used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Knowing how unfounded was the charge, the whole thing struck him as being so absurd, so improbable, that his mind could but receive it as a jest.
inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense
From this reading Knowing how unfounded was the charge, the whole thing struck him as being so absurd, so improbable, that his mind could but receive it as a jest.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Nevertheless, upon reflection, he saw that it might prove a subject of serious annoyance: such charges, especially if maliciously made and well planned, sometimes cost a world of trouble in their refutation.
annoyancenounUS /əˈnɔɪəns/
the psychological state of being irritated or annoyed
From this reading Nevertheless, upon reflection, he saw that it might prove a subject of serious annoyance: such charges, especially if maliciously made and well planned, sometimes cost a world of trouble in their refutation.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Knowing how unfounded was the charge, the whole thing struck him as being so absurd, so improbable, that his mind could but receive it as a jest.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Knowing how unfounded was the charge, the whole thing struck him as being so absurd, so improbable, that his mind could but receive it as a jest.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Knowing how unfounded was the charge, the whole thing struck him as being so absurd, so improbable, that his mind could but receive it as a jest.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Captain Davenal had made light of the matter to his sister.
to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle
From this reading Knowing how unfounded was the charge, the whole thing struck him as being so absurd, so improbable, that his mind could but receive it as a jest.
chargesnounUS /ˈtʃɑːrdʒəz/
plural of “charge” — an impetuous rush toward someone or something
From this reading Nevertheless, upon reflection, he saw that it might prove a subject of serious annoyance: such charges, especially if maliciously made and well planned, sometimes cost a world of trouble in their refutation.
the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor
From this reading Nevertheless, upon reflection, he saw that it might prove a subject of serious annoyance: such charges, especially if maliciously made and well planned, sometimes cost a world of trouble in their refutation.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Knowing how unfounded was the charge, the whole thing struck him as being so absurd, so improbable, that his mind could but receive it as a jest.
Davenal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Davenal had made light of the matter to his sister.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading Nevertheless, upon reflection, he saw that it might prove a subject of serious annoyance: such charges, especially if maliciously made and well planned, sometimes cost a world of trouble in their refutation.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Captain Davenal had made light of the matter to his sister.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Nevertheless, upon reflection, he saw that it might prove a subject of serious annoyance: such charges, especially if maliciously made and well planned, sometimes cost a world of trouble in their refutation.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Knowing how unfounded was the charge, the whole thing struck him as being so absurd, so improbable, that his mind could but receive it as a jest.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Captain Davenal had made light of the matter to his sister.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Knowing how unfounded was the charge, the whole thing struck him as being so absurd, so improbable, that his mind could but receive it as a jest.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Nevertheless, upon reflection, he saw that it might prove a subject of serious annoyance: such charges, especially if maliciously made and well planned, sometimes cost a world of trouble in their refutation.
improbableadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈprɑːbəbəl/
not likely to be true or to occur or to have occurred
From this reading Knowing how unfounded was the charge, the whole thing struck him as being so absurd, so improbable, that his mind could but receive it as a jest.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Nevertheless, upon reflection, he saw that it might prove a subject of serious annoyance: such charges, especially if maliciously made and well planned, sometimes cost a world of trouble in their refutation.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading He had said it was his intention to sift it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Knowing how unfounded was the charge, the whole thing struck him as being so absurd, so improbable, that his mind could but receive it as a jest.
a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading Knowing how unfounded was the charge, the whole thing struck him as being so absurd, so improbable, that his mind could but receive it as a jest.
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading Knowing how unfounded was the charge, the whole thing struck him as being so absurd, so improbable, that his mind could but receive it as a jest.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Captain Davenal had made light of the matter to his sister.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Captain Davenal had made light of the matter to his sister.
maliciouslyadverbUS /məˈlɪʃɪsli/
with malice; in a malicious manner
From this reading Nevertheless, upon reflection, he saw that it might prove a subject of serious annoyance: such charges, especially if maliciously made and well planned, sometimes cost a world of trouble in their refutation.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Captain Davenal had made light of the matter to his sister.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Nevertheless, upon reflection, he saw that it might prove a subject of serious annoyance: such charges, especially if maliciously made and well planned, sometimes cost a world of trouble in their refutation.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Knowing how unfounded was the charge, the whole thing struck him as being so absurd, so improbable, that his mind could but receive it as a jest.
in spite of what has just been said
From this reading Nevertheless, upon reflection, he saw that it might prove a subject of serious annoyance: such charges, especially if maliciously made and well planned, sometimes cost a world of trouble in their refutation.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Captain Davenal had made light of the matter to his sister.
plannedadjectiveUS /plænd/
designed or carried out according to a plan
From this reading Nevertheless, upon reflection, he saw that it might prove a subject of serious annoyance: such charges, especially if maliciously made and well planned, sometimes cost a world of trouble in their refutation.
be shown or be found to be
From this reading Nevertheless, upon reflection, he saw that it might prove a subject of serious annoyance: such charges, especially if maliciously made and well planned, sometimes cost a world of trouble in their refutation.
get something; come into possession of
From this reading Knowing how unfounded was the charge, the whole thing struck him as being so absurd, so improbable, that his mind could but receive it as a jest.
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading Nevertheless, upon reflection, he saw that it might prove a subject of serious annoyance: such charges, especially if maliciously made and well planned, sometimes cost a world of trouble in their refutation.
refutationnounUS /ˌrefjuːˈteɪʃən/
the speech act of answering an attack on your assertions
From this reading Nevertheless, upon reflection, he saw that it might prove a subject of serious annoyance: such charges, especially if maliciously made and well planned, sometimes cost a world of trouble in their refutation.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading He had said it was his intention to sift it.
cut with a saw
From this reading Nevertheless, upon reflection, he saw that it might prove a subject of serious annoyance: such charges, especially if maliciously made and well planned, sometimes cost a world of trouble in their refutation.
SERGEANT-MAJOR'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SERGEANT-MAJOR'S WIFE.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading Nevertheless, upon reflection, he saw that it might prove a subject of serious annoyance: such charges, especially if maliciously made and well planned, sometimes cost a world of trouble in their refutation.
siftverbUS /sɪft/
move as if through a sieve
From this reading He had said it was his intention to sift it.
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading Captain Davenal had made light of the matter to his sister.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Knowing how unfounded was the charge, the whole thing struck him as being so absurd, so improbable, that his mind could but receive it as a jest.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading Nevertheless, upon reflection, he saw that it might prove a subject of serious annoyance: such charges, especially if maliciously made and well planned, sometimes cost a world of trouble in their refutation.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading Knowing how unfounded was the charge, the whole thing struck him as being so absurd, so improbable, that his mind could but receive it as a jest.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading Nevertheless, upon reflection, he saw that it might prove a subject of serious annoyance: such charges, especially if maliciously made and well planned, sometimes cost a world of trouble in their refutation.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Nevertheless, upon reflection, he saw that it might prove a subject of serious annoyance: such charges, especially if maliciously made and well planned, sometimes cost a world of trouble in their refutation.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Knowing how unfounded was the charge, the whole thing struck him as being so absurd, so improbable, that his mind could but receive it as a jest.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SERGEANT-MAJOR'S WIFE.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Nevertheless, upon reflection, he saw that it might prove a subject of serious annoyance: such charges, especially if maliciously made and well planned, sometimes cost a world of trouble in their refutation.
a special situation
From this reading Knowing how unfounded was the charge, the whole thing struck him as being so absurd, so improbable, that his mind could but receive it as a jest.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Captain Davenal had made light of the matter to his sister.
a source of difficulty
From this reading Nevertheless, upon reflection, he saw that it might prove a subject of serious annoyance: such charges, especially if maliciously made and well planned, sometimes cost a world of trouble in their refutation.
unfoundedadjectiveUS /ənˈfaʊndɪd/
without a basis in reason or fact
From this reading Knowing how unfounded was the charge, the whole thing struck him as being so absurd, so improbable, that his mind could but receive it as a jest.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Nevertheless, upon reflection, he saw that it might prove a subject of serious annoyance: such charges, especially if maliciously made and well planned, sometimes cost a world of trouble in their refutation.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Knowing how unfounded was the charge, the whole thing struck him as being so absurd, so improbable, that his mind could but receive it as a jest.
(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 Nevertheless, upon reflection, he saw that it might prove a subject of serious annoyance: such charges, especially if maliciously made and well planned, sometimes cost a world of trouble in their refutation.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Knowing how unfounded was the charge, the whole thing struck him as being so absurd, so improbable, that his mind could but receive it as a jest.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading THE SERGEANT-MAJOR'S WIFE.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Nevertheless, upon reflection, he saw that it might prove a subject of serious annoyance: such charges, especially if maliciously made and well planned, sometimes cost a world of trouble in their refutation.
