used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Durant felt that he had done a good morning’s work.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.
in addition
From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.
anticipationnounUS /ænˌtɪsəˈpeɪʃən/
an expectation
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
appalledadjectiveUS /əˈpɔːld/
struck with fear, dread, or consternation
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
elected vice president and became 21st President of the United States when Garfield was assassinated (1830-1886)
From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He left them in different stages of perplexity and distress when he came away.
BatesverbUS /beɪts/
third-person singular of “bate” — moderate or restrain; lessen the force of
From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
a woman who has recently been married
From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He left them in different stages of perplexity and distress when he came away.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
true confidential information
From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading He left them in different stages of perplexity and distress when he came away.
psychological suffering
From this reading He left them in different stages of perplexity and distress when he came away.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Durant felt that he had done a good morning’s work.
DurantnounUS /ˈdʊrənt/
United States historian (1885-1981)
From this reading Durant felt that he had done a good morning’s work.
a social unit living together
From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Durant felt that he had done a good morning’s work.
frighteningadjectiveUS /ˈfraɪtənɪŋ/
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.
frivolousadjectiveUS /ˈfrɪvələs/
not serious in content or attitude or behavior
From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Durant felt that he had done a good morning’s work.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Durant felt that he had done a good morning’s work.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Durant felt that he had done a good morning’s work.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.
Jane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading He left them in different stages of perplexity and distress when he came away.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
Matilda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
morning'snounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋz/
possessive form of “morning” — the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Durant felt that he had done a good morning’s work.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
Nancy'snounUS /ˈnænsiz/
possessive form of “nancy” — a city in northeastern France in Lorraine
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.
as might be expected
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
by chance
From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.
perplexitynounUS /pərˈpleksəti/
trouble or confusion resulting from complexity
From this reading He left them in different stages of perplexity and distress when he came away.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.
feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
SarahnounUS /ˈserə/
(Old Testament) the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac
From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.
selfishadjectiveUS /ˈselfɪʃ/
concerned chiefly or only with yourself and your advantage to the exclusion of others
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
showing reason or sound judgment
From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.
slurredadjectiveUS /slɜːrd/
spoken as if with a thick tongue
From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
stagesnounUS /ˈsteɪdʒəz/
plural of “stage” — any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading He left them in different stages of perplexity and distress when he came away.
sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect
From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.
past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal
From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Durant felt that he had done a good morning’s work.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He left them in different stages of perplexity and distress when he came away.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
propel through the air
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.
vaguelyadverbUS /ˈveɪɡli/
in a vague way
From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
at the time that
From this reading He left them in different stages of perplexity and distress when he came away.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Durant felt that he had done a good morning’s work.
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
