adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading If the dean had loved his wife but moderately, seeing all her faults clearly as he did, he must frequently have quarrelled with her: if he had loved her with tenderness, he must have treated her with a degree of violence in the hope of amending her failings.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Lady Clementina went out when she liked, stayed at home when she liked, dressed as she liked, and talked as she liked without a word of disapprobation from her husband, and all--because he cared nothing about her.
acquaintancenounUS /əˈkweɪntəns/
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading The dean's wife was not so dispassionately considered by some of his acquaintance as by himself; for they would now and then hint at her foibles: but this great liberty she also conceived to be the effect of most violent love, or most violent admiration: and such would have been her construction had they commended her follies--had they totally slighted, or had they beaten her.
admirationnounUS /ˌædmərˈeɪʃən/
a feeling of delighted approval and liking
From this reading The dean's wife was not so dispassionately considered by some of his acquaintance as by himself; for they would now and then hint at her foibles: but this great liberty she also conceived to be the effect of most violent love, or most violent admiration: and such would have been her construction had they commended her follies--had they totally slighted, or had they beaten her.
affectionnounUS /əˈfekʃən/
a positive feeling of liking
From this reading But having neither personal nor mental affection towards her sufficiently interesting to give himself the trouble to contradict her will in anything, he passed for one of the best husbands in the world.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 If the dean had loved his wife but moderately, seeing all her faults clearly as he did, he must frequently have quarrelled with her: if he had loved her with tenderness, he must have treated her with a degree of violence in the hope of amending her failings.
alsoadverbUS /ˈɔːlsoʊ/
in addition
From this reading The dean's wife was not so dispassionately considered by some of his acquaintance as by himself; for they would now and then hint at her foibles: but this great liberty she also conceived to be the effect of most violent love, or most violent admiration: and such would have been her construction had they commended her follies--had they totally slighted, or had they beaten her.
amendingverbUS /əˈmendɪŋ/
-ing form of “amend” — make amendments to
From this reading If the dean had loved his wife but moderately, seeing all her faults clearly as he did, he must frequently have quarrelled with her: if he had loved her with tenderness, he must have treated her with a degree of violence in the hope of amending her failings.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Her vanity attributed this indulgence to inordinate affection; and observers in general thought her happier in her marriage than the beloved wife who bathes her pillow with tears by the side of an angry husband, whose affection is so excessive that he unkindly upbraids her because she is--less than perfection.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Lady Clementina went out when she liked, stayed at home when she liked, dressed as she liked, and talked as she liked without a word of disapprobation from her husband, and all--because he cared nothing about her.
angryadjectiveUS /ˈæŋɡri/
feeling or showing anger
From this reading Her vanity attributed this indulgence to inordinate affection; and observers in general thought her happier in her marriage than the beloved wife who bathes her pillow with tears by the side of an angry husband, whose affection is so excessive that he unkindly upbraids her because she is--less than perfection.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading But having neither personal nor mental affection towards her sufficiently interesting to give himself the trouble to contradict her will in anything, he passed for one of the best husbands in the world.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading If the dean had loved his wife but moderately, seeing all her faults clearly as he did, he must frequently have quarrelled with her: if he had loved her with tenderness, he must have treated her with a degree of violence in the hope of amending her failings.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Lady Clementina went out when she liked, stayed at home when she liked, dressed as she liked, and talked as she liked without a word of disapprobation from her husband, and all--because he cared nothing about her.
attributedverbUS /əˈtrɪbjətɪd/
past form of “attribute” — attribute or credit to
From this reading Her vanity attributed this indulgence to inordinate affection; and observers in general thought her happier in her marriage than the beloved wife who bathes her pillow with tears by the side of an angry husband, whose affection is so excessive that he unkindly upbraids her because she is--less than perfection.
bathesnounUS /beɪðz/
plural of “bathe” — the act of swimming for pleasure or recreation
From this reading Her vanity attributed this indulgence to inordinate affection; and observers in general thought her happier in her marriage than the beloved wife who bathes her pillow with tears by the side of an angry husband, whose affection is so excessive that he unkindly upbraids her because she is--less than perfection.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The dean's wife was not so dispassionately considered by some of his acquaintance as by himself; for they would now and then hint at her foibles: but this great liberty she also conceived to be the effect of most violent love, or most violent admiration: and such would have been her construction had they commended her follies--had they totally slighted, or had they beaten her.
beatenadjectiveUS /ˈbiːtən/
formed or made thin by hammering
From this reading The dean's wife was not so dispassionately considered by some of his acquaintance as by himself; for they would now and then hint at her foibles: but this great liberty she also conceived to be the effect of most violent love, or most violent admiration: and such would have been her construction had they commended her follies--had they totally slighted, or had they beaten her.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading Lady Clementina went out when she liked, stayed at home when she liked, dressed as she liked, and talked as she liked without a word of disapprobation from her husband, and all--because he cared nothing about her.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The dean's wife was not so dispassionately considered by some of his acquaintance as by himself; for they would now and then hint at her foibles: but this great liberty she also conceived to be the effect of most violent love, or most violent admiration: and such would have been her construction had they commended her follies--had they totally slighted, or had they beaten her.
belovedadjectiveUS /bɪˈlʌvd/
dearly loved
From this reading Her vanity attributed this indulgence to inordinate affection; and observers in general thought her happier in her marriage than the beloved wife who bathes her pillow with tears by the side of an angry husband, whose affection is so excessive that he unkindly upbraids her because she is--less than perfection.
bestnounUS /best/
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading But having neither personal nor mental affection towards her sufficiently interesting to give himself the trouble to contradict her will in anything, he passed for one of the best husbands in the world.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading If the dean had loved his wife but moderately, seeing all her faults clearly as he did, he must frequently have quarrelled with her: if he had loved her with tenderness, he must have treated her with a degree of violence in the hope of amending her failings.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Her vanity attributed this indulgence to inordinate affection; and observers in general thought her happier in her marriage than the beloved wife who bathes her pillow with tears by the side of an angry husband, whose affection is so excessive that he unkindly upbraids her because she is--less than perfection.
caredverbUS /kerd/
past form of “care” — feel concern or interest
From this reading Lady Clementina went out when she liked, stayed at home when she liked, dressed as she liked, and talked as she liked without a word of disapprobation from her husband, and all--because he cared nothing about her.
clearlyadverbUS /ˈklɪrli/
without doubt or question
From this reading If the dean had loved his wife but moderately, seeing all her faults clearly as he did, he must frequently have quarrelled with her: if he had loved her with tenderness, he must have treated her with a degree of violence in the hope of amending her failings.
Clementina
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Clementina went out when she liked, stayed at home when she liked, dressed as she liked, and talked as she liked without a word of disapprobation from her husband, and all--because he cared nothing about her.
commendedverbUS /kəˈmendɪd/
past form of “commend” — express approval of
From this reading The dean's wife was not so dispassionately considered by some of his acquaintance as by himself; for they would now and then hint at her foibles: but this great liberty she also conceived to be the effect of most violent love, or most violent admiration: and such would have been her construction had they commended her follies--had they totally slighted, or had they beaten her.
conceivedverbUS /kənˈsiːvd/
past form of “conceive” — have the idea for
From this reading The dean's wife was not so dispassionately considered by some of his acquaintance as by himself; for they would now and then hint at her foibles: but this great liberty she also conceived to be the effect of most violent love, or most violent admiration: and such would have been her construction had they commended her follies--had they totally slighted, or had they beaten her.
consideredadjectiveUS /kənˈsɪdərd/
carefully weighed
From this reading The dean's wife was not so dispassionately considered by some of his acquaintance as by himself; for they would now and then hint at her foibles: but this great liberty she also conceived to be the effect of most violent love, or most violent admiration: and such would have been her construction had they commended her follies--had they totally slighted, or had they beaten her.
constructionnounUS /kənˈstrʌkʃən/
the act of constructing something
From this reading The dean's wife was not so dispassionately considered by some of his acquaintance as by himself; for they would now and then hint at her foibles: but this great liberty she also conceived to be the effect of most violent love, or most violent admiration: and such would have been her construction had they commended her follies--had they totally slighted, or had they beaten her.
contradictverbUS /ˌkɑːntrəˈdɪkt/
be in contradiction with
From this reading But having neither personal nor mental affection towards her sufficiently interesting to give himself the trouble to contradict her will in anything, he passed for one of the best husbands in the world.
deannounUS /diːn/
an administrator in charge of a division of a university or college
From this reading If the dean had loved his wife but moderately, seeing all her faults clearly as he did, he must frequently have quarrelled with her: if he had loved her with tenderness, he must have treated her with a degree of violence in the hope of amending her failings.
dean'snounUS /diːnz/
possessive form of “dean” — an administrator in charge of a division of a university or college
From this reading The dean's wife was not so dispassionately considered by some of his acquaintance as by himself; for they would now and then hint at her foibles: but this great liberty she also conceived to be the effect of most violent love, or most violent admiration: and such would have been her construction had they commended her follies--had they totally slighted, or had they beaten her.
degreenounUS /dɪˈɡriː/
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading If the dean had loved his wife but moderately, seeing all her faults clearly as he did, he must frequently have quarrelled with her: if he had loved her with tenderness, he must have treated her with a degree of violence in the hope of amending her failings.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading If the dean had loved his wife but moderately, seeing all her faults clearly as he did, he must frequently have quarrelled with her: if he had loved her with tenderness, he must have treated her with a degree of violence in the hope of amending her failings.
disapprobationnoun
an expression of strong disapproval; pronouncing as wrong or morally culpable
From this reading Lady Clementina went out when she liked, stayed at home when she liked, dressed as she liked, and talked as she liked without a word of disapprobation from her husband, and all--because he cared nothing about her.
dispassionatelyadverbUS /dɪˈspæʃənətli/
in an impartially dispassionate manner
From this reading The dean's wife was not so dispassionately considered by some of his acquaintance as by himself; for they would now and then hint at her foibles: but this great liberty she also conceived to be the effect of most violent love, or most violent admiration: and such would have been her construction had they commended her follies--had they totally slighted, or had they beaten her.
dressedadjectiveUS /drest/
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading Lady Clementina went out when she liked, stayed at home when she liked, dressed as she liked, and talked as she liked without a word of disapprobation from her husband, and all--because he cared nothing about her.
effectnounUS /ɪˈfekt/
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading The dean's wife was not so dispassionately considered by some of his acquaintance as by himself; for they would now and then hint at her foibles: but this great liberty she also conceived to be the effect of most violent love, or most violent admiration: and such would have been her construction had they commended her follies--had they totally slighted, or had they beaten her.
excessiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsesɪv/
beyond normal limits
From this reading Her vanity attributed this indulgence to inordinate affection; and observers in general thought her happier in her marriage than the beloved wife who bathes her pillow with tears by the side of an angry husband, whose affection is so excessive that he unkindly upbraids her because she is--less than perfection.
failingsnounUS /ˈfeɪlɪŋz/
plural of “failing” — a flaw or weak point
From this reading If the dean had loved his wife but moderately, seeing all her faults clearly as he did, he must frequently have quarrelled with her: if he had loved her with tenderness, he must have treated her with a degree of violence in the hope of amending her failings.
faultsnounUS /fɔːlts/
plural of “fault” — a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading If the dean had loved his wife but moderately, seeing all her faults clearly as he did, he must frequently have quarrelled with her: if he had loved her with tenderness, he must have treated her with a degree of violence in the hope of amending her failings.
foiblesnounUS /ˈfɔɪbəlz/
plural of “foible” — a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual
From this reading The dean's wife was not so dispassionately considered by some of his acquaintance as by himself; for they would now and then hint at her foibles: but this great liberty she also conceived to be the effect of most violent love, or most violent admiration: and such would have been her construction had they commended her follies--had they totally slighted, or had they beaten her.
folliesnounUS /ˈfɑːliz/
a revue with elaborate costuming
From this reading The dean's wife was not so dispassionately considered by some of his acquaintance as by himself; for they would now and then hint at her foibles: but this great liberty she also conceived to be the effect of most violent love, or most violent admiration: and such would have been her construction had they commended her follies--had they totally slighted, or had they beaten her.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But having neither personal nor mental affection towards her sufficiently interesting to give himself the trouble to contradict her will in anything, he passed for one of the best husbands in the world.
frequentlyadverbUS /ˈfriːkwəntli/
many times at short intervals
From this reading If the dean had loved his wife but moderately, seeing all her faults clearly as he did, he must frequently have quarrelled with her: if he had loved her with tenderness, he must have treated her with a degree of violence in the hope of amending her failings.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Lady Clementina went out when she liked, stayed at home when she liked, dressed as she liked, and talked as she liked without a word of disapprobation from her husband, and all--because he cared nothing about her.
generaladjectiveUS /ˈdʒenərəl/
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading Her vanity attributed this indulgence to inordinate affection; and observers in general thought her happier in her marriage than the beloved wife who bathes her pillow with tears by the side of an angry husband, whose affection is so excessive that he unkindly upbraids her because she is--less than perfection.
giveverbUS /ɡɪv/
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading But having neither personal nor mental affection towards her sufficiently interesting to give himself the trouble to contradict her will in anything, he passed for one of the best husbands in the world.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The dean's wife was not so dispassionately considered by some of his acquaintance as by himself; for they would now and then hint at her foibles: but this great liberty she also conceived to be the effect of most violent love, or most violent admiration: and such would have been her construction had they commended her follies--had they totally slighted, or had they beaten her.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading If the dean had loved his wife but moderately, seeing all her faults clearly as he did, he must frequently have quarrelled with her: if he had loved her with tenderness, he must have treated her with a degree of violence in the hope of amending her failings.
happieradjectiveUS /ˈhæpiər/
comparative of “happy” — enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading Her vanity attributed this indulgence to inordinate affection; and observers in general thought her happier in her marriage than the beloved wife who bathes her pillow with tears by the side of an angry husband, whose affection is so excessive that he unkindly upbraids her because she is--less than perfection.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If the dean had loved his wife but moderately, seeing all her faults clearly as he did, he must frequently have quarrelled with her: if he had loved her with tenderness, he must have treated her with a degree of violence in the hope of amending her failings.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading But having neither personal nor mental affection towards her sufficiently interesting to give himself the trouble to contradict her will in anything, he passed for one of the best husbands in the world.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If the dean had loved his wife but moderately, seeing all her faults clearly as he did, he must frequently have quarrelled with her: if he had loved her with tenderness, he must have treated her with a degree of violence in the hope of amending her failings.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading If the dean had loved his wife but moderately, seeing all her faults clearly as he did, he must frequently have quarrelled with her: if he had loved her with tenderness, he must have treated her with a degree of violence in the hope of amending her failings.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading But having neither personal nor mental affection towards her sufficiently interesting to give himself the trouble to contradict her will in anything, he passed for one of the best husbands in the world.
hintnounUS /hɪnt/
an indirect suggestion
From this reading The dean's wife was not so dispassionately considered by some of his acquaintance as by himself; for they would now and then hint at her foibles: but this great liberty she also conceived to be the effect of most violent love, or most violent admiration: and such would have been her construction had they commended her follies--had they totally slighted, or had they beaten her.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading If the dean had loved his wife but moderately, seeing all her faults clearly as he did, he must frequently have quarrelled with her: if he had loved her with tenderness, he must have treated her with a degree of violence in the hope of amending her failings.
homenounUS /hoʊm/
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Lady Clementina went out when she liked, stayed at home when she liked, dressed as she liked, and talked as she liked without a word of disapprobation from her husband, and all--because he cared nothing about her.
hopenounUS /hoʊp/
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading If the dean had loved his wife but moderately, seeing all her faults clearly as he did, he must frequently have quarrelled with her: if he had loved her with tenderness, he must have treated her with a degree of violence in the hope of amending her failings.
husbandnounUS /ˈhʌzbənd/
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Lady Clementina went out when she liked, stayed at home when she liked, dressed as she liked, and talked as she liked without a word of disapprobation from her husband, and all--because he cared nothing about her.
husbandsnounUS /ˈhʌzbəndz/
plural of “husband” — a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading But having neither personal nor mental affection towards her sufficiently interesting to give himself the trouble to contradict her will in anything, he passed for one of the best husbands in the world.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If the dean had loved his wife but moderately, seeing all her faults clearly as he did, he must frequently have quarrelled with her: if he had loved her with tenderness, he must have treated her with a degree of violence in the hope of amending her failings.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading If the dean had loved his wife but moderately, seeing all her faults clearly as he did, he must frequently have quarrelled with her: if he had loved her with tenderness, he must have treated her with a degree of violence in the hope of amending her failings.
indulgencenounUS /ˌɪnˈdʌldʒəns/
an inability to resist the gratification of whims and desires
From this reading Her vanity attributed this indulgence to inordinate affection; and observers in general thought her happier in her marriage than the beloved wife who bathes her pillow with tears by the side of an angry husband, whose affection is so excessive that he unkindly upbraids her because she is--less than perfection.
inordinateadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnɔːrdənɪt/
beyond normal limits
From this reading Her vanity attributed this indulgence to inordinate affection; and observers in general thought her happier in her marriage than the beloved wife who bathes her pillow with tears by the side of an angry husband, whose affection is so excessive that he unkindly upbraids her because she is--less than perfection.
interestingadjectiveUS /ˈɪntrəstɪŋ/
arousing or holding the attention
From this reading But having neither personal nor mental affection towards her sufficiently interesting to give himself the trouble to contradict her will in anything, he passed for one of the best husbands in the world.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Her vanity attributed this indulgence to inordinate affection; and observers in general thought her happier in her marriage than the beloved wife who bathes her pillow with tears by the side of an angry husband, whose affection is so excessive that he unkindly upbraids her because she is--less than perfection.
LadynounUS /ˈleɪdi/
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Lady Clementina went out when she liked, stayed at home when she liked, dressed as she liked, and talked as she liked without a word of disapprobation from her husband, and all--because he cared nothing about her.
lessadverbUS /les/
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Her vanity attributed this indulgence to inordinate affection; and observers in general thought her happier in her marriage than the beloved wife who bathes her pillow with tears by the side of an angry husband, whose affection is so excessive that he unkindly upbraids her because she is--less than perfection.
libertynounUS /ˈlɪb.ər.ti/
The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.
From this reading The dean's wife was not so dispassionately considered by some of his acquaintance as by himself; for they would now and then hint at her foibles: but this great liberty she also conceived to be the effect of most violent love, or most violent admiration: and such would have been her construction had they commended her follies--had they totally slighted, or had they beaten her.
likedadjectiveUS /laɪkt/
found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form
From this reading Lady Clementina went out when she liked, stayed at home when she liked, dressed as she liked, and talked as she liked without a word of disapprobation from her husband, and all--because he cared nothing about her.
lovenounUS /lʌv/
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading The dean's wife was not so dispassionately considered by some of his acquaintance as by himself; for they would now and then hint at her foibles: but this great liberty she also conceived to be the effect of most violent love, or most violent admiration: and such would have been her construction had they commended her follies--had they totally slighted, or had they beaten her.
lovedadjectiveUS /lʌvd/
held dear
From this reading If the dean had loved his wife but moderately, seeing all her faults clearly as he did, he must frequently have quarrelled with her: if he had loved her with tenderness, he must have treated her with a degree of violence in the hope of amending her failings.
marriagenounUS /ˈmerɪdʒ/
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading Her vanity attributed this indulgence to inordinate affection; and observers in general thought her happier in her marriage than the beloved wife who bathes her pillow with tears by the side of an angry husband, whose affection is so excessive that he unkindly upbraids her because she is--less than perfection.
mentaladjectiveUS /ˈmentəl/
involving the mind or an intellectual process
From this reading But having neither personal nor mental affection towards her sufficiently interesting to give himself the trouble to contradict her will in anything, he passed for one of the best husbands in the world.
moderatelyadverbUS /ˈmɑːdərətli/
to certain extent or degree
From this reading If the dean had loved his wife but moderately, seeing all her faults clearly as he did, he must frequently have quarrelled with her: if he had loved her with tenderness, he must have treated her with a degree of violence in the hope of amending her failings.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading The dean's wife was not so dispassionately considered by some of his acquaintance as by himself; for they would now and then hint at her foibles: but this great liberty she also conceived to be the effect of most violent love, or most violent admiration: and such would have been her construction had they commended her follies--had they totally slighted, or had they beaten her.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading If the dean had loved his wife but moderately, seeing all her faults clearly as he did, he must frequently have quarrelled with her: if he had loved her with tenderness, he must have treated her with a degree of violence in the hope of amending her failings.
neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/
not one and not the other of two
From this reading But having neither personal nor mental affection towards her sufficiently interesting to give himself the trouble to contradict her will in anything, he passed for one of the best husbands in the world.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading But having neither personal nor mental affection towards her sufficiently interesting to give himself the trouble to contradict her will in anything, he passed for one of the best husbands in the world.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The dean's wife was not so dispassionately considered by some of his acquaintance as by himself; for they would now and then hint at her foibles: but this great liberty she also conceived to be the effect of most violent love, or most violent admiration: and such would have been her construction had they commended her follies--had they totally slighted, or had they beaten her.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Lady Clementina went out when she liked, stayed at home when she liked, dressed as she liked, and talked as she liked without a word of disapprobation from her husband, and all--because he cared nothing about her.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The dean's wife was not so dispassionately considered by some of his acquaintance as by himself; for they would now and then hint at her foibles: but this great liberty she also conceived to be the effect of most violent love, or most violent admiration: and such would have been her construction had they commended her follies--had they totally slighted, or had they beaten her.
observersnounUS /əbˈzɜːrvərz/
plural of “observer” — a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses
From this reading Her vanity attributed this indulgence to inordinate affection; and observers in general thought her happier in her marriage than the beloved wife who bathes her pillow with tears by the side of an angry husband, whose affection is so excessive that he unkindly upbraids her because she is--less than perfection.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading If the dean had loved his wife but moderately, seeing all her faults clearly as he did, he must frequently have quarrelled with her: if he had loved her with tenderness, he must have treated her with a degree of violence in the hope of amending her failings.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But having neither personal nor mental affection towards her sufficiently interesting to give himself the trouble to contradict her will in anything, he passed for one of the best husbands in the world.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The dean's wife was not so dispassionately considered by some of his acquaintance as by himself; for they would now and then hint at her foibles: but this great liberty she also conceived to be the effect of most violent love, or most violent admiration: and such would have been her construction had they commended her follies--had they totally slighted, or had they beaten her.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Lady Clementina went out when she liked, stayed at home when she liked, dressed as she liked, and talked as she liked without a word of disapprobation from her husband, and all--because he cared nothing about her.
passedverbUS /pæst/
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading But having neither personal nor mental affection towards her sufficiently interesting to give himself the trouble to contradict her will in anything, he passed for one of the best husbands in the world.
perfectionnounUS /pərˈfekʃən/
the state of being without a flaw or defect
From this reading Her vanity attributed this indulgence to inordinate affection; and observers in general thought her happier in her marriage than the beloved wife who bathes her pillow with tears by the side of an angry husband, whose affection is so excessive that he unkindly upbraids her because she is--less than perfection.
personaladjectiveUS /ˈpɜːrsɪnəl/
concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
From this reading But having neither personal nor mental affection towards her sufficiently interesting to give himself the trouble to contradict her will in anything, he passed for one of the best husbands in the world.
pillownounUS /ˈpɪloʊ/
a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person
From this reading Her vanity attributed this indulgence to inordinate affection; and observers in general thought her happier in her marriage than the beloved wife who bathes her pillow with tears by the side of an angry husband, whose affection is so excessive that he unkindly upbraids her because she is--less than perfection.
quarrelled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the dean had loved his wife but moderately, seeing all her faults clearly as he did, he must frequently have quarrelled with her: if he had loved her with tenderness, he must have treated her with a degree of violence in the hope of amending her failings.
seeingnounUS /ˈsiːɪŋ/
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading If the dean had loved his wife but moderately, seeing all her faults clearly as he did, he must frequently have quarrelled with her: if he had loved her with tenderness, he must have treated her with a degree of violence in the hope of amending her failings.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Lady Clementina went out when she liked, stayed at home when she liked, dressed as she liked, and talked as she liked without a word of disapprobation from her husband, and all--because he cared nothing about her.
sidenounUS /saɪd/
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Her vanity attributed this indulgence to inordinate affection; and observers in general thought her happier in her marriage than the beloved wife who bathes her pillow with tears by the side of an angry husband, whose affection is so excessive that he unkindly upbraids her because she is--less than perfection.
slightedverbUS /ˈslaɪtɪd/
past form of “slight” — pay no attention to, disrespect
From this reading The dean's wife was not so dispassionately considered by some of his acquaintance as by himself; for they would now and then hint at her foibles: but this great liberty she also conceived to be the effect of most violent love, or most violent admiration: and such would have been her construction had they commended her follies--had they totally slighted, or had they beaten her.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Her vanity attributed this indulgence to inordinate affection; and observers in general thought her happier in her marriage than the beloved wife who bathes her pillow with tears by the side of an angry husband, whose affection is so excessive that he unkindly upbraids her because she is--less than perfection.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The dean's wife was not so dispassionately considered by some of his acquaintance as by himself; for they would now and then hint at her foibles: but this great liberty she also conceived to be the effect of most violent love, or most violent admiration: and such would have been her construction had they commended her follies--had they totally slighted, or had they beaten her.
stayedverbUS /steɪd/
past form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Lady Clementina went out when she liked, stayed at home when she liked, dressed as she liked, and talked as she liked without a word of disapprobation from her husband, and all--because he cared nothing about her.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The dean's wife was not so dispassionately considered by some of his acquaintance as by himself; for they would now and then hint at her foibles: but this great liberty she also conceived to be the effect of most violent love, or most violent admiration: and such would have been her construction had they commended her follies--had they totally slighted, or had they beaten her.
sufficientlyadverbUS /səˈfɪʃəntli/
to a sufficient degree
From this reading But having neither personal nor mental affection towards her sufficiently interesting to give himself the trouble to contradict her will in anything, he passed for one of the best husbands in the world.
talkedverbUS /tɔːkt/
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading Lady Clementina went out when she liked, stayed at home when she liked, dressed as she liked, and talked as she liked without a word of disapprobation from her husband, and all--because he cared nothing about her.
tearsnounUS /terz/
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading Her vanity attributed this indulgence to inordinate affection; and observers in general thought her happier in her marriage than the beloved wife who bathes her pillow with tears by the side of an angry husband, whose affection is so excessive that he unkindly upbraids her because she is--less than perfection.
tendernessnounUS /ˈtendərnəs/
a tendency to express warm and affectionate feeling
From this reading If the dean had loved his wife but moderately, seeing all her faults clearly as he did, he must frequently have quarrelled with her: if he had loved her with tenderness, he must have treated her with a degree of violence in the hope of amending her failings.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Her vanity attributed this indulgence to inordinate affection; and observers in general thought her happier in her marriage than the beloved wife who bathes her pillow with tears by the side of an angry husband, whose affection is so excessive that he unkindly upbraids her because she is--less than perfection.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Her vanity attributed this indulgence to inordinate affection; and observers in general thought her happier in her marriage than the beloved wife who bathes her pillow with tears by the side of an angry husband, whose affection is so excessive that he unkindly upbraids her because she is--less than perfection.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading If the dean had loved his wife but moderately, seeing all her faults clearly as he did, he must frequently have quarrelled with her: if he had loved her with tenderness, he must have treated her with a degree of violence in the hope of amending her failings.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The dean's wife was not so dispassionately considered by some of his acquaintance as by himself; for they would now and then hint at her foibles: but this great liberty she also conceived to be the effect of most violent love, or most violent admiration: and such would have been her construction had they commended her follies--had they totally slighted, or had they beaten her.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The dean's wife was not so dispassionately considered by some of his acquaintance as by himself; for they would now and then hint at her foibles: but this great liberty she also conceived to be the effect of most violent love, or most violent admiration: and such would have been her construction had they commended her follies--had they totally slighted, or had they beaten her.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Her vanity attributed this indulgence to inordinate affection; and observers in general thought her happier in her marriage than the beloved wife who bathes her pillow with tears by the side of an angry husband, whose affection is so excessive that he unkindly upbraids her because she is--less than perfection.
thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Her vanity attributed this indulgence to inordinate affection; and observers in general thought her happier in her marriage than the beloved wife who bathes her pillow with tears by the side of an angry husband, whose affection is so excessive that he unkindly upbraids her because she is--less than perfection.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But having neither personal nor mental affection towards her sufficiently interesting to give himself the trouble to contradict her will in anything, he passed for one of the best husbands in the world.
totallyadverbUS /ˈtoʊtəli/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading The dean's wife was not so dispassionately considered by some of his acquaintance as by himself; for they would now and then hint at her foibles: but this great liberty she also conceived to be the effect of most violent love, or most violent admiration: and such would have been her construction had they commended her follies--had they totally slighted, or had they beaten her.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading But having neither personal nor mental affection towards her sufficiently interesting to give himself the trouble to contradict her will in anything, he passed for one of the best husbands in the world.
treatedadjectiveUS /ˈtriːtɪd/
subjected to a physical (or chemical) treatment or action or agent
From this reading If the dean had loved his wife but moderately, seeing all her faults clearly as he did, he must frequently have quarrelled with her: if he had loved her with tenderness, he must have treated her with a degree of violence in the hope of amending her failings.
troublenounUS /ˈtrʌbəl/
a source of difficulty
From this reading But having neither personal nor mental affection towards her sufficiently interesting to give himself the trouble to contradict her will in anything, he passed for one of the best husbands in the world.
unkindlyadjective
lacking in sympathy and kindness
From this reading Her vanity attributed this indulgence to inordinate affection; and observers in general thought her happier in her marriage than the beloved wife who bathes her pillow with tears by the side of an angry husband, whose affection is so excessive that he unkindly upbraids her because she is--less than perfection.
upbraids
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her vanity attributed this indulgence to inordinate affection; and observers in general thought her happier in her marriage than the beloved wife who bathes her pillow with tears by the side of an angry husband, whose affection is so excessive that he unkindly upbraids her because she is--less than perfection.
vanitynounUS /ˈvænəti/
feelings of excessive pride
From this reading Her vanity attributed this indulgence to inordinate affection; and observers in general thought her happier in her marriage than the beloved wife who bathes her pillow with tears by the side of an angry husband, whose affection is so excessive that he unkindly upbraids her because she is--less than perfection.
violencenounUS /ˈvaɪələns/
an act of aggression (as one against a person who resists)
From this reading If the dean had loved his wife but moderately, seeing all her faults clearly as he did, he must frequently have quarrelled with her: if he had loved her with tenderness, he must have treated her with a degree of violence in the hope of amending her failings.
violentadjectiveUS /ˈvaɪələnt/
acting with or marked by or resulting from great force or energy or emotional intensity
From this reading The dean's wife was not so dispassionately considered by some of his acquaintance as by himself; for they would now and then hint at her foibles: but this great liberty she also conceived to be the effect of most violent love, or most violent admiration: and such would have been her construction had they commended her follies--had they totally slighted, or had they beaten her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The dean's wife was not so dispassionately considered by some of his acquaintance as by himself; for they would now and then hint at her foibles: but this great liberty she also conceived to be the effect of most violent love, or most violent admiration: and such would have been her construction had they commended her follies--had they totally slighted, or had they beaten her.
wentverbUS /went/
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Lady Clementina went out when she liked, stayed at home when she liked, dressed as she liked, and talked as she liked without a word of disapprobation from her husband, and all--because he cared nothing about her.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Lady Clementina went out when she liked, stayed at home when she liked, dressed as she liked, and talked as she liked without a word of disapprobation from her husband, and all--because he cared nothing about her.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Her vanity attributed this indulgence to inordinate affection; and observers in general thought her happier in her marriage than the beloved wife who bathes her pillow with tears by the side of an angry husband, whose affection is so excessive that he unkindly upbraids her because she is--less than perfection.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading Her vanity attributed this indulgence to inordinate affection; and observers in general thought her happier in her marriage than the beloved wife who bathes her pillow with tears by the side of an angry husband, whose affection is so excessive that he unkindly upbraids her because she is--less than perfection.
wifenounUS /waɪf/
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading If the dean had loved his wife but moderately, seeing all her faults clearly as he did, he must frequently have quarrelled with her: if he had loved her with tenderness, he must have treated her with a degree of violence in the hope of amending her failings.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading But having neither personal nor mental affection towards her sufficiently interesting to give himself the trouble to contradict her will in anything, he passed for one of the best husbands in the world.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading If the dean had loved his wife but moderately, seeing all her faults clearly as he did, he must frequently have quarrelled with her: if he had loved her with tenderness, he must have treated her with a degree of violence in the hope of amending her failings.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Lady Clementina went out when she liked, stayed at home when she liked, dressed as she liked, and talked as she liked without a word of disapprobation from her husband, and all--because he cared nothing about her.
wordnounUS /wɜːrd/
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Lady Clementina went out when she liked, stayed at home when she liked, dressed as she liked, and talked as she liked without a word of disapprobation from her husband, and all--because he cared nothing about her.
worldnounUS /wɜːrld/
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading But having neither personal nor mental affection towards her sufficiently interesting to give himself the trouble to contradict her will in anything, he passed for one of the best husbands in the world.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The dean's wife was not so dispassionately considered by some of his acquaintance as by himself; for they would now and then hint at her foibles: but this great liberty she also conceived to be the effect of most violent love, or most violent admiration: and such would have been her construction had they commended her follies--had they totally slighted, or had they beaten her.
