used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was in his mind a constant spring of vivacity, which did not display itself in mere gaiety, but in being perfectly alive at every moment, and continually ready to lend himself to the comfort and solace of his companions.
aliveadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪv/
possessing life
From this reading There was in his mind a constant spring of vivacity, which did not display itself in mere gaiety, but in being perfectly alive at every moment, and continually ready to lend himself to the comfort and solace of his companions.
(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 Mr. Villiers now became the constant visitor of Mrs. Elizabeth and her niece; and all discontent, all sadness, all listlessness, vanished in his presence.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There was in his mind a constant spring of vivacity, which did not display itself in mere gaiety, but in being perfectly alive at every moment, and continually ready to lend himself to the comfort and solace of his companions.
BEAUMONTnounUS /ˈboʊmɔːnt/
United States surgeon remembered for his studies of digestion (1785-1853)
From this reading BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Mr. Villiers now became the constant visitor of Mrs. Elizabeth and her niece; and all discontent, all sadness, all listlessness, vanished in his presence.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading There was in his mind a constant spring of vivacity, which did not display itself in mere gaiety, but in being perfectly alive at every moment, and continually ready to lend himself to the comfort and solace of his companions.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Sitting in their dingy London house, the spirit of dulness had drawn a curtain between them and the sun; and neither thought nor event had penetrated the fortification of silence and neglect which environed them.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There was in his mind a constant spring of vivacity, which did not display itself in mere gaiety, but in being perfectly alive at every moment, and continually ready to lend himself to the comfort and solace of his companions.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading There was in his mind a constant spring of vivacity, which did not display itself in mere gaiety, but in being perfectly alive at every moment, and continually ready to lend himself to the comfort and solace of his companions.
plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading There was in his mind a constant spring of vivacity, which did not display itself in mere gaiety, but in being perfectly alive at every moment, and continually ready to lend himself to the comfort and solace of his companions.
unvarying in nature
From this reading Mr. Villiers now became the constant visitor of Mrs. Elizabeth and her niece; and all discontent, all sadness, all listlessness, vanished in his presence.
continuallyadverbUS /kənˈtɪnjuːəli/
seemingly without interruption
From this reading There was in his mind a constant spring of vivacity, which did not display itself in mere gaiety, but in being perfectly alive at every moment, and continually ready to lend himself to the comfort and solace of his companions.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Excellent creature! whose perfections make Even sorrow lovely!
hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading Sitting in their dingy London house, the spirit of dulness had drawn a curtain between them and the sun; and neither thought nor event had penetrated the fortification of silence and neglect which environed them.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading There was in his mind a constant spring of vivacity, which did not display itself in mere gaiety, but in being perfectly alive at every moment, and continually ready to lend himself to the comfort and solace of his companions.
dingyadjectiveUS /ˈdɪndʒi/
thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot
From this reading Sitting in their dingy London house, the spirit of dulness had drawn a curtain between them and the sun; and neither thought nor event had penetrated the fortification of silence and neglect which environed them.
discontentnounUS /dɪskənˈtent/
a longing for something better than the present situation
From this reading Mr. Villiers now became the constant visitor of Mrs. Elizabeth and her niece; and all discontent, all sadness, all listlessness, vanished in his presence.
displaynounUS /dɪˈspleɪ/
something intended to communicate a particular impression
From this reading There was in his mind a constant spring of vivacity, which did not display itself in mere gaiety, but in being perfectly alive at every moment, and continually ready to lend himself to the comfort and solace of his companions.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading Sitting in their dingy London house, the spirit of dulness had drawn a curtain between them and the sun; and neither thought nor event had penetrated the fortification of silence and neglect which environed them.
dulness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sitting in their dingy London house, the spirit of dulness had drawn a curtain between them and the sun; and neither thought nor event had penetrated the fortification of silence and neglect which environed them.
daughter of George VI who became the Queen of England and Northern Ireland in 1952 on the death of her father (1926-)
From this reading Mr. Villiers now became the constant visitor of Mrs. Elizabeth and her niece; and all discontent, all sadness, all listlessness, vanished in his presence.
environed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sitting in their dingy London house, the spirit of dulness had drawn a curtain between them and the sun; and neither thought nor event had penetrated the fortification of silence and neglect which environed them.
divisible by two
From this reading Excellent creature! whose perfections make Even sorrow lovely!
something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading Sitting in their dingy London house, the spirit of dulness had drawn a curtain between them and the sun; and neither thought nor event had penetrated the fortification of silence and neglect which environed them.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading There was in his mind a constant spring of vivacity, which did not display itself in mere gaiety, but in being perfectly alive at every moment, and continually ready to lend himself to the comfort and solace of his companions.
very good; of the highest quality
From this reading Excellent creature! whose perfections make Even sorrow lovely!
FLETCHERnounUS /ˈfletʃər/
prolific English dramatist who collaborated with Francis Beaumont and many other dramatists (1579-1625)
From this reading BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER.
fortificationnounUS /ˌfɔːrtəfəˈkeɪʃən/
defensive structure consisting of walls or mounds built around a stronghold to strengthen it
From this reading Sitting in their dingy London house, the spirit of dulness had drawn a curtain between them and the sun; and neither thought nor event had penetrated the fortification of silence and neglect which environed them.
gaietynoun
a gay feeling
From this reading There was in his mind a constant spring of vivacity, which did not display itself in mere gaiety, but in being perfectly alive at every moment, and continually ready to lend himself to the comfort and solace of his companions.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Sitting in their dingy London house, the spirit of dulness had drawn a curtain between them and the sun; and neither thought nor event had penetrated the fortification of silence and neglect which environed them.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Villiers now became the constant visitor of Mrs. Elizabeth and her niece; and all discontent, all sadness, all listlessness, vanished in his presence.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading There was in his mind a constant spring of vivacity, which did not display itself in mere gaiety, but in being perfectly alive at every moment, and continually ready to lend himself to the comfort and solace of his companions.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Villiers now became the constant visitor of Mrs. Elizabeth and her niece; and all discontent, all sadness, all listlessness, vanished in his presence.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Sitting in their dingy London house, the spirit of dulness had drawn a curtain between them and the sun; and neither thought nor event had penetrated the fortification of silence and neglect which environed them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mr. Villiers now became the constant visitor of Mrs. Elizabeth and her niece; and all discontent, all sadness, all listlessness, vanished in his presence.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading There was in his mind a constant spring of vivacity, which did not display itself in mere gaiety, but in being perfectly alive at every moment, and continually ready to lend himself to the comfort and solace of his companions.
lendverbUS /lend/
bestow a quality on
From this reading There was in his mind a constant spring of vivacity, which did not display itself in mere gaiety, but in being perfectly alive at every moment, and continually ready to lend himself to the comfort and solace of his companions.
listlessnessnoun
a feeling of lack of interest or energy
From this reading Mr. Villiers now became the constant visitor of Mrs. Elizabeth and her niece; and all discontent, all sadness, all listlessness, vanished in his presence.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading Sitting in their dingy London house, the spirit of dulness had drawn a curtain between them and the sun; and neither thought nor event had penetrated the fortification of silence and neglect which environed them.
appealing to the emotions as well as the eye
From this reading Excellent creature! whose perfections make Even sorrow lovely!
engage in
From this reading Excellent creature! whose perfections make Even sorrow lovely!
being nothing more than specified
From this reading There was in his mind a constant spring of vivacity, which did not display itself in mere gaiety, but in being perfectly alive at every moment, and continually ready to lend himself to the comfort and solace of his companions.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading There was in his mind a constant spring of vivacity, which did not display itself in mere gaiety, but in being perfectly alive at every moment, and continually ready to lend himself to the comfort and solace of his companions.
a particular point in time
From this reading There was in his mind a constant spring of vivacity, which did not display itself in mere gaiety, but in being perfectly alive at every moment, and continually ready to lend himself to the comfort and solace of his companions.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Villiers now became the constant visitor of Mrs. Elizabeth and her niece; and all discontent, all sadness, all listlessness, vanished in his presence.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mr. Villiers now became the constant visitor of Mrs. Elizabeth and her niece; and all discontent, all sadness, all listlessness, vanished in his presence.
neglectverbUS /nəˈɡlekt/
leave undone or leave out
From this reading Sitting in their dingy London house, the spirit of dulness had drawn a curtain between them and the sun; and neither thought nor event had penetrated the fortification of silence and neglect which environed them.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading Sitting in their dingy London house, the spirit of dulness had drawn a curtain between them and the sun; and neither thought nor event had penetrated the fortification of silence and neglect which environed them.
niecenounUS /niːs/
a daughter of your brother or sister
From this reading Mr. Villiers now became the constant visitor of Mrs. Elizabeth and her niece; and all discontent, all sadness, all listlessness, vanished in his presence.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Sitting in their dingy London house, the spirit of dulness had drawn a curtain between them and the sun; and neither thought nor event had penetrated the fortification of silence and neglect which environed them.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There was in his mind a constant spring of vivacity, which did not display itself in mere gaiety, but in being perfectly alive at every moment, and continually ready to lend himself to the comfort and solace of his companions.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Mr. Villiers now became the constant visitor of Mrs. Elizabeth and her niece; and all discontent, all sadness, all listlessness, vanished in his presence.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mr. Villiers now became the constant visitor of Mrs. Elizabeth and her niece; and all discontent, all sadness, all listlessness, vanished in his presence.
penetratedverbUS /ˈpenətreɪtɪd/
past form of “penetrate” — pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance
From this reading Sitting in their dingy London house, the spirit of dulness had drawn a curtain between them and the sun; and neither thought nor event had penetrated the fortification of silence and neglect which environed them.
perfections
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Excellent creature! whose perfections make Even sorrow lovely!
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading There was in his mind a constant spring of vivacity, which did not display itself in mere gaiety, but in being perfectly alive at every moment, and continually ready to lend himself to the comfort and solace of his companions.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading Mr. Villiers now became the constant visitor of Mrs. Elizabeth and her niece; and all discontent, all sadness, all listlessness, vanished in his presence.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading There was in his mind a constant spring of vivacity, which did not display itself in mere gaiety, but in being perfectly alive at every moment, and continually ready to lend himself to the comfort and solace of his companions.
sadnessnounUS /ˈsædnəs/
emotions experienced when not in a state of well-being
From this reading Mr. Villiers now became the constant visitor of Mrs. Elizabeth and her niece; and all discontent, all sadness, all listlessness, vanished in his presence.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading Sitting in their dingy London house, the spirit of dulness had drawn a curtain between them and the sun; and neither thought nor event had penetrated the fortification of silence and neglect which environed them.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading Sitting in their dingy London house, the spirit of dulness had drawn a curtain between them and the sun; and neither thought nor event had penetrated the fortification of silence and neglect which environed them.
solacenounUS /ˈsɑːləs/
the comfort you feel when consoled in times of disappointment
From this reading There was in his mind a constant spring of vivacity, which did not display itself in mere gaiety, but in being perfectly alive at every moment, and continually ready to lend himself to the comfort and solace of his companions.
an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement
From this reading Excellent creature! whose perfections make Even sorrow lovely!
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading Sitting in their dingy London house, the spirit of dulness had drawn a curtain between them and the sun; and neither thought nor event had penetrated the fortification of silence and neglect which environed them.
the season of growth
From this reading There was in his mind a constant spring of vivacity, which did not display itself in mere gaiety, but in being perfectly alive at every moment, and continually ready to lend himself to the comfort and solace of his companions.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading Sitting in their dingy London house, the spirit of dulness had drawn a curtain between them and the sun; and neither thought nor event had penetrated the fortification of silence and neglect which environed them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mr. Villiers now became the constant visitor of Mrs. Elizabeth and her niece; and all discontent, all sadness, all listlessness, vanished in his presence.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Sitting in their dingy London house, the spirit of dulness had drawn a curtain between them and the sun; and neither thought nor event had penetrated the fortification of silence and neglect which environed them.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Sitting in their dingy London house, the spirit of dulness had drawn a curtain between them and the sun; and neither thought nor event had penetrated the fortification of silence and neglect which environed them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was in his mind a constant spring of vivacity, which did not display itself in mere gaiety, but in being perfectly alive at every moment, and continually ready to lend himself to the comfort and solace of his companions.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Sitting in their dingy London house, the spirit of dulness had drawn a curtain between them and the sun; and neither thought nor event had penetrated the fortification of silence and neglect which environed them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was in his mind a constant spring of vivacity, which did not display itself in mere gaiety, but in being perfectly alive at every moment, and continually ready to lend himself to the comfort and solace of his companions.
having passed out of existence
From this reading Mr. Villiers now became the constant visitor of Mrs. Elizabeth and her niece; and all discontent, all sadness, all listlessness, vanished in his presence.
Villiers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Villiers now became the constant visitor of Mrs. Elizabeth and her niece; and all discontent, all sadness, all listlessness, vanished in his presence.
someone who visits
From this reading Mr. Villiers now became the constant visitor of Mrs. Elizabeth and her niece; and all discontent, all sadness, all listlessness, vanished in his presence.
vivacitynoun
characterized by high spirits and animation
From this reading There was in his mind a constant spring of vivacity, which did not display itself in mere gaiety, but in being perfectly alive at every moment, and continually ready to lend himself to the comfort and solace of his companions.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was in his mind a constant spring of vivacity, which did not display itself in mere gaiety, but in being perfectly alive at every moment, and continually ready to lend himself to the comfort and solace of his companions.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There was in his mind a constant spring of vivacity, which did not display itself in mere gaiety, but in being perfectly alive at every moment, and continually ready to lend himself to the comfort and solace of his companions.
belonging to which person
From this reading Excellent creature! whose perfections make Even sorrow lovely!
