used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I have longed for months to see your sister Mary and St. Gabriel's, and now to see them, and besides to have sight of my brother and of Mistress Calvert--" "To say nothing of a ride through the forest under escort of the Governor of the province!"
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
allowsverbUS /əˈlaʊz/
third-person singular of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading What could I say to such an offer save that, if my aunt allows, 'twill give me more pleasure than aught else that could befall.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading What could I say to such an offer save that, if my aunt allows, 'twill give me more pleasure than aught else that could befall.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I have longed for months to see your sister Mary and St. Gabriel's, and now to see them, and besides to have sight of my brother and of Mistress Calvert--" "To say nothing of a ride through the forest under escort of the Governor of the province!"
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
aughtnounUS /ɔːt/
a quantity of no importance
From this reading What could I say to such an offer save that, if my aunt allows, 'twill give me more pleasure than aught else that could befall.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading What could I say to such an offer save that, if my aunt allows, 'twill give me more pleasure than aught else that could befall.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
befallverbUS /bɪˈfɔːl/
become of; happen to
From this reading What could I say to such an offer save that, if my aunt allows, 'twill give me more pleasure than aught else that could befall.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading I have longed for months to see your sister Mary and St. Gabriel's, and now to see them, and besides to have sight of my brother and of Mistress Calvert--" "To say nothing of a ride through the forest under escort of the Governor of the province!"
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading I have longed for months to see your sister Mary and St. Gabriel's, and now to see them, and besides to have sight of my brother and of Mistress Calvert--" "To say nothing of a ride through the forest under escort of the Governor of the province!"
Calvert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have longed for months to see your sister Mary and St. Gabriel's, and now to see them, and besides to have sight of my brother and of Mistress Calvert--" "To say nothing of a ride through the forest under escort of the Governor of the province!"
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
chatteringnounUS /ˈtʃætərɪŋ/
the rapid series of noises made by the parts of a machine
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading What could I say to such an offer save that, if my aunt allows, 'twill give me more pleasure than aught else that could befall.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What could I say to such an offer save that, if my aunt allows, 'twill give me more pleasure than aught else that could befall.
escortnounUS /eˈskɔːrt/
someone who escorts and protects a prominent person
From this reading I have longed for months to see your sister Mary and St. Gabriel's, and now to see them, and besides to have sight of my brother and of Mistress Calvert--" "To say nothing of a ride through the forest under escort of the Governor of the province!"
fainadjectiveUS /feɪn/
having made preparations
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I have longed for months to see your sister Mary and St. Gabriel's, and now to see them, and besides to have sight of my brother and of Mistress Calvert--" "To say nothing of a ride through the forest under escort of the Governor of the province!"
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading I have longed for months to see your sister Mary and St. Gabriel's, and now to see them, and besides to have sight of my brother and of Mistress Calvert--" "To say nothing of a ride through the forest under escort of the Governor of the province!"
Gabriel'snounUS /ˈɡeɪbriəlz/
possessive form of “gabriel” — (Bible) the archangel who was the messenger of God
From this reading I have longed for months to see your sister Mary and St. Gabriel's, and now to see them, and besides to have sight of my brother and of Mistress Calvert--" "To say nothing of a ride through the forest under escort of the Governor of the province!"
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading What could I say to such an offer save that, if my aunt allows, 'twill give me more pleasure than aught else that could befall.
plural of “give” — the elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading IN GOOD GREEN WOOD "Now what say you, Mistress Peggy?"
the head of a state government
From this reading I have longed for months to see your sister Mary and St. Gabriel's, and now to see them, and besides to have sight of my brother and of Mistress Calvert--" "To say nothing of a ride through the forest under escort of the Governor of the province!"
death of a person
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading IN GOOD GREEN WOOD "Now what say you, Mistress Peggy?"
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I have longed for months to see your sister Mary and St. Gabriel's, and now to see them, and besides to have sight of my brother and of Mistress Calvert--" "To say nothing of a ride through the forest under escort of the Governor of the province!"
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading What could I say to such an offer save that, if my aunt allows, 'twill give me more pleasure than aught else that could befall.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading What could I say to such an offer save that, if my aunt allows, 'twill give me more pleasure than aught else that could befall.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN GOOD GREEN WOOD "Now what say you, Mistress Peggy?"
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
longedverbUS /lɔːŋd/
past form of “long” — desire strongly or persistently
From this reading I have longed for months to see your sister Mary and St. Gabriel's, and now to see them, and besides to have sight of my brother and of Mistress Calvert--" "To say nothing of a ride through the forest under escort of the Governor of the province!"
magpienounUS /ˈmæɡpaɪ/
long-tailed black-and-white crow that utters a raucous chattering call
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading I have longed for months to see your sister Mary and St. Gabriel's, and now to see them, and besides to have sight of my brother and of Mistress Calvert--" "To say nothing of a ride through the forest under escort of the Governor of the province!"
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading What could I say to such an offer save that, if my aunt allows, 'twill give me more pleasure than aught else that could befall.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man
From this reading IN GOOD GREEN WOOD "Now what say you, Mistress Peggy?"
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading I have longed for months to see your sister Mary and St. Gabriel's, and now to see them, and besides to have sight of my brother and of Mistress Calvert--" "To say nothing of a ride through the forest under escort of the Governor of the province!"
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading What could I say to such an offer save that, if my aunt allows, 'twill give me more pleasure than aught else that could befall.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading What could I say to such an offer save that, if my aunt allows, 'twill give me more pleasure than aught else that could befall.
not any; not one
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
not one thing; not anything
From this reading I have longed for months to see your sister Mary and St. Gabriel's, and now to see them, and besides to have sight of my brother and of Mistress Calvert--" "To say nothing of a ride through the forest under escort of the Governor of the province!"
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading IN GOOD GREEN WOOD "Now what say you, Mistress Peggy?"
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I have longed for months to see your sister Mary and St. Gabriel's, and now to see them, and besides to have sight of my brother and of Mistress Calvert--" "To say nothing of a ride through the forest under escort of the Governor of the province!"
make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading What could I say to such an offer save that, if my aunt allows, 'twill give me more pleasure than aught else that could befall.
many times at short intervals
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
and nothing more
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
Peggy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN GOOD GREEN WOOD "Now what say you, Mistress Peggy?"
by chance
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading What could I say to such an offer save that, if my aunt allows, 'twill give me more pleasure than aught else that could befall.
provincenounUS /ˈprɑːvəns/
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading I have longed for months to see your sister Mary and St. Gabriel's, and now to see them, and besides to have sight of my brother and of Mistress Calvert--" "To say nothing of a ride through the forest under escort of the Governor of the province!"
sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading I have longed for months to see your sister Mary and St. Gabriel's, and now to see them, and besides to have sight of my brother and of Mistress Calvert--" "To say nothing of a ride through the forest under escort of the Governor of the province!"
except for; apart from
From this reading What could I say to such an offer save that, if my aunt allows, 'twill give me more pleasure than aught else that could befall.
express in words
From this reading IN GOOD GREEN WOOD "Now what say you, Mistress Peggy?"
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading I have longed for months to see your sister Mary and St. Gabriel's, and now to see them, and besides to have sight of my brother and of Mistress Calvert--" "To say nothing of a ride through the forest under escort of the Governor of the province!"
an instance of visual perception
From this reading I have longed for months to see your sister Mary and St. Gabriel's, and now to see them, and besides to have sight of my brother and of Mistress Calvert--" "To say nothing of a ride through the forest under escort of the Governor of the province!"
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading I have longed for months to see your sister Mary and St. Gabriel's, and now to see them, and besides to have sight of my brother and of Mistress Calvert--" "To say nothing of a ride through the forest under escort of the Governor of the province!"
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have longed for months to see your sister Mary and St. Gabriel's, and now to see them, and besides to have sight of my brother and of Mistress Calvert--" "To say nothing of a ride through the forest under escort of the Governor of the province!"
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading What could I say to such an offer save that, if my aunt allows, 'twill give me more pleasure than aught else that could befall.
express in words
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading What could I say to such an offer save that, if my aunt allows, 'twill give me more pleasure than aught else that could befall.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading What could I say to such an offer save that, if my aunt allows, 'twill give me more pleasure than aught else that could befall.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I have longed for months to see your sister Mary and St. Gabriel's, and now to see them, and besides to have sight of my brother and of Mistress Calvert--" "To say nothing of a ride through the forest under escort of the Governor of the province!"
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading I have longed for months to see your sister Mary and St. Gabriel's, and now to see them, and besides to have sight of my brother and of Mistress Calvert--" "To say nothing of a ride through the forest under escort of the Governor of the province!"
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading I have longed for months to see your sister Mary and St. Gabriel's, and now to see them, and besides to have sight of my brother and of Mistress Calvert--" "To say nothing of a ride through the forest under escort of the Governor of the province!"
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading What could I say to such an offer save that, if my aunt allows, 'twill give me more pleasure than aught else that could befall.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
a fact that has been verified
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
twillnounUS /twɪl/
a weave used to produce the effect of parallel diagonal ribs
From this reading What could I say to such an offer save that, if my aunt allows, 'twill give me more pleasure than aught else that could befall.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading I have longed for months to see your sister Mary and St. Gabriel's, and now to see them, and besides to have sight of my brother and of Mistress Calvert--" "To say nothing of a ride through the forest under escort of the Governor of the province!"
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
used to ask for information about something
From this reading IN GOOD GREEN WOOD "Now what say you, Mistress Peggy?"
at the time that
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
whereasconjunctionUS /weˈræz/
in contrast with the fact that
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading IN GOOD GREEN WOOD "Now what say you, Mistress Peggy?"
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "Why, to tell the truth, it is that only which gives me pause, for I know well that he has grave matters of state on his mind, and would fain perhaps be alone to think them over, whereas I am such a chattering magpie, as my brother has often told me, that no man can have a thought in his head when I am about."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading IN GOOD GREEN WOOD "Now what say you, Mistress Peggy?"
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading I have longed for months to see your sister Mary and St. Gabriel's, and now to see them, and besides to have sight of my brother and of Mistress Calvert--" "To say nothing of a ride through the forest under escort of the Governor of the province!"
