tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading TRACY BECOMES ACTIVE.
(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 There are plenty of women of whom the same might be said, all the gibes of all the cynics notwithstanding.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading But it also told him that he might be ill-advised in leaving her too much alone, especially just now, when the papers were so full of the trial and of speculations as to her own existence and whereabouts.
in addition
From this reading But it also told him that he might be ill-advised in leaving her too much alone, especially just now, when the papers were so full of the trial and of speculations as to her own existence and whereabouts.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But it also told him that he might be ill-advised in leaving her too much alone, especially just now, when the papers were so full of the trial and of speculations as to her own existence and whereabouts.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Melville's faculty of reading character did not err when it satisfied him that he might rely upon Lavender Sinclair keeping faithfully any secret which she had passed her word not to betray.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There are plenty of women of whom the same might be said, all the gibes of all the cynics notwithstanding.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But it also told him that he might be ill-advised in leaving her too much alone, especially just now, when the papers were so full of the trial and of speculations as to her own existence and whereabouts.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There are plenty of women of whom the same might be said, all the gibes of all the cynics notwithstanding.
third-person singular of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading TRACY BECOMES ACTIVE.
betrayverbUS /bɪˈtreɪ/
reveal unintentionally
From this reading Melville's faculty of reading character did not err when it satisfied him that he might rely upon Lavender Sinclair keeping faithfully any secret which she had passed her word not to betray.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But it also told him that he might be ill-advised in leaving her too much alone, especially just now, when the papers were so full of the trial and of speculations as to her own existence and whereabouts.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading Melville's faculty of reading character did not err when it satisfied him that he might rely upon Lavender Sinclair keeping faithfully any secret which she had passed her word not to betray.
cynicsnounUS /ˈsɪnɪks/
plural of “cynic” — someone who is critical of the motives of others
From this reading There are plenty of women of whom the same might be said, all the gibes of all the cynics notwithstanding.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Melville's faculty of reading character did not err when it satisfied him that he might rely upon Lavender Sinclair keeping faithfully any secret which she had passed her word not to betray.
errverbUS /er/
to make a mistake or be incorrect
From this reading Melville's faculty of reading character did not err when it satisfied him that he might rely upon Lavender Sinclair keeping faithfully any secret which she had passed her word not to betray.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading But it also told him that he might be ill-advised in leaving her too much alone, especially just now, when the papers were so full of the trial and of speculations as to her own existence and whereabouts.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading But it also told him that he might be ill-advised in leaving her too much alone, especially just now, when the papers were so full of the trial and of speculations as to her own existence and whereabouts.
facultynounUS /ˈfækəlti/
one of the inherent cognitive or perceptual powers of the mind
From this reading Melville's faculty of reading character did not err when it satisfied him that he might rely upon Lavender Sinclair keeping faithfully any secret which she had passed her word not to betray.
faithfullyadverbUS /ˈfeɪθfəli/
in a faithful manner
From this reading Melville's faculty of reading character did not err when it satisfied him that he might rely upon Lavender Sinclair keeping faithfully any secret which she had passed her word not to betray.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading But it also told him that he might be ill-advised in leaving her too much alone, especially just now, when the papers were so full of the trial and of speculations as to her own existence and whereabouts.
gibesnounUS /dʒaɪbz/
plural of “gibe” — an aggressive remark directed at a person like a missile and intended to have a telling effect
From this reading There are plenty of women of whom the same might be said, all the gibes of all the cynics notwithstanding.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Melville's faculty of reading character did not err when it satisfied him that he might rely upon Lavender Sinclair keeping faithfully any secret which she had passed her word not to betray.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Melville's faculty of reading character did not err when it satisfied him that he might rely upon Lavender Sinclair keeping faithfully any secret which she had passed her word not to betray.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Melville's faculty of reading character did not err when it satisfied him that he might rely upon Lavender Sinclair keeping faithfully any secret which she had passed her word not to betray.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Melville's faculty of reading character did not err when it satisfied him that he might rely upon Lavender Sinclair keeping faithfully any secret which she had passed her word not to betray.
ill-advisedadjective
without careful prior deliberation or counsel
From this reading But it also told him that he might be ill-advised in leaving her too much alone, especially just now, when the papers were so full of the trial and of speculations as to her own existence and whereabouts.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But it also told him that he might be ill-advised in leaving her too much alone, especially just now, when the papers were so full of the trial and of speculations as to her own existence and whereabouts.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Melville's faculty of reading character did not err when it satisfied him that he might rely upon Lavender Sinclair keeping faithfully any secret which she had passed her word not to betray.
and nothing more
From this reading But it also told him that he might be ill-advised in leaving her too much alone, especially just now, when the papers were so full of the trial and of speculations as to her own existence and whereabouts.
conformity or harmony
From this reading Melville's faculty of reading character did not err when it satisfied him that he might rely upon Lavender Sinclair keeping faithfully any secret which she had passed her word not to betray.
LavenderadjectiveUS /ˈlævəndər/
of a pale purple color
From this reading Melville's faculty of reading character did not err when it satisfied him that he might rely upon Lavender Sinclair keeping faithfully any secret which she had passed her word not to betray.
the act of departing
From this reading But it also told him that he might be ill-advised in leaving her too much alone, especially just now, when the papers were so full of the trial and of speculations as to her own existence and whereabouts.
Melville's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melville's faculty of reading character did not err when it satisfied him that he might rely upon Lavender Sinclair keeping faithfully any secret which she had passed her word not to betray.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Melville's faculty of reading character did not err when it satisfied him that he might rely upon Lavender Sinclair keeping faithfully any secret which she had passed her word not to betray.
a form of address for a man
From this reading MR.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading But it also told him that he might be ill-advised in leaving her too much alone, especially just now, when the papers were so full of the trial and of speculations as to her own existence and whereabouts.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Melville's faculty of reading character did not err when it satisfied him that he might rely upon Lavender Sinclair keeping faithfully any secret which she had passed her word not to betray.
despite anything to the contrary (usually preceding a concession)
From this reading There are plenty of women of whom the same might be said, all the gibes of all the cynics notwithstanding.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But it also told him that he might be ill-advised in leaving her too much alone, especially just now, when the papers were so full of the trial and of speculations as to her own existence and whereabouts.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Melville's faculty of reading character did not err when it satisfied him that he might rely upon Lavender Sinclair keeping faithfully any secret which she had passed her word not to betray.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading But it also told him that he might be ill-advised in leaving her too much alone, especially just now, when the papers were so full of the trial and of speculations as to her own existence and whereabouts.
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading But it also told him that he might be ill-advised in leaving her too much alone, especially just now, when the papers were so full of the trial and of speculations as to her own existence and whereabouts.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Melville's faculty of reading character did not err when it satisfied him that he might rely upon Lavender Sinclair keeping faithfully any secret which she had passed her word not to betray.
a full supply
From this reading There are plenty of women of whom the same might be said, all the gibes of all the cynics notwithstanding.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading Melville's faculty of reading character did not err when it satisfied him that he might rely upon Lavender Sinclair keeping faithfully any secret which she had passed her word not to betray.
relyverbUS /rɪˈlaɪ/
have faith or confidence in
From this reading Melville's faculty of reading character did not err when it satisfied him that he might rely upon Lavender Sinclair keeping faithfully any secret which she had passed her word not to betray.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading There are plenty of women of whom the same might be said, all the gibes of all the cynics notwithstanding.
Identical; not different.
From this reading There are plenty of women of whom the same might be said, all the gibes of all the cynics notwithstanding.
filled with satisfaction
From this reading Melville's faculty of reading character did not err when it satisfied him that he might rely upon Lavender Sinclair keeping faithfully any secret which she had passed her word not to betray.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading Melville's faculty of reading character did not err when it satisfied him that he might rely upon Lavender Sinclair keeping faithfully any secret which she had passed her word not to betray.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Melville's faculty of reading character did not err when it satisfied him that he might rely upon Lavender Sinclair keeping faithfully any secret which she had passed her word not to betray.
SinclairnounUS /sɪnˈkler/
United States writer whose novels argued for social reform (1878-1968)
From this reading Melville's faculty of reading character did not err when it satisfied him that he might rely upon Lavender Sinclair keeping faithfully any secret which she had passed her word not to betray.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But it also told him that he might be ill-advised in leaving her too much alone, especially just now, when the papers were so full of the trial and of speculations as to her own existence and whereabouts.
speculationsnounUS /ˌspekjəˈleɪʃənz/
plural of “speculation” — a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
From this reading But it also told him that he might be ill-advised in leaving her too much alone, especially just now, when the papers were so full of the trial and of speculations as to her own existence and whereabouts.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Melville's faculty of reading character did not err when it satisfied him that he might rely upon Lavender Sinclair keeping faithfully any secret which she had passed her word not to betray.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There are plenty of women of whom the same might be said, all the gibes of all the cynics notwithstanding.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There are plenty of women of whom the same might be said, all the gibes of all the cynics notwithstanding.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Melville's faculty of reading character did not err when it satisfied him that he might rely upon Lavender Sinclair keeping faithfully any secret which she had passed her word not to betray.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading But it also told him that he might be ill-advised in leaving her too much alone, especially just now, when the papers were so full of the trial and of speculations as to her own existence and whereabouts.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading But it also told him that he might be ill-advised in leaving her too much alone, especially just now, when the papers were so full of the trial and of speculations as to her own existence and whereabouts.
TRACYnounUS /ˈtreɪsi/
United States film actor who appeared in many films with Katharine Hepburn (1900-1967)
From this reading TRACY BECOMES ACTIVE.
the act of testing something
From this reading But it also told him that he might be ill-advised in leaving her too much alone, especially just now, when the papers were so full of the trial and of speculations as to her own existence and whereabouts.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Melville's faculty of reading character did not err when it satisfied him that he might rely upon Lavender Sinclair keeping faithfully any secret which she had passed her word not to betray.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But it also told him that he might be ill-advised in leaving her too much alone, especially just now, when the papers were so full of the trial and of speculations as to her own existence and whereabouts.
at the time that
From this reading Melville's faculty of reading character did not err when it satisfied him that he might rely upon Lavender Sinclair keeping faithfully any secret which she had passed her word not to betray.
whereaboutsnounUS /ˈwerəbaʊts/
the general location where something is
From this reading But it also told him that he might be ill-advised in leaving her too much alone, especially just now, when the papers were so full of the trial and of speculations as to her own existence and whereabouts.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Melville's faculty of reading character did not err when it satisfied him that he might rely upon Lavender Sinclair keeping faithfully any secret which she had passed her word not to betray.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There are plenty of women of whom the same might be said, all the gibes of all the cynics notwithstanding.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading There are plenty of women of whom the same might be said, all the gibes of all the cynics notwithstanding.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Melville's faculty of reading character did not err when it satisfied him that he might rely upon Lavender Sinclair keeping faithfully any secret which she had passed her word not to betray.
