used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For indeed the doctor considered that compliments to a single gentleman were what the inky liquid it dispenses is to the cuttle-fish, that by obscuring the water sails away from its enemy.
(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 He ceased that profusion of compliment in which he had hitherto carried off in safety all serious meaning.
make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading The man who wants his wedding-garment to fit him must allow plenty of time for the measure.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading For indeed the doctor considered that compliments to a single gentleman were what the inky liquid it dispenses is to the cuttle-fish, that by obscuring the water sails away from its enemy.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But from that day, the Italian notably changed his manner towards Miss Hazeldean.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading For indeed the doctor considered that compliments to a single gentleman were what the inky liquid it dispenses is to the cuttle-fish, that by obscuring the water sails away from its enemy.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading He ceased that profusion of compliment in which he had hitherto carried off in safety all serious meaning.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading He ceased that profusion of compliment in which he had hitherto carried off in safety all serious meaning.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading But from that day, the Italian notably changed his manner towards Miss Hazeldean.
complimentverbUS /ˈkɑːmpləment/
say something to someone that expresses praise
From this reading He ceased that profusion of compliment in which he had hitherto carried off in safety all serious meaning.
complimentsnounUS /ˈkɑːmpləments/
(usually plural) a polite expression of desire for someone's welfare
From this reading For indeed the doctor considered that compliments to a single gentleman were what the inky liquid it dispenses is to the cuttle-fish, that by obscuring the water sails away from its enemy.
carefully weighed
From this reading For indeed the doctor considered that compliments to a single gentleman were what the inky liquid it dispenses is to the cuttle-fish, that by obscuring the water sails away from its enemy.
cuttle-fish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For indeed the doctor considered that compliments to a single gentleman were what the inky liquid it dispenses is to the cuttle-fish, that by obscuring the water sails away from its enemy.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading But from that day, the Italian notably changed his manner towards Miss Hazeldean.
dispensesverbUS /dɪˈspensɪz/
third-person singular of “dispense” — administer or bestow, as in small portions
From this reading For indeed the doctor considered that compliments to a single gentleman were what the inky liquid it dispenses is to the cuttle-fish, that by obscuring the water sails away from its enemy.
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading For indeed the doctor considered that compliments to a single gentleman were what the inky liquid it dispenses is to the cuttle-fish, that by obscuring the water sails away from its enemy.
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet Dr. Riccabocca was not rash.
an opposing military force
From this reading For indeed the doctor considered that compliments to a single gentleman were what the inky liquid it dispenses is to the cuttle-fish, that by obscuring the water sails away from its enemy.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading The man who wants his wedding-garment to fit him must allow plenty of time for the measure.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The man who wants his wedding-garment to fit him must allow plenty of time for the measure.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But from that day, the Italian notably changed his manner towards Miss Hazeldean.
a man of refinement
From this reading For indeed the doctor considered that compliments to a single gentleman were what the inky liquid it dispenses is to the cuttle-fish, that by obscuring the water sails away from its enemy.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He ceased that profusion of compliment in which he had hitherto carried off in safety all serious meaning.
Hazeldean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But from that day, the Italian notably changed his manner towards Miss Hazeldean.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He ceased that profusion of compliment in which he had hitherto carried off in safety all serious meaning.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The man who wants his wedding-garment to fit him must allow plenty of time for the measure.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The man who wants his wedding-garment to fit him must allow plenty of time for the measure.
used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time
From this reading He ceased that profusion of compliment in which he had hitherto carried off in safety all serious meaning.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He ceased that profusion of compliment in which he had hitherto carried off in safety all serious meaning.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading For indeed the doctor considered that compliments to a single gentleman were what the inky liquid it dispenses is to the cuttle-fish, that by obscuring the water sails away from its enemy.
inkyadjectiveUS /ˈɪŋki/
of the color of black ink
From this reading For indeed the doctor considered that compliments to a single gentleman were what the inky liquid it dispenses is to the cuttle-fish, that by obscuring the water sails away from its enemy.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For indeed the doctor considered that compliments to a single gentleman were what the inky liquid it dispenses is to the cuttle-fish, that by obscuring the water sails away from its enemy.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading For indeed the doctor considered that compliments to a single gentleman were what the inky liquid it dispenses is to the cuttle-fish, that by obscuring the water sails away from its enemy.
a native or inhabitant of Italy
From this reading But from that day, the Italian notably changed his manner towards Miss Hazeldean.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading For indeed the doctor considered that compliments to a single gentleman were what the inky liquid it dispenses is to the cuttle-fish, that by obscuring the water sails away from its enemy.
liquidadjectiveUS /ˈlɪkwəd/
existing as or having characteristics of a liquid; especially tending to flow
From this reading For indeed the doctor considered that compliments to a single gentleman were what the inky liquid it dispenses is to the cuttle-fish, that by obscuring the water sails away from its enemy.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The man who wants his wedding-garment to fit him must allow plenty of time for the measure.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading But from that day, the Italian notably changed his manner towards Miss Hazeldean.
the message that is intended or expressed or signified
From this reading He ceased that profusion of compliment in which he had hitherto carried off in safety all serious meaning.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading The man who wants his wedding-garment to fit him must allow plenty of time for the measure.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading But from that day, the Italian notably changed his manner towards Miss Hazeldean.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading The man who wants his wedding-garment to fit him must allow plenty of time for the measure.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Yet Dr. Riccabocca was not rash.
notablyadverbUS /ˈnoʊtəbli/
especially; in particular
From this reading But from that day, the Italian notably changed his manner towards Miss Hazeldean.
obscuringverbUS /əbsˈkjʊrɪŋ/
-ing form of “obscure” — make less visible or unclear
From this reading For indeed the doctor considered that compliments to a single gentleman were what the inky liquid it dispenses is to the cuttle-fish, that by obscuring the water sails away from its enemy.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The man who wants his wedding-garment to fit him must allow plenty of time for the measure.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He ceased that profusion of compliment in which he had hitherto carried off in safety all serious meaning.
a full supply
From this reading The man who wants his wedding-garment to fit him must allow plenty of time for the measure.
profusionnounUS /prəˈfjuːʒən/
the property of being extremely abundant
From this reading He ceased that profusion of compliment in which he had hitherto carried off in safety all serious meaning.
rashnounUS /ræʃ/
any red eruption of the skin
From this reading Yet Dr. Riccabocca was not rash.
Riccabocca
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet Dr. Riccabocca was not rash.
the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions
From this reading He ceased that profusion of compliment in which he had hitherto carried off in safety all serious meaning.
sailsnounUS /seɪlz/
plural of “sail” — a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel
From this reading For indeed the doctor considered that compliments to a single gentleman were what the inky liquid it dispenses is to the cuttle-fish, that by obscuring the water sails away from its enemy.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading He ceased that profusion of compliment in which he had hitherto carried off in safety all serious meaning.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading For indeed the doctor considered that compliments to a single gentleman were what the inky liquid it dispenses is to the cuttle-fish, that by obscuring the water sails away from its enemy.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But from that day, the Italian notably changed his manner towards Miss Hazeldean.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The man who wants his wedding-garment to fit him must allow plenty of time for the measure.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The man who wants his wedding-garment to fit him must allow plenty of time for the measure.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The man who wants his wedding-garment to fit him must allow plenty of time for the measure.
in the direction of
From this reading But from that day, the Italian notably changed his manner towards Miss Hazeldean.
plural of “want” — a state of extreme poverty
From this reading The man who wants his wedding-garment to fit him must allow plenty of time for the measure.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Yet Dr. Riccabocca was not rash.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading For indeed the doctor considered that compliments to a single gentleman were what the inky liquid it dispenses is to the cuttle-fish, that by obscuring the water sails away from its enemy.
wedding-garment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man who wants his wedding-garment to fit him must allow plenty of time for the measure.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading For indeed the doctor considered that compliments to a single gentleman were what the inky liquid it dispenses is to the cuttle-fish, that by obscuring the water sails away from its enemy.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading For indeed the doctor considered that compliments to a single gentleman were what the inky liquid it dispenses is to the cuttle-fish, that by obscuring the water sails away from its enemy.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He ceased that profusion of compliment in which he had hitherto carried off in safety all serious meaning.
which person or people
From this reading The man who wants his wedding-garment to fit him must allow plenty of time for the measure.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet Dr. Riccabocca was not rash.
