Chapter XXVIII · Chapter 28

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

plural of “admonition” — cautionary advice about something imminent (especially imminent danger or other unpleasantness)

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

plural of “advantage” — the quality of having a superior or more favorable position

From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He turned to look at his companion over his shoulder.

the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

for the reason that

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

according with custom or propriety

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Hugh Flaxman rose, and, standing before the fire with his hands in his pockets, made what seemed to be a close inspection of his irreproachable trouser-knees.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’

showing who or what does the action

From this reading His tone and manner were perfectly gay, and Lady Charlotte was puzzled by him.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

the largest city in North Carolina; located in south central North Carolina

From this reading His tone and manner were perfectly gay, and Lady Charlotte was puzzled by him.

possessive form of “charlotte” — the largest city in North Carolina; located in south central North Carolina

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

rid of obstructions

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading Hugh Flaxman rose, and, standing before the fire with his hands in his pockets, made what seemed to be a close inspection of his irreproachable trouser-knees.

a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading He turned to look at his companion over his shoulder.

dearly loved

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

special importance or significance

From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’

start firing a weapon

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

praise somewhat dishonestly

From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

the trait of acting stupidly or rashly

From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer

From this reading His tone and manner were perfectly gay, and Lady Charlotte was puzzled by him.

a young female

From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’

plural of “give” — the elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading Hugh Flaxman rose, and, standing before the fire with his hands in his pockets, made what seemed to be a close inspection of his irreproachable trouser-knees.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He turned to look at his companion over his shoulder.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading His tone and manner were perfectly gay, and Lady Charlotte was puzzled by him.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

a formal or official examination

From this reading Hugh Flaxman rose, and, standing before the fire with his hands in his pockets, made what seemed to be a close inspection of his irreproachable trouser-knees.

free of guilt; not subject to blame

From this reading Hugh Flaxman rose, and, standing before the fire with his hands in his pockets, made what seemed to be a close inspection of his irreproachable trouser-knees.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

a polite name for any woman

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading He turned to look at his companion over his shoulder.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Hugh Flaxman rose, and, standing before the fire with his hands in his pockets, made what seemed to be a close inspection of his irreproachable trouser-knees.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading His tone and manner were perfectly gay, and Lady Charlotte was puzzled by him.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’

being nothing more than specified

From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

a form of address for a man

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

a message that seems to convey no meaning

From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’

above and across; more than

From this reading He turned to look at his companion over his shoulder.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading His tone and manner were perfectly gay, and Lady Charlotte was puzzled by him.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

plural of “pocket” — a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles

From this reading Hugh Flaxman rose, and, standing before the fire with his hands in his pockets, made what seemed to be a close inspection of his irreproachable trouser-knees.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’

filled with bewilderment

From this reading His tone and manner were perfectly gay, and Lady Charlotte was puzzled by him.

accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority

From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’

inflected form of “reply” — react verbally

From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading Hugh Flaxman rose, and, standing before the fire with his hands in his pockets, made what seemed to be a close inspection of his irreproachable trouser-knees.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Hugh Flaxman rose, and, standing before the fire with his hands in his pockets, made what seemed to be a close inspection of his irreproachable trouser-knees.

plural of “sentiment” — tender, romantic, or nostalgic feeling or emotion

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

lift onto one's shoulders

From this reading He turned to look at his companion over his shoulder.

refrain from harming

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

having a supporting base

From this reading Hugh Flaxman rose, and, standing before the fire with his hands in his pockets, made what seemed to be a close inspection of his irreproachable trouser-knees.

the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object

From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’

express in words

From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

-ing form of “throw” — propel through the air

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

the quality of a person's voice

From this reading His tone and manner were perfectly gay, and Lady Charlotte was puzzled by him.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Hugh Flaxman rose, and, standing before the fire with his hands in his pockets, made what seemed to be a close inspection of his irreproachable trouser-knees.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading He turned to look at his companion over his shoulder.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading His tone and manner were perfectly gay, and Lady Charlotte was puzzled by him.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading His tone and manner were perfectly gay, and Lady Charlotte was puzzled by him.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Hugh Flaxman rose, and, standing before the fire with his hands in his pockets, made what seemed to be a close inspection of his irreproachable trouser-knees.

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’

in the company of; together with

From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ replied the lady with her usual emphasis; ‘I never flatter you, Hugh, and I don’t mean to begin now, but it would be mere folly not to recognize that you have advantages which must tell on the mind of any girl in Miss Leyburn’s position.’

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading ‘In the first place, my dear aunt,’ said Mr. Flaxman, throwing himself back in his chair in front of Lady Charlotte’s drawing-room fire, ‘you may spare your admonitions, because it is becoming more and more clear to me that, whatever my sentiments may be, Miss Leyburn never gives a serious thought to me.’