moral nature was very robust, was not physically strong, and that night she fainted incontinently in the middle of dinner.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As Manvers said, we are wonderful creatures, and beautifully adapted for bearing things.
ghastlyadjectiveUS /ˈɡæstli/
shockingly repellent; inspiring horror
From this reading It is probably true that when things are at their worst they begin to mend, but the little complications common to man sometimes exhibit a ghastly ingenuity of contrivance before that most desirable point is reached.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading But Nature has been merciful enough to give most of us a weak point, and when the weak point is touched we are privileged to break down.
coins made of gold
From this reading The doctor came--a doctor whose words were literally words of gold--and said, worry, overstrain, change of air, out of doors, sunshine; and Maud’s determination to leave London was made easy for her.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But Nature has been merciful enough to give most of us a weak point, and when the weak point is touched we are privileged to break down.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The doctor came--a doctor whose words were literally words of gold--and said, worry, overstrain, change of air, out of doors, sunshine; and Maud’s determination to leave London was made easy for her.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Maud, whose moral nature was very robust, was not physically strong, and that night she fainted incontinently in the middle of dinner.
incontinently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Maud, whose moral nature was very robust, was not physically strong, and that night she fainted incontinently in the middle of dinner.
ingenuitynounUS /ˌɪndʒəˈnuːətiː/
the power of creative imagination
From this reading It is probably true that when things are at their worst they begin to mend, but the little complications common to man sometimes exhibit a ghastly ingenuity of contrivance before that most desirable point is reached.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is probably true that when things are at their worst they begin to mend, but the little complications common to man sometimes exhibit a ghastly ingenuity of contrivance before that most desirable point is reached.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is probably true that when things are at their worst they begin to mend, but the little complications common to man sometimes exhibit a ghastly ingenuity of contrivance before that most desirable point is reached.
go away from a place
From this reading The doctor came--a doctor whose words were literally words of gold--and said, worry, overstrain, change of air, out of doors, sunshine; and Maud’s determination to leave London was made easy for her.
literallyadverbUS /ˈlɪtərəli/
in a literal sense
From this reading The doctor came--a doctor whose words were literally words of gold--and said, worry, overstrain, change of air, out of doors, sunshine; and Maud’s determination to leave London was made easy for her.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It is probably true that when things are at their worst they begin to mend, but the little complications common to man sometimes exhibit a ghastly ingenuity of contrivance before that most desirable point is reached.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading The doctor came--a doctor whose words were literally words of gold--and said, worry, overstrain, change of air, out of doors, sunshine; and Maud’s determination to leave London was made easy for her.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The doctor came--a doctor whose words were literally words of gold--and said, worry, overstrain, change of air, out of doors, sunshine; and Maud’s determination to leave London was made easy for her.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading It is probably true that when things are at their worst they begin to mend, but the little complications common to man sometimes exhibit a ghastly ingenuity of contrivance before that most desirable point is reached.
Manvers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Manvers said, we are wonderful creatures, and beautifully adapted for bearing things.
Maud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Maud, whose moral nature was very robust, was not physically strong, and that night she fainted incontinently in the middle of dinner.
Maud's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The doctor came--a doctor whose words were literally words of gold--and said, worry, overstrain, change of air, out of doors, sunshine; and Maud’s determination to leave London was made easy for her.
mendverbUS /mend/
restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken
From this reading It is probably true that when things are at their worst they begin to mend, but the little complications common to man sometimes exhibit a ghastly ingenuity of contrivance before that most desirable point is reached.
mercifuladjectiveUS /ˈmɜːrsɪfəl/
showing or giving mercy
From this reading But Nature has been merciful enough to give most of us a weak point, and when the weak point is touched we are privileged to break down.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading Maud, whose moral nature was very robust, was not physically strong, and that night she fainted incontinently in the middle of dinner.
moraladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrəl/
concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles
From this reading Maud, whose moral nature was very robust, was not physically strong, and that night she fainted incontinently in the middle of dinner.
used to form the superlative
From this reading It is probably true that when things are at their worst they begin to mend, but the little complications common to man sometimes exhibit a ghastly ingenuity of contrivance before that most desirable point is reached.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading But Nature has been merciful enough to give most of us a weak point, and when the weak point is touched we are privileged to break down.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Maud, whose moral nature was very robust, was not physically strong, and that night she fainted incontinently in the middle of dinner.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Maud, whose moral nature was very robust, was not physically strong, and that night she fainted incontinently in the middle of dinner.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It is probably true that when things are at their worst they begin to mend, but the little complications common to man sometimes exhibit a ghastly ingenuity of contrivance before that most desirable point is reached.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The doctor came--a doctor whose words were literally words of gold--and said, worry, overstrain, change of air, out of doors, sunshine; and Maud’s determination to leave London was made easy for her.
overstrainverb
strain excessively
From this reading The doctor came--a doctor whose words were literally words of gold--and said, worry, overstrain, change of air, out of doors, sunshine; and Maud’s determination to leave London was made easy for her.
physicallyadverbUS /ˈfɪzɪkəli/
in accord with physical laws
From this reading Maud, whose moral nature was very robust, was not physically strong, and that night she fainted incontinently in the middle of dinner.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading It is probably true that when things are at their worst they begin to mend, but the little complications common to man sometimes exhibit a ghastly ingenuity of contrivance before that most desirable point is reached.
privilegedadjectiveUS /ˈprɪvlədʒd/
blessed with privileges
From this reading But Nature has been merciful enough to give most of us a weak point, and when the weak point is touched we are privileged to break down.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading It is probably true that when things are at their worst they begin to mend, but the little complications common to man sometimes exhibit a ghastly ingenuity of contrivance before that most desirable point is reached.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading It is probably true that when things are at their worst they begin to mend, but the little complications common to man sometimes exhibit a ghastly ingenuity of contrivance before that most desirable point is reached.
robustadjectiveUS /roʊˈbʌst/
sturdy and strong in form, constitution, or construction
From this reading Maud, whose moral nature was very robust, was not physically strong, and that night she fainted incontinently in the middle of dinner.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading As Manvers said, we are wonderful creatures, and beautifully adapted for bearing things.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Maud, whose moral nature was very robust, was not physically strong, and that night she fainted incontinently in the middle of dinner.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading It is probably true that when things are at their worst they begin to mend, but the little complications common to man sometimes exhibit a ghastly ingenuity of contrivance before that most desirable point is reached.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Maud, whose moral nature was very robust, was not physically strong, and that night she fainted incontinently in the middle of dinner.
the rays of the sun
From this reading The doctor came--a doctor whose words were literally words of gold--and said, worry, overstrain, change of air, out of doors, sunshine; and Maud’s determination to leave London was made easy for her.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It is probably true that when things are at their worst they begin to mend, but the little complications common to man sometimes exhibit a ghastly ingenuity of contrivance before that most desirable point is reached.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It is probably true that when things are at their worst they begin to mend, but the little complications common to man sometimes exhibit a ghastly ingenuity of contrivance before that most desirable point is reached.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It is probably true that when things are at their worst they begin to mend, but the little complications common to man sometimes exhibit a ghastly ingenuity of contrivance before that most desirable point is reached.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It is probably true that when things are at their worst they begin to mend, but the little complications common to man sometimes exhibit a ghastly ingenuity of contrivance before that most desirable point is reached.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading It is probably true that when things are at their worst they begin to mend, but the little complications common to man sometimes exhibit a ghastly ingenuity of contrivance before that most desirable point is reached.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It is probably true that when things are at their worst they begin to mend, but the little complications common to man sometimes exhibit a ghastly ingenuity of contrivance before that most desirable point is reached.
having come into contact
From this reading But Nature has been merciful enough to give most of us a weak point, and when the weak point is touched we are privileged to break down.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading It is probably true that when things are at their worst they begin to mend, but the little complications common to man sometimes exhibit a ghastly ingenuity of contrivance before that most desirable point is reached.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But Nature has been merciful enough to give most of us a weak point, and when the weak point is touched we are privileged to break down.
precisely as stated
From this reading Maud, whose moral nature was very robust, was not physically strong, and that night she fainted incontinently in the middle of dinner.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Maud, whose moral nature was very robust, was not physically strong, and that night she fainted incontinently in the middle of dinner.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading As Manvers said, we are wonderful creatures, and beautifully adapted for bearing things.
wanting in physical strength
From this reading But Nature has been merciful enough to give most of us a weak point, and when the weak point is touched we are privileged to break down.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The doctor came--a doctor whose words were literally words of gold--and said, worry, overstrain, change of air, out of doors, sunshine; and Maud’s determination to leave London was made easy for her.
at the time that
From this reading It is probably true that when things are at their worst they begin to mend, but the little complications common to man sometimes exhibit a ghastly ingenuity of contrivance before that most desirable point is reached.
belonging to which person
From this reading Maud, whose moral nature was very robust, was not physically strong, and that night she fainted incontinently in the middle of dinner.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading As Manvers said, we are wonderful creatures, and beautifully adapted for bearing things.
the words that are spoken
From this reading The doctor came--a doctor whose words were literally words of gold--and said, worry, overstrain, change of air, out of doors, sunshine; and Maud’s determination to leave London was made easy for her.
be worried, concerned, anxious, troubled, or uneasy
From this reading The doctor came--a doctor whose words were literally words of gold--and said, worry, overstrain, change of air, out of doors, sunshine; and Maud’s determination to leave London was made easy for her.
the least favorable outcome
From this reading It is probably true that when things are at their worst they begin to mend, but the little complications common to man sometimes exhibit a ghastly ingenuity of contrivance before that most desirable point is reached.
