used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading We began to talk--by the way, we never inquired if our respective families were desirable; you took my reputability for granted--and since then we have passed a good deal of time together; indeed, you have been seldom absent from my thoughts.
absentadjectiveUS /ˈæbsənt/
not being in a specified place
From this reading We began to talk--by the way, we never inquired if our respective families were desirable; you took my reputability for granted--and since then we have passed a good deal of time together; indeed, you have been seldom absent from my thoughts.
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
Agrippinanoun
wife who poisoned Claudius after her son Nero was declared heir and who was then put to death by Nero
From this reading (I forget why you go habitually to winter resorts in the middle of August; the reasons you gave were ingenious but inconclusive--surely it is not to avoid your fellow-countrymen?) I was in the Gallery of Masterpieces, looking at the wonderful portrait-statue of Agrippina, when you, sitting beside me, asked some question.
(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 _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE MOON AND SIXPENCE,” “OF HUMAN BONDAGE,” ETC.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading (I forget why you go habitually to winter resorts in the middle of August; the reasons you gave were ingenious but inconclusive--surely it is not to avoid your fellow-countrymen?) I was in the Gallery of Masterpieces, looking at the wonderful portrait-statue of Agrippina, when you, sitting beside me, asked some question.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Was it really during the summer before last, at Naples?
the month following July and preceding September
From this reading (I forget why you go habitually to winter resorts in the middle of August; the reasons you gave were ingenious but inconclusive--surely it is not to avoid your fellow-countrymen?) I was in the Gallery of Masterpieces, looking at the wonderful portrait-statue of Agrippina, when you, sitting beside me, asked some question.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE MOON AND SIXPENCE,” “OF HUMAN BONDAGE,” ETC.
stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
From this reading (I forget why you go habitually to winter resorts in the middle of August; the reasons you gave were ingenious but inconclusive--surely it is not to avoid your fellow-countrymen?) I was in the Gallery of Masterpieces, looking at the wonderful portrait-statue of Agrippina, when you, sitting beside me, asked some question.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading We began to talk--by the way, we never inquired if our respective families were desirable; you took my reputability for granted--and since then we have passed a good deal of time together; indeed, you have been seldom absent from my thoughts.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Was it really during the summer before last, at Naples?
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading We began to talk--by the way, we never inquired if our respective families were desirable; you took my reputability for granted--and since then we have passed a good deal of time together; indeed, you have been seldom absent from my thoughts.
next to; at the side of
From this reading (I forget why you go habitually to winter resorts in the middle of August; the reasons you gave were ingenious but inconclusive--surely it is not to avoid your fellow-countrymen?) I was in the Gallery of Masterpieces, looking at the wonderful portrait-statue of Agrippina, when you, sitting beside me, asked some question.
BONDAGEnounUS /ˈbɑːndɪdʒ/
the state of being under the control of a force or influence or abstract power
From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE MOON AND SIXPENCE,” “OF HUMAN BONDAGE,” ETC.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading (I forget why you go habitually to winter resorts in the middle of August; the reasons you gave were ingenious but inconclusive--surely it is not to avoid your fellow-countrymen?) I was in the Gallery of Masterpieces, looking at the wonderful portrait-statue of Agrippina, when you, sitting beside me, asked some question.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading We began to talk--by the way, we never inquired if our respective families were desirable; you took my reputability for granted--and since then we have passed a good deal of time together; indeed, you have been seldom absent from my thoughts.
deem to be
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
the specified day of the month
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading We began to talk--by the way, we never inquired if our respective families were desirable; you took my reputability for granted--and since then we have passed a good deal of time together; indeed, you have been seldom absent from my thoughts.
dearly loved
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
desirableadjectiveUS /dɪˈzaɪrəbəl/
worth having or seeking or achieving
From this reading We began to talk--by the way, we never inquired if our respective families were desirable; you took my reputability for granted--and since then we have passed a good deal of time together; indeed, you have been seldom absent from my thoughts.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Was it really during the summer before last, at Naples?
ETC
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE MOON AND SIXPENCE,” “OF HUMAN BONDAGE,” ETC.
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
plural of “family” — a social unit living together
From this reading We began to talk--by the way, we never inquired if our respective families were desirable; you took my reputability for granted--and since then we have passed a good deal of time together; indeed, you have been seldom absent from my thoughts.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
fellow-countrymen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading (I forget why you go habitually to winter resorts in the middle of August; the reasons you gave were ingenious but inconclusive--surely it is not to avoid your fellow-countrymen?) I was in the Gallery of Masterpieces, looking at the wonderful portrait-statue of Agrippina, when you, sitting beside me, asked some question.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading (I forget why you go habitually to winter resorts in the middle of August; the reasons you gave were ingenious but inconclusive--surely it is not to avoid your fellow-countrymen?) I was in the Gallery of Masterpieces, looking at the wonderful portrait-statue of Agrippina, when you, sitting beside me, asked some question.
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading We began to talk--by the way, we never inquired if our respective families were desirable; you took my reputability for granted--and since then we have passed a good deal of time together; indeed, you have been seldom absent from my thoughts.
GallerynounUS /ˈɡæləri/
spectators at a golf or tennis match
From this reading (I forget why you go habitually to winter resorts in the middle of August; the reasons you gave were ingenious but inconclusive--surely it is not to avoid your fellow-countrymen?) I was in the Gallery of Masterpieces, looking at the wonderful portrait-statue of Agrippina, when you, sitting beside me, asked some question.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading (I forget why you go habitually to winter resorts in the middle of August; the reasons you gave were ingenious but inconclusive--surely it is not to avoid your fellow-countrymen?) I was in the Gallery of Masterpieces, looking at the wonderful portrait-statue of Agrippina, when you, sitting beside me, asked some question.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading (I forget why you go habitually to winter resorts in the middle of August; the reasons you gave were ingenious but inconclusive--surely it is not to avoid your fellow-countrymen?) I was in the Gallery of Masterpieces, looking at the wonderful portrait-statue of Agrippina, when you, sitting beside me, asked some question.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading We began to talk--by the way, we never inquired if our respective families were desirable; you took my reputability for granted--and since then we have passed a good deal of time together; indeed, you have been seldom absent from my thoughts.
habituallyadverbUS /həˈbɪtʃuːəli/
according to habit or custom
From this reading (I forget why you go habitually to winter resorts in the middle of August; the reasons you gave were ingenious but inconclusive--surely it is not to avoid your fellow-countrymen?) I was in the Gallery of Masterpieces, looking at the wonderful portrait-statue of Agrippina, when you, sitting beside me, asked some question.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
HUMANadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE MOON AND SIXPENCE,” “OF HUMAN BONDAGE,” ETC.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
inconclusiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪnkənˈkluːsɪv/
not conclusive; not putting an end to doubt or question
From this reading (I forget why you go habitually to winter resorts in the middle of August; the reasons you gave were ingenious but inconclusive--surely it is not to avoid your fellow-countrymen?) I was in the Gallery of Masterpieces, looking at the wonderful portrait-statue of Agrippina, when you, sitting beside me, asked some question.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading We began to talk--by the way, we never inquired if our respective families were desirable; you took my reputability for granted--and since then we have passed a good deal of time together; indeed, you have been seldom absent from my thoughts.
ingeniousadjectiveUS /ɪnˈdʒiː.ni.əs/
Clever, original, and remarkably inventive in design and execution.
From this reading (I forget why you go habitually to winter resorts in the middle of August; the reasons you gave were ingenious but inconclusive--surely it is not to avoid your fellow-countrymen?) I was in the Gallery of Masterpieces, looking at the wonderful portrait-statue of Agrippina, when you, sitting beside me, asked some question.
past form of “inquire” — address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading We began to talk--by the way, we never inquired if our respective families were desirable; you took my reputability for granted--and since then we have passed a good deal of time together; indeed, you have been seldom absent from my thoughts.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
immediately past
From this reading Was it really during the summer before last, at Naples?
LEYnounUS /leɪ/
a field covered with grass or herbage and suitable for grazing by livestock
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading (I forget why you go habitually to winter resorts in the middle of August; the reasons you gave were ingenious but inconclusive--surely it is not to avoid your fellow-countrymen?) I was in the Gallery of Masterpieces, looking at the wonderful portrait-statue of Agrippina, when you, sitting beside me, asked some question.
engage in
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
MasterpiecesnounUS /ˈmæstərpiːsəz/
plural of “masterpiece” — the most outstanding work of a creative artist or craftsman
From this reading (I forget why you go habitually to winter resorts in the middle of August; the reasons you gave were ingenious but inconclusive--surely it is not to avoid your fellow-countrymen?) I was in the Gallery of Masterpieces, looking at the wonderful portrait-statue of Agrippina, when you, sitting beside me, asked some question.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading (I forget why you go habitually to winter resorts in the middle of August; the reasons you gave were ingenious but inconclusive--surely it is not to avoid your fellow-countrymen?) I was in the Gallery of Masterpieces, looking at the wonderful portrait-statue of Agrippina, when you, sitting beside me, asked some question.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading (I forget why you go habitually to winter resorts in the middle of August; the reasons you gave were ingenious but inconclusive--surely it is not to avoid your fellow-countrymen?) I was in the Gallery of Masterpieces, looking at the wonderful portrait-statue of Agrippina, when you, sitting beside me, asked some question.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE MOON AND SIXPENCE,” “OF HUMAN BONDAGE,” ETC.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
NaplesnounUS /ˈneɪpəlz/
a port and tourist center in southwestern Italy; capital of the Campania region
From this reading Was it really during the summer before last, at Naples?
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading We began to talk--by the way, we never inquired if our respective families were desirable; you took my reputability for granted--and since then we have passed a good deal of time together; indeed, you have been seldom absent from my thoughts.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE MOON AND SIXPENCE,” “OF HUMAN BONDAGE,” ETC.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading We began to talk--by the way, we never inquired if our respective families were desirable; you took my reputability for granted--and since then we have passed a good deal of time together; indeed, you have been seldom absent from my thoughts.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading We began to talk--by the way, we never inquired if our respective families were desirable; you took my reputability for granted--and since then we have passed a good deal of time together; indeed, you have been seldom absent from my thoughts.
portrait-statue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading (I forget why you go habitually to winter resorts in the middle of August; the reasons you gave were ingenious but inconclusive--surely it is not to avoid your fellow-countrymen?) I was in the Gallery of Masterpieces, looking at the wonderful portrait-statue of Agrippina, when you, sitting beside me, asked some question.
past form of “print” — put into print
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading (I forget why you go habitually to winter resorts in the middle of August; the reasons you gave were ingenious but inconclusive--surely it is not to avoid your fellow-countrymen?) I was in the Gallery of Masterpieces, looking at the wonderful portrait-statue of Agrippina, when you, sitting beside me, asked some question.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading Was it really during the summer before last, at Naples?
plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading (I forget why you go habitually to winter resorts in the middle of August; the reasons you gave were ingenious but inconclusive--surely it is not to avoid your fellow-countrymen?) I was in the Gallery of Masterpieces, looking at the wonderful portrait-statue of Agrippina, when you, sitting beside me, asked some question.
reputabilitynoun
honorableness by virtue of being respectable and having a good reputation
From this reading We began to talk--by the way, we never inquired if our respective families were desirable; you took my reputability for granted--and since then we have passed a good deal of time together; indeed, you have been seldom absent from my thoughts.
resortsnounUS /rɪˈzɔːrts/
plural of “resort” — a hotel located in a resort area
From this reading (I forget why you go habitually to winter resorts in the middle of August; the reasons you gave were ingenious but inconclusive--surely it is not to avoid your fellow-countrymen?) I was in the Gallery of Masterpieces, looking at the wonderful portrait-statue of Agrippina, when you, sitting beside me, asked some question.
respectiveadjectiveUS /rɪˈspektɪv/
considered individually
From this reading We began to talk--by the way, we never inquired if our respective families were desirable; you took my reputability for granted--and since then we have passed a good deal of time together; indeed, you have been seldom absent from my thoughts.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
not often
From this reading We began to talk--by the way, we never inquired if our respective families were desirable; you took my reputability for granted--and since then we have passed a good deal of time together; indeed, you have been seldom absent from my thoughts.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading We began to talk--by the way, we never inquired if our respective families were desirable; you took my reputability for granted--and since then we have passed a good deal of time together; indeed, you have been seldom absent from my thoughts.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading (I forget why you go habitually to winter resorts in the middle of August; the reasons you gave were ingenious but inconclusive--surely it is not to avoid your fellow-countrymen?) I was in the Gallery of Masterpieces, looking at the wonderful portrait-statue of Agrippina, when you, sitting beside me, asked some question.
SIXPENCEnoun
a small coin of the United Kingdom worth six pennies; not minted since 1970
From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE MOON AND SIXPENCE,” “OF HUMAN BONDAGE,” ETC.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading (I forget why you go habitually to winter resorts in the middle of August; the reasons you gave were ingenious but inconclusive--surely it is not to avoid your fellow-countrymen?) I was in the Gallery of Masterpieces, looking at the wonderful portrait-statue of Agrippina, when you, sitting beside me, asked some question.
plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading Was it really during the summer before last, at Naples?
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading (I forget why you go habitually to winter resorts in the middle of August; the reasons you gave were ingenious but inconclusive--surely it is not to avoid your fellow-countrymen?) I was in the Gallery of Masterpieces, looking at the wonderful portrait-statue of Agrippina, when you, sitting beside me, asked some question.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading We began to talk--by the way, we never inquired if our respective families were desirable; you took my reputability for granted--and since then we have passed a good deal of time together; indeed, you have been seldom absent from my thoughts.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE MOON AND SIXPENCE,” “OF HUMAN BONDAGE,” ETC.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading We began to talk--by the way, we never inquired if our respective families were desirable; you took my reputability for granted--and since then we have passed a good deal of time together; indeed, you have been seldom absent from my thoughts.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading We began to talk--by the way, we never inquired if our respective families were desirable; you took my reputability for granted--and since then we have passed a good deal of time together; indeed, you have been seldom absent from my thoughts.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading We began to talk--by the way, we never inquired if our respective families were desirable; you took my reputability for granted--and since then we have passed a good deal of time together; indeed, you have been seldom absent from my thoughts.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading We began to talk--by the way, we never inquired if our respective families were desirable; you took my reputability for granted--and since then we have passed a good deal of time together; indeed, you have been seldom absent from my thoughts.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading We began to talk--by the way, we never inquired if our respective families were desirable; you took my reputability for granted--and since then we have passed a good deal of time together; indeed, you have been seldom absent from my thoughts.
unflatteringadjectiveUS /ənˈflætərɪŋ/
showing or representing unfavorably
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
UnitedadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/
characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading We began to talk--by the way, we never inquired if our respective families were desirable; you took my reputability for granted--and since then we have passed a good deal of time together; indeed, you have been seldom absent from my thoughts.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We began to talk--by the way, we never inquired if our respective families were desirable; you took my reputability for granted--and since then we have passed a good deal of time together; indeed, you have been seldom absent from my thoughts.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading (I forget why you go habitually to winter resorts in the middle of August; the reasons you gave were ingenious but inconclusive--surely it is not to avoid your fellow-countrymen?) I was in the Gallery of Masterpieces, looking at the wonderful portrait-statue of Agrippina, when you, sitting beside me, asked some question.
at the time that
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading (I forget why you go habitually to winter resorts in the middle of August; the reasons you gave were ingenious but inconclusive--surely it is not to avoid your fellow-countrymen?) I was in the Gallery of Masterpieces, looking at the wonderful portrait-statue of Agrippina, when you, sitting beside me, asked some question.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading (I forget why you go habitually to winter resorts in the middle of August; the reasons you gave were ingenious but inconclusive--surely it is not to avoid your fellow-countrymen?) I was in the Gallery of Masterpieces, looking at the wonderful portrait-statue of Agrippina, when you, sitting beside me, asked some question.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading (I forget why you go habitually to winter resorts in the middle of August; the reasons you gave were ingenious but inconclusive--surely it is not to avoid your fellow-countrymen?) I was in the Gallery of Masterpieces, looking at the wonderful portrait-statue of Agrippina, when you, sitting beside me, asked some question.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ DEAR MISS LEY,--You will not consider it unflattering if I ask myself when exactly it was that I had the good fortune to make your acquaintance; for, though I am well aware the date is not far distant, I seem to have known you all my life.
