Chapter XXX

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

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

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

From this reading FROM GEORGE VALMONT TO CLEMENT MONTGOMERY Sir, On the very day I received your answer to my last letter, I discovered a circumstance which rendered that answer quite unnecessary, except to prove that you are not only a villain but a cowardly villain.

perfect or complete or pure

From this reading However you may be obliged by the action, you have but little obligation to the motive.--I hate and detest you cordially; but I would not, for my honour's sake, give up to absolute beggary, _my own--my only son_.

the mental attitude that something is believable and should be accepted as true

From this reading Not legitimate, I confess, but _natural_ in the strongest acceptance of the term.

something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading However you may be obliged by the action, you have but little obligation to the motive.--I hate and detest you cordially; but I would not, for my honour's sake, give up to absolute beggary, _my own--my only son_.

a positive feeling of liking

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

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

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

past form of “annex” — take (territory) as if by conquest

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

react verbally

From this reading FROM GEORGE VALMONT TO CLEMENT MONTGOMERY Sir, On the very day I received your answer to my last letter, I discovered a circumstance which rendered that answer quite unnecessary, except to prove that you are not only a villain but a cowardly villain.

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

From this reading FROM GEORGE VALMONT TO CLEMENT MONTGOMERY Sir, On the very day I received your answer to my last letter, I discovered a circumstance which rendered that answer quite unnecessary, except to prove that you are not only a villain but a cowardly villain.

past form of “banish” — expel from a community or group

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

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

From this reading However you may be obliged by the action, you have but little obligation to the motive.--I hate and detest you cordially; but I would not, for my honour's sake, give up to absolute beggary, _my own--my only son_.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

a solicitation for money or food (especially in the street by an apparently penniless person)

From this reading However you may be obliged by the action, you have but little obligation to the motive.--I hate and detest you cordially; but I would not, for my honour's sake, give up to absolute beggary, _my own--my only son_.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading FROM GEORGE VALMONT TO CLEMENT MONTGOMERY Sir, On the very day I received your answer to my last letter, I discovered a circumstance which rendered that answer quite unnecessary, except to prove that you are not only a villain but a cowardly villain.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

a condition that accompanies or influences some event or activity

From this reading FROM GEORGE VALMONT TO CLEMENT MONTGOMERY Sir, On the very day I received your answer to my last letter, I discovered a circumstance which rendered that answer quite unnecessary, except to prove that you are not only a villain but a cowardly villain.

(of weather or climate) physically mild

From this reading FROM GEORGE VALMONT TO CLEMENT MONTGOMERY Sir, On the very day I received your answer to my last letter, I discovered a circumstance which rendered that answer quite unnecessary, except to prove that you are not only a villain but a cowardly villain.

plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

the prevailing context that influences the performance or the outcome of a process

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure

From this reading Not legitimate, I confess, but _natural_ in the strongest acceptance of the term.

affording comfort or solace

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

in a hearty manner

From this reading However you may be obliged by the action, you have but little obligation to the motive.--I hate and detest you cordially; but I would not, for my honour's sake, give up to absolute beggary, _my own--my only son_.

lacking courage; ignobly timid and faint-hearted

From this reading FROM GEORGE VALMONT TO CLEMENT MONTGOMERY Sir, On the very day I received your answer to my last letter, I discovered a circumstance which rendered that answer quite unnecessary, except to prove that you are not only a villain but a cowardly villain.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading FROM GEORGE VALMONT TO CLEMENT MONTGOMERY Sir, On the very day I received your answer to my last letter, I discovered a circumstance which rendered that answer quite unnecessary, except to prove that you are not only a villain but a cowardly villain.

a legal document signed and sealed and delivered to effect a transfer of property and to show the legal right to possess it

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

not as far along as normal in development

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

dislike intensely; feel antipathy or aversion towards

From this reading However you may be obliged by the action, you have but little obligation to the motive.--I hate and detest you cordially; but I would not, for my honour's sake, give up to absolute beggary, _my own--my only son_.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading FROM GEORGE VALMONT TO CLEMENT MONTGOMERY Sir, On the very day I received your answer to my last letter, I discovered a circumstance which rendered that answer quite unnecessary, except to prove that you are not only a villain but a cowardly villain.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

qualified for by right according to law

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

at any time

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

apart from; not including

From this reading FROM GEORGE VALMONT TO CLEMENT MONTGOMERY Sir, On the very day I received your answer to my last letter, I discovered a circumstance which rendered that answer quite unnecessary, except to prove that you are not only a villain but a cowardly villain.

put to death as punishment

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading FROM GEORGE VALMONT TO CLEMENT MONTGOMERY Sir, On the very day I received your answer to my last letter, I discovered a circumstance which rendered that answer quite unnecessary, except to prove that you are not only a villain but a cowardly villain.

Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)

From this reading FROM GEORGE VALMONT TO CLEMENT MONTGOMERY Sir, On the very day I received your answer to my last letter, I discovered a circumstance which rendered that answer quite unnecessary, except to prove that you are not only a villain but a cowardly villain.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading However you may be obliged by the action, you have but little obligation to the motive.--I hate and detest you cordially; but I would not, for my honour's sake, give up to absolute beggary, _my own--my only son_.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

the emotion of intense dislike; a feeling of dislike so strong that it demands action

From this reading However you may be obliged by the action, you have but little obligation to the motive.--I hate and detest you cordially; but I would not, for my honour's sake, give up to absolute beggary, _my own--my only son_.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

(formal) by means of this

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

possessive form of “honour” — the state of being honored

From this reading However you may be obliged by the action, you have but little obligation to the motive.--I hate and detest you cordially; but I would not, for my honour's sake, give up to absolute beggary, _my own--my only son_.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading However you may be obliged by the action, you have but little obligation to the motive.--I hate and detest you cordially; but I would not, for my honour's sake, give up to absolute beggary, _my own--my only son_.

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

From this reading FROM GEORGE VALMONT TO CLEMENT MONTGOMERY Sir, On the very day I received your answer to my last letter, I discovered a circumstance which rendered that answer quite unnecessary, except to prove that you are not only a villain but a cowardly villain.

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

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

a metric unit of capacity, formerly defined as the volume of one kilogram of pure water under standard conditions; now equal to 1,000 cubic centimeters (or approximately 1.75 pints)

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

immediately past

From this reading FROM GEORGE VALMONT TO CLEMENT MONTGOMERY Sir, On the very day I received your answer to my last letter, I discovered a circumstance which rendered that answer quite unnecessary, except to prove that you are not only a villain but a cowardly villain.

of marriages and offspring; recognized as lawful

From this reading Not legitimate, I confess, but _natural_ in the strongest acceptance of the term.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading FROM GEORGE VALMONT TO CLEMENT MONTGOMERY Sir, On the very day I received your answer to my last letter, I discovered a circumstance which rendered that answer quite unnecessary, except to prove that you are not only a villain but a cowardly villain.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading However you may be obliged by the action, you have but little obligation to the motive.--I hate and detest you cordially; but I would not, for my honour's sake, give up to absolute beggary, _my own--my only son_.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading However you may be obliged by the action, you have but little obligation to the motive.--I hate and detest you cordially; but I would not, for my honour's sake, give up to absolute beggary, _my own--my only son_.

Canadian novelist (1874-1942)

From this reading FROM GEORGE VALMONT TO CLEMENT MONTGOMERY Sir, On the very day I received your answer to my last letter, I discovered a circumstance which rendered that answer quite unnecessary, except to prove that you are not only a villain but a cowardly villain.

the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior

From this reading However you may be obliged by the action, you have but little obligation to the motive.--I hate and detest you cordially; but I would not, for my honour's sake, give up to absolute beggary, _my own--my only son_.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading FROM GEORGE VALMONT TO CLEMENT MONTGOMERY Sir, On the very day I received your answer to my last letter, I discovered a circumstance which rendered that answer quite unnecessary, except to prove that you are not only a villain but a cowardly villain.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading Not legitimate, I confess, but _natural_ in the strongest acceptance of the term.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading FROM GEORGE VALMONT TO CLEMENT MONTGOMERY Sir, On the very day I received your answer to my last letter, I discovered a circumstance which rendered that answer quite unnecessary, except to prove that you are not only a villain but a cowardly villain.

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading However you may be obliged by the action, you have but little obligation to the motive.--I hate and detest you cordially; but I would not, for my honour's sake, give up to absolute beggary, _my own--my only son_.

under a moral obligation to do something

From this reading However you may be obliged by the action, you have but little obligation to the motive.--I hate and detest you cordially; but I would not, for my honour's sake, give up to absolute beggary, _my own--my only son_.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading FROM GEORGE VALMONT TO CLEMENT MONTGOMERY Sir, On the very day I received your answer to my last letter, I discovered a circumstance which rendered that answer quite unnecessary, except to prove that you are not only a villain but a cowardly villain.

on one occasion

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

and nothing more

From this reading FROM GEORGE VALMONT TO CLEMENT MONTGOMERY Sir, On the very day I received your answer to my last letter, I discovered a circumstance which rendered that answer quite unnecessary, except to prove that you are not only a villain but a cowardly villain.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading However you may be obliged by the action, you have but little obligation to the motive.--I hate and detest you cordially; but I would not, for my honour's sake, give up to absolute beggary, _my own--my only son_.

by chance

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

the act of having and controlling property

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

be shown or be found to be

From this reading FROM GEORGE VALMONT TO CLEMENT MONTGOMERY Sir, On the very day I received your answer to my last letter, I discovered a circumstance which rendered that answer quite unnecessary, except to prove that you are not only a villain but a cowardly villain.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading FROM GEORGE VALMONT TO CLEMENT MONTGOMERY Sir, On the very day I received your answer to my last letter, I discovered a circumstance which rendered that answer quite unnecessary, except to prove that you are not only a villain but a cowardly villain.

plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading FROM GEORGE VALMONT TO CLEMENT MONTGOMERY Sir, On the very day I received your answer to my last letter, I discovered a circumstance which rendered that answer quite unnecessary, except to prove that you are not only a villain but a cowardly villain.

past form of “render” — cause to become

From this reading FROM GEORGE VALMONT TO CLEMENT MONTGOMERY Sir, On the very day I received your answer to my last letter, I discovered a circumstance which rendered that answer quite unnecessary, except to prove that you are not only a villain but a cowardly villain.

a reason for wanting something done

From this reading However you may be obliged by the action, you have but little obligation to the motive.--I hate and detest you cordially; but I would not, for my honour's sake, give up to absolute beggary, _my own--my only son_.

the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

term of address for a man

From this reading FROM GEORGE VALMONT TO CLEMENT MONTGOMERY Sir, On the very day I received your answer to my last letter, I discovered a circumstance which rendered that answer quite unnecessary, except to prove that you are not only a villain but a cowardly villain.

a male human offspring

From this reading However you may be obliged by the action, you have but little obligation to the motive.--I hate and detest you cordially; but I would not, for my honour's sake, give up to absolute beggary, _my own--my only son_.

superlative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading Not legitimate, I confess, but _natural_ in the strongest acceptance of the term.

engaged in a struggle to overcome especially poverty or obscurity

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

disclosing unintentionally something concealed

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

a word or expression used for some particular thing

From this reading Not legitimate, I confess, but _natural_ in the strongest acceptance of the term.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading FROM GEORGE VALMONT TO CLEMENT MONTGOMERY Sir, On the very day I received your answer to my last letter, I discovered a circumstance which rendered that answer quite unnecessary, except to prove that you are not only a villain but a cowardly villain.

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

From this reading FROM GEORGE VALMONT TO CLEMENT MONTGOMERY Sir, On the very day I received your answer to my last letter, I discovered a circumstance which rendered that answer quite unnecessary, except to prove that you are not only a villain but a cowardly villain.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

up to a particular time

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

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

From this reading FROM GEORGE VALMONT TO CLEMENT MONTGOMERY Sir, On the very day I received your answer to my last letter, I discovered a circumstance which rendered that answer quite unnecessary, except to prove that you are not only a villain but a cowardly villain.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

not necessary

From this reading FROM GEORGE VALMONT TO CLEMENT MONTGOMERY Sir, On the very day I received your answer to my last letter, I discovered a circumstance which rendered that answer quite unnecessary, except to prove that you are not only a villain but a cowardly villain.

up to a particular time

From this reading I should have given to myself the satisfaction of telling you thus much before, but I delayed for two reasons; the first, till I had completely banished every struggling effort of the affection I once had for you, almost the only affection I ever had in my life; and the second, perhaps a very consoling one to you, until I had executed the deed which comes herewith, by which under certain annexed conditions you are entitled to the possession of 200l. for life.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading However you may be obliged by the action, you have but little obligation to the motive.--I hate and detest you cordially; but I would not, for my honour's sake, give up to absolute beggary, _my own--my only son_.

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

From this reading FROM GEORGE VALMONT TO CLEMENT MONTGOMERY Sir, On the very day I received your answer to my last letter, I discovered a circumstance which rendered that answer quite unnecessary, except to prove that you are not only a villain but a cowardly villain.

precisely as stated

From this reading FROM GEORGE VALMONT TO CLEMENT MONTGOMERY Sir, On the very day I received your answer to my last letter, I discovered a circumstance which rendered that answer quite unnecessary, except to prove that you are not only a villain but a cowardly villain.

a wicked or evil person; someone who does evil deliberately

From this reading FROM GEORGE VALMONT TO CLEMENT MONTGOMERY Sir, On the very day I received your answer to my last letter, I discovered a circumstance which rendered that answer quite unnecessary, except to prove that you are not only a villain but a cowardly villain.

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

From this reading FROM GEORGE VALMONT TO CLEMENT MONTGOMERY Sir, On the very day I received your answer to my last letter, I discovered a circumstance which rendered that answer quite unnecessary, except to prove that you are not only a villain but a cowardly villain.

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

From this reading However you may be obliged by the action, you have but little obligation to the motive.--I hate and detest you cordially; but I would not, for my honour's sake, give up to absolute beggary, _my own--my only son_.

an affirmative

From this reading Yes, sir, _my son_.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading FROM GEORGE VALMONT TO CLEMENT MONTGOMERY Sir, On the very day I received your answer to my last letter, I discovered a circumstance which rendered that answer quite unnecessary, except to prove that you are not only a villain but a cowardly villain.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading FROM GEORGE VALMONT TO CLEMENT MONTGOMERY Sir, On the very day I received your answer to my last letter, I discovered a circumstance which rendered that answer quite unnecessary, except to prove that you are not only a villain but a cowardly villain.