used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This simple history of such interesting feelings made Lucy reflect a good deal.
(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with
From this reading It seldom happens that people, on the subject of matrimony, act according to the plan they have proposed to themselves.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading It seldom happens that people, on the subject of matrimony, act according to the plan they have proposed to themselves.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
beaucoup
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Il faut très peu de fond pour la politesse dans les manières: il en faut beaucoup pour celle de l’esprit.”
BRUYERE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LA BRUYERE.
celle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Il faut très peu de fond pour la politesse dans les manières: il en faut beaucoup pour celle de l’esprit.”
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
courtships
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
dans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Il faut très peu de fond pour la politesse dans les manières: il en faut beaucoup pour celle de l’esprit.”
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading “Il faut très peu de fond pour la politesse dans les manières: il en faut beaucoup pour celle de l’esprit.”
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading This simple history of such interesting feelings made Lucy reflect a good deal.
disinterestedadjectiveUS /dɪˈsɪntrɪstɪd/
unaffected by self-interest
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
one or the other of two
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
half the width of an em
From this reading “Il faut très peu de fond pour la politesse dans les manières: il en faut beaucoup pour celle de l’esprit.”
faut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Il faut très peu de fond pour la politesse dans les manières: il en faut beaucoup pour celle de l’esprit.”
emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)
From this reading This simple history of such interesting feelings made Lucy reflect a good deal.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading “Il faut très peu de fond pour la politesse dans les manières: il en faut beaucoup pour celle de l’esprit.”
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading This simple history of such interesting feelings made Lucy reflect a good deal.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
third-person singular of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading It seldom happens that people, on the subject of matrimony, act according to the plan they have proposed to themselves.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It seldom happens that people, on the subject of matrimony, act according to the plan they have proposed to themselves.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading This simple history of such interesting feelings made Lucy reflect a good deal.
IlnounUS /ɪl/
a midwestern state in north-central United States
From this reading “Il faut très peu de fond pour la politesse dans les manières: il en faut beaucoup pour celle de l’esprit.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
inspiredadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈspaɪərd/
being of such surpassing excellence as to suggest inspiration by the gods
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
arousing or holding the attention
From this reading This simple history of such interesting feelings made Lucy reflect a good deal.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seldom happens that people, on the subject of matrimony, act according to the plan they have proposed to themselves.
John'snounUS /dʒɑːnz/
possessive form of “john” — a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
l'esprit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Il faut très peu de fond pour la politesse dans les manières: il en faut beaucoup pour celle de l’esprit.”
a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth
From this reading “Il faut très peu de fond pour la politesse dans les manières: il en faut beaucoup pour celle de l’esprit.”
lesnounUS /les/
plural of “le” — a chronic inflammatory collagen disease affecting connective tissue (skin or joints)
From this reading “Il faut très peu de fond pour la politesse dans les manières: il en faut beaucoup pour celle de l’esprit.”
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
incomplete skeleton of female found in eastern Ethiopia in 1974
From this reading This simple history of such interesting feelings made Lucy reflect a good deal.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading This simple history of such interesting feelings made Lucy reflect a good deal.
manières
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Il faut très peu de fond pour la politesse dans les manières: il en faut beaucoup pour celle de l’esprit.”
take in marriage
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
matrimonynounUS /ˈmætrəmoʊni/
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading It seldom happens that people, on the subject of matrimony, act according to the plan they have proposed to themselves.
Milly's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
nobleadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊbəl/
impressive in appearance
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This simple history of such interesting feelings made Lucy reflect a good deal.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading It seldom happens that people, on the subject of matrimony, act according to the plan they have proposed to themselves.
persuadeverbUS /pərˈsweɪd/
win approval or support for
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
peu
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Il faut très peu de fond pour la politesse dans les manières: il en faut beaucoup pour celle de l’esprit.”
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading It seldom happens that people, on the subject of matrimony, act according to the plan they have proposed to themselves.
politessenoun
courtesy towards women
From this reading “Il faut très peu de fond pour la politesse dans les manières: il en faut beaucoup pour celle de l’esprit.”
pourverbUS /pɔːr/
cause to run
From this reading “Il faut très peu de fond pour la politesse dans les manières: il en faut beaucoup pour celle de l’esprit.”
past form of “propose” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading It seldom happens that people, on the subject of matrimony, act according to the plan they have proposed to themselves.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
reflectverbUS /rɪˈflekt/
manifest or bring back
From this reading This simple history of such interesting feelings made Lucy reflect a good deal.
determined
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
not often
From this reading It seldom happens that people, on the subject of matrimony, act according to the plan they have proposed to themselves.
sentimentsnounUS /ˈsentəmənts/
plural of “sentiment” — tender, romantic, or nostalgic feeling or emotion
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading This simple history of such interesting feelings made Lucy reflect a good deal.
plural of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading It seldom happens that people, on the subject of matrimony, act according to the plan they have proposed to themselves.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading This simple history of such interesting feelings made Lucy reflect a good deal.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It seldom happens that people, on the subject of matrimony, act according to the plan they have proposed to themselves.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It seldom happens that people, on the subject of matrimony, act according to the plan they have proposed to themselves.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading It seldom happens that people, on the subject of matrimony, act according to the plan they have proposed to themselves.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This simple history of such interesting feelings made Lucy reflect a good deal.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It seldom happens that people, on the subject of matrimony, act according to the plan they have proposed to themselves.
très
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Il faut très peu de fond pour la politesse dans les manières: il en faut beaucoup pour celle de l’esprit.”
except if; if not
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
precisely as stated
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
weddingsnounUS /ˈwedɪŋz/
plural of “wedding” — the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She looked back on her sisters’ courtships and weddings, and could not persuade herself they had either felt or inspired sentiments half so noble, or so disinterested, as John’s and Milly’s; and she resolved, in her own mind, she would never marry unless she was really in love—very much in love.
