used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.
(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 Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
balanceverbUS /ˈbæləns/
bring into balance or equilibrium
From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.
have
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.
(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 When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.
a period of 100 years
From this reading It is decidedly not often that one has a chance to converse with a man of the nineteenth century."
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading It is decidedly not often that one has a chance to converse with a man of the nineteenth century."
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
converseverbUS /ˈkɑːnvərs/
carry on a conversation
From this reading It is decidedly not often that one has a chance to converse with a man of the nineteenth century."
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
decidedlyadverbUS /ˌdɪˈsaɪdədli/
without question and beyond doubt
From this reading It is decidedly not often that one has a chance to converse with a man of the nineteenth century."
your usual mood
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
fearful expectation or anticipation
From this reading Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
flatterynounUS /ˈflætəri/
excessive or insincere praise
From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.
characteristic of or befitting a friend
From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is decidedly not often that one has a chance to converse with a man of the nineteenth century."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.
arousing or holding the attention
From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is decidedly not often that one has a chance to converse with a man of the nineteenth century."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.
the act of departing
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
Leete
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading It is decidedly not often that one has a chance to converse with a man of the nineteenth century."
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
involving the mind or an intellectual process
From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.
nineteenthadjectiveUS /ˈnaɪnˈtiːnθ/
coming next after the eighteenth in position
From this reading It is decidedly not often that one has a chance to converse with a man of the nineteenth century."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It is decidedly not often that one has a chance to converse with a man of the nineteenth century."
not one thing; not anything
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
many times at short intervals
From this reading It is decidedly not often that one has a chance to converse with a man of the nineteenth century."
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It is decidedly not often that one has a chance to converse with a man of the nineteenth century."
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
no longer active in your work or profession
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
retiringadjectiveUS /rɪˈtaɪrɪŋ/
not arrogant or presuming
From this reading Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.
express in words
From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
only a very short time before
From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.
past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
stimulatedadjectiveUS /ˈstɪmjəleɪtɪd/
emotionally aroused
From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.
plural of “stranger” — anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.
supportedadjectiveUS /səˈpɔːrtɪd/
sustained or maintained by aid (as distinct from physical support)
From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.
confined on all sides
From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.
an impression that something might be the case
From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.
sympatheticadjectiveUS /ˌsɪmpəˈθetɪk/
of or relating to the sympathetic nervous system
From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
wakefulnessnoun
a periodic state during which you are conscious and aware of the world
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
at the time that
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It is decidedly not often that one has a chance to converse with a man of the nineteenth century."
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action
From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.
