used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He gave up his chances of distinction in that quarter, rather than be indebted to a villain, as he considered his cousin to be, for his success in life.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was an exaggeration of virtuous indignation, perhaps, but it was like Sidney Hinchford.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He gave up his chances of distinction in that quarter, rather than be indebted to a villain, as he considered his cousin to be, for his success in life.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading He returned not to service in his uncle's bank.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He gave up his chances of distinction in that quarter, rather than be indebted to a villain, as he considered his cousin to be, for his success in life.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was an exaggeration of virtuous indignation, perhaps, but it was like Sidney Hinchford.
plural of “chance” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading He gave up his chances of distinction in that quarter, rather than be indebted to a villain, as he considered his cousin to be, for his success in life.
CONFESSIONnounUS /kənˈfeʃən/
an admission of misdeeds or faults
From this reading MATTIE'S CONFESSION.
carefully weighed
From this reading He gave up his chances of distinction in that quarter, rather than be indebted to a villain, as he considered his cousin to be, for his success in life.
the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading He gave up his chances of distinction in that quarter, rather than be indebted to a villain, as he considered his cousin to be, for his success in life.
distinctionnounUS /dɪˈstɪŋkʃən/
a discrimination between things as different and distinct on the basis of their characteristics or attributes
From this reading He gave up his chances of distinction in that quarter, rather than be indebted to a villain, as he considered his cousin to be, for his success in life.
exaggerationnounUS /ɪɡˌzædʒərˈeɪʃən/
extravagant exaggeration
From this reading It was an exaggeration of virtuous indignation, perhaps, but it was like Sidney Hinchford.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He gave up his chances of distinction in that quarter, rather than be indebted to a villain, as he considered his cousin to be, for his success in life.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading He gave up his chances of distinction in that quarter, rather than be indebted to a villain, as he considered his cousin to be, for his success in life.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He returned not to service in his uncle's bank.
Hinchford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sidney Hinchford kept his word.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Sidney Hinchford kept his word.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He returned not to service in his uncle's bank.
indebtedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdetɪd/
owing gratitude or recognition to another for help or favors etc
From this reading He gave up his chances of distinction in that quarter, rather than be indebted to a villain, as he considered his cousin to be, for his success in life.
a feeling of righteous anger
From this reading It was an exaggeration of virtuous indignation, perhaps, but it was like Sidney Hinchford.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was an exaggeration of virtuous indignation, perhaps, but it was like Sidney Hinchford.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Sidney Hinchford kept his word.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading He gave up his chances of distinction in that quarter, rather than be indebted to a villain, as he considered his cousin to be, for his success in life.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It was an exaggeration of virtuous indignation, perhaps, but it was like Sidney Hinchford.
MATTIE'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MATTIE'S CONFESSION.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He returned not to service in his uncle's bank.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He gave up his chances of distinction in that quarter, rather than be indebted to a villain, as he considered his cousin to be, for his success in life.
by chance
From this reading It was an exaggeration of virtuous indignation, perhaps, but it was like Sidney Hinchford.
one of four equal parts
From this reading He gave up his chances of distinction in that quarter, rather than be indebted to a villain, as he considered his cousin to be, for his success in life.
on the contrary
From this reading He gave up his chances of distinction in that quarter, rather than be indebted to a villain, as he considered his cousin to be, for his success in life.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading He returned not to service in his uncle's bank.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading He returned not to service in his uncle's bank.
SidneynounUS /ˈsɪdni/
English poet (1554-1586)
From this reading Sidney Hinchford kept his word.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading He gave up his chances of distinction in that quarter, rather than be indebted to a villain, as he considered his cousin to be, for his success in life.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He gave up his chances of distinction in that quarter, rather than be indebted to a villain, as he considered his cousin to be, for his success in life.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He gave up his chances of distinction in that quarter, rather than be indebted to a villain, as he considered his cousin to be, for his success in life.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He returned not to service in his uncle's bank.
uncle'snounUS /ˈʌŋkəlz/
possessive form of “uncle” — the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading He returned not to service in his uncle's bank.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He gave up his chances of distinction in that quarter, rather than be indebted to a villain, as he considered his cousin to be, for his success in life.
villainnounUS /ˈvɪlən/
a wicked or evil person; someone who does evil deliberately
From this reading He gave up his chances of distinction in that quarter, rather than be indebted to a villain, as he considered his cousin to be, for his success in life.
virtuousadjectiveUS /ˈvɜːrtʃuːəs/
morally excellent
From this reading It was an exaggeration of virtuous indignation, perhaps, but it was like Sidney Hinchford.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was an exaggeration of virtuous indignation, perhaps, but it was like Sidney Hinchford.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Sidney Hinchford kept his word.
