used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading About this time Matt noticed a curious change come over her artist friend.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading About this time Matt noticed a curious change come over her artist friend.
matters of personal concern
From this reading Often when she appeared and began chatting to him about affairs in which she thought he might take some interest, she had the mortification not merely of eliciting no reply, but of finding that he had not heard a word of her conversation.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was more thoughtful, and consequently less entertaining.
annoyancenounUS /əˈnɔɪəns/
the psychological state of being irritated or annoyed
From this reading Now this style of proceeding would certainly have caused her some annoyance, but for one compensating fact, which put the balance entirely on the other side.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Often when she appeared and began chatting to him about affairs in which she thought he might take some interest, she had the mortification not merely of eliciting no reply, but of finding that he had not heard a word of her conversation.
a person whose creative work shows sensitivity and imagination
From this reading About this time Matt noticed a curious change come over her artist friend.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was evident that, despite the change, Brinkley’s interest in Matt was not lessening, nay, it rather seemed to be on the increase, and this fact Matt, very woman as she was, was quick to perceive.
balanceverbUS /ˈbæləns/
bring into balance or equilibrium
From this reading Now this style of proceeding would certainly have caused her some annoyance, but for one compensating fact, which put the balance entirely on the other side.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was evident that, despite the change, Brinkley’s interest in Matt was not lessening, nay, it rather seemed to be on the increase, and this fact Matt, very woman as she was, was quick to perceive.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Often when she appeared and began chatting to him about affairs in which she thought he might take some interest, she had the mortification not merely of eliciting no reply, but of finding that he had not heard a word of her conversation.
Brinkley's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was evident that, despite the change, Brinkley’s interest in Matt was not lessening, nay, it rather seemed to be on the increase, and this fact Matt, very woman as she was, was quick to perceive.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Often when she appeared and began chatting to him about affairs in which she thought he might take some interest, she had the mortification not merely of eliciting no reply, but of finding that he had not heard a word of her conversation.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading Now this style of proceeding would certainly have caused her some annoyance, but for one compensating fact, which put the balance entirely on the other side.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Now this style of proceeding would certainly have caused her some annoyance, but for one compensating fact, which put the balance entirely on the other side.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading About this time Matt noticed a curious change come over her artist friend.
chattingverbUS /ˈtʃætɪŋ/
inflected form of “chat” — talk socially without exchanging too much information
From this reading Often when she appeared and began chatting to him about affairs in which she thought he might take some interest, she had the mortification not merely of eliciting no reply, but of finding that he had not heard a word of her conversation.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading About this time Matt noticed a curious change come over her artist friend.
compensatingverbUS /ˈkɑːmpənseɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “compensate” — adjust for
From this reading Now this style of proceeding would certainly have caused her some annoyance, but for one compensating fact, which put the balance entirely on the other side.
consequentlyadverbUS /ˈkɑːnsəkwəntli/
(sentence connectors) because of the reason given
From this reading He was more thoughtful, and consequently less entertaining.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Often when she appeared and began chatting to him about affairs in which she thought he might take some interest, she had the mortification not merely of eliciting no reply, but of finding that he had not heard a word of her conversation.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading About this time Matt noticed a curious change come over her artist friend.
although something is true; in spite of
From this reading It was evident that, despite the change, Brinkley’s interest in Matt was not lessening, nay, it rather seemed to be on the increase, and this fact Matt, very woman as she was, was quick to perceive.
elicitingverbUS /ɪˈlɪsətɪŋ/
-ing form of “elicit” — call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
From this reading Often when she appeared and began chatting to him about affairs in which she thought he might take some interest, she had the mortification not merely of eliciting no reply, but of finding that he had not heard a word of her conversation.
entertainingadjectiveUS /ˌentərˈteɪnɪŋ/
agreeably diverting
From this reading He was more thoughtful, and consequently less entertaining.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Now this style of proceeding would certainly have caused her some annoyance, but for one compensating fact, which put the balance entirely on the other side.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading It was evident that, despite the change, Brinkley’s interest in Matt was not lessening, nay, it rather seemed to be on the increase, and this fact Matt, very woman as she was, was quick to perceive.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading Now this style of proceeding would certainly have caused her some annoyance, but for one compensating fact, which put the balance entirely on the other side.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading Often when she appeared and began chatting to him about affairs in which she thought he might take some interest, she had the mortification not merely of eliciting no reply, but of finding that he had not heard a word of her conversation.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Now this style of proceeding would certainly have caused her some annoyance, but for one compensating fact, which put the balance entirely on the other side.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading About this time Matt noticed a curious change come over her artist friend.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Often when she appeared and began chatting to him about affairs in which she thought he might take some interest, she had the mortification not merely of eliciting no reply, but of finding that he had not heard a word of her conversation.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Now this style of proceeding would certainly have caused her some annoyance, but for one compensating fact, which put the balance entirely on the other side.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was more thoughtful, and consequently less entertaining.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Often when she appeared and began chatting to him about affairs in which she thought he might take some interest, she had the mortification not merely of eliciting no reply, but of finding that he had not heard a word of her conversation.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading About this time Matt noticed a curious change come over her artist friend.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Often when she appeared and began chatting to him about affairs in which she thought he might take some interest, she had the mortification not merely of eliciting no reply, but of finding that he had not heard a word of her conversation.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Often when she appeared and began chatting to him about affairs in which she thought he might take some interest, she had the mortification not merely of eliciting no reply, but of finding that he had not heard a word of her conversation.
increasenounUS /ˌɪnˈkriːs/
a quantity that is added
From this reading It was evident that, despite the change, Brinkley’s interest in Matt was not lessening, nay, it rather seemed to be on the increase, and this fact Matt, very woman as she was, was quick to perceive.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading Often when she appeared and began chatting to him about affairs in which she thought he might take some interest, she had the mortification not merely of eliciting no reply, but of finding that he had not heard a word of her conversation.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was evident that, despite the change, Brinkley’s interest in Matt was not lessening, nay, it rather seemed to be on the increase, and this fact Matt, very woman as she was, was quick to perceive.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading He was more thoughtful, and consequently less entertaining.
lesseningnounUS /ˈlesənɪŋ/
a change downward
From this reading It was evident that, despite the change, Brinkley’s interest in Matt was not lessening, nay, it rather seemed to be on the increase, and this fact Matt, very woman as she was, was quick to perceive.
MattnounUS /mæt/
the property of having little or no contrast; lacking highlights or gloss
From this reading About this time Matt noticed a curious change come over her artist friend.
and nothing more
From this reading Often when she appeared and began chatting to him about affairs in which she thought he might take some interest, she had the mortification not merely of eliciting no reply, but of finding that he had not heard a word of her conversation.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Often when she appeared and began chatting to him about affairs in which she thought he might take some interest, she had the mortification not merely of eliciting no reply, but of finding that he had not heard a word of her conversation.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He was more thoughtful, and consequently less entertaining.
mortificationnounUS /ˈmɔːrtəfkeɪʃən/
strong feelings of embarrassment
From this reading Often when she appeared and began chatting to him about affairs in which she thought he might take some interest, she had the mortification not merely of eliciting no reply, but of finding that he had not heard a word of her conversation.
an old word for “no”
From this reading It was evident that, despite the change, Brinkley’s interest in Matt was not lessening, nay, it rather seemed to be on the increase, and this fact Matt, very woman as she was, was quick to perceive.
not any; not one
From this reading Often when she appeared and began chatting to him about affairs in which she thought he might take some interest, she had the mortification not merely of eliciting no reply, but of finding that he had not heard a word of her conversation.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Often when she appeared and began chatting to him about affairs in which she thought he might take some interest, she had the mortification not merely of eliciting no reply, but of finding that he had not heard a word of her conversation.
being perceived or observed
From this reading About this time Matt noticed a curious change come over her artist friend.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now this style of proceeding would certainly have caused her some annoyance, but for one compensating fact, which put the balance entirely on the other side.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Often when she appeared and began chatting to him about affairs in which she thought he might take some interest, she had the mortification not merely of eliciting no reply, but of finding that he had not heard a word of her conversation.
many times at short intervals
From this reading Often when she appeared and began chatting to him about affairs in which she thought he might take some interest, she had the mortification not merely of eliciting no reply, but of finding that he had not heard a word of her conversation.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Now this style of proceeding would certainly have caused her some annoyance, but for one compensating fact, which put the balance entirely on the other side.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Now this style of proceeding would certainly have caused her some annoyance, but for one compensating fact, which put the balance entirely on the other side.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Now this style of proceeding would certainly have caused her some annoyance, but for one compensating fact, which put the balance entirely on the other side.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading About this time Matt noticed a curious change come over her artist friend.
perceiveverbUS /pərˈsiːv/
to become aware of through the senses
From this reading It was evident that, despite the change, Brinkley’s interest in Matt was not lessening, nay, it rather seemed to be on the increase, and this fact Matt, very woman as she was, was quick to perceive.
proceedingnounUS /prəˈsiːdɪŋ/
(law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked
From this reading Now this style of proceeding would certainly have caused her some annoyance, but for one compensating fact, which put the balance entirely on the other side.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Now this style of proceeding would certainly have caused her some annoyance, but for one compensating fact, which put the balance entirely on the other side.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading It was evident that, despite the change, Brinkley’s interest in Matt was not lessening, nay, it rather seemed to be on the increase, and this fact Matt, very woman as she was, was quick to perceive.
on the contrary
From this reading It was evident that, despite the change, Brinkley’s interest in Matt was not lessening, nay, it rather seemed to be on the increase, and this fact Matt, very woman as she was, was quick to perceive.
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading Often when she appeared and began chatting to him about affairs in which she thought he might take some interest, she had the mortification not merely of eliciting no reply, but of finding that he had not heard a word of her conversation.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It was evident that, despite the change, Brinkley’s interest in Matt was not lessening, nay, it rather seemed to be on the increase, and this fact Matt, very woman as she was, was quick to perceive.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Often when she appeared and began chatting to him about affairs in which she thought he might take some interest, she had the mortification not merely of eliciting no reply, but of finding that he had not heard a word of her conversation.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Now this style of proceeding would certainly have caused her some annoyance, but for one compensating fact, which put the balance entirely on the other side.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Often when she appeared and began chatting to him about affairs in which she thought he might take some interest, she had the mortification not merely of eliciting no reply, but of finding that he had not heard a word of her conversation.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Now this style of proceeding would certainly have caused her some annoyance, but for one compensating fact, which put the balance entirely on the other side.
carry out
From this reading Often when she appeared and began chatting to him about affairs in which she thought he might take some interest, she had the mortification not merely of eliciting no reply, but of finding that he had not heard a word of her conversation.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Often when she appeared and began chatting to him about affairs in which she thought he might take some interest, she had the mortification not merely of eliciting no reply, but of finding that he had not heard a word of her conversation.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Often when she appeared and began chatting to him about affairs in which she thought he might take some interest, she had the mortification not merely of eliciting no reply, but of finding that he had not heard a word of her conversation.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading About this time Matt noticed a curious change come over her artist friend.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Often when she appeared and began chatting to him about affairs in which she thought he might take some interest, she had the mortification not merely of eliciting no reply, but of finding that he had not heard a word of her conversation.
thoughtfuladjectiveUS /ˈθɔːtfəl/
having intellectual depth
From this reading He was more thoughtful, and consequently less entertaining.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading About this time Matt noticed a curious change come over her artist friend.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Often when she appeared and began chatting to him about affairs in which she thought he might take some interest, she had the mortification not merely of eliciting no reply, but of finding that he had not heard a word of her conversation.
precisely as stated
From this reading It was evident that, despite the change, Brinkley’s interest in Matt was not lessening, nay, it rather seemed to be on the increase, and this fact Matt, very woman as she was, was quick to perceive.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was more thoughtful, and consequently less entertaining.
at the time that
From this reading Often when she appeared and began chatting to him about affairs in which she thought he might take some interest, she had the mortification not merely of eliciting no reply, but of finding that he had not heard a word of her conversation.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Often when she appeared and began chatting to him about affairs in which she thought he might take some interest, she had the mortification not merely of eliciting no reply, but of finding that he had not heard a word of her conversation.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading It was evident that, despite the change, Brinkley’s interest in Matt was not lessening, nay, it rather seemed to be on the increase, and this fact Matt, very woman as she was, was quick to perceive.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Often when she appeared and began chatting to him about affairs in which she thought he might take some interest, she had the mortification not merely of eliciting no reply, but of finding that he had not heard a word of her conversation.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Now this style of proceeding would certainly have caused her some annoyance, but for one compensating fact, which put the balance entirely on the other side.
