used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They were both my neighbours, of course: but to apportion one’s heart’s love in equal shares according to the claims of justice is a very different matter.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading And Martha was an excellent girl, quite honest and friendly and good; but as for Ellen, there never could be any question about her.
(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with
From this reading They were both my neighbours, of course: but to apportion one’s heart’s love in equal shares according to the claims of justice is a very different matter.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading And Martha was an excellent girl, quite honest and friendly and good; but as for Ellen, there never could be any question about her.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And Martha was an excellent girl, quite honest and friendly and good; but as for Ellen, there never could be any question about her.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading And Martha was an excellent girl, quite honest and friendly and good; but as for Ellen, there never could be any question about her.
apportionverbUS /əˈpɔːrʃən/
distribute according to a plan or set apart for a special purpose
From this reading They were both my neighbours, of course: but to apportion one’s heart’s love in equal shares according to the claims of justice is a very different matter.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I saw as much of one sister as the other.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading And Martha was an excellent girl, quite honest and friendly and good; but as for Ellen, there never could be any question about her.
the two together, not just one
From this reading They were both my neighbours, of course: but to apportion one’s heart’s love in equal shares according to the claims of justice is a very different matter.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They were both my neighbours, of course: but to apportion one’s heart’s love in equal shares according to the claims of justice is a very different matter.
claimsnounUS /kleɪmz/
plural of “claim” — an assertion of a right (as to money or property)
From this reading They were both my neighbours, of course: but to apportion one’s heart’s love in equal shares according to the claims of justice is a very different matter.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading And Martha was an excellent girl, quite honest and friendly and good; but as for Ellen, there never could be any question about her.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading They were both my neighbours, of course: but to apportion one’s heart’s love in equal shares according to the claims of justice is a very different matter.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading One did not even think of discriminating which were her special good qualities.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading They were both my neighbours, of course: but to apportion one’s heart’s love in equal shares according to the claims of justice is a very different matter.
discriminatingadjectiveUS /dɪˈskrɪməneɪtɪŋ/
showing or indicating careful judgment and discernment especially in matters of taste
From this reading One did not even think of discriminating which were her special good qualities.
Ellen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And Martha was an excellent girl, quite honest and friendly and good; but as for Ellen, there never could be any question about her.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading She was Ellen, that was enough; or Nelly, which I prefer, for my part.
be identical or equivalent to
From this reading They were both my neighbours, of course: but to apportion one’s heart’s love in equal shares according to the claims of justice is a very different matter.
divisible by two
From this reading One did not even think of discriminating which were her special good qualities.
very good; of the highest quality
From this reading And Martha was an excellent girl, quite honest and friendly and good; but as for Ellen, there never could be any question about her.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading And Martha was an excellent girl, quite honest and friendly and good; but as for Ellen, there never could be any question about her.
characteristic of or befitting a friend
From this reading And Martha was an excellent girl, quite honest and friendly and good; but as for Ellen, there never could be any question about her.
a young female
From this reading And Martha was an excellent girl, quite honest and friendly and good; but as for Ellen, there never could be any question about her.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading And Martha was an excellent girl, quite honest and friendly and good; but as for Ellen, there never could be any question about her.
heart'snounUS /hɑːrts/
possessive form of “heart” — the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading They were both my neighbours, of course: but to apportion one’s heart’s love in equal shares according to the claims of justice is a very different matter.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading And Martha was an excellent girl, quite honest and friendly and good; but as for Ellen, there never could be any question about her.
not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent
From this reading And Martha was an excellent girl, quite honest and friendly and good; but as for Ellen, there never could be any question about her.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I saw as much of one sister as the other.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They were both my neighbours, of course: but to apportion one’s heart’s love in equal shares according to the claims of justice is a very different matter.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They were both my neighbours, of course: but to apportion one’s heart’s love in equal shares according to the claims of justice is a very different matter.
the quality of being just or fair
From this reading They were both my neighbours, of course: but to apportion one’s heart’s love in equal shares according to the claims of justice is a very different matter.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading They were both my neighbours, of course: but to apportion one’s heart’s love in equal shares according to the claims of justice is a very different matter.
Martha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And Martha was an excellent girl, quite honest and friendly and good; but as for Ellen, there never could be any question about her.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading They were both my neighbours, of course: but to apportion one’s heart’s love in equal shares according to the claims of justice is a very different matter.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading I saw as much of one sister as the other.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading They were both my neighbours, of course: but to apportion one’s heart’s love in equal shares according to the claims of justice is a very different matter.
neighboursnounUS /ˈneɪbərz/
plural of “neighbour” — a person who lives (or is located) near another
From this reading They were both my neighbours, of course: but to apportion one’s heart’s love in equal shares according to the claims of justice is a very different matter.
Nelly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was Ellen, that was enough; or Nelly, which I prefer, for my part.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading And Martha was an excellent girl, quite honest and friendly and good; but as for Ellen, there never could be any question about her.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading One did not even think of discriminating which were her special good qualities.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They were both my neighbours, of course: but to apportion one’s heart’s love in equal shares according to the claims of justice is a very different matter.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I saw as much of one sister as the other.
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were both my neighbours, of course: but to apportion one’s heart’s love in equal shares according to the claims of justice is a very different matter.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She was Ellen, that was enough; or Nelly, which I prefer, for my part.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading I saw as much of one sister as the other.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading She was Ellen, that was enough; or Nelly, which I prefer, for my part.
like better; value more highly
From this reading She was Ellen, that was enough; or Nelly, which I prefer, for my part.
plural of “quality” — an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading One did not even think of discriminating which were her special good qualities.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading And Martha was an excellent girl, quite honest and friendly and good; but as for Ellen, there never could be any question about her.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading And Martha was an excellent girl, quite honest and friendly and good; but as for Ellen, there never could be any question about her.
cut with a saw
From this reading I saw as much of one sister as the other.
sharesnounUS /ʃerz/
plural of “share” — assets belonging to or due to or contributed by an individual person or group
From this reading They were both my neighbours, of course: but to apportion one’s heart’s love in equal shares according to the claims of justice is a very different matter.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was Ellen, that was enough; or Nelly, which I prefer, for my part.
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading I saw as much of one sister as the other.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading One did not even think of discriminating which were her special good qualities.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She was Ellen, that was enough; or Nelly, which I prefer, for my part.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading They were both my neighbours, of course: but to apportion one’s heart’s love in equal shares according to the claims of justice is a very different matter.
in or at that place or location
From this reading And Martha was an excellent girl, quite honest and friendly and good; but as for Ellen, there never could be any question about her.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were both my neighbours, of course: but to apportion one’s heart’s love in equal shares according to the claims of justice is a very different matter.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading One did not even think of discriminating which were her special good qualities.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They were both my neighbours, of course: but to apportion one’s heart’s love in equal shares according to the claims of justice is a very different matter.
precisely as stated
From this reading They were both my neighbours, of course: but to apportion one’s heart’s love in equal shares according to the claims of justice is a very different matter.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And Martha was an excellent girl, quite honest and friendly and good; but as for Ellen, there never could be any question about her.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were both my neighbours, of course: but to apportion one’s heart’s love in equal shares according to the claims of justice is a very different matter.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading One did not even think of discriminating which were her special good qualities.
