used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "This is all very interesting," replied Francis, rather at a loss where to begin.
anew
From this reading Lawrie chuckled and rode off on his crotchet of loneliness again:
be in accord; be in agreement
From this reading He had an uncomfortable feeling that he entirely agreed with old Lawrie, and an equally uncomfortable sense that he would agree also with the opposite side if it were presented, and suddenly candour made him say so.
united by being of the same opinion
From this reading He had an uncomfortable feeling that he entirely agreed with old Lawrie, and an equally uncomfortable sense that he would agree also with the opposite side if it were presented, and suddenly candour made him say so.
(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 "This is all very interesting," replied Francis, rather at a loss where to begin.
in addition
From this reading He had an uncomfortable feeling that he entirely agreed with old Lawrie, and an equally uncomfortable sense that he would agree also with the opposite side if it were presented, and suddenly candour made him say so.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He had an uncomfortable feeling that he entirely agreed with old Lawrie, and an equally uncomfortable sense that he would agree also with the opposite side if it were presented, and suddenly candour made him say so.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "My eldest son would discuss the merits and demerits of civilisation with you better than I, and certainly with more warmth than I can bring to bear on the subject."
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "This is all very interesting," replied Francis, rather at a loss where to begin.
have
From this reading "My eldest son would discuss the merits and demerits of civilisation with you better than I, and certainly with more warmth than I can bring to bear on the subject."
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading "This is all very interesting," replied Francis, rather at a loss where to begin.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading "My eldest son would discuss the merits and demerits of civilisation with you better than I, and certainly with more warmth than I can bring to bear on the subject."
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading "My eldest son would discuss the merits and demerits of civilisation with you better than I, and certainly with more warmth than I can bring to bear on the subject."
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "My eldest son would discuss the merits and demerits of civilisation with you better than I, and certainly with more warmth than I can bring to bear on the subject."
candournoun
the quality of being honest and straightforward in attitude and speech
From this reading He had an uncomfortable feeling that he entirely agreed with old Lawrie, and an equally uncomfortable sense that he would agree also with the opposite side if it were presented, and suddenly candour made him say so.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading "My eldest son would discuss the merits and demerits of civilisation with you better than I, and certainly with more warmth than I can bring to bear on the subject."
chuckledverbUS /ˈtʃʌkəld/
past form of “chuckle” — laugh quietly or with restraint
From this reading Lawrie chuckled and rode off on his crotchet of loneliness again:
civilisationnoun
the social process whereby societies achieve an advanced stage of development and organization
From this reading "My eldest son would discuss the merits and demerits of civilisation with you better than I, and certainly with more warmth than I can bring to bear on the subject."
crotchetnoun
a sharp curve or crook; a shape resembling a hook
From this reading Lawrie chuckled and rode off on his crotchet of loneliness again:
demeritsnounUS /diˈmerəts/
plural of “demerit” — a mark against a person for misconduct or failure; usually given in school or armed forces
From this reading "My eldest son would discuss the merits and demerits of civilisation with you better than I, and certainly with more warmth than I can bring to bear on the subject."
discussverbUS /dɪˈskʌs/
to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading "My eldest son would discuss the merits and demerits of civilisation with you better than I, and certainly with more warmth than I can bring to bear on the subject."
eldestadjectiveUS /ˈeldəst/
first in order of birth
From this reading "My eldest son would discuss the merits and demerits of civilisation with you better than I, and certainly with more warmth than I can bring to bear on the subject."
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading He had an uncomfortable feeling that he entirely agreed with old Lawrie, and an equally uncomfortable sense that he would agree also with the opposite side if it were presented, and suddenly candour made him say so.
to the same degree (often followed by “as”)
From this reading He had an uncomfortable feeling that he entirely agreed with old Lawrie, and an equally uncomfortable sense that he would agree also with the opposite side if it were presented, and suddenly candour made him say so.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading He had an uncomfortable feeling that he entirely agreed with old Lawrie, and an equally uncomfortable sense that he would agree also with the opposite side if it were presented, and suddenly candour made him say so.
Francis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "This is all very interesting," replied Francis, rather at a loss where to begin.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had an uncomfortable feeling that he entirely agreed with old Lawrie, and an equally uncomfortable sense that he would agree also with the opposite side if it were presented, and suddenly candour made him say so.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had an uncomfortable feeling that he entirely agreed with old Lawrie, and an equally uncomfortable sense that he would agree also with the opposite side if it were presented, and suddenly candour made him say so.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had an uncomfortable feeling that he entirely agreed with old Lawrie, and an equally uncomfortable sense that he would agree also with the opposite side if it were presented, and suddenly candour made him say so.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Lawrie chuckled and rode off on his crotchet of loneliness again:
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "My eldest son would discuss the merits and demerits of civilisation with you better than I, and certainly with more warmth than I can bring to bear on the subject."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He had an uncomfortable feeling that he entirely agreed with old Lawrie, and an equally uncomfortable sense that he would agree also with the opposite side if it were presented, and suddenly candour made him say so.
arousing or holding the attention
From this reading "This is all very interesting," replied Francis, rather at a loss where to begin.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "This is all very interesting," replied Francis, rather at a loss where to begin.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He had an uncomfortable feeling that he entirely agreed with old Lawrie, and an equally uncomfortable sense that he would agree also with the opposite side if it were presented, and suddenly candour made him say so.
Lawrie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had an uncomfortable feeling that he entirely agreed with old Lawrie, and an equally uncomfortable sense that he would agree also with the opposite side if it were presented, and suddenly candour made him say so.
lonelinessnounUS /ˈloʊnlinəs/
the state of being alone in solitary isolation
From this reading Lawrie chuckled and rode off on his crotchet of loneliness again:
something that is lost
From this reading "This is all very interesting," replied Francis, rather at a loss where to begin.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading He had an uncomfortable feeling that he entirely agreed with old Lawrie, and an equally uncomfortable sense that he would agree also with the opposite side if it were presented, and suddenly candour made him say so.
meritsnounUS /ˈmerəts/
plural of “merit” — any admirable quality or attribute
From this reading "My eldest son would discuss the merits and demerits of civilisation with you better than I, and certainly with more warmth than I can bring to bear on the subject."
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading "My eldest son would discuss the merits and demerits of civilisation with you better than I, and certainly with more warmth than I can bring to bear on the subject."
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "My eldest son would discuss the merits and demerits of civilisation with you better than I, and certainly with more warmth than I can bring to bear on the subject."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "My eldest son would discuss the merits and demerits of civilisation with you better than I, and certainly with more warmth than I can bring to bear on the subject."
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Lawrie chuckled and rode off on his crotchet of loneliness again:
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He had an uncomfortable feeling that he entirely agreed with old Lawrie, and an equally uncomfortable sense that he would agree also with the opposite side if it were presented, and suddenly candour made him say so.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "My eldest son would discuss the merits and demerits of civilisation with you better than I, and certainly with more warmth than I can bring to bear on the subject."
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading He had an uncomfortable feeling that he entirely agreed with old Lawrie, and an equally uncomfortable sense that he would agree also with the opposite side if it were presented, and suddenly candour made him say so.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading He had an uncomfortable feeling that he entirely agreed with old Lawrie, and an equally uncomfortable sense that he would agree also with the opposite side if it were presented, and suddenly candour made him say so.
on the contrary
From this reading "This is all very interesting," replied Francis, rather at a loss where to begin.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading "This is all very interesting," replied Francis, rather at a loss where to begin.
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading Lawrie chuckled and rode off on his crotchet of loneliness again:
express in words
From this reading He had an uncomfortable feeling that he entirely agreed with old Lawrie, and an equally uncomfortable sense that he would agree also with the opposite side if it were presented, and suddenly candour made him say so.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading He had an uncomfortable feeling that he entirely agreed with old Lawrie, and an equally uncomfortable sense that he would agree also with the opposite side if it were presented, and suddenly candour made him say so.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading He had an uncomfortable feeling that he entirely agreed with old Lawrie, and an equally uncomfortable sense that he would agree also with the opposite side if it were presented, and suddenly candour made him say so.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He had an uncomfortable feeling that he entirely agreed with old Lawrie, and an equally uncomfortable sense that he would agree also with the opposite side if it were presented, and suddenly candour made him say so.
a male human offspring
From this reading "My eldest son would discuss the merits and demerits of civilisation with you better than I, and certainly with more warmth than I can bring to bear on the subject."
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading "My eldest son would discuss the merits and demerits of civilisation with you better than I, and certainly with more warmth than I can bring to bear on the subject."
happening unexpectedly
From this reading He had an uncomfortable feeling that he entirely agreed with old Lawrie, and an equally uncomfortable sense that he would agree also with the opposite side if it were presented, and suddenly candour made him say so.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading "My eldest son would discuss the merits and demerits of civilisation with you better than I, and certainly with more warmth than I can bring to bear on the subject."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had an uncomfortable feeling that he entirely agreed with old Lawrie, and an equally uncomfortable sense that he would agree also with the opposite side if it were presented, and suddenly candour made him say so.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "My eldest son would discuss the merits and demerits of civilisation with you better than I, and certainly with more warmth than I can bring to bear on the subject."
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "This is all very interesting," replied Francis, rather at a loss where to begin.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "This is all very interesting," replied Francis, rather at a loss where to begin.
uncomfortableadjectiveUS /ənˈkʌmfərtəbəl/
conducive to or feeling mental discomfort
From this reading He had an uncomfortable feeling that he entirely agreed with old Lawrie, and an equally uncomfortable sense that he would agree also with the opposite side if it were presented, and suddenly candour made him say so.
precisely as stated
From this reading "This is all very interesting," replied Francis, rather at a loss where to begin.
warmthnounUS /wɔːrmθ/
the sensation caused by heat energy
From this reading "My eldest son would discuss the merits and demerits of civilisation with you better than I, and certainly with more warmth than I can bring to bear on the subject."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He had an uncomfortable feeling that he entirely agreed with old Lawrie, and an equally uncomfortable sense that he would agree also with the opposite side if it were presented, and suddenly candour made him say so.
in or at the place that
From this reading "This is all very interesting," replied Francis, rather at a loss where to begin.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "My eldest son would discuss the merits and demerits of civilisation with you better than I, and certainly with more warmth than I can bring to bear on the subject."
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "My eldest son would discuss the merits and demerits of civilisation with you better than I, and certainly with more warmth than I can bring to bear on the subject."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "My eldest son would discuss the merits and demerits of civilisation with you better than I, and certainly with more warmth than I can bring to bear on the subject."
