used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading “How dull the girl seems!” again observed Captain Rothesay, looking after his daughter, with a tenderness of which he afterwards appeared rather ashamed.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading “How dull the girl seems!” again observed Captain Rothesay, looking after his daughter, with a tenderness of which he afterwards appeared rather ashamed.
anew
From this reading “How dull the girl seems!” again observed Captain Rothesay, looking after his daughter, with a tenderness of which he afterwards appeared rather ashamed.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
alterationsnounUS /ˌɔːltərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “alteration” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading “How dull the girl seems!” again observed Captain Rothesay, looking after his daughter, with a tenderness of which he afterwards appeared rather ashamed.
ariseverbUS /ərˈaɪz/
come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
feeling shame or guilt or embarrassment or remorse
From this reading “How dull the girl seems!” again observed Captain Rothesay, looking after his daughter, with a tenderness of which he afterwards appeared rather ashamed.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
marked by strong resentment or cynicism
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
blankadjectiveUS /blæŋk/
(of a surface) not written or printed on
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
busilyadverbUS /ˈbɪzəli/
in a busy manner
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
a young person of either sex
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
a condition that accompanies or influences some event or activity
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
a female human offspring
From this reading “How dull the girl seems!” again observed Captain Rothesay, looking after his daughter, with a tenderness of which he afterwards appeared rather ashamed.
destinynounUS /ˈdestəni/
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
drearyadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪri/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading “How dull the girl seems!” again observed Captain Rothesay, looking after his daughter, with a tenderness of which he afterwards appeared rather ashamed.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
yet to be or coming
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
a young female
From this reading “How dull the girl seems!” again observed Captain Rothesay, looking after his daughter, with a tenderness of which he afterwards appeared rather ashamed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
a sacred place of pilgrimage
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
where you live at a particular time
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “How dull the girl seems!” again observed Captain Rothesay, looking after his daughter, with a tenderness of which he afterwards appeared rather ashamed.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
joysnounUS /dʒɔɪz/
plural of “joy” — the emotion of great happiness
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
for more time
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading “How dull the girl seems!” again observed Captain Rothesay, looking after his daughter, with a tenderness of which he afterwards appeared rather ashamed.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading “How dull the girl seems!” again observed Captain Rothesay, looking after his daughter, with a tenderness of which he afterwards appeared rather ashamed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
OliveadjectiveUS /ˈɑːləv/
of a yellow-green color similar to that of an unripe olive
From this reading Poor Olive!
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading Poor Olive!
not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
on the contrary
From this reading “How dull the girl seems!” again observed Captain Rothesay, looking after his daughter, with a tenderness of which he afterwards appeared rather ashamed.
Rothesay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading “How dull the girl seems!” again observed Captain Rothesay, looking after his daughter, with a tenderness of which he afterwards appeared rather ashamed.
the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
a sudden outburst of anger
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
a tendency to express warm and affectionate feeling
From this reading “How dull the girl seems!” again observed Captain Rothesay, looking after his daughter, with a tenderness of which he afterwards appeared rather ashamed.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
to-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
tête-à-tête
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
unseenadjectiveUS /ənˈsiːn/
not seen or perceived
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
(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 Was it not well for her, that, to temper the first shock of her bitter destiny, there should arise, in the dreary blank of the future, duties so holy, that they stood almost in the place of joys?
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
in the company of; together with
From this reading “What is the matter with the child to-day?” said Captain Rothesay to his wife, with whom, oh rare circumstance! he was sitting _tête-à-tête_.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading But this, and a few other alterations for the better had taken place in consequence of his longer stay at home than usual, during which an unseen influence had been busily at work.
