used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “A polite executioner is a great mitigation,” I observed.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading I think that if I were a man I should rather be rejected by Alice than accepted by some others.”
acmenounUS /ˈækmi/
the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development
From this reading “Really, you know, Alice is the acme of graceful perversity.
in actual fact
From this reading “That is an equivocal compliment to her, for the man who really gets her, who carries her off before she has a chance to engage herself to any one else—” “Oh, the man who actually gets her will be made very happy.”
Alice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Really, you know, Alice is the acme of graceful perversity.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading “That is an equivocal compliment to her, for the man who really gets her, who carries her off before she has a chance to engage herself to any one else—” “Oh, the man who actually gets her will be made very happy.”
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading “That is an equivocal compliment to her, for the man who really gets her, who carries her off before she has a chance to engage herself to any one else—” “Oh, the man who actually gets her will be made very happy.”
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I think that if I were a man I should rather be rejected by Alice than accepted by some others.”
earlier than; in front of
From this reading “That is an equivocal compliment to her, for the man who really gets her, who carries her off before she has a chance to engage herself to any one else—” “Oh, the man who actually gets her will be made very happy.”
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I think that if I were a man I should rather be rejected by Alice than accepted by some others.”
carriesnounUS /ˈkæriz/
plural of “carry” — the act of carrying something
From this reading “That is an equivocal compliment to her, for the man who really gets her, who carries her off before she has a chance to engage herself to any one else—” “Oh, the man who actually gets her will be made very happy.”
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading “That is an equivocal compliment to her, for the man who really gets her, who carries her off before she has a chance to engage herself to any one else—” “Oh, the man who actually gets her will be made very happy.”
complimentverbUS /ˈkɑːmpləment/
say something to someone that expresses praise
From this reading “That is an equivocal compliment to her, for the man who really gets her, who carries her off before she has a chance to engage herself to any one else—” “Oh, the man who actually gets her will be made very happy.”
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “That is an equivocal compliment to her, for the man who really gets her, who carries her off before she has a chance to engage herself to any one else—” “Oh, the man who actually gets her will be made very happy.”
engageverbUS /enˈɡeɪdʒ/
carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in
From this reading “That is an equivocal compliment to her, for the man who really gets her, who carries her off before she has a chance to engage herself to any one else—” “Oh, the man who actually gets her will be made very happy.”
equivocaladjectiveUS /ɪˈkwɪvəkəl/
open to two or more interpretations; or of uncertain nature or significance; or (often) intended to mislead
From this reading “That is an equivocal compliment to her, for the man who really gets her, who carries her off before she has a chance to engage herself to any one else—” “Oh, the man who actually gets her will be made very happy.”
executionernounUS /ˌeksəˈkjuːʃənər/
an official who inflicts capital punishment in pursuit of a warrant
From this reading “A polite executioner is a great mitigation,” I observed.
a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
From this reading “That is real faith.”
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “That is an equivocal compliment to her, for the man who really gets her, who carries her off before she has a chance to engage herself to any one else—” “Oh, the man who actually gets her will be made very happy.”
plural of “get” — a return on a shot that seemed impossible to reach and would normally have resulted in a point for the opponent
From this reading “That is an equivocal compliment to her, for the man who really gets her, who carries her off before she has a chance to engage herself to any one else—” “Oh, the man who actually gets her will be made very happy.”
characterized by beauty of movement, style, form, or execution
From this reading “Really, you know, Alice is the acme of graceful perversity.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading “A polite executioner is a great mitigation,” I observed.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading “That is an equivocal compliment to her, for the man who really gets her, who carries her off before she has a chance to engage herself to any one else—” “Oh, the man who actually gets her will be made very happy.”
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “That is an equivocal compliment to her, for the man who really gets her, who carries her off before she has a chance to engage herself to any one else—” “Oh, the man who actually gets her will be made very happy.”
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading “That is an equivocal compliment to her, for the man who really gets her, who carries her off before she has a chance to engage herself to any one else—” “Oh, the man who actually gets her will be made very happy.”
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading “That is an equivocal compliment to her, for the man who really gets her, who carries her off before she has a chance to engage herself to any one else—” “Oh, the man who actually gets her will be made very happy.”
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “A polite executioner is a great mitigation,” I observed.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading I think that if I were a man I should rather be rejected by Alice than accepted by some others.”
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “A polite executioner is a great mitigation,” I observed.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading “Really, you know, Alice is the acme of graceful perversity.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading “That is an equivocal compliment to her, for the man who really gets her, who carries her off before she has a chance to engage herself to any one else—” “Oh, the man who actually gets her will be made very happy.”
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading I think that if I were a man I should rather be rejected by Alice than accepted by some others.”
mitigationnounUS /ˌmɪtɪˈɡeɪʃən/
to act in such a way as to cause an offense to seem less serious
From this reading “A polite executioner is a great mitigation,” I observed.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading “A polite executioner is a great mitigation,” I observed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Really, you know, Alice is the acme of graceful perversity.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading “That is an equivocal compliment to her, for the man who really gets her, who carries her off before she has a chance to engage herself to any one else—” “Oh, the man who actually gets her will be made very happy.”
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading “That is an equivocal compliment to her, for the man who really gets her, who carries her off before she has a chance to engage herself to any one else—” “Oh, the man who actually gets her will be made very happy.”
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “That is an equivocal compliment to her, for the man who really gets her, who carries her off before she has a chance to engage herself to any one else—” “Oh, the man who actually gets her will be made very happy.”
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I think that if I were a man I should rather be rejected by Alice than accepted by some others.”
perversitynounUS /pərˈvɜːrsəti/
deliberate and stubborn unruliness and resistance to guidance or discipline
From this reading “Really, you know, Alice is the acme of graceful perversity.
politeadjectiveUS /pəˈlaɪt/
showing regard for others in manners, speech, behavior, etc.
From this reading “A polite executioner is a great mitigation,” I observed.
on the contrary
From this reading I think that if I were a man I should rather be rejected by Alice than accepted by some others.”
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading “That is real faith.”
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading “Really, you know, Alice is the acme of graceful perversity.
rejectedadjectiveUS /rɪˈdʒektɪd/
rebuffed (by a lover) without warning
From this reading I think that if I were a man I should rather be rejected by Alice than accepted by some others.”
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “That is an equivocal compliment to her, for the man who really gets her, who carries her off before she has a chance to engage herself to any one else—” “Oh, the man who actually gets her will be made very happy.”
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading I think that if I were a man I should rather be rejected by Alice than accepted by some others.”
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading I think that if I were a man I should rather be rejected by Alice than accepted by some others.”
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading I think that if I were a man I should rather be rejected by Alice than accepted by some others.”
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I think that if I were a man I should rather be rejected by Alice than accepted by some others.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Really, you know, Alice is the acme of graceful perversity.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading I think that if I were a man I should rather be rejected by Alice than accepted by some others.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “That is an equivocal compliment to her, for the man who really gets her, who carries her off before she has a chance to engage herself to any one else—” “Oh, the man who actually gets her will be made very happy.”
precisely as stated
From this reading “That is an equivocal compliment to her, for the man who really gets her, who carries her off before she has a chance to engage herself to any one else—” “Oh, the man who actually gets her will be made very happy.”
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I think that if I were a man I should rather be rejected by Alice than accepted by some others.”
which person or people
From this reading “That is an equivocal compliment to her, for the man who really gets her, who carries her off before she has a chance to engage herself to any one else—” “Oh, the man who actually gets her will be made very happy.”
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “That is an equivocal compliment to her, for the man who really gets her, who carries her off before she has a chance to engage herself to any one else—” “Oh, the man who actually gets her will be made very happy.”
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Really, you know, Alice is the acme of graceful perversity.
