used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It is a pity that grand clothes were not always greatly given to him, for he never appeared quite able to pay for them.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading It is a pity that grand clothes were not always greatly given to him, for he never appeared quite able to pay for them.
be able to spare or give up
From this reading His insolvent condition was due, true enough, to pleasure and his foremost luxury--the luxury of ceaseless charities that he could as ill afford as a coach-and-four.
(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 DEBTS AND DIGNITIES All through his life Goldsmith was greatly given to grand clothes.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Although he became deeply involved in debt, he never cultivated luxurious or unworthy delights.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading It is a pity that grand clothes were not always greatly given to him, for he never appeared quite able to pay for them.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading DEBTS AND DIGNITIES All through his life Goldsmith was greatly given to grand clothes.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It is a pity that grand clothes were not always greatly given to him, for he never appeared quite able to pay for them.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His insolvent condition was due, true enough, to pleasure and his foremost luxury--the luxury of ceaseless charities that he could as ill afford as a coach-and-four.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Although he became deeply involved in debt, he never cultivated luxurious or unworthy delights.
ceaselessadjectiveUS /ˈsiːslɪs/
uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
From this reading His insolvent condition was due, true enough, to pleasure and his foremost luxury--the luxury of ceaseless charities that he could as ill afford as a coach-and-four.
charitiesnounUS /ˈtʃerətiz/
plural of “charity” — a foundation created to promote the public good (not for assistance to any particular individuals)
From this reading His insolvent condition was due, true enough, to pleasure and his foremost luxury--the luxury of ceaseless charities that he could as ill afford as a coach-and-four.
clothing in general
From this reading DEBTS AND DIGNITIES All through his life Goldsmith was greatly given to grand clothes.
coach-and-fournoun
a carriage pulled by four horses with one driver
From this reading His insolvent condition was due, true enough, to pleasure and his foremost luxury--the luxury of ceaseless charities that he could as ill afford as a coach-and-four.
a state at a particular time
From this reading His insolvent condition was due, true enough, to pleasure and his foremost luxury--the luxury of ceaseless charities that he could as ill afford as a coach-and-four.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading His insolvent condition was due, true enough, to pleasure and his foremost luxury--the luxury of ceaseless charities that he could as ill afford as a coach-and-four.
cultivatedadjectiveUS /ˈkʌltəveɪtɪd/
(of land or fields) prepared for raising crops by plowing or fertilizing
From this reading Although he became deeply involved in debt, he never cultivated luxurious or unworthy delights.
debtnounUS /det/
the state of owing something (especially money)
From this reading Although he became deeply involved in debt, he never cultivated luxurious or unworthy delights.
DEBTSnounUS /dets/
plural of “debt” — the state of owing something (especially money)
From this reading DEBTS AND DIGNITIES All through his life Goldsmith was greatly given to grand clothes.
to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading Although he became deeply involved in debt, he never cultivated luxurious or unworthy delights.
delightsnounUS /dɪˈlaɪts/
plural of “delight” — a feeling of extreme pleasure or satisfaction
From this reading Although he became deeply involved in debt, he never cultivated luxurious or unworthy delights.
DIGNITIES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEBTS AND DIGNITIES All through his life Goldsmith was greatly given to grand clothes.
owed and payable immediately or on demand
From this reading His insolvent condition was due, true enough, to pleasure and his foremost luxury--the luxury of ceaseless charities that he could as ill afford as a coach-and-four.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading His insolvent condition was due, true enough, to pleasure and his foremost luxury--the luxury of ceaseless charities that he could as ill afford as a coach-and-four.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It is a pity that grand clothes were not always greatly given to him, for he never appeared quite able to pay for them.
foremostadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmoʊst/
ranking above all others
From this reading His insolvent condition was due, true enough, to pleasure and his foremost luxury--the luxury of ceaseless charities that he could as ill afford as a coach-and-four.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading DEBTS AND DIGNITIES All through his life Goldsmith was greatly given to grand clothes.
GoldsmithnounUS /ˈɡoʊldsmɪθ/
an artisan who makes jewelry and other objects out of gold
From this reading DEBTS AND DIGNITIES All through his life Goldsmith was greatly given to grand clothes.
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading DEBTS AND DIGNITIES All through his life Goldsmith was greatly given to grand clothes.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading DEBTS AND DIGNITIES All through his life Goldsmith was greatly given to grand clothes.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It is a pity that grand clothes were not always greatly given to him, for he never appeared quite able to pay for them.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It is a pity that grand clothes were not always greatly given to him, for he never appeared quite able to pay for them.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading DEBTS AND DIGNITIES All through his life Goldsmith was greatly given to grand clothes.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading His insolvent condition was due, true enough, to pleasure and his foremost luxury--the luxury of ceaseless charities that he could as ill afford as a coach-and-four.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Although he became deeply involved in debt, he never cultivated luxurious or unworthy delights.
insolventnounUS /ˌɪnˈsɑːlvənt/
someone who has insufficient assets to cover their debts
From this reading His insolvent condition was due, true enough, to pleasure and his foremost luxury--the luxury of ceaseless charities that he could as ill afford as a coach-and-four.
involvedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɑːlvd/
connected by participation or association or use
From this reading Although he became deeply involved in debt, he never cultivated luxurious or unworthy delights.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is a pity that grand clothes were not always greatly given to him, for he never appeared quite able to pay for them.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is a pity that grand clothes were not always greatly given to him, for he never appeared quite able to pay for them.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading DEBTS AND DIGNITIES All through his life Goldsmith was greatly given to grand clothes.
luxuriousadjectiveUS /ləɡˈʒɜːriəs/
displaying luxury and furnishing gratification to the senses
From this reading Although he became deeply involved in debt, he never cultivated luxurious or unworthy delights.
luxurynounUS /ˈlʌɡʒəri/
something that is an indulgence rather than a necessity
From this reading His insolvent condition was due, true enough, to pleasure and his foremost luxury--the luxury of ceaseless charities that he could as ill afford as a coach-and-four.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading It is a pity that grand clothes were not always greatly given to him, for he never appeared quite able to pay for them.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It is a pity that grand clothes were not always greatly given to him, for he never appeared quite able to pay for them.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His pleasures were of the simplest.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Although he became deeply involved in debt, he never cultivated luxurious or unworthy delights.
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading It is a pity that grand clothes were not always greatly given to him, for he never appeared quite able to pay for them.
a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others
From this reading It is a pity that grand clothes were not always greatly given to him, for he never appeared quite able to pay for them.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading His insolvent condition was due, true enough, to pleasure and his foremost luxury--the luxury of ceaseless charities that he could as ill afford as a coach-and-four.
pleasuresnounUS /ˈpleʒərz/
plural of “pleasure” — a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading His pleasures were of the simplest.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading It is a pity that grand clothes were not always greatly given to him, for he never appeared quite able to pay for them.
simplestadjectiveUS /ˈsɪmpləst/
superlative of “simple” — having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading His pleasures were of the simplest.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It is a pity that grand clothes were not always greatly given to him, for he never appeared quite able to pay for them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading His pleasures were of the simplest.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It is a pity that grand clothes were not always greatly given to him, for he never appeared quite able to pay for them.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading DEBTS AND DIGNITIES All through his life Goldsmith was greatly given to grand clothes.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading DEBTS AND DIGNITIES All through his life Goldsmith was greatly given to grand clothes.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading His insolvent condition was due, true enough, to pleasure and his foremost luxury--the luxury of ceaseless charities that he could as ill afford as a coach-and-four.
unworthyadjectiveUS /ənˈwɜːrði/
lacking in value or merit
From this reading Although he became deeply involved in debt, he never cultivated luxurious or unworthy delights.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading DEBTS AND DIGNITIES All through his life Goldsmith was greatly given to grand clothes.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It is a pity that grand clothes were not always greatly given to him, for he never appeared quite able to pay for them.
