used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "And what," said Varney,--"what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
abyssnounUS /əˈbɪs/
a bottomless gulf or pit; any unfathomable (or apparently unfathomable) cavity or chasm or void extending below (often used figuratively)
From this reading "Why recall me, in these rare moments when I feel myself human still,-- why recall me back to the nethermost abyss of revenge and crime?
inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth."
advancingadjectiveUS /ədˈvænsɪŋ/
moving forward
From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "And what," said Varney,--"what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE WEAVERS AND THE WOOF.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "And what," said Varney,--"what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading "Why recall me, in these rare moments when I feel myself human still,-- why recall me back to the nethermost abyss of revenge and crime?
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Oh, let me be sure that I have still a son!
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth."
clewnoun
a ball of yarn or cord or thread
From this reading "And what," said Varney,--"what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
From this reading "Why recall me, in these rare moments when I feel myself human still,-- why recall me back to the nethermost abyss of revenge and crime?
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading "And what," said Varney,--"what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
a female human offspring
From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth."
elapsedadjectiveUS /ɪˈlæpst/
(of time) having passed or slipped by
From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth."
fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading "And what," said Varney,--"what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
formed or conceived by the imagination
From this reading "And what," said Varney,--"what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading "Why recall me, in these rare moments when I feel myself human still,-- why recall me back to the nethermost abyss of revenge and crime?
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading "And what," said Varney,--"what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "And what," said Varney,--"what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading "And what," said Varney,--"what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth."
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth."
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "And what," said Varney,--"what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
hearthnounUS /hɑːrθ/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth."
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading "Why recall me, in these rare moments when I feel myself human still,-- why recall me back to the nethermost abyss of revenge and crime?
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Why recall me, in these rare moments when I feel myself human still,-- why recall me back to the nethermost abyss of revenge and crime?
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "And what," said Varney,--"what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Why recall me, in these rare moments when I feel myself human still,-- why recall me back to the nethermost abyss of revenge and crime?
independencenounUS /ˌɪndɪˈpendəns/
freedom from control or influence of another or others
From this reading "And what," said Varney,--"what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
inquiriesnounUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪəriz/
plural of “inquiry” — a search for knowledge
From this reading "And what," said Varney,--"what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice
From this reading "And what," said Varney,--"what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Oh, let me be sure that I have still a son!
Mainwaring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth."
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "And what," said Varney,--"what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
come together
From this reading "And what," said Varney,--"what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
menacesnounUS /ˈmenəsɪz/
plural of “menace” — something that is a source of danger
From this reading "And what," said Varney,--"what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading "Why recall me, in these rare moments when I feel myself human still,-- why recall me back to the nethermost abyss of revenge and crime?
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth."
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading "Why recall me, in these rare moments when I feel myself human still,-- why recall me back to the nethermost abyss of revenge and crime?
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading "And what," said Varney,--"what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
nethermostadjective
farthest down
From this reading "Why recall me, in these rare moments when I feel myself human still,-- why recall me back to the nethermost abyss of revenge and crime?
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth."
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading Oh, let me be sure that I have still a son!
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading "And what," said Varney,--"what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
provideverbUS /prəˈvaɪd/
give something useful or necessary to
From this reading "And what," said Varney,--"what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
pursuingadjectiveUS /pərˈsuːɪŋ/
following in order to overtake or capture or as accompaniment to such pursuit
From this reading "And what," said Varney,--"what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
From this reading "Why recall me, in these rare moments when I feel myself human still,-- why recall me back to the nethermost abyss of revenge and crime?
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading "And what," said Varney,--"what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading "Why recall me, in these rare moments when I feel myself human still,-- why recall me back to the nethermost abyss of revenge and crime?
action taken in return for an injury or offense
From this reading "Why recall me, in these rare moments when I feel myself human still,-- why recall me back to the nethermost abyss of revenge and crime?
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "And what," said Varney,--"what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
an elaborate and systematic plan of action
From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth."
get by special effort
From this reading "And what," said Varney,--"what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
the act of searching for something
From this reading "And what," said Varney,--"what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
shrunkverbUS /ʃrʌŋk/
inflected form of “shrink” — wither, as with a loss of moisture
From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth."
a male human offspring
From this reading Oh, let me be sure that I have still a son!
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading "And what," said Varney,--"what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
not in physical motion
From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth."
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading Oh, let me be sure that I have still a son!
Susan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth."
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading "And what," said Varney,--"what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "And what," said Varney,--"what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE WEAVERS AND THE WOOF.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading "And what," said Varney,--"what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading "Why recall me, in these rare moments when I feel myself human still,-- why recall me back to the nethermost abyss of revenge and crime?
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "And what," said Varney,--"what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "And what," said Varney,--"what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth."
Varney
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "And what," said Varney,--"what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth."
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "And what," said Varney,--"what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
WEAVERSnounUS /ˈwiːvərz/
plural of “weaver” — a craftsman who weaves cloth
From this reading THE WEAVERS AND THE WOOF.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "And what," said Varney,--"what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
at the time that
From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth."
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth."
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading "And what," said Varney,--"what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading "Why recall me, in these rare moments when I feel myself human still,-- why recall me back to the nethermost abyss of revenge and crime?
WOOFnounUS /wuːf/
the yarn woven across the warp yarn in weaving
From this reading THE WEAVERS AND THE WOOF.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "And what," said Varney,--"what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading "And what," said Varney,--"what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth."
used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action
From this reading "And what," said Varney,--"what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
