used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading We comfort her all we can; but she often accuses herself of her past behaviour to so excellent a lady; and with blessings upon blessings, heaped upon you, and her master, and your charming little boy, is continually declaring how much your goodness to her aggravates her former faults to her own conscience.
accusesverbUS /əˈkjuːzɪz/
third-person singular of “accuse” — bring an accusation against; level a charge against
From this reading We comfort her all we can; but she often accuses herself of her past behaviour to so excellent a lady; and with blessings upon blessings, heaped upon you, and her master, and your charming little boy, is continually declaring how much your goodness to her aggravates her former faults to her own conscience.
matters of personal concern
From this reading She has a sister-in-law and her niece with her, and has settled all her affairs, and thinks she is not long for this world.--Her distemper is an inward decay, all at once as it were, from a constitution that seemed like one of iron; and she is a mere skeleton: you would not know her, I dare say.
aggravatesverbUS /ˈæɡrəveɪts/
third-person singular of “aggravate” — make worse
From this reading We comfort her all we can; but she often accuses herself of her past behaviour to so excellent a lady; and with blessings upon blessings, heaped upon you, and her master, and your charming little boy, is continually declaring how much your goodness to her aggravates her former faults to her own conscience.
(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 We comfort her all we can; but she often accuses herself of her past behaviour to so excellent a lady; and with blessings upon blessings, heaped upon you, and her master, and your charming little boy, is continually declaring how much your goodness to her aggravates her former faults to her own conscience.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She has a sister-in-law and her niece with her, and has settled all her affairs, and thinks she is not long for this world.--Her distemper is an inward decay, all at once as it were, from a constitution that seemed like one of iron; and she is a mere skeleton: you would not know her, I dare say.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The poor woman is very bad, and cannot live many days.
react verbally
From this reading _From Miss Darnford, in answer to the preceding._ MY DEAR MRS.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She has a sister-in-law and her niece with her, and has settled all her affairs, and thinks she is not long for this world.--Her distemper is an inward decay, all at once as it were, from a constitution that seemed like one of iron; and she is a mere skeleton: you would not know her, I dare say.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She has a sister-in-law and her niece with her, and has settled all her affairs, and thinks she is not long for this world.--Her distemper is an inward decay, all at once as it were, from a constitution that seemed like one of iron; and she is a mere skeleton: you would not know her, I dare say.
aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil
From this reading B., I have been several times (in company with Mr. Peters) to see Mrs. Jewkes.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading The poor woman is very bad, and cannot live many days.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading B., I have been several times (in company with Mr. Peters) to see Mrs. Jewkes.
behaviournounUS /bɪˈheɪvjər/
the action or reaction of something (as a machine or substance) under specified circumstances
From this reading We comfort her all we can; but she often accuses herself of her past behaviour to so excellent a lady; and with blessings upon blessings, heaped upon you, and her master, and your charming little boy, is continually declaring how much your goodness to her aggravates her former faults to her own conscience.
blessingsnounUS /ˈblesɪŋz/
plural of “blessing” — the formal act of approving
From this reading We comfort her all we can; but she often accuses herself of her past behaviour to so excellent a lady; and with blessings upon blessings, heaped upon you, and her master, and your charming little boy, is continually declaring how much your goodness to her aggravates her former faults to her own conscience.
a youthful male person
From this reading We comfort her all we can; but she often accuses herself of her past behaviour to so excellent a lady; and with blessings upon blessings, heaped upon you, and her master, and your charming little boy, is continually declaring how much your goodness to her aggravates her former faults to her own conscience.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading We comfort her all we can; but she often accuses herself of her past behaviour to so excellent a lady; and with blessings upon blessings, heaped upon you, and her master, and your charming little boy, is continually declaring how much your goodness to her aggravates her former faults to her own conscience.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading We comfort her all we can; but she often accuses herself of her past behaviour to so excellent a lady; and with blessings upon blessings, heaped upon you, and her master, and your charming little boy, is continually declaring how much your goodness to her aggravates her former faults to her own conscience.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The poor woman is very bad, and cannot live many days.
pleasing or delighting
From this reading We comfort her all we can; but she often accuses herself of her past behaviour to so excellent a lady; and with blessings upon blessings, heaped upon you, and her master, and your charming little boy, is continually declaring how much your goodness to her aggravates her former faults to her own conscience.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading We comfort her all we can; but she often accuses herself of her past behaviour to so excellent a lady; and with blessings upon blessings, heaped upon you, and her master, and your charming little boy, is continually declaring how much your goodness to her aggravates her former faults to her own conscience.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading B., I have been several times (in company with Mr. Peters) to see Mrs. Jewkes.
motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions
From this reading We comfort her all we can; but she often accuses herself of her past behaviour to so excellent a lady; and with blessings upon blessings, heaped upon you, and her master, and your charming little boy, is continually declaring how much your goodness to her aggravates her former faults to her own conscience.
constitutionnounUS /ˌkɑːnstəˈtuːʃən/
law determining the fundamental political principles of a government
From this reading She has a sister-in-law and her niece with her, and has settled all her affairs, and thinks she is not long for this world.--Her distemper is an inward decay, all at once as it were, from a constitution that seemed like one of iron; and she is a mere skeleton: you would not know her, I dare say.
seemingly without interruption
From this reading We comfort her all we can; but she often accuses herself of her past behaviour to so excellent a lady; and with blessings upon blessings, heaped upon you, and her master, and your charming little boy, is continually declaring how much your goodness to her aggravates her former faults to her own conscience.
take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading She has a sister-in-law and her niece with her, and has settled all her affairs, and thinks she is not long for this world.--Her distemper is an inward decay, all at once as it were, from a constitution that seemed like one of iron; and she is a mere skeleton: you would not know her, I dare say.
Darnford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _From Miss Darnford, in answer to the preceding._ MY DEAR MRS.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading The poor woman is very bad, and cannot live many days.
dearly loved
From this reading _From Miss Darnford, in answer to the preceding._ MY DEAR MRS.
decaynounUS /dɪˈkeɪ/
the process of gradually becoming inferior
From this reading She has a sister-in-law and her niece with her, and has settled all her affairs, and thinks she is not long for this world.--Her distemper is an inward decay, all at once as it were, from a constitution that seemed like one of iron; and she is a mere skeleton: you would not know her, I dare say.
declaringverbUS /dɪˈklerɪŋ/
-ing form of “declare” — state emphatically and authoritatively
From this reading We comfort her all we can; but she often accuses herself of her past behaviour to so excellent a lady; and with blessings upon blessings, heaped upon you, and her master, and your charming little boy, is continually declaring how much your goodness to her aggravates her former faults to her own conscience.
distempernounUS /dɪˈstempər/
any of various infectious viral diseases of animals
From this reading She has a sister-in-law and her niece with her, and has settled all her affairs, and thinks she is not long for this world.--Her distemper is an inward decay, all at once as it were, from a constitution that seemed like one of iron; and she is a mere skeleton: you would not know her, I dare say.
very good; of the highest quality
From this reading We comfort her all we can; but she often accuses herself of her past behaviour to so excellent a lady; and with blessings upon blessings, heaped upon you, and her master, and your charming little boy, is continually declaring how much your goodness to her aggravates her former faults to her own conscience.
faultsnounUS /fɔːlts/
plural of “fault” — a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading We comfort her all we can; but she often accuses herself of her past behaviour to so excellent a lady; and with blessings upon blessings, heaped upon you, and her master, and your charming little boy, is continually declaring how much your goodness to her aggravates her former faults to her own conscience.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She has a sister-in-law and her niece with her, and has settled all her affairs, and thinks she is not long for this world.--Her distemper is an inward decay, all at once as it were, from a constitution that seemed like one of iron; and she is a mere skeleton: you would not know her, I dare say.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading We comfort her all we can; but she often accuses herself of her past behaviour to so excellent a lady; and with blessings upon blessings, heaped upon you, and her master, and your charming little boy, is continually declaring how much your goodness to her aggravates her former faults to her own conscience.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading _From Miss Darnford, in answer to the preceding._ MY DEAR MRS.
that which is pleasing or valuable or useful
From this reading We comfort her all we can; but she often accuses herself of her past behaviour to so excellent a lady; and with blessings upon blessings, heaped upon you, and her master, and your charming little boy, is continually declaring how much your goodness to her aggravates her former faults to her own conscience.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She has a sister-in-law and her niece with her, and has settled all her affairs, and thinks she is not long for this world.--Her distemper is an inward decay, all at once as it were, from a constitution that seemed like one of iron; and she is a mere skeleton: you would not know her, I dare say.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading B., I have been several times (in company with Mr. Peters) to see Mrs. Jewkes.
heapedverbUS /hiːpt/
past form of “heap” — bestow in large quantities
From this reading We comfort her all we can; but she often accuses herself of her past behaviour to so excellent a lady; and with blessings upon blessings, heaped upon you, and her master, and your charming little boy, is continually declaring how much your goodness to her aggravates her former faults to her own conscience.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading We comfort her all we can; but she often accuses herself of her past behaviour to so excellent a lady; and with blessings upon blessings, heaped upon you, and her master, and your charming little boy, is continually declaring how much your goodness to her aggravates her former faults to her own conscience.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading We comfort her all we can; but she often accuses herself of her past behaviour to so excellent a lady; and with blessings upon blessings, heaped upon you, and her master, and your charming little boy, is continually declaring how much your goodness to her aggravates her former faults to her own conscience.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We comfort her all we can; but she often accuses herself of her past behaviour to so excellent a lady; and with blessings upon blessings, heaped upon you, and her master, and your charming little boy, is continually declaring how much your goodness to her aggravates her former faults to her own conscience.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading B., I have been several times (in company with Mr. Peters) to see Mrs. Jewkes.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _From Miss Darnford, in answer to the preceding._ MY DEAR MRS.
inwardadjectiveUS /ˈɪnwərd/
relating to or existing in the mind or thoughts
From this reading She has a sister-in-law and her niece with her, and has settled all her affairs, and thinks she is not long for this world.--Her distemper is an inward decay, all at once as it were, from a constitution that seemed like one of iron; and she is a mere skeleton: you would not know her, I dare say.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading She has a sister-in-law and her niece with her, and has settled all her affairs, and thinks she is not long for this world.--Her distemper is an inward decay, all at once as it were, from a constitution that seemed like one of iron; and she is a mere skeleton: you would not know her, I dare say.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The poor woman is very bad, and cannot live many days.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She has a sister-in-law and her niece with her, and has settled all her affairs, and thinks she is not long for this world.--Her distemper is an inward decay, all at once as it were, from a constitution that seemed like one of iron; and she is a mere skeleton: you would not know her, I dare say.
Jewkes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading B., I have been several times (in company with Mr. Peters) to see Mrs. Jewkes.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading She has a sister-in-law and her niece with her, and has settled all her affairs, and thinks she is not long for this world.--Her distemper is an inward decay, all at once as it were, from a constitution that seemed like one of iron; and she is a mere skeleton: you would not know her, I dare say.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading We comfort her all we can; but she often accuses herself of her past behaviour to so excellent a lady; and with blessings upon blessings, heaped upon you, and her master, and your charming little boy, is continually declaring how much your goodness to her aggravates her former faults to her own conscience.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading She has a sister-in-law and her niece with her, and has settled all her affairs, and thinks she is not long for this world.--Her distemper is an inward decay, all at once as it were, from a constitution that seemed like one of iron; and she is a mere skeleton: you would not know her, I dare say.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading We comfort her all we can; but she often accuses herself of her past behaviour to so excellent a lady; and with blessings upon blessings, heaped upon you, and her master, and your charming little boy, is continually declaring how much your goodness to her aggravates her former faults to her own conscience.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading The poor woman is very bad, and cannot live many days.
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 She has a sister-in-law and her niece with her, and has settled all her affairs, and thinks she is not long for this world.--Her distemper is an inward decay, all at once as it were, from a constitution that seemed like one of iron; and she is a mere skeleton: you would not know her, I dare say.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading The poor woman is very bad, and cannot live many days.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading We comfort her all we can; but she often accuses herself of her past behaviour to so excellent a lady; and with blessings upon blessings, heaped upon you, and her master, and your charming little boy, is continually declaring how much your goodness to her aggravates her former faults to her own conscience.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading She has a sister-in-law and her niece with her, and has settled all her affairs, and thinks she is not long for this world.--Her distemper is an inward decay, all at once as it were, from a constitution that seemed like one of iron; and she is a mere skeleton: you would not know her, I dare say.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading _From Miss Darnford, in answer to the preceding._ MY DEAR MRS.
a form of address for a man
From this reading B., I have been several times (in company with Mr. Peters) to see Mrs. Jewkes.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading _From Miss Darnford, in answer to the preceding._ MY DEAR MRS.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading We comfort her all we can; but she often accuses herself of her past behaviour to so excellent a lady; and with blessings upon blessings, heaped upon you, and her master, and your charming little boy, is continually declaring how much your goodness to her aggravates her former faults to her own conscience.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading _From Miss Darnford, in answer to the preceding._ MY DEAR MRS.
niecenounUS /niːs/
a daughter of your brother or sister
From this reading She has a sister-in-law and her niece with her, and has settled all her affairs, and thinks she is not long for this world.--Her distemper is an inward decay, all at once as it were, from a constitution that seemed like one of iron; and she is a mere skeleton: you would not know her, I dare say.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She has a sister-in-law and her niece with her, and has settled all her affairs, and thinks she is not long for this world.--Her distemper is an inward decay, all at once as it were, from a constitution that seemed like one of iron; and she is a mere skeleton: you would not know her, I dare say.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We comfort her all we can; but she often accuses herself of her past behaviour to so excellent a lady; and with blessings upon blessings, heaped upon you, and her master, and your charming little boy, is continually declaring how much your goodness to her aggravates her former faults to her own conscience.
many times at short intervals
From this reading We comfort her all we can; but she often accuses herself of her past behaviour to so excellent a lady; and with blessings upon blessings, heaped upon you, and her master, and your charming little boy, is continually declaring how much your goodness to her aggravates her former faults to her own conscience.
on one occasion
From this reading She has a sister-in-law and her niece with her, and has settled all her affairs, and thinks she is not long for this world.--Her distemper is an inward decay, all at once as it were, from a constitution that seemed like one of iron; and she is a mere skeleton: you would not know her, I dare say.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading She has a sister-in-law and her niece with her, and has settled all her affairs, and thinks she is not long for this world.--Her distemper is an inward decay, all at once as it were, from a constitution that seemed like one of iron; and she is a mere skeleton: you would not know her, I dare say.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading We comfort her all we can; but she often accuses herself of her past behaviour to so excellent a lady; and with blessings upon blessings, heaped upon you, and her master, and your charming little boy, is continually declaring how much your goodness to her aggravates her former faults to her own conscience.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading We comfort her all we can; but she often accuses herself of her past behaviour to so excellent a lady; and with blessings upon blessings, heaped upon you, and her master, and your charming little boy, is continually declaring how much your goodness to her aggravates her former faults to her own conscience.
PetersnounUS /ˈpiːtərz/
plural of “peter” — disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading B., I have been several times (in company with Mr. Peters) to see Mrs. Jewkes.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading The poor woman is very bad, and cannot live many days.
precedingadjectiveUS /priˈsiːdɪŋ/
existing or coming before
From this reading _From Miss Darnford, in answer to the preceding._ MY DEAR MRS.
express in words
From this reading She has a sister-in-law and her niece with her, and has settled all her affairs, and thinks she is not long for this world.--Her distemper is an inward decay, all at once as it were, from a constitution that seemed like one of iron; and she is a mere skeleton: you would not know her, I dare say.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading B., I have been several times (in company with Mr. Peters) to see Mrs. Jewkes.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading She has a sister-in-law and her niece with her, and has settled all her affairs, and thinks she is not long for this world.--Her distemper is an inward decay, all at once as it were, from a constitution that seemed like one of iron; and she is a mere skeleton: you would not know her, I dare say.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading She has a sister-in-law and her niece with her, and has settled all her affairs, and thinks she is not long for this world.--Her distemper is an inward decay, all at once as it were, from a constitution that seemed like one of iron; and she is a mere skeleton: you would not know her, I dare say.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading B., I have been several times (in company with Mr. Peters) to see Mrs. Jewkes.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading We comfort her all we can; but she often accuses herself of her past behaviour to so excellent a lady; and with blessings upon blessings, heaped upon you, and her master, and your charming little boy, is continually declaring how much your goodness to her aggravates her former faults to her own conscience.
sister-in-lawnounUS /ˈsɪstərɪnlɔː/
the sister of your spouse
From this reading She has a sister-in-law and her niece with her, and has settled all her affairs, and thinks she is not long for this world.--Her distemper is an inward decay, all at once as it were, from a constitution that seemed like one of iron; and she is a mere skeleton: you would not know her, I dare say.
skeletonnounUS /ˈskelətən/
something reduced to its minimal form
From this reading She has a sister-in-law and her niece with her, and has settled all her affairs, and thinks she is not long for this world.--Her distemper is an inward decay, all at once as it were, from a constitution that seemed like one of iron; and she is a mere skeleton: you would not know her, I dare say.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading We comfort her all we can; but she often accuses herself of her past behaviour to so excellent a lady; and with blessings upon blessings, heaped upon you, and her master, and your charming little boy, is continually declaring how much your goodness to her aggravates her former faults to her own conscience.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She has a sister-in-law and her niece with her, and has settled all her affairs, and thinks she is not long for this world.--Her distemper is an inward decay, all at once as it were, from a constitution that seemed like one of iron; and she is a mere skeleton: you would not know her, I dare say.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _From Miss Darnford, in answer to the preceding._ MY DEAR MRS.
plural of “think” — an instance of deliberate thinking
From this reading She has a sister-in-law and her niece with her, and has settled all her affairs, and thinks she is not long for this world.--Her distemper is an inward decay, all at once as it were, from a constitution that seemed like one of iron; and she is a mere skeleton: you would not know her, I dare say.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading She has a sister-in-law and her niece with her, and has settled all her affairs, and thinks she is not long for this world.--Her distemper is an inward decay, all at once as it were, from a constitution that seemed like one of iron; and she is a mere skeleton: you would not know her, I dare say.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading B., I have been several times (in company with Mr. Peters) to see Mrs. Jewkes.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _From Miss Darnford, in answer to the preceding._ MY DEAR MRS.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading We comfort her all we can; but she often accuses herself of her past behaviour to so excellent a lady; and with blessings upon blessings, heaped upon you, and her master, and your charming little boy, is continually declaring how much your goodness to her aggravates her former faults to her own conscience.
precisely as stated
From this reading The poor woman is very bad, and cannot live many days.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We comfort her all we can; but she often accuses herself of her past behaviour to so excellent a lady; and with blessings upon blessings, heaped upon you, and her master, and your charming little boy, is continually declaring how much your goodness to her aggravates her former faults to her own conscience.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She has a sister-in-law and her niece with her, and has settled all her affairs, and thinks she is not long for this world.--Her distemper is an inward decay, all at once as it were, from a constitution that seemed like one of iron; and she is a mere skeleton: you would not know her, I dare say.
in the company of; together with
From this reading B., I have been several times (in company with Mr. Peters) to see Mrs. Jewkes.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The poor woman is very bad, and cannot live many days.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading She has a sister-in-law and her niece with her, and has settled all her affairs, and thinks she is not long for this world.--Her distemper is an inward decay, all at once as it were, from a constitution that seemed like one of iron; and she is a mere skeleton: you would not know her, I dare say.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She has a sister-in-law and her niece with her, and has settled all her affairs, and thinks she is not long for this world.--Her distemper is an inward decay, all at once as it were, from a constitution that seemed like one of iron; and she is a mere skeleton: you would not know her, I dare say.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading We comfort her all we can; but she often accuses herself of her past behaviour to so excellent a lady; and with blessings upon blessings, heaped upon you, and her master, and your charming little boy, is continually declaring how much your goodness to her aggravates her former faults to her own conscience.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading We comfort her all we can; but she often accuses herself of her past behaviour to so excellent a lady; and with blessings upon blessings, heaped upon you, and her master, and your charming little boy, is continually declaring how much your goodness to her aggravates her former faults to her own conscience.
