used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When Algernon returned at night to the Hall, his brother greeted him with a composed and smiling aspect.
Algernon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Algernon returned at night to the Hall, his brother greeted him with a composed and smiling aspect.
(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 Oh life! vain life! how many thorny cares Lie thickly strewn in all thy crooked paths!--S.M.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Algernon returned at night to the Hall, his brother greeted him with a composed and smiling aspect.
a strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance
From this reading He had communicated to his father the scene he had witnessed at the cottage, and the old man's anger exceeded his most sanguine expectations.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There is no sight on earth so revolting as the smile with which hypocrisy covers guilt, without it be revenge laughing at its victim.
a distinct feature or element in a problem
From this reading When Algernon returned at night to the Hall, his brother greeted him with a composed and smiling aspect.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There is no sight on earth so revolting as the smile with which hypocrisy covers guilt, without it be revenge laughing at its victim.
avertverbUS /əˈvɜːrt/
prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening
From this reading With secret satisfaction he saw Algernon enter the drawing-room, which the indignant Squire was pacing with rapid steps; and when he caught the irritated glance of the old man's eye, Mark felt that his work had been well and surely done; that nothing could avert from his brother the storm that was gathering over him.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There is no sight on earth so revolting as the smile with which hypocrisy covers guilt, without it be revenge laughing at its victim.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading With secret satisfaction he saw Algernon enter the drawing-room, which the indignant Squire was pacing with rapid steps; and when he caught the irritated glance of the old man's eye, Mark felt that his work had been well and surely done; that nothing could avert from his brother the storm that was gathering over him.
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading When Algernon returned at night to the Hall, his brother greeted him with a composed and smiling aspect.
caresnounUS /kerz/
plural of “care” — the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading Oh life! vain life! how many thorny cares Lie thickly strewn in all thy crooked paths!--S.M.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading With secret satisfaction he saw Algernon enter the drawing-room, which the indignant Squire was pacing with rapid steps; and when he caught the irritated glance of the old man's eye, Mark felt that his work had been well and surely done; that nothing could avert from his brother the storm that was gathering over him.
communicatedverbUS /kəˈmjuːnəkeɪtɪd/
past form of “communicate” — transmit information
From this reading He had communicated to his father the scene he had witnessed at the cottage, and the old man's anger exceeded his most sanguine expectations.
serenely self-possessed and free from agitation especially in times of stress
From this reading When Algernon returned at night to the Hall, his brother greeted him with a composed and smiling aspect.
a small house with a single story
From this reading He had communicated to his father the scene he had witnessed at the cottage, and the old man's anger exceeded his most sanguine expectations.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading With secret satisfaction he saw Algernon enter the drawing-room, which the indignant Squire was pacing with rapid steps; and when he caught the irritated glance of the old man's eye, Mark felt that his work had been well and surely done; that nothing could avert from his brother the storm that was gathering over him.
coversnounUS /ˈkʌvərz/
plural of “cover” — a covering that serves to conceal or shelter something
From this reading There is no sight on earth so revolting as the smile with which hypocrisy covers guilt, without it be revenge laughing at its victim.
crookedadjectiveUS /ˈkrʊkəd/
having or marked by bends or angles; not straight or aligned
From this reading Oh life! vain life! how many thorny cares Lie thickly strewn in all thy crooked paths!--S.M.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading With secret satisfaction he saw Algernon enter the drawing-room, which the indignant Squire was pacing with rapid steps; and when he caught the irritated glance of the old man's eye, Mark felt that his work had been well and surely done; that nothing could avert from his brother the storm that was gathering over him.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With secret satisfaction he saw Algernon enter the drawing-room, which the indignant Squire was pacing with rapid steps; and when he caught the irritated glance of the old man's eye, Mark felt that his work had been well and surely done; that nothing could avert from his brother the storm that was gathering over him.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading There is no sight on earth so revolting as the smile with which hypocrisy covers guilt, without it be revenge laughing at its victim.
to come or go into
From this reading With secret satisfaction he saw Algernon enter the drawing-room, which the indignant Squire was pacing with rapid steps; and when he caught the irritated glance of the old man's eye, Mark felt that his work had been well and surely done; that nothing could avert from his brother the storm that was gathering over him.
exceededverbUS /ɪkˈsiːdəd/
past form of “exceed” — be greater in scope or size than some standard
From this reading He had communicated to his father the scene he had witnessed at the cottage, and the old man's anger exceeded his most sanguine expectations.
expectationsnounUS /ˌekspekˈteɪʃənz/
plural of “expectation” — belief about (or mental picture of) the future
From this reading He had communicated to his father the scene he had witnessed at the cottage, and the old man's anger exceeded his most sanguine expectations.
the organ of sight
From this reading With secret satisfaction he saw Algernon enter the drawing-room, which the indignant Squire was pacing with rapid steps; and when he caught the irritated glance of the old man's eye, Mark felt that his work had been well and surely done; that nothing could avert from his brother the storm that was gathering over him.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading He had communicated to his father the scene he had witnessed at the cottage, and the old man's anger exceeded his most sanguine expectations.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading With secret satisfaction he saw Algernon enter the drawing-room, which the indignant Squire was pacing with rapid steps; and when he caught the irritated glance of the old man's eye, Mark felt that his work had been well and surely done; that nothing could avert from his brother the storm that was gathering over him.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading With secret satisfaction he saw Algernon enter the drawing-room, which the indignant Squire was pacing with rapid steps; and when he caught the irritated glance of the old man's eye, Mark felt that his work had been well and surely done; that nothing could avert from his brother the storm that was gathering over him.
a group of persons together in one place
From this reading With secret satisfaction he saw Algernon enter the drawing-room, which the indignant Squire was pacing with rapid steps; and when he caught the irritated glance of the old man's eye, Mark felt that his work had been well and surely done; that nothing could avert from his brother the storm that was gathering over him.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading With secret satisfaction he saw Algernon enter the drawing-room, which the indignant Squire was pacing with rapid steps; and when he caught the irritated glance of the old man's eye, Mark felt that his work had been well and surely done; that nothing could avert from his brother the storm that was gathering over him.
greetedverbUS /ˈɡriːtəd/
past form of “greet” — express greetings upon meeting someone
From this reading When Algernon returned at night to the Hall, his brother greeted him with a composed and smiling aspect.
guiltnounUS /ɡɪlt/
the state of having committed an offense
From this reading There is no sight on earth so revolting as the smile with which hypocrisy covers guilt, without it be revenge laughing at its victim.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had communicated to his father the scene he had witnessed at the cottage, and the old man's anger exceeded his most sanguine expectations.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading When Algernon returned at night to the Hall, his brother greeted him with a composed and smiling aspect.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had communicated to his father the scene he had witnessed at the cottage, and the old man's anger exceeded his most sanguine expectations.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When Algernon returned at night to the Hall, his brother greeted him with a composed and smiling aspect.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When Algernon returned at night to the Hall, his brother greeted him with a composed and smiling aspect.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oh life! vain life! how many thorny cares Lie thickly strewn in all thy crooked paths!--S.M.
hypocrisynounUS /hɪˈpɑːkrəsi/
an expression of agreement that is not supported by real conviction
From this reading There is no sight on earth so revolting as the smile with which hypocrisy covers guilt, without it be revenge laughing at its victim.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Oh life! vain life! how many thorny cares Lie thickly strewn in all thy crooked paths!--S.M.
indignantadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdɪɡnənt/
angered at something unjust or wrong
From this reading With secret satisfaction he saw Algernon enter the drawing-room, which the indignant Squire was pacing with rapid steps; and when he caught the irritated glance of the old man's eye, Mark felt that his work had been well and surely done; that nothing could avert from his brother the storm that was gathering over him.
irritatedadjectiveUS /ˈɪrəteɪtəd/
aroused to impatience or anger
From this reading With secret satisfaction he saw Algernon enter the drawing-room, which the indignant Squire was pacing with rapid steps; and when he caught the irritated glance of the old man's eye, Mark felt that his work had been well and surely done; that nothing could avert from his brother the storm that was gathering over him.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There is no sight on earth so revolting as the smile with which hypocrisy covers guilt, without it be revenge laughing at its victim.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There is no sight on earth so revolting as the smile with which hypocrisy covers guilt, without it be revenge laughing at its victim.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading There is no sight on earth so revolting as the smile with which hypocrisy covers guilt, without it be revenge laughing at its victim.
showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness
From this reading There is no sight on earth so revolting as the smile with which hypocrisy covers guilt, without it be revenge laughing at its victim.
be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading Oh life! vain life! how many thorny cares Lie thickly strewn in all thy crooked paths!--S.M.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Oh life! vain life! how many thorny cares Lie thickly strewn in all thy crooked paths!--S.M.
the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)
From this reading Oh life! vain life! how many thorny cares Lie thickly strewn in all thy crooked paths!--S.M.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He had communicated to his father the scene he had witnessed at the cottage, and the old man's anger exceeded his most sanguine expectations.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Oh life! vain life! how many thorny cares Lie thickly strewn in all thy crooked paths!--S.M.
attach a tag or label to
From this reading With secret satisfaction he saw Algernon enter the drawing-room, which the indignant Squire was pacing with rapid steps; and when he caught the irritated glance of the old man's eye, Mark felt that his work had been well and surely done; that nothing could avert from his brother the storm that was gathering over him.
used to form the superlative
From this reading He had communicated to his father the scene he had witnessed at the cottage, and the old man's anger exceeded his most sanguine expectations.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading When Algernon returned at night to the Hall, his brother greeted him with a composed and smiling aspect.
not any; not one
From this reading There is no sight on earth so revolting as the smile with which hypocrisy covers guilt, without it be revenge laughing at its victim.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading With secret satisfaction he saw Algernon enter the drawing-room, which the indignant Squire was pacing with rapid steps; and when he caught the irritated glance of the old man's eye, Mark felt that his work had been well and surely done; that nothing could avert from his brother the storm that was gathering over him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading With secret satisfaction he saw Algernon enter the drawing-room, which the indignant Squire was pacing with rapid steps; and when he caught the irritated glance of the old man's eye, Mark felt that his work had been well and surely done; that nothing could avert from his brother the storm that was gathering over him.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading Oh life! vain life! how many thorny cares Lie thickly strewn in all thy crooked paths!--S.M.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He had communicated to his father the scene he had witnessed at the cottage, and the old man's anger exceeded his most sanguine expectations.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There is no sight on earth so revolting as the smile with which hypocrisy covers guilt, without it be revenge laughing at its victim.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading With secret satisfaction he saw Algernon enter the drawing-room, which the indignant Squire was pacing with rapid steps; and when he caught the irritated glance of the old man's eye, Mark felt that his work had been well and surely done; that nothing could avert from his brother the storm that was gathering over him.
pacingnounUS /ˈpeɪsɪŋ/
(music) the speed at which a composition is to be played
From this reading With secret satisfaction he saw Algernon enter the drawing-room, which the indignant Squire was pacing with rapid steps; and when he caught the irritated glance of the old man's eye, Mark felt that his work had been well and surely done; that nothing could avert from his brother the storm that was gathering over him.
pathsnounUS /pæðz/
plural of “path” — a course of conduct
From this reading Oh life! vain life! how many thorny cares Lie thickly strewn in all thy crooked paths!--S.M.
rapidadjectiveUS /ˈræpəd/
done or occurring in a brief period of time
From this reading With secret satisfaction he saw Algernon enter the drawing-room, which the indignant Squire was pacing with rapid steps; and when he caught the irritated glance of the old man's eye, Mark felt that his work had been well and surely done; that nothing could avert from his brother the storm that was gathering over him.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading When Algernon returned at night to the Hall, his brother greeted him with a composed and smiling aspect.
action taken in return for an injury or offense
From this reading There is no sight on earth so revolting as the smile with which hypocrisy covers guilt, without it be revenge laughing at its victim.
revoltingadjectiveUS /riˈvoʊltɪŋ/
highly offensive; arousing aversion or disgust
From this reading There is no sight on earth so revolting as the smile with which hypocrisy covers guilt, without it be revenge laughing at its victim.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading Oh life! vain life! how many thorny cares Lie thickly strewn in all thy crooked paths!--S.M.
sanguineadjectiveUS /ˈsæŋɡwɪn/
confidently optimistic and cheerful
From this reading He had communicated to his father the scene he had witnessed at the cottage, and the old man's anger exceeded his most sanguine expectations.
the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation
From this reading With secret satisfaction he saw Algernon enter the drawing-room, which the indignant Squire was pacing with rapid steps; and when he caught the irritated glance of the old man's eye, Mark felt that his work had been well and surely done; that nothing could avert from his brother the storm that was gathering over him.
cut with a saw
From this reading With secret satisfaction he saw Algernon enter the drawing-room, which the indignant Squire was pacing with rapid steps; and when he caught the irritated glance of the old man's eye, Mark felt that his work had been well and surely done; that nothing could avert from his brother the storm that was gathering over him.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading He had communicated to his father the scene he had witnessed at the cottage, and the old man's anger exceeded his most sanguine expectations.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading With secret satisfaction he saw Algernon enter the drawing-room, which the indignant Squire was pacing with rapid steps; and when he caught the irritated glance of the old man's eye, Mark felt that his work had been well and surely done; that nothing could avert from his brother the storm that was gathering over him.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading There is no sight on earth so revolting as the smile with which hypocrisy covers guilt, without it be revenge laughing at its victim.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading There is no sight on earth so revolting as the smile with which hypocrisy covers guilt, without it be revenge laughing at its victim.
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading When Algernon returned at night to the Hall, his brother greeted him with a composed and smiling aspect.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading There is no sight on earth so revolting as the smile with which hypocrisy covers guilt, without it be revenge laughing at its victim.
young nobleman attendant on a knight
From this reading With secret satisfaction he saw Algernon enter the drawing-room, which the indignant Squire was pacing with rapid steps; and when he caught the irritated glance of the old man's eye, Mark felt that his work had been well and surely done; that nothing could avert from his brother the storm that was gathering over him.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading With secret satisfaction he saw Algernon enter the drawing-room, which the indignant Squire was pacing with rapid steps; and when he caught the irritated glance of the old man's eye, Mark felt that his work had been well and surely done; that nothing could avert from his brother the storm that was gathering over him.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading With secret satisfaction he saw Algernon enter the drawing-room, which the indignant Squire was pacing with rapid steps; and when he caught the irritated glance of the old man's eye, Mark felt that his work had been well and surely done; that nothing could avert from his brother the storm that was gathering over him.
strewnverbUS /struːn/
inflected form of “strew” — spread by scattering ("straw" is archaic)
From this reading Oh life! vain life! how many thorny cares Lie thickly strewn in all thy crooked paths!--S.M.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading With secret satisfaction he saw Algernon enter the drawing-room, which the indignant Squire was pacing with rapid steps; and when he caught the irritated glance of the old man's eye, Mark felt that his work had been well and surely done; that nothing could avert from his brother the storm that was gathering over him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading With secret satisfaction he saw Algernon enter the drawing-room, which the indignant Squire was pacing with rapid steps; and when he caught the irritated glance of the old man's eye, Mark felt that his work had been well and surely done; that nothing could avert from his brother the storm that was gathering over him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There is no sight on earth so revolting as the smile with which hypocrisy covers guilt, without it be revenge laughing at its victim.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There is no sight on earth so revolting as the smile with which hypocrisy covers guilt, without it be revenge laughing at its victim.
thicklyadverbUS /ˈθɪkli/
spoken with poor articulation as if with a thick tongue
From this reading Oh life! vain life! how many thorny cares Lie thickly strewn in all thy crooked paths!--S.M.
thornyadjectiveUS /ˈθɔːrni/
bristling with perplexities
From this reading Oh life! vain life! how many thorny cares Lie thickly strewn in all thy crooked paths!--S.M.
an old word for “your”, speaking to one person
From this reading Oh life! vain life! how many thorny cares Lie thickly strewn in all thy crooked paths!--S.M.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Algernon returned at night to the Hall, his brother greeted him with a composed and smiling aspect.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading Oh life! vain life! how many thorny cares Lie thickly strewn in all thy crooked paths!--S.M.
an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance
From this reading There is no sight on earth so revolting as the smile with which hypocrisy covers guilt, without it be revenge laughing at its victim.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading With secret satisfaction he saw Algernon enter the drawing-room, which the indignant Squire was pacing with rapid steps; and when he caught the irritated glance of the old man's eye, Mark felt that his work had been well and surely done; that nothing could avert from his brother the storm that was gathering over him.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading With secret satisfaction he saw Algernon enter the drawing-room, which the indignant Squire was pacing with rapid steps; and when he caught the irritated glance of the old man's eye, Mark felt that his work had been well and surely done; that nothing could avert from his brother the storm that was gathering over him.
at the time that
From this reading When Algernon returned at night to the Hall, his brother greeted him with a composed and smiling aspect.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There is no sight on earth so revolting as the smile with which hypocrisy covers guilt, without it be revenge laughing at its victim.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There is no sight on earth so revolting as the smile with which hypocrisy covers guilt, without it be revenge laughing at its victim.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading There is no sight on earth so revolting as the smile with which hypocrisy covers guilt, without it be revenge laughing at its victim.
witnessedverbUS /ˈwɪtnəst/
past form of “witness” — be a witness to
From this reading He had communicated to his father the scene he had witnessed at the cottage, and the old man's anger exceeded his most sanguine expectations.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading With secret satisfaction he saw Algernon enter the drawing-room, which the indignant Squire was pacing with rapid steps; and when he caught the irritated glance of the old man's eye, Mark felt that his work had been well and surely done; that nothing could avert from his brother the storm that was gathering over him.
