used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He had been born a servant and brought up a servant, with the result that he was a capable one, and posing as a gentleman was little to his taste.
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading Accustomed to self-suppression though he was, Ponderby could not altogether conceal from Lord Stranleigh his dislike of the metamorphosis that was proposed.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Accustomed to self-suppression though he was, Ponderby could not altogether conceal from Lord Stranleigh his dislike of the metamorphosis that was proposed.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading "Did you ever visit the ancient village of Burford, Ponderby?" he asked on this occasion.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had been born a servant and brought up a servant, with the result that he was a capable one, and posing as a gentleman was little to his taste.
any thing at all
From this reading Of course, he would do anything Lord Stranleigh commanded, and that without consciously hinting disapproval, but the earl shrank from giving a command as much as he would have disliked receiving one.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He had been born a servant and brought up a servant, with the result that he was a capable one, and posing as a gentleman was little to his taste.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Did you ever visit the ancient village of Burford, Ponderby?" he asked on this occasion.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had been born a servant and brought up a servant, with the result that he was a capable one, and posing as a gentleman was little to his taste.
brought into existence
From this reading He had been born a servant and brought up a servant, with the result that he was a capable one, and posing as a gentleman was little to his taste.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading He had been born a servant and brought up a servant, with the result that he was a capable one, and posing as a gentleman was little to his taste.
Burford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Did you ever visit the ancient village of Burford, Ponderby?" he asked on this occasion.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Of course, he would do anything Lord Stranleigh commanded, and that without consciously hinting disapproval, but the earl shrank from giving a command as much as he would have disliked receiving one.
(usually followed by “of”) having capacity or ability
From this reading He had been born a servant and brought up a servant, with the result that he was a capable one, and posing as a gentleman was little to his taste.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading Of course, he would do anything Lord Stranleigh commanded, and that without consciously hinting disapproval, but the earl shrank from giving a command as much as he would have disliked receiving one.
past form of “command” — be in command of
From this reading Of course, he would do anything Lord Stranleigh commanded, and that without consciously hinting disapproval, but the earl shrank from giving a command as much as he would have disliked receiving one.
prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading Accustomed to self-suppression though he was, Ponderby could not altogether conceal from Lord Stranleigh his dislike of the metamorphosis that was proposed.
consciouslyadverbUS /ˈkɑːnʃəsli/
with awareness
From this reading Of course, he would do anything Lord Stranleigh commanded, and that without consciously hinting disapproval, but the earl shrank from giving a command as much as he would have disliked receiving one.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Accustomed to self-suppression though he was, Ponderby could not altogether conceal from Lord Stranleigh his dislike of the metamorphosis that was proposed.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Of course, he would do anything Lord Stranleigh commanded, and that without consciously hinting disapproval, but the earl shrank from giving a command as much as he would have disliked receiving one.
dealingnounUS /ˈdiːlɪŋ/
method or manner of conduct in relation to others
From this reading He was suave enough with the general public, but just a little more so in dealing with those who depended on him.
dependedverbUS /dɪˈpendəd/
past form of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading He was suave enough with the general public, but just a little more so in dealing with those who depended on him.
Didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "Did you ever visit the ancient village of Burford, Ponderby?" he asked on this occasion.
disapprovalnounUS /dɪsəˈpruːvəl/
a feeling of disliking something or what someone is doing
From this reading Of course, he would do anything Lord Stranleigh commanded, and that without consciously hinting disapproval, but the earl shrank from giving a command as much as he would have disliked receiving one.
dislikenounUS /dɪˈslaɪk/
an inclination to withhold approval from some person or group
From this reading Accustomed to self-suppression though he was, Ponderby could not altogether conceal from Lord Stranleigh his dislike of the metamorphosis that was proposed.
dislikedadjectiveUS /dɪˈslaɪkt/
regarded with aversion
From this reading Of course, he would do anything Lord Stranleigh commanded, and that without consciously hinting disapproval, but the earl shrank from giving a command as much as he would have disliked receiving one.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Of course, he would do anything Lord Stranleigh commanded, and that without consciously hinting disapproval, but the earl shrank from giving a command as much as he would have disliked receiving one.
a British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount
From this reading Of course, he would do anything Lord Stranleigh commanded, and that without consciously hinting disapproval, but the earl shrank from giving a command as much as he would have disliked receiving one.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading He was suave enough with the general public, but just a little more so in dealing with those who depended on him.
at any time
From this reading "Did you ever visit the ancient village of Burford, Ponderby?" he asked on this occasion.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Accustomed to self-suppression though he was, Ponderby could not altogether conceal from Lord Stranleigh his dislike of the metamorphosis that was proposed.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading He was suave enough with the general public, but just a little more so in dealing with those who depended on him.
a man of refinement
From this reading He had been born a servant and brought up a servant, with the result that he was a capable one, and posing as a gentleman was little to his taste.
the act of giving
From this reading Of course, he would do anything Lord Stranleigh commanded, and that without consciously hinting disapproval, but the earl shrank from giving a command as much as he would have disliked receiving one.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had been born a servant and brought up a servant, with the result that he was a capable one, and posing as a gentleman was little to his taste.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Of course, he would do anything Lord Stranleigh commanded, and that without consciously hinting disapproval, but the earl shrank from giving a command as much as he would have disliked receiving one.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Accustomed to self-suppression though he was, Ponderby could not altogether conceal from Lord Stranleigh his dislike of the metamorphosis that was proposed.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was suave enough with the general public, but just a little more so in dealing with those who depended on him.
hintingverbUS /ˈhɪntɪŋ/
-ing form of “hint” — drop a hint; intimate by a hint
From this reading Of course, he would do anything Lord Stranleigh commanded, and that without consciously hinting disapproval, but the earl shrank from giving a command as much as he would have disliked receiving one.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Accustomed to self-suppression though he was, Ponderby could not altogether conceal from Lord Stranleigh his dislike of the metamorphosis that was proposed.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was suave enough with the general public, but just a little more so in dealing with those who depended on him.
and nothing more
From this reading He was suave enough with the general public, but just a little more so in dealing with those who depended on him.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He had been born a servant and brought up a servant, with the result that he was a capable one, and posing as a gentleman was little to his taste.
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading Accustomed to self-suppression though he was, Ponderby could not altogether conceal from Lord Stranleigh his dislike of the metamorphosis that was proposed.
metamorphosisnounUS /ˌmet.əˈmɔːr.fə.sɪs/
A change of the form or nature of a thing or person into a completely different one.
From this reading Accustomed to self-suppression though he was, Ponderby could not altogether conceal from Lord Stranleigh his dislike of the metamorphosis that was proposed.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He was suave enough with the general public, but just a little more so in dealing with those who depended on him.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Of course, he would do anything Lord Stranleigh commanded, and that without consciously hinting disapproval, but the earl shrank from giving a command as much as he would have disliked receiving one.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Accustomed to self-suppression though he was, Ponderby could not altogether conceal from Lord Stranleigh his dislike of the metamorphosis that was proposed.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading "Did you ever visit the ancient village of Burford, Ponderby?" he asked on this occasion.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Accustomed to self-suppression though he was, Ponderby could not altogether conceal from Lord Stranleigh his dislike of the metamorphosis that was proposed.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He was suave enough with the general public, but just a little more so in dealing with those who depended on him.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He had been born a servant and brought up a servant, with the result that he was a capable one, and posing as a gentleman was little to his taste.
Ponderby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Accustomed to self-suppression though he was, Ponderby could not altogether conceal from Lord Stranleigh his dislike of the metamorphosis that was proposed.
posingnounUS /ˈpoʊzɪŋ/
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading He had been born a servant and brought up a servant, with the result that he was a capable one, and posing as a gentleman was little to his taste.
past form of “propose” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading Accustomed to self-suppression though he was, Ponderby could not altogether conceal from Lord Stranleigh his dislike of the metamorphosis that was proposed.
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading He was suave enough with the general public, but just a little more so in dealing with those who depended on him.
receivingverbUS /rəˈsiːvɪŋ/
-ing form of “receive” — get something; come into possession of
From this reading Of course, he would do anything Lord Stranleigh commanded, and that without consciously hinting disapproval, but the earl shrank from giving a command as much as he would have disliked receiving one.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading He had been born a servant and brought up a servant, with the result that he was a capable one, and posing as a gentleman was little to his taste.
self-suppression
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Accustomed to self-suppression though he was, Ponderby could not altogether conceal from Lord Stranleigh his dislike of the metamorphosis that was proposed.
a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading He had been born a servant and brought up a servant, with the result that he was a capable one, and posing as a gentleman was little to his taste.
shrankverbUS /ʃræŋk/
inflected form of “shrink” — wither, as with a loss of moisture
From this reading Of course, he would do anything Lord Stranleigh commanded, and that without consciously hinting disapproval, but the earl shrank from giving a command as much as he would have disliked receiving one.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He was suave enough with the general public, but just a little more so in dealing with those who depended on him.
Stranleigh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Accustomed to self-suppression though he was, Ponderby could not altogether conceal from Lord Stranleigh his dislike of the metamorphosis that was proposed.
suaveadjectiveUS /swɑːv/
having a sophisticated charm
From this reading He was suave enough with the general public, but just a little more so in dealing with those who depended on him.
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading He had been born a servant and brought up a servant, with the result that he was a capable one, and posing as a gentleman was little to his taste.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Accustomed to self-suppression though he was, Ponderby could not altogether conceal from Lord Stranleigh his dislike of the metamorphosis that was proposed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Accustomed to self-suppression though he was, Ponderby could not altogether conceal from Lord Stranleigh his dislike of the metamorphosis that was proposed.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "Did you ever visit the ancient village of Burford, Ponderby?" he asked on this occasion.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading He was suave enough with the general public, but just a little more so in dealing with those who depended on him.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Accustomed to self-suppression though he was, Ponderby could not altogether conceal from Lord Stranleigh his dislike of the metamorphosis that was proposed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Accustomed to self-suppression though he was, Ponderby could not altogether conceal from Lord Stranleigh his dislike of the metamorphosis that was proposed.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He had been born a servant and brought up a servant, with the result that he was a capable one, and posing as a gentleman was little to his taste.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading "Did you ever visit the ancient village of Burford, Ponderby?" he asked on this occasion.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading "Did you ever visit the ancient village of Burford, Ponderby?" he asked on this occasion.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Accustomed to self-suppression though he was, Ponderby could not altogether conceal from Lord Stranleigh his dislike of the metamorphosis that was proposed.
which person or people
From this reading He was suave enough with the general public, but just a little more so in dealing with those who depended on him.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had been born a servant and brought up a servant, with the result that he was a capable one, and posing as a gentleman was little to his taste.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Of course, he would do anything Lord Stranleigh commanded, and that without consciously hinting disapproval, but the earl shrank from giving a command as much as he would have disliked receiving one.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Of course, he would do anything Lord Stranleigh commanded, and that without consciously hinting disapproval, but the earl shrank from giving a command as much as he would have disliked receiving one.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Did you ever visit the ancient village of Burford, Ponderby?" he asked on this occasion.
