used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Charney perused and re-perused a hundred times a sentence which he could not but believe to have been especially addressed to himself.
actsnounUS /ækts/
a New Testament book describing the development of the early church from Christ's Ascension to Paul's sojourn at Rome
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
(of mail) marked with a destination
From this reading Charney perused and re-perused a hundred times a sentence which he could not but believe to have been especially addressed to himself.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading Afraid to compromise her father by the mere mention of his name!
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Charney perused and re-perused a hundred times a sentence which he could not but believe to have been especially addressed to himself.
ArgusnounUS /ˈɑːrɡəs/
(Greek mythology) a giant with 100 eyes; was guardian of the heifer Io and was slain by Hermes
From this reading But by what means had Teresa contrived to evade the vigilance of his Argus in the transmission of her letter?
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Charney perused and re-perused a hundred times a sentence which he could not but believe to have been especially addressed to himself.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading Charney perused and re-perused a hundred times a sentence which he could not but believe to have been especially addressed to himself.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Charney perused and re-perused a hundred times a sentence which he could not but believe to have been especially addressed to himself.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
Charney
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Charney perused and re-perused a hundred times a sentence which he could not but believe to have been especially addressed to himself.
compromiseverbUS /ˈkɑːmprəmaɪz/
make a compromise; arrive at a compromise
From this reading Afraid to compromise her father by the mere mention of his name!
contrivedadjectiveUS /kənˈtraɪvd/
showing effects of planning or manipulation
From this reading But by what means had Teresa contrived to evade the vigilance of his Argus in the transmission of her letter?
correspondentnounUS /ˌkɔːrəˈspɑːndənt/
someone who communicates by means of letters
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Charney perused and re-perused a hundred times a sentence which he could not but believe to have been especially addressed to himself.
zealous in devotion or affection
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading Charney perused and re-perused a hundred times a sentence which he could not but believe to have been especially addressed to himself.
evadeverbUS /ɪˈveɪd/
avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
From this reading But by what means had Teresa contrived to evade the vigilance of his Argus in the transmission of her letter?
at any time
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Afraid to compromise her father by the mere mention of his name!
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
a young female
From this reading Poor girl!
grievedverbUS /ɡriːvd/
past form of “grieve” — feel grief
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Charney perused and re-perused a hundred times a sentence which he could not but believe to have been especially addressed to himself.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Charney perused and re-perused a hundred times a sentence which he could not but believe to have been especially addressed to himself.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Charney perused and re-perused a hundred times a sentence which he could not but believe to have been especially addressed to himself.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
ten 10s
From this reading Charney perused and re-perused a hundred times a sentence which he could not but believe to have been especially addressed to himself.
uneducated in general; lacking knowledge or sophistication
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
imperfectlyadverbUS /ˌɪmˈpɜːrfɪktli/
in an imperfect or faulty way
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But by what means had Teresa contrived to evade the vigilance of his Argus in the transmission of her letter?
indebtedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdetɪd/
owing gratitude or recognition to another for help or favors etc
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading But by what means had Teresa contrived to evade the vigilance of his Argus in the transmission of her letter?
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
make reference to
From this reading Afraid to compromise her father by the mere mention of his name!
being nothing more than specified
From this reading Afraid to compromise her father by the mere mention of his name!
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Afraid to compromise her father by the mere mention of his name!
not any; not one
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Charney perused and re-perused a hundred times a sentence which he could not but believe to have been especially addressed to himself.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
and nothing more
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
a human being
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
perusedverbUS /pərˈuːzd/
past form of “peruse” — examine or consider with attention and in detail
From this reading Charney perused and re-perused a hundred times a sentence which he could not but believe to have been especially addressed to himself.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading Poor girl!
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
re-perused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Charney perused and re-perused a hundred times a sentence which he could not but believe to have been especially addressed to himself.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
recognisingverbUS /ˈrekəɡnaɪzɪŋ/
-ing form of “recognise” — show approval or appreciation of
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
reflectverbUS /rɪˈflekt/
manifest or bring back
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language
From this reading Charney perused and re-perused a hundred times a sentence which he could not but believe to have been especially addressed to himself.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
not in physical motion
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
TeresanounUS /tərˈiːsə/
Indian nun and missionary in the Roman Catholic Church (born of Albanian parents in what is now Macedonia); dedicated to helping the poor in India (1910-1997)
From this reading But by what means had Teresa contrived to evade the vigilance of his Argus in the transmission of her letter?
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading Charney perused and re-perused a hundred times a sentence which he could not but believe to have been especially addressed to himself.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Charney perused and re-perused a hundred times a sentence which he could not but believe to have been especially addressed to himself.
transmissionnounUS /trænˈsmɪʃən/
the act of sending a message; causing a message to be transmitted
From this reading But by what means had Teresa contrived to evade the vigilance of his Argus in the transmission of her letter?
precisely as stated
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
vigilancenounUS /ˈvɪdʒələns/
the process of paying close and continuous attention
From this reading But by what means had Teresa contrived to evade the vigilance of his Argus in the transmission of her letter?
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But by what means had Teresa contrived to evade the vigilance of his Argus in the transmission of her letter?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Charney perused and re-perused a hundred times a sentence which he could not but believe to have been especially addressed to himself.
which person or people
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading His correspondent was evidently a woman; but it grieved him to reflect that the only one to whom he was indebted for real acts of service, the only woman who had ever devoted herself to his cause, was still so imperfectly known to him, that he was ignorant of the very sound of her voice, and by no means sure of recognising her person, should she present herself before him.
