used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Jesse Devereaux had never spent a more unpleasant half hour in his life than during Mrs. Clarke's visit.
admiredadjectiveUS /ədˈmaɪərd/
regarded with admiration
From this reading He admired and esteemed the gentle lady very much, and it pained him to tell her that he no longer loved her daughter, and was glad of his release.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He admired and esteemed the gentle lady very much, and it pained him to tell her that he no longer loved her daughter, and was glad of his release.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading Yet he did so kindly and courteously, though he was well aware that no gentleness could really soften the blow to her love and pride.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading "I have been betrothed to your daughter only two weeks, dear madam, but in that short time I have discovered traits in her character that could never harmonize with mine.
betrothedadjective
pledged to be married
From this reading "I have been betrothed to your daughter only two weeks, dear madam, but in that short time I have discovered traits in her character that could never harmonize with mine.
exhale hard
From this reading Yet he did so kindly and courteously, though he was well aware that no gentleness could really soften the blow to her love and pride.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "I have been betrothed to your daughter only two weeks, dear madam, but in that short time I have discovered traits in her character that could never harmonize with mine.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading "I have been betrothed to your daughter only two weeks, dear madam, but in that short time I have discovered traits in her character that could never harmonize with mine.
Clarke's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jesse Devereaux had never spent a more unpleasant half hour in his life than during Mrs. Clarke's visit.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Yet he did so kindly and courteously, though he was well aware that no gentleness could really soften the blow to her love and pride.
courteouslyadverb
in a polite manner
From this reading Yet he did so kindly and courteously, though he was well aware that no gentleness could really soften the blow to her love and pride.
a female human offspring
From this reading He admired and esteemed the gentle lady very much, and it pained him to tell her that he no longer loved her daughter, and was glad of his release.
dearly loved
From this reading "I have been betrothed to your daughter only two weeks, dear madam, but in that short time I have discovered traits in her character that could never harmonize with mine.
Devereaux
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jesse Devereaux had never spent a more unpleasant half hour in his life than during Mrs. Clarke's visit.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Yet he did so kindly and courteously, though he was well aware that no gentleness could really soften the blow to her love and pride.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading "I have been betrothed to your daughter only two weeks, dear madam, but in that short time I have discovered traits in her character that could never harmonize with mine.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Jesse Devereaux had never spent a more unpleasant half hour in his life than during Mrs. Clarke's visit.
esteemedadjectiveUS /ɪˈstiːmd/
having an illustrious reputation; respected
From this reading He admired and esteemed the gentle lady very much, and it pained him to tell her that he no longer loved her daughter, and was glad of his release.
FIRSTadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading He admired and esteemed the gentle lady very much, and it pained him to tell her that he no longer loved her daughter, and was glad of his release.
gentlenessnounUS /ˈdʒentəlnəs/
the property possessed by a slope that is very gradual
From this reading Yet he did so kindly and courteously, though he was well aware that no gentleness could really soften the blow to her love and pride.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading He admired and esteemed the gentle lady very much, and it pained him to tell her that he no longer loved her daughter, and was glad of his release.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Jesse Devereaux had never spent a more unpleasant half hour in his life than during Mrs. Clarke's visit.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Jesse Devereaux had never spent a more unpleasant half hour in his life than during Mrs. Clarke's visit.
harmonizeverbUS /ˈhɑːrmənaɪz/
go together
From this reading "I have been betrothed to your daughter only two weeks, dear madam, but in that short time I have discovered traits in her character that could never harmonize with mine.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "I have been betrothed to your daughter only two weeks, dear madam, but in that short time I have discovered traits in her character that could never harmonize with mine.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He admired and esteemed the gentle lady very much, and it pained him to tell her that he no longer loved her daughter, and was glad of his release.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He admired and esteemed the gentle lady very much, and it pained him to tell her that he no longer loved her daughter, and was glad of his release.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He admired and esteemed the gentle lady very much, and it pained him to tell her that he no longer loved her daughter, and was glad of his release.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Jesse Devereaux had never spent a more unpleasant half hour in his life than during Mrs. Clarke's visit.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Jesse Devereaux had never spent a more unpleasant half hour in his life than during Mrs. Clarke's visit.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I have been betrothed to your daughter only two weeks, dear madam, but in that short time I have discovered traits in her character that could never harmonize with mine.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Jesse Devereaux had never spent a more unpleasant half hour in his life than during Mrs. Clarke's visit.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He admired and esteemed the gentle lady very much, and it pained him to tell her that he no longer loved her daughter, and was glad of his release.
Jesse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jesse Devereaux had never spent a more unpleasant half hour in his life than during Mrs. Clarke's visit.
showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity
From this reading Yet he did so kindly and courteously, though he was well aware that no gentleness could really soften the blow to her love and pride.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading He admired and esteemed the gentle lady very much, and it pained him to tell her that he no longer loved her daughter, and was glad of his release.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Jesse Devereaux had never spent a more unpleasant half hour in his life than during Mrs. Clarke's visit.
for more time
From this reading He admired and esteemed the gentle lady very much, and it pained him to tell her that he no longer loved her daughter, and was glad of his release.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT.
held dear
From this reading He admired and esteemed the gentle lady very much, and it pained him to tell her that he no longer loved her daughter, and was glad of his release.
a woman of refinement
From this reading "I have been betrothed to your daughter only two weeks, dear madam, but in that short time I have discovered traits in her character that could never harmonize with mine.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "I have been betrothed to your daughter only two weeks, dear madam, but in that short time I have discovered traits in her character that could never harmonize with mine.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Jesse Devereaux had never spent a more unpleasant half hour in his life than during Mrs. Clarke's visit.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Jesse Devereaux had never spent a more unpleasant half hour in his life than during Mrs. Clarke's visit.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He admired and esteemed the gentle lady very much, and it pained him to tell her that he no longer loved her daughter, and was glad of his release.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Jesse Devereaux had never spent a more unpleasant half hour in his life than during Mrs. Clarke's visit.
not any; not one
From this reading He admired and esteemed the gentle lady very much, and it pained him to tell her that he no longer loved her daughter, and was glad of his release.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He admired and esteemed the gentle lady very much, and it pained him to tell her that he no longer loved her daughter, and was glad of his release.
and nothing more
From this reading "I have been betrothed to your daughter only two weeks, dear madam, but in that short time I have discovered traits in her character that could never harmonize with mine.
painedadjectiveUS /peɪnd/
emotionally hurt or upset or annoyed
From this reading He admired and esteemed the gentle lady very much, and it pained him to tell her that he no longer loved her daughter, and was glad of his release.
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading Yet he did so kindly and courteously, though he was well aware that no gentleness could really soften the blow to her love and pride.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading Yet he did so kindly and courteously, though he was well aware that no gentleness could really soften the blow to her love and pride.
releaseverbUS /riˈliːs/
release, as from one's grip
From this reading He admired and esteemed the gentle lady very much, and it pained him to tell her that he no longer loved her daughter, and was glad of his release.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading "I have been betrothed to your daughter only two weeks, dear madam, but in that short time I have discovered traits in her character that could never harmonize with mine.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Yet he did so kindly and courteously, though he was well aware that no gentleness could really soften the blow to her love and pride.
softenverbUS /ˈsɑːfən/
make (images or sounds) soft or softer
From this reading Yet he did so kindly and courteously, though he was well aware that no gentleness could really soften the blow to her love and pride.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading Jesse Devereaux had never spent a more unpleasant half hour in his life than during Mrs. Clarke's visit.
express in words
From this reading He admired and esteemed the gentle lady very much, and it pained him to tell her that he no longer loved her daughter, and was glad of his release.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Jesse Devereaux had never spent a more unpleasant half hour in his life than during Mrs. Clarke's visit.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He admired and esteemed the gentle lady very much, and it pained him to tell her that he no longer loved her daughter, and was glad of his release.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He admired and esteemed the gentle lady very much, and it pained him to tell her that he no longer loved her daughter, and was glad of his release.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Yet he did so kindly and courteously, though he was well aware that no gentleness could really soften the blow to her love and pride.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading "I have been betrothed to your daughter only two weeks, dear madam, but in that short time I have discovered traits in her character that could never harmonize with mine.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He admired and esteemed the gentle lady very much, and it pained him to tell her that he no longer loved her daughter, and was glad of his release.
traitsnounUS /treɪts/
plural of “trait” — a distinguishing feature of your personal nature
From this reading "I have been betrothed to your daughter only two weeks, dear madam, but in that short time I have discovered traits in her character that could never harmonize with mine.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading "I have been betrothed to your daughter only two weeks, dear madam, but in that short time I have discovered traits in her character that could never harmonize with mine.
offensive or disagreeable; causing discomfort or unhappiness
From this reading Jesse Devereaux had never spent a more unpleasant half hour in his life than during Mrs. Clarke's visit.
precisely as stated
From this reading He admired and esteemed the gentle lady very much, and it pained him to tell her that he no longer loved her daughter, and was glad of his release.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading Jesse Devereaux had never spent a more unpleasant half hour in his life than during Mrs. Clarke's visit.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He admired and esteemed the gentle lady very much, and it pained him to tell her that he no longer loved her daughter, and was glad of his release.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading "I have been betrothed to your daughter only two weeks, dear madam, but in that short time I have discovered traits in her character that could never harmonize with mine.
(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 Yet he did so kindly and courteously, though he was well aware that no gentleness could really soften the blow to her love and pride.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "I have been betrothed to your daughter only two weeks, dear madam, but in that short time I have discovered traits in her character that could never harmonize with mine.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet he did so kindly and courteously, though he was well aware that no gentleness could really soften the blow to her love and pride.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I have been betrothed to your daughter only two weeks, dear madam, but in that short time I have discovered traits in her character that could never harmonize with mine.
