used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I was by this time on the threshold, as it were, of my destination, for only a short seven miles lay ’twixt me and Fairfax’s headquarters, but seven miles to a weary man is no light thing to venture on, and the packet which lay in my doublet was of a strict importance.
advisabilitynounUS /ˌædvaɪzəˈbɪlɪti/
the quality of being advisable
From this reading However, fate being plainly against me, I ceased to fight with it, and resolved to rest for awhile, leaning against a beech tree that was damp and black with the November mists, debating in my mind as to the advisability of doing this or that.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading However, fate being plainly against me, I ceased to fight with it, and resolved to rest for awhile, leaning against a beech tree that was damp and black with the November mists, debating in my mind as to the advisability of doing this or that.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Of my Second Meeting with Anthony Dacre, and its Results--and of my Serious Quandary as to which of two Duties must first be performed.
AnthonynounUS /ˈænθəni/
Roman general under Julius Caesar in the Gallic wars; repudiated his wife for the Egyptian queen Cleopatra; they were defeated by Octavian at Actium (83-30 BC)
From this reading Of my Second Meeting with Anthony Dacre, and its Results--and of my Serious Quandary as to which of two Duties must first be performed.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Of my Second Meeting with Anthony Dacre, and its Results--and of my Serious Quandary as to which of two Duties must first be performed.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “Faith!” says I to myself at last.
awhileadverbUS /əˈwaɪl/
for a short time
From this reading However, fate being plainly against me, I ceased to fight with it, and resolved to rest for awhile, leaning against a beech tree that was damp and black with the November mists, debating in my mind as to the advisability of doing this or that.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Of my Second Meeting with Anthony Dacre, and its Results--and of my Serious Quandary as to which of two Duties must first be performed.
beechnounUS /biːtʃ/
any of several large deciduous trees with rounded spreading crowns and smooth grey bark and small sweet edible triangular nuts enclosed in burs; north temperate regions
From this reading However, fate being plainly against me, I ceased to fight with it, and resolved to rest for awhile, leaning against a beech tree that was damp and black with the November mists, debating in my mind as to the advisability of doing this or that.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading However, fate being plainly against me, I ceased to fight with it, and resolved to rest for awhile, leaning against a beech tree that was damp and black with the November mists, debating in my mind as to the advisability of doing this or that.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading However, fate being plainly against me, I ceased to fight with it, and resolved to rest for awhile, leaning against a beech tree that was damp and black with the November mists, debating in my mind as to the advisability of doing this or that.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I was by this time on the threshold, as it were, of my destination, for only a short seven miles lay ’twixt me and Fairfax’s headquarters, but seven miles to a weary man is no light thing to venture on, and the packet which lay in my doublet was of a strict importance.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I was by this time on the threshold, as it were, of my destination, for only a short seven miles lay ’twixt me and Fairfax’s headquarters, but seven miles to a weary man is no light thing to venture on, and the packet which lay in my doublet was of a strict importance.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading However, fate being plainly against me, I ceased to fight with it, and resolved to rest for awhile, leaning against a beech tree that was damp and black with the November mists, debating in my mind as to the advisability of doing this or that.
Dacre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of my Second Meeting with Anthony Dacre, and its Results--and of my Serious Quandary as to which of two Duties must first be performed.
dampadjectiveUS /dæmp/
slightly wet
From this reading However, fate being plainly against me, I ceased to fight with it, and resolved to rest for awhile, leaning against a beech tree that was damp and black with the November mists, debating in my mind as to the advisability of doing this or that.
debatingverbUS /dəˈbeɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “debate” — argue with one another
From this reading However, fate being plainly against me, I ceased to fight with it, and resolved to rest for awhile, leaning against a beech tree that was damp and black with the November mists, debating in my mind as to the advisability of doing this or that.
destinationnounUS /ˌdestəˈneɪʃən/
the place designated as the end (as of a race or journey)
From this reading I was by this time on the threshold, as it were, of my destination, for only a short seven miles lay ’twixt me and Fairfax’s headquarters, but seven miles to a weary man is no light thing to venture on, and the packet which lay in my doublet was of a strict importance.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading However, fate being plainly against me, I ceased to fight with it, and resolved to rest for awhile, leaning against a beech tree that was damp and black with the November mists, debating in my mind as to the advisability of doing this or that.
doubletnoun
a man's close-fitting jacket; worn during the Renaissance
From this reading I was by this time on the threshold, as it were, of my destination, for only a short seven miles lay ’twixt me and Fairfax’s headquarters, but seven miles to a weary man is no light thing to venture on, and the packet which lay in my doublet was of a strict importance.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading Of my Second Meeting with Anthony Dacre, and its Results--and of my Serious Quandary as to which of two Duties must first be performed.
Fairfax's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was by this time on the threshold, as it were, of my destination, for only a short seven miles lay ’twixt me and Fairfax’s headquarters, but seven miles to a weary man is no light thing to venture on, and the packet which lay in my doublet was of a strict importance.
a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
From this reading “Faith!” says I to myself at last.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading However, fate being plainly against me, I ceased to fight with it, and resolved to rest for awhile, leaning against a beech tree that was damp and black with the November mists, debating in my mind as to the advisability of doing this or that.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading However, fate being plainly against me, I ceased to fight with it, and resolved to rest for awhile, leaning against a beech tree that was damp and black with the November mists, debating in my mind as to the advisability of doing this or that.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Of my Second Meeting with Anthony Dacre, and its Results--and of my Serious Quandary as to which of two Duties must first be performed.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I was by this time on the threshold, as it were, of my destination, for only a short seven miles lay ’twixt me and Fairfax’s headquarters, but seven miles to a weary man is no light thing to venture on, and the packet which lay in my doublet was of a strict importance.
headquartersnounUS /ˈhedkwɔːrtərz/
(usually plural) the office that serves as the administrative center of an enterprise
From this reading I was by this time on the threshold, as it were, of my destination, for only a short seven miles lay ’twixt me and Fairfax’s headquarters, but seven miles to a weary man is no light thing to venture on, and the packet which lay in my doublet was of a strict importance.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading However, fate being plainly against me, I ceased to fight with it, and resolved to rest for awhile, leaning against a beech tree that was damp and black with the November mists, debating in my mind as to the advisability of doing this or that.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I.
the quality of being important and worthy of note
From this reading I was by this time on the threshold, as it were, of my destination, for only a short seven miles lay ’twixt me and Fairfax’s headquarters, but seven miles to a weary man is no light thing to venture on, and the packet which lay in my doublet was of a strict importance.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I was by this time on the threshold, as it were, of my destination, for only a short seven miles lay ’twixt me and Fairfax’s headquarters, but seven miles to a weary man is no light thing to venture on, and the packet which lay in my doublet was of a strict importance.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I was by this time on the threshold, as it were, of my destination, for only a short seven miles lay ’twixt me and Fairfax’s headquarters, but seven miles to a weary man is no light thing to venture on, and the packet which lay in my doublet was of a strict importance.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I was by this time on the threshold, as it were, of my destination, for only a short seven miles lay ’twixt me and Fairfax’s headquarters, but seven miles to a weary man is no light thing to venture on, and the packet which lay in my doublet was of a strict importance.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Of my Second Meeting with Anthony Dacre, and its Results--and of my Serious Quandary as to which of two Duties must first be performed.
immediately past
From this reading “Faith!” says I to myself at last.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading I was by this time on the threshold, as it were, of my destination, for only a short seven miles lay ’twixt me and Fairfax’s headquarters, but seven miles to a weary man is no light thing to venture on, and the packet which lay in my doublet was of a strict importance.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading However, fate being plainly against me, I ceased to fight with it, and resolved to rest for awhile, leaning against a beech tree that was damp and black with the November mists, debating in my mind as to the advisability of doing this or that.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading I was by this time on the threshold, as it were, of my destination, for only a short seven miles lay ’twixt me and Fairfax’s headquarters, but seven miles to a weary man is no light thing to venture on, and the packet which lay in my doublet was of a strict importance.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading I was by this time on the threshold, as it were, of my destination, for only a short seven miles lay ’twixt me and Fairfax’s headquarters, but seven miles to a weary man is no light thing to venture on, and the packet which lay in my doublet was of a strict importance.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I was by this time on the threshold, as it were, of my destination, for only a short seven miles lay ’twixt me and Fairfax’s headquarters, but seven miles to a weary man is no light thing to venture on, and the packet which lay in my doublet was of a strict importance.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading Of my Second Meeting with Anthony Dacre, and its Results--and of my Serious Quandary as to which of two Duties must first be performed.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading I was by this time on the threshold, as it were, of my destination, for only a short seven miles lay ’twixt me and Fairfax’s headquarters, but seven miles to a weary man is no light thing to venture on, and the packet which lay in my doublet was of a strict importance.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading However, fate being plainly against me, I ceased to fight with it, and resolved to rest for awhile, leaning against a beech tree that was damp and black with the November mists, debating in my mind as to the advisability of doing this or that.
mistsnounUS /mɪsts/
plural of “mist” — a thin fog with condensation near the ground
From this reading However, fate being plainly against me, I ceased to fight with it, and resolved to rest for awhile, leaning against a beech tree that was damp and black with the November mists, debating in my mind as to the advisability of doing this or that.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Of my Second Meeting with Anthony Dacre, and its Results--and of my Serious Quandary as to which of two Duties must first be performed.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Of my Second Meeting with Anthony Dacre, and its Results--and of my Serious Quandary as to which of two Duties must first be performed.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading “Faith!” says I to myself at last.
not any; not one
From this reading I was by this time on the threshold, as it were, of my destination, for only a short seven miles lay ’twixt me and Fairfax’s headquarters, but seven miles to a weary man is no light thing to venture on, and the packet which lay in my doublet was of a strict importance.
NovembernounUS /noʊˈvembər/
the month following October and preceding December
From this reading However, fate being plainly against me, I ceased to fight with it, and resolved to rest for awhile, leaning against a beech tree that was damp and black with the November mists, debating in my mind as to the advisability of doing this or that.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Of my Second Meeting with Anthony Dacre, and its Results--and of my Serious Quandary as to which of two Duties must first be performed.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I was by this time on the threshold, as it were, of my destination, for only a short seven miles lay ’twixt me and Fairfax’s headquarters, but seven miles to a weary man is no light thing to venture on, and the packet which lay in my doublet was of a strict importance.
and nothing more
From this reading I was by this time on the threshold, as it were, of my destination, for only a short seven miles lay ’twixt me and Fairfax’s headquarters, but seven miles to a weary man is no light thing to venture on, and the packet which lay in my doublet was of a strict importance.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading However, fate being plainly against me, I ceased to fight with it, and resolved to rest for awhile, leaning against a beech tree that was damp and black with the November mists, debating in my mind as to the advisability of doing this or that.
packetnounUS /ˈpækət/
a collection of things wrapped or boxed together
From this reading I was by this time on the threshold, as it were, of my destination, for only a short seven miles lay ’twixt me and Fairfax’s headquarters, but seven miles to a weary man is no light thing to venture on, and the packet which lay in my doublet was of a strict importance.
performedverbUS /pərˈfɔːrmd/
past form of “perform” — carry out or perform an action
From this reading Of my Second Meeting with Anthony Dacre, and its Results--and of my Serious Quandary as to which of two Duties must first be performed.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading However, fate being plainly against me, I ceased to fight with it, and resolved to rest for awhile, leaning against a beech tree that was damp and black with the November mists, debating in my mind as to the advisability of doing this or that.
QuandarynounUS /ˈkwɑːndəri/
a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one
From this reading Of my Second Meeting with Anthony Dacre, and its Results--and of my Serious Quandary as to which of two Duties must first be performed.
determined
From this reading However, fate being plainly against me, I ceased to fight with it, and resolved to rest for awhile, leaning against a beech tree that was damp and black with the November mists, debating in my mind as to the advisability of doing this or that.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading However, fate being plainly against me, I ceased to fight with it, and resolved to rest for awhile, leaning against a beech tree that was damp and black with the November mists, debating in my mind as to the advisability of doing this or that.
ResultsnounUS /rɪˈzʌlts/
plural of “result” — a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading Of my Second Meeting with Anthony Dacre, and its Results--and of my Serious Quandary as to which of two Duties must first be performed.
plural of “say” — the chance to speak
From this reading “Faith!” says I to myself at last.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading Of my Second Meeting with Anthony Dacre, and its Results--and of my Serious Quandary as to which of two Duties must first be performed.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading Of my Second Meeting with Anthony Dacre, and its Results--and of my Serious Quandary as to which of two Duties must first be performed.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading I was by this time on the threshold, as it were, of my destination, for only a short seven miles lay ’twixt me and Fairfax’s headquarters, but seven miles to a weary man is no light thing to venture on, and the packet which lay in my doublet was of a strict importance.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading I was by this time on the threshold, as it were, of my destination, for only a short seven miles lay ’twixt me and Fairfax’s headquarters, but seven miles to a weary man is no light thing to venture on, and the packet which lay in my doublet was of a strict importance.
strictadjectiveUS /strɪkt/
rigidly accurate; allowing no deviation from a standard
From this reading I was by this time on the threshold, as it were, of my destination, for only a short seven miles lay ’twixt me and Fairfax’s headquarters, but seven miles to a weary man is no light thing to venture on, and the packet which lay in my doublet was of a strict importance.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading However, fate being plainly against me, I ceased to fight with it, and resolved to rest for awhile, leaning against a beech tree that was damp and black with the November mists, debating in my mind as to the advisability of doing this or that.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I was by this time on the threshold, as it were, of my destination, for only a short seven miles lay ’twixt me and Fairfax’s headquarters, but seven miles to a weary man is no light thing to venture on, and the packet which lay in my doublet was of a strict importance.
a special situation
From this reading I was by this time on the threshold, as it were, of my destination, for only a short seven miles lay ’twixt me and Fairfax’s headquarters, but seven miles to a weary man is no light thing to venture on, and the packet which lay in my doublet was of a strict importance.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading I was by this time on the threshold, as it were, of my destination, for only a short seven miles lay ’twixt me and Fairfax’s headquarters, but seven miles to a weary man is no light thing to venture on, and the packet which lay in my doublet was of a strict importance.
thresholdnounUS /ˈθreʃoʊld/
the starting point for a new state or experience
From this reading I was by this time on the threshold, as it were, of my destination, for only a short seven miles lay ’twixt me and Fairfax’s headquarters, but seven miles to a weary man is no light thing to venture on, and the packet which lay in my doublet was of a strict importance.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading I was by this time on the threshold, as it were, of my destination, for only a short seven miles lay ’twixt me and Fairfax’s headquarters, but seven miles to a weary man is no light thing to venture on, and the packet which lay in my doublet was of a strict importance.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Of my Second Meeting with Anthony Dacre, and its Results--and of my Serious Quandary as to which of two Duties must first be performed.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading However, fate being plainly against me, I ceased to fight with it, and resolved to rest for awhile, leaning against a beech tree that was damp and black with the November mists, debating in my mind as to the advisability of doing this or that.
twixt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was by this time on the threshold, as it were, of my destination, for only a short seven miles lay ’twixt me and Fairfax’s headquarters, but seven miles to a weary man is no light thing to venture on, and the packet which lay in my doublet was of a strict importance.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Of my Second Meeting with Anthony Dacre, and its Results--and of my Serious Quandary as to which of two Duties must first be performed.
any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome
From this reading I was by this time on the threshold, as it were, of my destination, for only a short seven miles lay ’twixt me and Fairfax’s headquarters, but seven miles to a weary man is no light thing to venture on, and the packet which lay in my doublet was of a strict importance.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I was by this time on the threshold, as it were, of my destination, for only a short seven miles lay ’twixt me and Fairfax’s headquarters, but seven miles to a weary man is no light thing to venture on, and the packet which lay in my doublet was of a strict importance.
exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress
From this reading I was by this time on the threshold, as it were, of my destination, for only a short seven miles lay ’twixt me and Fairfax’s headquarters, but seven miles to a weary man is no light thing to venture on, and the packet which lay in my doublet was of a strict importance.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I was by this time on the threshold, as it were, of my destination, for only a short seven miles lay ’twixt me and Fairfax’s headquarters, but seven miles to a weary man is no light thing to venture on, and the packet which lay in my doublet was of a strict importance.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Of my Second Meeting with Anthony Dacre, and its Results--and of my Serious Quandary as to which of two Duties must first be performed.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Of my Second Meeting with Anthony Dacre, and its Results--and of my Serious Quandary as to which of two Duties must first be performed.
