used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Olive sat mournfully contemplating Sara Derwent's last letter--the last she knew it would be.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
(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 It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
a woman who has recently been married
From this reading It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
business-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading But to Olive this change seemed a positive sin.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
contemplatingverbUS /ˈkɑːntəmpleɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “contemplate” — look at thoughtfully; observe deep in thought
From this reading Olive sat mournfully contemplating Sara Derwent's last letter--the last she knew it would be.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
Derwent's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Olive sat mournfully contemplating Sara Derwent's last letter--the last she knew it would be.
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
engagementsnounUS /enˈɡeɪdʒmənts/
plural of “engagement” — a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
morally objectionable behavior
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
faithlessnessnoun
unfaithfulness by virtue of being unreliable or treacherous
From this reading She shuddered to think of Sara's wicked faithlessness; she wept with pity, remembering poor Charles.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
formaladjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrməl/
being in accord with established forms and conventions and requirements (as e.g. of formal dress)
From this reading It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
Geddes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
girlishadjectiveUS /ˈɡɜːrlɪʃ/
befitting or characteristic of a young girl
From this reading It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
Gwynne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
inferringverbUS /ˌɪnˈfɜːrɪŋ/
inflected form of “infer” — reason by deduction; establish by deduction
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Olive sat mournfully contemplating Sara Derwent's last letter--the last she knew it would be.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Olive sat mournfully contemplating Sara Derwent's last letter--the last she knew it would be.
immediately past
From this reading Olive sat mournfully contemplating Sara Derwent's last letter--the last she knew it would be.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading Olive sat mournfully contemplating Sara Derwent's last letter--the last she knew it would be.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
joined in matrimony
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
past form of “mention” — make reference to
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
and nothing more
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
mournfullyadverb
in a mournful manner
From this reading Olive sat mournfully contemplating Sara Derwent's last letter--the last she knew it would be.
a form of address for a man
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
to a great degree or extent
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
immediately following in time or order
From this reading It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
not any; not one
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
OliveadjectiveUS /ˈɑːləv/
of a yellow-green color similar to that of an unripe olive
From this reading Olive sat mournfully contemplating Sara Derwent's last letter--the last she knew it would be.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
on one occasion
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others
From this reading She shuddered to think of Sara's wicked faithlessness; she wept with pity, remembering poor Charles.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading She shuddered to think of Sara's wicked faithlessness; she wept with pity, remembering poor Charles.
positiveadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːzətɪv/
characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance or certainty etc.
From this reading But to Olive this change seemed a positive sin.
make a promise or commitment
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
rememberingnounUS /rɪˈmembərɪŋ/
the cognitive processes whereby past experience is remembered
From this reading She shuddered to think of Sara's wicked faithlessness; she wept with pity, remembering poor Charles.
remorsenounUS /rɪˈmɔːrs/
a feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed)
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
Sara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Olive sat mournfully contemplating Sara Derwent's last letter--the last she knew it would be.
Sara's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She shuddered to think of Sara's wicked faithlessness; she wept with pity, remembering poor Charles.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Olive sat mournfully contemplating Sara Derwent's last letter--the last she knew it would be.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading But to Olive this change seemed a positive sin.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Olive sat mournfully contemplating Sara Derwent's last letter--the last she knew it would be.
shudderedverbUS /ˈʃʌdərd/
past form of “shudder” — shake, as from cold
From this reading She shuddered to think of Sara's wicked faithlessness; she wept with pity, remembering poor Charles.
simplicitynounUS /sɪmˈplɪsəti/
the quality of being simple or uncompounded
From this reading It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
estrangement from god
From this reading But to Olive this change seemed a positive sin.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
statingverbUS /ˈsteɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “state” — express in words
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Olive sat mournfully contemplating Sara Derwent's last letter--the last she knew it would be.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading She shuddered to think of Sara's wicked faithlessness; she wept with pity, remembering poor Charles.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But to Olive this change seemed a positive sin.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
trothnounUS /troʊθ/
a mutual promise to marry
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
violatedadjectiveUS /ˈvaɪəleɪtɪd/
treated irreverently or sacrilegiously
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
inflected form of “weep” — shed tears because of sadness, rage, or pain
From this reading She shuddered to think of Sara's wicked faithlessness; she wept with pity, remembering poor Charles.
which person or people
From this reading It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
morally bad in principle or practice
From this reading She shuddered to think of Sara's wicked faithlessness; she wept with pity, remembering poor Charles.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Olive sat mournfully contemplating Sara Derwent's last letter--the last she knew it would be.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading It was written, not with the frank simplicity of their girlish confidence, but with the formal dignity of one who the next day would become a bride.
a late time of life
From this reading It spoke of no regret, no remorse for her violated troth; it mentioned her former promise in a cold, business-like manner, without inferring any changed love, but merely stating her friends' opinion on the “evil of long engagements, and that she would be much better married at once to Mr. Gwynne, than waiting some ten years for Charles Geddes.”
