used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
AGATESnounUS /ˈæɡəts/
plural of “agate” — an impure form of quartz consisting of banded chalcedony; used as a gemstone and for making mortars and pestles
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
in the past
From this reading Here was I, who but a month ago had a supreme contempt for guile and a lofty confidence in uprightness and downrightness, transformed into a crafty trader with all the villainous tricks of the bargain-maker at my finger-tips.
(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 Here was I, who but a month ago had a supreme contempt for guile and a lofty confidence in uprightness and downrightness, transformed into a crafty trader with all the villainous tricks of the bargain-maker at my finger-tips.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Here was I, who but a month ago had a supreme contempt for guile and a lofty confidence in uprightness and downrightness, transformed into a crafty trader with all the villainous tricks of the bargain-maker at my finger-tips.
associatesnounUS /əˈsoʊsiəts/
plural of “associate” — a person who joins with others in some activity or endeavor
From this reading We had befooled Louis into a betrayal of his associates but how much reliance could be placed on that betrayal?
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
bargain-maker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was I, who but a month ago had a supreme contempt for guile and a lofty confidence in uprightness and downrightness, transformed into a crafty trader with all the villainous tricks of the bargain-maker at my finger-tips.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading We had befooled Louis into a betrayal of his associates but how much reliance could be placed on that betrayal?
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
befooled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had befooled Louis into a betrayal of his associates but how much reliance could be placed on that betrayal?
betrayalnounUS /bɪˈtreɪ.əl/
The action of betraying one's country, a group, or a person; breach of trust.
From this reading We had befooled Louis into a betrayal of his associates but how much reliance could be placed on that betrayal?
betrayernoun
one who reveals confidential information in return for money
From this reading Then, why had Diable rescued his betrayer?
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Here was I, who but a month ago had a supreme contempt for guile and a lofty confidence in uprightness and downrightness, transformed into a crafty trader with all the villainous tricks of the bargain-maker at my finger-tips.
cobwebsnounUS /ˈkɑːbwebz/
plural of “cobweb” — a fabric so delicate and transparent as to resemble a web of a spider
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading Here was I, who but a month ago had a supreme contempt for guile and a lofty confidence in uprightness and downrightness, transformed into a crafty trader with all the villainous tricks of the bargain-maker at my finger-tips.
perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
From this reading Here was I, who but a month ago had a supreme contempt for guile and a lofty confidence in uprightness and downrightness, transformed into a crafty trader with all the villainous tricks of the bargain-maker at my finger-tips.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading We had befooled Louis into a betrayal of his associates but how much reliance could be placed on that betrayal?
craftyadjectiveUS /ˈkræfti/
marked by skill in deception
From this reading Here was I, who but a month ago had a supreme contempt for guile and a lofty confidence in uprightness and downrightness, transformed into a crafty trader with all the villainous tricks of the bargain-maker at my finger-tips.
Diable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had he incriminated Diable to save himself?
downrightnessnoun
the quality of being direct and straightforward
From this reading Here was I, who but a month ago had a supreme contempt for guile and a lofty confidence in uprightness and downrightness, transformed into a crafty trader with all the villainous tricks of the bargain-maker at my finger-tips.
easieradjectiveUS /ˈiːziər/
comparative of “easy” — posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
finger-tips
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was I, who but a month ago had a supreme contempt for guile and a lofty confidence in uprightness and downrightness, transformed into a crafty trader with all the villainous tricks of the bargain-maker at my finger-tips.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Here was I, who but a month ago had a supreme contempt for guile and a lofty confidence in uprightness and downrightness, transformed into a crafty trader with all the villainous tricks of the bargain-maker at my finger-tips.
GIRDLEnounUS /ˈɡɜːrdəl/
an encircling or ringlike structure
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
guilenounUS /ɡaɪl/
shrewdness as demonstrated by being skilled in deception
From this reading Here was I, who but a month ago had a supreme contempt for guile and a lofty confidence in uprightness and downrightness, transformed into a crafty trader with all the villainous tricks of the bargain-maker at my finger-tips.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Here was I, who but a month ago had a supreme contempt for guile and a lofty confidence in uprightness and downrightness, transformed into a crafty trader with all the villainous tricks of the bargain-maker at my finger-tips.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Had he incriminated Diable to save himself?
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here was I, who but a month ago had a supreme contempt for guile and a lofty confidence in uprightness and downrightness, transformed into a crafty trader with all the villainous tricks of the bargain-maker at my finger-tips.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Had he incriminated Diable to save himself?
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading We had befooled Louis into a betrayal of his associates but how much reliance could be placed on that betrayal?
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had befooled Louis into a betrayal of his associates but how much reliance could be placed on that betrayal?
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Here was I, who but a month ago had a supreme contempt for guile and a lofty confidence in uprightness and downrightness, transformed into a crafty trader with all the villainous tricks of the bargain-maker at my finger-tips.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
incriminated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had he incriminated Diable to save himself?
influencesnounUS /ˈɪnfluːənsɪz/
plural of “influence” — a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Here was I, who but a month ago had a supreme contempt for guile and a lofty confidence in uprightness and downrightness, transformed into a crafty trader with all the villainous tricks of the bargain-maker at my finger-tips.
kittensnounUS /ˈkɪtənz/
plural of “kitten” — young domestic cat
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
life'snounUS /laɪfs/
possessive form of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
loftyadjectiveUS /ˈlɔːfti/
of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
From this reading Here was I, who but a month ago had a supreme contempt for guile and a lofty confidence in uprightness and downrightness, transformed into a crafty trader with all the villainous tricks of the bargain-maker at my finger-tips.
United States prizefighter who was world heavyweight champion for 12 years (1914-1981)
From this reading We had befooled Louis into a betrayal of his associates but how much reliance could be placed on that betrayal?
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading Here was I, who but a month ago had a supreme contempt for guile and a lofty confidence in uprightness and downrightness, transformed into a crafty trader with all the villainous tricks of the bargain-maker at my finger-tips.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Here was I, who but a month ago had a supreme contempt for guile and a lofty confidence in uprightness and downrightness, transformed into a crafty trader with all the villainous tricks of the bargain-maker at my finger-tips.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading We had befooled Louis into a betrayal of his associates but how much reliance could be placed on that betrayal?
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
a course of conduct
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading We had befooled Louis into a betrayal of his associates but how much reliance could be placed on that betrayal?
past form of “recall” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
reliancenounUS /rɪˈlaɪəns/
certainty based on past experience
From this reading We had befooled Louis into a betrayal of his associates but how much reliance could be placed on that betrayal?
rescuedadjectiveUS /ˈreskjuːd/
delivered from danger
From this reading Then, why had Diable rescued his betrayer?
except for; apart from
From this reading Had he incriminated Diable to save himself?
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
skeinnounUS /skeɪn/
coils of worsted yarn
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
supremeadjectiveUS /səˈpriːm/
final or last in your life or progress
From this reading Here was I, who but a month ago had a supreme contempt for guile and a lofty confidence in uprightness and downrightness, transformed into a crafty trader with all the villainous tricks of the bargain-maker at my finger-tips.
tangledadjectiveUS /ˈtæŋɡəld/
in a confused mass
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then, why had Diable rescued his betrayer?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
tradernounUS /ˈtreɪdər/
someone who purchases and maintains an inventory of goods to be sold
From this reading Here was I, who but a month ago had a supreme contempt for guile and a lofty confidence in uprightness and downrightness, transformed into a crafty trader with all the villainous tricks of the bargain-maker at my finger-tips.
transformedadjectiveUS /trænˈsfɔːrmd/
given a completely different form or appearance
From this reading Here was I, who but a month ago had a supreme contempt for guile and a lofty confidence in uprightness and downrightness, transformed into a crafty trader with all the villainous tricks of the bargain-maker at my finger-tips.
tricksnounUS /trɪks/
plural of “trick” — a cunning or deceitful action or device
From this reading Here was I, who but a month ago had a supreme contempt for guile and a lofty confidence in uprightness and downrightness, transformed into a crafty trader with all the villainous tricks of the bargain-maker at my finger-tips.
a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
unknotverb
become or cause to become undone by separating the fibers or threads of
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
unravelverbUS /ənˈrævəl/
become or cause to become undone by separating the fibers or threads of
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
uprightnessnoun
the property of being upright in posture
From this reading Here was I, who but a month ago had a supreme contempt for guile and a lofty confidence in uprightness and downrightness, transformed into a crafty trader with all the villainous tricks of the bargain-maker at my finger-tips.
villainousadjectiveUS /ˈvɪlənəs/
extremely wicked
From this reading Here was I, who but a month ago had a supreme contempt for guile and a lofty confidence in uprightness and downrightness, transformed into a crafty trader with all the villainous tricks of the bargain-maker at my finger-tips.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Here was I, who but a month ago had a supreme contempt for guile and a lofty confidence in uprightness and downrightness, transformed into a crafty trader with all the villainous tricks of the bargain-maker at my finger-tips.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We had befooled Louis into a betrayal of his associates but how much reliance could be placed on that betrayal?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
which person or people
From this reading Here was I, who but a month ago had a supreme contempt for guile and a lofty confidence in uprightness and downrightness, transformed into a crafty trader with all the villainous tricks of the bargain-maker at my finger-tips.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Then, why had Diable rescued his betrayer?
in the company of; together with
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
yarnnounUS /jɑːrn/
the act of giving an account describing incidents or a course of events
From this reading A GIRDLE OF AGATES RECALLED To unravel a ball of yarn, with which kittens have been making cobwebs, has always seemed to me a much easier task than to unknot the tangled skein of confused influences, that trip up our feet at every step in life's path.
