adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading And a woman seeking a husband is the most unscrupulous of all the beasts of prey.
accomplishmentsnounUS /əˈkɑːmplɪʃmənts/
plural of “accomplishment” — the action of accomplishing something
From this reading Come, Ana! do not look shocked: you know better than any of us that marriage is a mantrap baited with simulated accomplishments and delusive idealizations.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 And a woman seeking a husband is the most unscrupulous of all the beasts of prey.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
AnanounUS /ˈɑːnə/
mother of the ancient Irish gods; sometimes identified with Danu
From this reading Come, Ana! do not look shocked: you know better than any of us that marriage is a mantrap baited with simulated accomplishments and delusive idealizations.
AndconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And a woman seeking a husband is the most unscrupulous of all the beasts of prey.
angelnounUS /ˈeɪndʒəl/
spiritual being attendant upon God
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The confusion of marriage with morality has done more to destroy the conscience of the human race than any other single error.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
baitedverbUS /ˈbeɪtɪd/
past form of “bait” — harass with persistent criticism or carping
From this reading Come, Ana! do not look shocked: you know better than any of us that marriage is a mantrap baited with simulated accomplishments and delusive idealizations.
beastsnounUS /biːsts/
plural of “beast” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading And a woman seeking a husband is the most unscrupulous of all the beasts of prey.
beliefnounUS /bɪˈliːf/
any cognitive content held as true
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/
(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 Come, Ana! do not look shocked: you know better than any of us that marriage is a mantrap baited with simulated accomplishments and delusive idealizations.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
ComeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Come, Ana! do not look shocked: you know better than any of us that marriage is a mantrap baited with simulated accomplishments and delusive idealizations.
confusionnounUS /kənˈfjuːʒən/
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading The confusion of marriage with morality has done more to destroy the conscience of the human race than any other single error.
consciencenounUS /ˈkɑːnʃəns/
motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions
From this reading The confusion of marriage with morality has done more to destroy the conscience of the human race than any other single error.
deludeverbUS /dɪˈluːd/
be false to; be dishonest with
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
delusiveadjective
inappropriate to reality or facts
From this reading Come, Ana! do not look shocked: you know better than any of us that marriage is a mantrap baited with simulated accomplishments and delusive idealizations.
destroyverbUS /dɪˈstrɔɪ/
do away with, cause the destruction or undoing of
From this reading The confusion of marriage with morality has done more to destroy the conscience of the human race than any other single error.
determinedlyadverbUS /dəˈtɜːrmənədli/
with determination; in a determined manner
From this reading THE STATUE. [protesting] Really!-- DON JUAN. [determinedly] I say the most licentious of human institutions: that is the secret of its popularity.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
dinnernounUS /ˈdɪnər/
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
dintnounUS /dɪnt/
interchangeable with “means” in the expression “by means of”
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Come, Ana! do not look shocked: you know better than any of us that marriage is a mantrap baited with simulated accomplishments and delusive idealizations.
DONnounUS /dɑːn/
a Spanish gentleman or nobleman
From this reading THE STATUE. [protesting] Really!-- DON JUAN. [determinedly] I say the most licentious of human institutions: that is the secret of its popularity.
doneadjectiveUS /dʌn/
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading The confusion of marriage with morality has done more to destroy the conscience of the human race than any other single error.
dozennounUS /ˈdʌzən/
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
errornounUS /ˈerər/
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading The confusion of marriage with morality has done more to destroy the conscience of the human race than any other single error.
fillverbUS /fɪl/
make full, also in a metaphorical sense
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
forcedadjectiveUS /fɔːrst/
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
halfadjectiveUS /hæf/
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The confusion of marriage with morality has done more to destroy the conscience of the human race than any other single error.
hatedadjectiveUS /ˈheɪtəd/
treated with dislike or contempt
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
homenounUS /hoʊm/
where you live at a particular time
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading THE STATUE. [protesting] Really!-- DON JUAN. [determinedly] I say the most licentious of human institutions: that is the secret of its popularity.
husbandnounUS /ˈhʌzbənd/
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading And a woman seeking a husband is the most unscrupulous of all the beasts of prey.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE STATUE. [protesting] Really!-- DON JUAN. [determinedly] I say the most licentious of human institutions: that is the secret of its popularity.
idealizations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Come, Ana! do not look shocked: you know better than any of us that marriage is a mantrap baited with simulated accomplishments and delusive idealizations.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
institutionsnounUS /ˌɪnstɪˈtuːʃənz/
plural of “institution” — an organization founded and united for a specific purpose
From this reading THE STATUE. [protesting] Really!-- DON JUAN. [determinedly] I say the most licentious of human institutions: that is the secret of its popularity.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE STATUE. [protesting] Really!-- DON JUAN. [determinedly] I say the most licentious of human institutions: that is the secret of its popularity.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading THE STATUE. [protesting] Really!-- DON JUAN. [determinedly] I say the most licentious of human institutions: that is the secret of its popularity.
JUAN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STATUE. [protesting] Really!-- DON JUAN. [determinedly] I say the most licentious of human institutions: that is the secret of its popularity.
knowverbUS /noʊ/
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Come, Ana! do not look shocked: you know better than any of us that marriage is a mantrap baited with simulated accomplishments and delusive idealizations.
learnverbUS /lɜːrn/
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
leastadjectiveUS /liːst/
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
licentiousadjectiveUS /laɪˈsentʃəs/
lacking moral discipline; especially sexually unrestrained
From this reading THE STATUE. [protesting] Really!-- DON JUAN. [determinedly] I say the most licentious of human institutions: that is the secret of its popularity.
lookverbUS /lʊk/
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Come, Ana! do not look shocked: you know better than any of us that marriage is a mantrap baited with simulated accomplishments and delusive idealizations.
mantrapnoun
a very attractive or seductive looking woman
From this reading Come, Ana! do not look shocked: you know better than any of us that marriage is a mantrap baited with simulated accomplishments and delusive idealizations.
marriagenounUS /ˈmerɪdʒ/
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading The confusion of marriage with morality has done more to destroy the conscience of the human race than any other single error.
melodynounUS /ˈmelədi/
a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
moralitynounUS /mərˈæləti/
concern with the distinction between good and evil or right and wrong; right or good conduct
From this reading The confusion of marriage with morality has done more to destroy the conscience of the human race than any other single error.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The confusion of marriage with morality has done more to destroy the conscience of the human race than any other single error.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading THE STATUE. [protesting] Really!-- DON JUAN. [determinedly] I say the most licentious of human institutions: that is the secret of its popularity.
mothernounUS /ˈmʌðər/
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Come, Ana! do not look shocked: you know better than any of us that marriage is a mantrap baited with simulated accomplishments and delusive idealizations.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE STATUE. [protesting] Really!-- DON JUAN. [determinedly] I say the most licentious of human institutions: that is the secret of its popularity.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The confusion of marriage with morality has done more to destroy the conscience of the human race than any other single error.
piecesnounUS /ˈpiːsəz/
plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
playverbUS /pleɪ/
participate in games or sport
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
popularitynounUS /ˌpɑːpjəˈlerəti/
the quality of being widely admired or accepted or sought after
From this reading THE STATUE. [protesting] Really!-- DON JUAN. [determinedly] I say the most licentious of human institutions: that is the secret of its popularity.
preynounUS /preɪ/
a person who is the aim of an attack (especially a victim of ridicule or exploitation) by some hostile person or influence
From this reading And a woman seeking a husband is the most unscrupulous of all the beasts of prey.
protestingverbUS /prəˈtestɪŋ/
-ing form of “protest” — utter words of protest
From this reading THE STATUE. [protesting] Really!-- DON JUAN. [determinedly] I say the most licentious of human institutions: that is the secret of its popularity.
punishmentsnounUS /ˈpʌnɪʃmənts/
plural of “punishment” — the act of punishing
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
purposenounUS /ˈpɜːrpəs/
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
racenounUS /reɪs/
any competition
From this reading The confusion of marriage with morality has done more to destroy the conscience of the human race than any other single error.
ReallyadverbUS /ˈrɪli/
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading THE STATUE. [protesting] Really!-- DON JUAN. [determinedly] I say the most licentious of human institutions: that is the secret of its popularity.
saintedadjectiveUS /ˈseɪntɪd/
marked by utter benignity; resembling or befitting an angel or saint
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
sayverbUS /seɪ/
express in words
From this reading THE STATUE. [protesting] Really!-- DON JUAN. [determinedly] I say the most licentious of human institutions: that is the secret of its popularity.
scoldings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading THE STATUE. [protesting] Really!-- DON JUAN. [determinedly] I say the most licentious of human institutions: that is the secret of its popularity.
seekingnounUS /ˈsiːkɪŋ/
the act of searching for something
From this reading And a woman seeking a husband is the most unscrupulous of all the beasts of prey.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
shockedadjectiveUS /ʃɑːkt/
struck with fear, dread, or consternation
From this reading Come, Ana! do not look shocked: you know better than any of us that marriage is a mantrap baited with simulated accomplishments and delusive idealizations.
simulatedadjectiveUS /ˈsɪmjəleɪtɪd/
not genuine or real; being an imitation of the genuine article
From this reading Come, Ana! do not look shocked: you know better than any of us that marriage is a mantrap baited with simulated accomplishments and delusive idealizations.
singleadjectiveUS /ˈsɪŋɡəl/
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading The confusion of marriage with morality has done more to destroy the conscience of the human race than any other single error.
sleepnounUS /sliːp/
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
spinetnoun
a small and compactly built upright piano
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
STATUEnounUS /ˈstætʃuː/
a sculpture representing a human or animal
From this reading THE STATUE. [protesting] Really!-- DON JUAN. [determinedly] I say the most licentious of human institutions: that is the secret of its popularity.
suitorsnounUS /ˈsuːtərz/
plural of “suitor” — a man who courts a woman
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The confusion of marriage with morality has done more to destroy the conscience of the human race than any other single error.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE STATUE. [protesting] Really!-- DON JUAN. [determinedly] I say the most licentious of human institutions: that is the secret of its popularity.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE STATUE. [protesting] Really!-- DON JUAN. [determinedly] I say the most licentious of human institutions: that is the secret of its popularity.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The confusion of marriage with morality has done more to destroy the conscience of the human race than any other single error.
unscrupulousadjectiveUS /ənˈskruːpjələs/
without scruples or principles
From this reading And a woman seeking a husband is the most unscrupulous of all the beasts of prey.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Come, Ana! do not look shocked: you know better than any of us that marriage is a mantrap baited with simulated accomplishments and delusive idealizations.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The confusion of marriage with morality has done more to destroy the conscience of the human race than any other single error.
womannounUS /ˈwʊmən/
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading And a woman seeking a husband is the most unscrupulous of all the beasts of prey.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Come, Ana! do not look shocked: you know better than any of us that marriage is a mantrap baited with simulated accomplishments and delusive idealizations.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading When your sainted mother, by dint of scoldings and punishments, forced you to learn how to play half a dozen pieces on the spinet which she hated as much as you did--had she any other purpose than to delude your suitors into the belief that your husband would have in his home an angel who would fill it with melody, or at least play him to sleep after dinner?
