1877
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HARTFORD, Friday, 1877.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading MY DEAR HOWELLS,--Your letter was a godsend; and perhaps the welcomest part of it was your consent that I write to those gentlemen; for you discouraged my hints in that direction that morning in Boston--rightly, too, for my offense was yet too new, then.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It is curious, but I pitched early upon Mr. Norton as the very man who would think some generous thing about that matter, whether he said it or not.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading MY DEAR HOWELLS,--Your letter was a godsend; and perhaps the welcomest part of it was your consent that I write to those gentlemen; for you discouraged my hints in that direction that morning in Boston--rightly, too, for my offense was yet too new, then.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Warner has tried to hold up our hands like the good fellow he is, but poor Twichell could not say a word, and confessed that he would rather take nearly any punishment than face Livy and me.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It is curious, but I pitched early upon Mr. Norton as the very man who would think some generous thing about that matter, whether he said it or not.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He hasn't been here since.
BostonnounUS /ˈbɑːstən/
state capital and largest city of Massachusetts; a major center for banking and financial services
From this reading MY DEAR HOWELLS,--Your letter was a godsend; and perhaps the welcomest part of it was your consent that I write to those gentlemen; for you discouraged my hints in that direction that morning in Boston--rightly, too, for my offense was yet too new, then.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Warner has tried to hold up our hands like the good fellow he is, but poor Twichell could not say a word, and confessed that he would rather take nearly any punishment than face Livy and me.
confessedverbUS /kənˈfest/
past form of “confess” — confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading Warner has tried to hold up our hands like the good fellow he is, but poor Twichell could not say a word, and confessed that he would rather take nearly any punishment than face Livy and me.
consentnounUS /kənˈsent/
permission to do something
From this reading MY DEAR HOWELLS,--Your letter was a godsend; and perhaps the welcomest part of it was your consent that I write to those gentlemen; for you discouraged my hints in that direction that morning in Boston--rightly, too, for my offense was yet too new, then.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Warner has tried to hold up our hands like the good fellow he is, but poor Twichell could not say a word, and confessed that he would rather take nearly any punishment than face Livy and me.
curiousadjectiveUS /ˈkjʊriəs/
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading It is curious, but I pitched early upon Mr. Norton as the very man who would think some generous thing about that matter, whether he said it or not.
DEARadjectiveUS /dɪr/
dearly loved
From this reading MY DEAR HOWELLS,--Your letter was a godsend; and perhaps the welcomest part of it was your consent that I write to those gentlemen; for you discouraged my hints in that direction that morning in Boston--rightly, too, for my offense was yet too new, then.
directionnounUS /dərˈekʃən/
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading MY DEAR HOWELLS,--Your letter was a godsend; and perhaps the welcomest part of it was your consent that I write to those gentlemen; for you discouraged my hints in that direction that morning in Boston--rightly, too, for my offense was yet too new, then.
discouragedadjectiveUS /dɪˈskɜːrədʒd/
made less hopeful or enthusiastic
From this reading MY DEAR HOWELLS,--Your letter was a godsend; and perhaps the welcomest part of it was your consent that I write to those gentlemen; for you discouraged my hints in that direction that morning in Boston--rightly, too, for my offense was yet too new, then.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading It is curious, but I pitched early upon Mr. Norton as the very man who would think some generous thing about that matter, whether he said it or not.
facenounUS /feɪs/
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Warner has tried to hold up our hands like the good fellow he is, but poor Twichell could not say a word, and confessed that he would rather take nearly any punishment than face Livy and me.
fellownounUS /ˈfeloʊ/
a boy or man
From this reading Warner has tried to hold up our hands like the good fellow he is, but poor Twichell could not say a word, and confessed that he would rather take nearly any punishment than face Livy and me.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading MY DEAR HOWELLS,--Your letter was a godsend; and perhaps the welcomest part of it was your consent that I write to those gentlemen; for you discouraged my hints in that direction that morning in Boston--rightly, too, for my offense was yet too new, then.
FridaynounUS /ˈfraɪdi/
the sixth day of the week; the fifth working day
From this reading HARTFORD, Friday, 1877.
generousadjectiveUS /ˈdʒenərəs/
willing to give and share unstintingly
From this reading It is curious, but I pitched early upon Mr. Norton as the very man who would think some generous thing about that matter, whether he said it or not.
gentlemennounUS /ˈdʒentəlmɪn/
plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement
From this reading MY DEAR HOWELLS,--Your letter was a godsend; and perhaps the welcomest part of it was your consent that I write to those gentlemen; for you discouraged my hints in that direction that morning in Boston--rightly, too, for my offense was yet too new, then.
godsendnounUS /ˈɡɑːdsend/
a sudden happening that brings good fortune (as a sudden opportunity to make money)
From this reading MY DEAR HOWELLS,--Your letter was a godsend; and perhaps the welcomest part of it was your consent that I write to those gentlemen; for you discouraged my hints in that direction that morning in Boston--rightly, too, for my offense was yet too new, then.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Warner has tried to hold up our hands like the good fellow he is, but poor Twichell could not say a word, and confessed that he would rather take nearly any punishment than face Livy and me.
handsnounUS /hændz/
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Warner has tried to hold up our hands like the good fellow he is, but poor Twichell could not say a word, and confessed that he would rather take nearly any punishment than face Livy and me.
HARTFORDnounUS /ˈhɑːrtfərd/
the state capital of Connecticut; located in central Connecticut on the Connecticut river; a center of the insurance business
From this reading HARTFORD, Friday, 1877.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Warner has tried to hold up our hands like the good fellow he is, but poor Twichell could not say a word, and confessed that he would rather take nearly any punishment than face Livy and me.
hasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He hasn't been here since.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Warner has tried to hold up our hands like the good fellow he is, but poor Twichell could not say a word, and confessed that he would rather take nearly any punishment than face Livy and me.
hereadverbUS /hiːr/
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading He hasn't been here since.
hintsnounUS /hɪnts/
plural of “hint” — an indirect suggestion
From this reading MY DEAR HOWELLS,--Your letter was a godsend; and perhaps the welcomest part of it was your consent that I write to those gentlemen; for you discouraged my hints in that direction that morning in Boston--rightly, too, for my offense was yet too new, then.
holdverbUS /hoʊld/
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Warner has tried to hold up our hands like the good fellow he is, but poor Twichell could not say a word, and confessed that he would rather take nearly any punishment than face Livy and me.
HOWELLSnounUS /ˈhaʊəlz/
United States writer and editor (1837-1920)
From this reading MY DEAR HOWELLS,--Your letter was a godsend; and perhaps the welcomest part of it was your consent that I write to those gentlemen; for you discouraged my hints in that direction that morning in Boston--rightly, too, for my offense was yet too new, then.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading MY DEAR HOWELLS,--Your letter was a godsend; and perhaps the welcomest part of it was your consent that I write to those gentlemen; for you discouraged my hints in that direction that morning in Boston--rightly, too, for my offense was yet too new, then.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading MY DEAR HOWELLS,--Your letter was a godsend; and perhaps the welcomest part of it was your consent that I write to those gentlemen; for you discouraged my hints in that direction that morning in Boston--rightly, too, for my offense was yet too new, then.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Warner has tried to hold up our hands like the good fellow he is, but poor Twichell could not say a word, and confessed that he would rather take nearly any punishment than face Livy and me.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading MY DEAR HOWELLS,--Your letter was a godsend; and perhaps the welcomest part of it was your consent that I write to those gentlemen; for you discouraged my hints in that direction that morning in Boston--rightly, too, for my offense was yet too new, then.
letternounUS /ˈletər/
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading MY DEAR HOWELLS,--Your letter was a godsend; and perhaps the welcomest part of it was your consent that I write to those gentlemen; for you discouraged my hints in that direction that morning in Boston--rightly, too, for my offense was yet too new, then.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Warner has tried to hold up our hands like the good fellow he is, but poor Twichell could not say a word, and confessed that he would rather take nearly any punishment than face Livy and me.
Livynoun
Roman historian whose history of Rome filled 142 volumes (of which only 35 survive) including the earliest history of the war with Hannibal (59 BC to AD 17)
From this reading Warner has tried to hold up our hands like the good fellow he is, but poor Twichell could not say a word, and confessed that he would rather take nearly any punishment than face Livy and me.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading It is curious, but I pitched early upon Mr. Norton as the very man who would think some generous thing about that matter, whether he said it or not.
matternounUS /ˈmætər/
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading It is curious, but I pitched early upon Mr. Norton as the very man who would think some generous thing about that matter, whether he said it or not.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Warner has tried to hold up our hands like the good fellow he is, but poor Twichell could not say a word, and confessed that he would rather take nearly any punishment than face Livy and me.
morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading MY DEAR HOWELLS,--Your letter was a godsend; and perhaps the welcomest part of it was your consent that I write to those gentlemen; for you discouraged my hints in that direction that morning in Boston--rightly, too, for my offense was yet too new, then.
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading It is curious, but I pitched early upon Mr. Norton as the very man who would think some generous thing about that matter, whether he said it or not.
MYdeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading MY DEAR HOWELLS,--Your letter was a godsend; and perhaps the welcomest part of it was your consent that I write to those gentlemen; for you discouraged my hints in that direction that morning in Boston--rightly, too, for my offense was yet too new, then.
nearlyadverbUS /ˈnɪrli/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Warner has tried to hold up our hands like the good fellow he is, but poor Twichell could not say a word, and confessed that he would rather take nearly any punishment than face Livy and me.
newadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading MY DEAR HOWELLS,--Your letter was a godsend; and perhaps the welcomest part of it was your consent that I write to those gentlemen; for you discouraged my hints in that direction that morning in Boston--rightly, too, for my offense was yet too new, then.
Norton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is curious, but I pitched early upon Mr. Norton as the very man who would think some generous thing about that matter, whether he said it or not.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Warner has tried to hold up our hands like the good fellow he is, but poor Twichell could not say a word, and confessed that he would rather take nearly any punishment than face Livy and me.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MY DEAR HOWELLS,--Your letter was a godsend; and perhaps the welcomest part of it was your consent that I write to those gentlemen; for you discouraged my hints in that direction that morning in Boston--rightly, too, for my offense was yet too new, then.
offensenounUS /əˈfens/
a lack of politeness; a failure to show regard for others; wounding the feelings or others
From this reading MY DEAR HOWELLS,--Your letter was a godsend; and perhaps the welcomest part of it was your consent that I write to those gentlemen; for you discouraged my hints in that direction that morning in Boston--rightly, too, for my offense was yet too new, then.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It is curious, but I pitched early upon Mr. Norton as the very man who would think some generous thing about that matter, whether he said it or not.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Warner has tried to hold up our hands like the good fellow he is, but poor Twichell could not say a word, and confessed that he would rather take nearly any punishment than face Livy and me.
partnounUS /pɑːrt/
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading MY DEAR HOWELLS,--Your letter was a godsend; and perhaps the welcomest part of it was your consent that I write to those gentlemen; for you discouraged my hints in that direction that morning in Boston--rightly, too, for my offense was yet too new, then.
perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/
by chance
From this reading MY DEAR HOWELLS,--Your letter was a godsend; and perhaps the welcomest part of it was your consent that I write to those gentlemen; for you discouraged my hints in that direction that morning in Boston--rightly, too, for my offense was yet too new, then.
pitchedadjectiveUS /pɪtʃt/
(of sound) set to a certain pitch or key; usually used as a combining form
From this reading It is curious, but I pitched early upon Mr. Norton as the very man who would think some generous thing about that matter, whether he said it or not.
pooradjectiveUS /puːr/
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading Warner has tried to hold up our hands like the good fellow he is, but poor Twichell could not say a word, and confessed that he would rather take nearly any punishment than face Livy and me.
punishmentnounUS /ˈpʌnɪʃmənt/
the act of punishing
From this reading Warner has tried to hold up our hands like the good fellow he is, but poor Twichell could not say a word, and confessed that he would rather take nearly any punishment than face Livy and me.
ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/
on the contrary
From this reading Warner has tried to hold up our hands like the good fellow he is, but poor Twichell could not say a word, and confessed that he would rather take nearly any punishment than face Livy and me.
rightlyadverbUS /ˈraɪtli/
with honesty
From this reading MY DEAR HOWELLS,--Your letter was a godsend; and perhaps the welcomest part of it was your consent that I write to those gentlemen; for you discouraged my hints in that direction that morning in Boston--rightly, too, for my offense was yet too new, then.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading It is curious, but I pitched early upon Mr. Norton as the very man who would think some generous thing about that matter, whether he said it or not.
sayverbUS /seɪ/
express in words
From this reading Warner has tried to hold up our hands like the good fellow he is, but poor Twichell could not say a word, and confessed that he would rather take nearly any punishment than face Livy and me.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading He hasn't been here since.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading It is curious, but I pitched early upon Mr. Norton as the very man who would think some generous thing about that matter, whether he said it or not.
takeverbUS /teɪk/
carry out
From this reading Warner has tried to hold up our hands like the good fellow he is, but poor Twichell could not say a word, and confessed that he would rather take nearly any punishment than face Livy and me.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Warner has tried to hold up our hands like the good fellow he is, but poor Twichell could not say a word, and confessed that he would rather take nearly any punishment than face Livy and me.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading MY DEAR HOWELLS,--Your letter was a godsend; and perhaps the welcomest part of it was your consent that I write to those gentlemen; for you discouraged my hints in that direction that morning in Boston--rightly, too, for my offense was yet too new, then.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MY DEAR HOWELLS,--Your letter was a godsend; and perhaps the welcomest part of it was your consent that I write to those gentlemen; for you discouraged my hints in that direction that morning in Boston--rightly, too, for my offense was yet too new, then.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading MY DEAR HOWELLS,--Your letter was a godsend; and perhaps the welcomest part of it was your consent that I write to those gentlemen; for you discouraged my hints in that direction that morning in Boston--rightly, too, for my offense was yet too new, then.
thingnounUS /θɪŋ/
a special situation
From this reading It is curious, but I pitched early upon Mr. Norton as the very man who would think some generous thing about that matter, whether he said it or not.
thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading It is curious, but I pitched early upon Mr. Norton as the very man who would think some generous thing about that matter, whether he said it or not.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading MY DEAR HOWELLS,--Your letter was a godsend; and perhaps the welcomest part of it was your consent that I write to those gentlemen; for you discouraged my hints in that direction that morning in Boston--rightly, too, for my offense was yet too new, then.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading MY DEAR HOWELLS,--Your letter was a godsend; and perhaps the welcomest part of it was your consent that I write to those gentlemen; for you discouraged my hints in that direction that morning in Boston--rightly, too, for my offense was yet too new, then.
tooadverbUS /tuː/
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading MY DEAR HOWELLS,--Your letter was a godsend; and perhaps the welcomest part of it was your consent that I write to those gentlemen; for you discouraged my hints in that direction that morning in Boston--rightly, too, for my offense was yet too new, then.
triedadjectiveUS /traɪd/
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading Warner has tried to hold up our hands like the good fellow he is, but poor Twichell could not say a word, and confessed that he would rather take nearly any punishment than face Livy and me.
Twichell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Warner has tried to hold up our hands like the good fellow he is, but poor Twichell could not say a word, and confessed that he would rather take nearly any punishment than face Livy and me.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Warner has tried to hold up our hands like the good fellow he is, but poor Twichell could not say a word, and confessed that he would rather take nearly any punishment than face Livy and me.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It is curious, but I pitched early upon Mr. Norton as the very man who would think some generous thing about that matter, whether he said it or not.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading It is curious, but I pitched early upon Mr. Norton as the very man who would think some generous thing about that matter, whether he said it or not.
WarnernounUS /ˈwɔːrnər/
United States filmmaker who with his brothers founded the movie studio that produced the first talking picture (1881-1958)
From this reading Warner has tried to hold up our hands like the good fellow he is, but poor Twichell could not say a word, and confessed that he would rather take nearly any punishment than face Livy and me.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading MY DEAR HOWELLS,--Your letter was a godsend; and perhaps the welcomest part of it was your consent that I write to those gentlemen; for you discouraged my hints in that direction that morning in Boston--rightly, too, for my offense was yet too new, then.
welcomest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY DEAR HOWELLS,--Your letter was a godsend; and perhaps the welcomest part of it was your consent that I write to those gentlemen; for you discouraged my hints in that direction that morning in Boston--rightly, too, for my offense was yet too new, then.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading It is curious, but I pitched early upon Mr. Norton as the very man who would think some generous thing about that matter, whether he said it or not.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading It is curious, but I pitched early upon Mr. Norton as the very man who would think some generous thing about that matter, whether he said it or not.
wordnounUS /wɜːrd/
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Warner has tried to hold up our hands like the good fellow he is, but poor Twichell could not say a word, and confessed that he would rather take nearly any punishment than face Livy and me.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Warner has tried to hold up our hands like the good fellow he is, but poor Twichell could not say a word, and confessed that he would rather take nearly any punishment than face Livy and me.
writeverbUS /raɪt/
produce a literary work
From this reading MY DEAR HOWELLS,--Your letter was a godsend; and perhaps the welcomest part of it was your consent that I write to those gentlemen; for you discouraged my hints in that direction that morning in Boston--rightly, too, for my offense was yet too new, then.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading MY DEAR HOWELLS,--Your letter was a godsend; and perhaps the welcomest part of it was your consent that I write to those gentlemen; for you discouraged my hints in that direction that morning in Boston--rightly, too, for my offense was yet too new, then.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading MY DEAR HOWELLS,--Your letter was a godsend; and perhaps the welcomest part of it was your consent that I write to those gentlemen; for you discouraged my hints in that direction that morning in Boston--rightly, too, for my offense was yet too new, then.
YourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading MY DEAR HOWELLS,--Your letter was a godsend; and perhaps the welcomest part of it was your consent that I write to those gentlemen; for you discouraged my hints in that direction that morning in Boston--rightly, too, for my offense was yet too new, then.
