Chapter VI

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading "Grace was in all her steps--Heav'n in her eye, In all her gestures dignity:" and, if "love" could have been added, she would have been, almost, faultless.--But a cold, selfish disposition blasted the fair promise; it was, "a frost, a chilling frost," that withered every bud of virtue!

the state of being absent

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

a defendant in a criminal proceeding

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

causing a dull and steady pain

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of

From this reading "Grace was in all her steps--Heav'n in her eye, In all her gestures dignity:" and, if "love" could have been added, she would have been, almost, faultless.--But a cold, selfish disposition blasted the fair promise; it was, "a frost, a chilling frost," that withered every bud of virtue!

acquired as your own by free choice

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

(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 all your wit--your most distinguished art, But makes us grieve you want an honest heart!

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading "Grace was in all her steps--Heav'n in her eye, In all her gestures dignity:" and, if "love" could have been added, she would have been, almost, faultless.--But a cold, selfish disposition blasted the fair promise; it was, "a frost, a chilling frost," that withered every bud of virtue!

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading And all your wit--your most distinguished art, But makes us grieve you want an honest heart!

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading And all your wit--your most distinguished art, But makes us grieve you want an honest heart!

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

an old form of “are”, used with “thou”

From this reading And all your wit--your most distinguished art, But makes us grieve you want an honest heart!

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

having undesirable or negative qualities

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

a young woman who is the most charming and beautiful of several rivals

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

expletives used informally as intensifiers

From this reading "Grace was in all her steps--Heav'n in her eye, In all her gestures dignity:" and, if "love" could have been added, she would have been, almost, faultless.--But a cold, selfish disposition blasted the fair promise; it was, "a frost, a chilling frost," that withered every bud of virtue!

past form of “boast” — show off

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

given or giving freely

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading BROWN.

a partially opened flower

From this reading "Grace was in all her steps--Heav'n in her eye, In all her gestures dignity:" and, if "love" could have been added, she would have been, almost, faultless.--But a cold, selfish disposition blasted the fair promise; it was, "a frost, a chilling frost," that withered every bud of virtue!

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading And all your wit--your most distinguished art, But makes us grieve you want an honest heart!

showing who or what does the action

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

plural of “charity” — a foundation created to promote the public good (not for assistance to any particular individuals)

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

plural of “charm” — attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

provoking fear terror

From this reading "Grace was in all her steps--Heav'n in her eye, In all her gestures dignity:" and, if "love" could have been added, she would have been, almost, faultless.--But a cold, selfish disposition blasted the fair promise; it was, "a frost, a chilling frost," that withered every bud of virtue!

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading "Grace was in all her steps--Heav'n in her eye, In all her gestures dignity:" and, if "love" could have been added, she would have been, almost, faultless.--But a cold, selfish disposition blasted the fair promise; it was, "a frost, a chilling frost," that withered every bud of virtue!

an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading "Grace was in all her steps--Heav'n in her eye, In all her gestures dignity:" and, if "love" could have been added, she would have been, almost, faultless.--But a cold, selfish disposition blasted the fair promise; it was, "a frost, a chilling frost," that withered every bud of virtue!

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

an imperfection in a bodily system

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

with intention; in an intentional manner

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

worth having or seeking or achieving

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect

From this reading "Grace was in all her steps--Heav'n in her eye, In all her gestures dignity:" and, if "love" could have been added, she would have been, almost, faultless.--But a cold, selfish disposition blasted the fair promise; it was, "a frost, a chilling frost," that withered every bud of virtue!

your usual mood

From this reading "Grace was in all her steps--Heav'n in her eye, In all her gestures dignity:" and, if "love" could have been added, she would have been, almost, faultless.--But a cold, selfish disposition blasted the fair promise; it was, "a frost, a chilling frost," that withered every bud of virtue!

(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation

From this reading And all your wit--your most distinguished art, But makes us grieve you want an honest heart!

earlier in time; previously

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

one or the other of two

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

a refined quality of gracefulness and good taste

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

tiresomely long; seemingly without end

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

at any time

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading "Grace was in all her steps--Heav'n in her eye, In all her gestures dignity:" and, if "love" could have been added, she would have been, almost, faultless.--But a cold, selfish disposition blasted the fair promise; it was, "a frost, a chilling frost," that withered every bud of virtue!

kill as a means of socially sanctioned punishment

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

the organ of sight

From this reading "Grace was in all her steps--Heav'n in her eye, In all her gestures dignity:" and, if "love" could have been added, she would have been, almost, faultless.--But a cold, selfish disposition blasted the fair promise; it was, "a frost, a chilling frost," that withered every bud of virtue!

past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading "Grace was in all her steps--Heav'n in her eye, In all her gestures dignity:" and, if "love" could have been added, she would have been, almost, faultless.--But a cold, selfish disposition blasted the fair promise; it was, "a frost, a chilling frost," that withered every bud of virtue!

without fault or error

From this reading "Grace was in all her steps--Heav'n in her eye, In all her gestures dignity:" and, if "love" could have been added, she would have been, almost, faultless.--But a cold, selfish disposition blasted the fair promise; it was, "a frost, a chilling frost," that withered every bud of virtue!

being the sex (of plant or animal) that produces fertilizable gametes (ova) from which offspring develop

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

make full, also in a metaphorical sense

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

having or given a form or shape

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)

From this reading "Grace was in all her steps--Heav'n in her eye, In all her gestures dignity:" and, if "love" could have been added, she would have been, almost, faultless.--But a cold, selfish disposition blasted the fair promise; it was, "a frost, a chilling frost," that withered every bud of virtue!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

plural of “gesture” — motion of hands or body to emphasize or help to express a thought or feeling

From this reading "Grace was in all her steps--Heav'n in her eye, In all her gestures dignity:" and, if "love" could have been added, she would have been, almost, faultless.--But a cold, selfish disposition blasted the fair promise; it was, "a frost, a chilling frost," that withered every bud of virtue!

plural of “gift” — something acquired without compensation

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence

From this reading "Grace was in all her steps--Heav'n in her eye, In all her gestures dignity:" and, if "love" could have been added, she would have been, almost, faultless.--But a cold, selfish disposition blasted the fair promise; it was, "a frost, a chilling frost," that withered every bud of virtue!

feel grief

From this reading And all your wit--your most distinguished art, But makes us grieve you want an honest heart!

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "Grace was in all her steps--Heav'n in her eye, In all her gestures dignity:" and, if "love" could have been added, she would have been, almost, faultless.--But a cold, selfish disposition blasted the fair promise; it was, "a frost, a chilling frost," that withered every bud of virtue!

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading And all your wit--your most distinguished art, But makes us grieve you want an honest heart!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Grace was in all her steps--Heav'n in her eye, In all her gestures dignity:" and, if "love" could have been added, she would have been, almost, faultless.--But a cold, selfish disposition blasted the fair promise; it was, "a frost, a chilling frost," that withered every bud of virtue!

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent

From this reading And all your wit--your most distinguished art, But makes us grieve you want an honest heart!

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "Grace was in all her steps--Heav'n in her eye, In all her gestures dignity:" and, if "love" could have been added, she would have been, almost, faultless.--But a cold, selfish disposition blasted the fair promise; it was, "a frost, a chilling frost," that withered every bud of virtue!

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading "Grace was in all her steps--Heav'n in her eye, In all her gestures dignity:" and, if "love" could have been added, she would have been, almost, faultless.--But a cold, selfish disposition blasted the fair promise; it was, "a frost, a chilling frost," that withered every bud of virtue!

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "Grace was in all her steps--Heav'n in her eye, In all her gestures dignity:" and, if "love" could have been added, she would have been, almost, faultless.--But a cold, selfish disposition blasted the fair promise; it was, "a frost, a chilling frost," that withered every bud of virtue!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

apprehended with certainty

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

the production of eggs (especially in birds)

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

for more time

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading "Grace was in all her steps--Heav'n in her eye, In all her gestures dignity:" and, if "love" could have been added, she would have been, almost, faultless.--But a cold, selfish disposition blasted the fair promise; it was, "a frost, a chilling frost," that withered every bud of virtue!

the quality of being good looking and attractive

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

plural of “make” — a recognizable kind

From this reading And all your wit--your most distinguished art, But makes us grieve you want an honest heart!

social deportment

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

fully ripe; at the height of bloom

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

used to form the superlative

From this reading And all your wit--your most distinguished art, But makes us grieve you want an honest heart!

Having no name, or having a name that is kept secret or unknown.

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

a colorless odorless gaseous element that give a red glow in a vacuum tube; one of the six inert gasses; occurs in the air in small amounts

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

made neutral in some respect; deprived of distinctive characteristics

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

not any; not one

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

come into possession of

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

on one occasion

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

(ballet) a step in dancing (especially in classical ballet)

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

a strong feeling or emotion

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

the state of being without a flaw or defect

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

by chance

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

Persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in success. (Sự kiên trì, bền bỉ không bỏ cuộc.)

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

a human being

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

-ing form of “persuade” — win approval or support for

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

(used of sexual behavior) showing or appealing to bizarre or deviant tastes

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

have the will and intention to carry out some action

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

a useful or valuable quality

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

the property of being smooth and shiny

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

past form of “prey” — profit from in an exploitatory manner

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

communicate vividly

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

(Greek mythology) the Titan who stole fire from Olympus and gave it to mankind; Zeus punished him by chaining him to a rock where an eagle gnawed at his liver until Hercules rescued him

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

make a promise or commitment

From this reading "Grace was in all her steps--Heav'n in her eye, In all her gestures dignity:" and, if "love" could have been added, she would have been, almost, faultless.--But a cold, selfish disposition blasted the fair promise; it was, "a frost, a chilling frost," that withered every bud of virtue!

past form of “propose” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

on the contrary

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

part with a possession or right

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

anything indispensable

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

worried and uneasy

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

only a very short time before

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

acting with a specific goal

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

not often

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

concerned chiefly or only with yourself and your advantage to the exclusion of others

From this reading "Grace was in all her steps--Heav'n in her eye, In all her gestures dignity:" and, if "love" could have been added, she would have been, almost, faultless.--But a cold, selfish disposition blasted the fair promise; it was, "a frost, a chilling frost," that withered every bud of virtue!

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

past form of “shudder” — shake, as from cold

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

with sincerity; without pretense

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

plausible but misleading

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading "Grace was in all her steps--Heav'n in her eye, In all her gestures dignity:" and, if "love" could have been added, she would have been, almost, faultless.--But a cold, selfish disposition blasted the fair promise; it was, "a frost, a chilling frost," that withered every bud of virtue!

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

plural of “talent” — natural abilities or qualities

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "Grace was in all her steps--Heav'n in her eye, In all her gestures dignity:" and, if "love" could have been added, she would have been, almost, faultless.--But a cold, selfish disposition blasted the fair promise; it was, "a frost, a chilling frost," that withered every bud of virtue!

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

add up in number or quantity

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

destroy property or hinder normal operations

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading And all your wit--your most distinguished art, But makes us grieve you want an honest heart!

to no avail

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

precisely as stated

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

Moral excellence and goodness of character; the highest human attainment in Stoic philosophy.

From this reading "Grace was in all her steps--Heav'n in her eye, In all her gestures dignity:" and, if "love" could have been added, she would have been, almost, faultless.--But a cold, selfish disposition blasted the fair promise; it was, "a frost, a chilling frost," that withered every bud of virtue!

lacking any legal or binding force

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading And all your wit--your most distinguished art, But makes us grieve you want an honest heart!

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

morally bad in principle or practice

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter

From this reading And all your wit--your most distinguished art, But makes us grieve you want an honest heart!

in the company of; together with

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

lean and wrinkled by shrinkage as from age or illness

From this reading "Grace was in all her steps--Heav'n in her eye, In all her gestures dignity:" and, if "love" could have been added, she would have been, almost, faultless.--But a cold, selfish disposition blasted the fair promise; it was, "a frost, a chilling frost," that withered every bud of virtue!

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading "Grace was in all her steps--Heav'n in her eye, In all her gestures dignity:" and, if "love" could have been added, she would have been, almost, faultless.--But a cold, selfish disposition blasted the fair promise; it was, "a frost, a chilling frost," that withered every bud of virtue!

but in spite of that

From this reading And yet she was not absolutely wicked; she could not be accused of having a _bad_ heart; it might rather be said she had no heart at all.--And with every other requisite to form perfection in a female character, this one defect neutralized all the bounteous gifts of nature--her very talents, like those of Prometheus, were perverted, and preyed on her own soul; whilst the aching void, left by the total absence of all the nameless charities of life, she had vainly endeavoured to fill up by a restless, endless passion for scheming, either for herself or others.--She would, perhaps, have shuddered at the thought of designedly laying a plan to undermine the happiness of another; yet such were the sophistical powers of her mind, that she seldom failed in sincerely persuading herself, that whatever plan she proposed to execute, was, in reality, the most desirable that could be adopted,--and, with this conviction, she had scarcely ever been known to relinquish a project she had once formed, and seldom failed, either by art or perseverance, to obtain her end.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading And all your wit--your most distinguished art, But makes us grieve you want an honest heart!

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading And all your wit--your most distinguished art, But makes us grieve you want an honest heart!

a young person (especially a young man or boy)

From this reading Lady Eltondale was arrived at the meridian of life, and no longer boasted the charms of youth, "_Elle ne fut pas plus jolie; mais elle fut toujours belle_:" and perhaps the finished polish of her manners, and matured elegance of her person, were now scarcely less attractive than the loveliness of her earlier days had been: for beautiful she once was;