used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mrs. Watton was a large, commanding woman, who seldom thought it worth while to disguise any disapproval she might feel--and she had a great deal of that commodity to expend, both on persons and institutions.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Mrs. Watton, who, after all, on this great day beheld in the new member the visible triumph of her dearest principles, received these excuses at first with stiffness, but soon thawed.
(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 Mrs. Watton, who, after all, on this great day beheld in the new member the visible triumph of her dearest principles, received these excuses at first with stiffness, but soon thawed.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading George Tressady came down very late for dinner, and found his hostess on the verge of annoyance.
annoyancenounUS /əˈnɔɪəns/
the psychological state of being irritated or annoyed
From this reading George Tressady came down very late for dinner, and found his hostess on the verge of annoyance.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Mrs. Watton was a large, commanding woman, who seldom thought it worth while to disguise any disapproval she might feel--and she had a great deal of that commodity to expend, both on persons and institutions.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Mrs. Watton, who, after all, on this great day beheld in the new member the visible triumph of her dearest principles, received these excuses at first with stiffness, but soon thawed.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading George hastened to propitiate her with the usual futilities: he had supposed that he was in excellent time, his watch had been playing tricks, and so on.
inflected form of “behold” — see with attention
From this reading Mrs. Watton, who, after all, on this great day beheld in the new member the visible triumph of her dearest principles, received these excuses at first with stiffness, but soon thawed.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Mrs. Watton was a large, commanding woman, who seldom thought it worth while to disguise any disapproval she might feel--and she had a great deal of that commodity to expend, both on persons and institutions.
a youthful male person
From this reading "Oh, you _naughty_ boy, you naughty, mendacious boy!" said a sprightly voice in Tressady's ear.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Mrs. Watton, who, after all, on this great day beheld in the new member the visible triumph of her dearest principles, received these excuses at first with stiffness, but soon thawed.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading George Tressady came down very late for dinner, and found his hostess on the verge of annoyance.
commandingadjectiveUS /kəˈmændɪŋ/
used of a height or viewpoint
From this reading Mrs. Watton was a large, commanding woman, who seldom thought it worth while to disguise any disapproval she might feel--and she had a great deal of that commodity to expend, both on persons and institutions.
commoditynounUS /kəˈmɑːdəti/
articles of commerce
From this reading Mrs. Watton was a large, commanding woman, who seldom thought it worth while to disguise any disapproval she might feel--and she had a great deal of that commodity to expend, both on persons and institutions.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Mrs. Watton, who, after all, on this great day beheld in the new member the visible triumph of her dearest principles, received these excuses at first with stiffness, but soon thawed.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading Mrs. Watton was a large, commanding woman, who seldom thought it worth while to disguise any disapproval she might feel--and she had a great deal of that commodity to expend, both on persons and institutions.
a beloved person; used as terms of endearment
From this reading Mrs. Watton, who, after all, on this great day beheld in the new member the visible triumph of her dearest principles, received these excuses at first with stiffness, but soon thawed.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading George Tressady came down very late for dinner, and found his hostess on the verge of annoyance.
disapprovalnounUS /dɪsəˈpruːvəl/
a feeling of disliking something or what someone is doing
From this reading Mrs. Watton was a large, commanding woman, who seldom thought it worth while to disguise any disapproval she might feel--and she had a great deal of that commodity to expend, both on persons and institutions.
disguisenounUS /dɪsˈɡaɪz/
A means of altering one's appearance to conceal one's identity.
From this reading Mrs. Watton was a large, commanding woman, who seldom thought it worth while to disguise any disapproval she might feel--and she had a great deal of that commodity to expend, both on persons and institutions.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading George Tressady came down very late for dinner, and found his hostess on the verge of annoyance.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading "Oh, you _naughty_ boy, you naughty, mendacious boy!" said a sprightly voice in Tressady's ear.
very good; of the highest quality
From this reading George hastened to propitiate her with the usual futilities: he had supposed that he was in excellent time, his watch had been playing tricks, and so on.
excusesnounUS /ɪksˈkjuːsɪz/
plural of “excuse” — a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc.
From this reading Mrs. Watton, who, after all, on this great day beheld in the new member the visible triumph of her dearest principles, received these excuses at first with stiffness, but soon thawed.
expendverbUS /ɪkˈspend/
use up, consume fully
From this reading Mrs. Watton was a large, commanding woman, who seldom thought it worth while to disguise any disapproval she might feel--and she had a great deal of that commodity to expend, both on persons and institutions.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading Mrs. Watton was a large, commanding woman, who seldom thought it worth while to disguise any disapproval she might feel--and she had a great deal of that commodity to expend, both on persons and institutions.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Mrs. Watton, who, after all, on this great day beheld in the new member the visible triumph of her dearest principles, received these excuses at first with stiffness, but soon thawed.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading George Tressady came down very late for dinner, and found his hostess on the verge of annoyance.
set up or found
From this reading George Tressady came down very late for dinner, and found his hostess on the verge of annoyance.
futilities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George hastened to propitiate her with the usual futilities: he had supposed that he was in excellent time, his watch had been playing tricks, and so on.
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 George Tressady came down very late for dinner, and found his hostess on the verge of annoyance.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Mrs. Watton was a large, commanding woman, who seldom thought it worth while to disguise any disapproval she might feel--and she had a great deal of that commodity to expend, both on persons and institutions.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mrs. Watton was a large, commanding woman, who seldom thought it worth while to disguise any disapproval she might feel--and she had a great deal of that commodity to expend, both on persons and institutions.
past form of “hasten” — act or move at high speed
From this reading George hastened to propitiate her with the usual futilities: he had supposed that he was in excellent time, his watch had been playing tricks, and so on.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading George hastened to propitiate her with the usual futilities: he had supposed that he was in excellent time, his watch had been playing tricks, and so on.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading George hastened to propitiate her with the usual futilities: he had supposed that he was in excellent time, his watch had been playing tricks, and so on.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading George Tressady came down very late for dinner, and found his hostess on the verge of annoyance.
hostessnounUS /ˈhoʊstəs/
a woman host
From this reading George Tressady came down very late for dinner, and found his hostess on the verge of annoyance.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading George hastened to propitiate her with the usual futilities: he had supposed that he was in excellent time, his watch had been playing tricks, and so on.
institutionsnounUS /ˌɪnstɪˈtuːʃənz/
plural of “institution” — an organization founded and united for a specific purpose
From this reading Mrs. Watton was a large, commanding woman, who seldom thought it worth while to disguise any disapproval she might feel--and she had a great deal of that commodity to expend, both on persons and institutions.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Watton was a large, commanding woman, who seldom thought it worth while to disguise any disapproval she might feel--and she had a great deal of that commodity to expend, both on persons and institutions.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Mrs. Watton was a large, commanding woman, who seldom thought it worth while to disguise any disapproval she might feel--and she had a great deal of that commodity to expend, both on persons and institutions.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading George Tressady came down very late for dinner, and found his hostess on the verge of annoyance.
one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading Mrs. Watton, who, after all, on this great day beheld in the new member the visible triumph of her dearest principles, received these excuses at first with stiffness, but soon thawed.
mendaciousadjectiveUS /menˈdeɪʃəs/
given to lying
From this reading "Oh, you _naughty_ boy, you naughty, mendacious boy!" said a sprightly voice in Tressady's ear.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Mrs. Watton was a large, commanding woman, who seldom thought it worth while to disguise any disapproval she might feel--and she had a great deal of that commodity to expend, both on persons and institutions.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Watton was a large, commanding woman, who seldom thought it worth while to disguise any disapproval she might feel--and she had a great deal of that commodity to expend, both on persons and institutions.
naughtyadjectiveUS /ˈnɔːti/
suggestive of sexual impropriety
From this reading "Oh, you _naughty_ boy, you naughty, mendacious boy!" said a sprightly voice in Tressady's ear.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Mrs. Watton, who, after all, on this great day beheld in the new member the visible triumph of her dearest principles, received these excuses at first with stiffness, but soon thawed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading George Tressady came down very late for dinner, and found his hostess on the verge of annoyance.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading "Oh, you _naughty_ boy, you naughty, mendacious boy!" said a sprightly voice in Tressady's ear.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading George Tressady came down very late for dinner, and found his hostess on the verge of annoyance.
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading Mrs. Watton was a large, commanding woman, who seldom thought it worth while to disguise any disapproval she might feel--and she had a great deal of that commodity to expend, both on persons and institutions.
the act of playing a musical instrument
From this reading George hastened to propitiate her with the usual futilities: he had supposed that he was in excellent time, his watch had been playing tricks, and so on.
plural of “principle” — a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct
From this reading Mrs. Watton, who, after all, on this great day beheld in the new member the visible triumph of her dearest principles, received these excuses at first with stiffness, but soon thawed.
propitiateverb
make peace with
From this reading George hastened to propitiate her with the usual futilities: he had supposed that he was in excellent time, his watch had been playing tricks, and so on.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading Mrs. Watton, who, after all, on this great day beheld in the new member the visible triumph of her dearest principles, received these excuses at first with stiffness, but soon thawed.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Oh, you _naughty_ boy, you naughty, mendacious boy!" said a sprightly voice in Tressady's ear.
not often
From this reading Mrs. Watton was a large, commanding woman, who seldom thought it worth while to disguise any disapproval she might feel--and she had a great deal of that commodity to expend, both on persons and institutions.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mrs. Watton was a large, commanding woman, who seldom thought it worth while to disguise any disapproval she might feel--and she had a great deal of that commodity to expend, both on persons and institutions.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading George hastened to propitiate her with the usual futilities: he had supposed that he was in excellent time, his watch had been playing tricks, and so on.
in the near future
From this reading Mrs. Watton, who, after all, on this great day beheld in the new member the visible triumph of her dearest principles, received these excuses at first with stiffness, but soon thawed.
sprightlyadjectiveUS /ˈspraɪtli/
full of spirit and vitality
From this reading "Oh, you _naughty_ boy, you naughty, mendacious boy!" said a sprightly voice in Tressady's ear.
stiffnessnounUS /ˈstɪfnəs/
the physical property of being inflexible and hard to bend
From this reading Mrs. Watton, who, after all, on this great day beheld in the new member the visible triumph of her dearest principles, received these excuses at first with stiffness, but soon thawed.
required or under orders
From this reading George hastened to propitiate her with the usual futilities: he had supposed that he was in excellent time, his watch had been playing tricks, and so on.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Mrs. Watton was a large, commanding woman, who seldom thought it worth while to disguise any disapproval she might feel--and she had a great deal of that commodity to expend, both on persons and institutions.
thawedadjectiveUS /θɔːd/
no longer frozen solid
From this reading Mrs. Watton, who, after all, on this great day beheld in the new member the visible triumph of her dearest principles, received these excuses at first with stiffness, but soon thawed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading George Tressady came down very late for dinner, and found his hostess on the verge of annoyance.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Watton, who, after all, on this great day beheld in the new member the visible triumph of her dearest principles, received these excuses at first with stiffness, but soon thawed.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Watton, who, after all, on this great day beheld in the new member the visible triumph of her dearest principles, received these excuses at first with stiffness, but soon thawed.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Mrs. Watton was a large, commanding woman, who seldom thought it worth while to disguise any disapproval she might feel--and she had a great deal of that commodity to expend, both on persons and institutions.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading George hastened to propitiate her with the usual futilities: he had supposed that he was in excellent time, his watch had been playing tricks, and so on.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mrs. Watton was a large, commanding woman, who seldom thought it worth while to disguise any disapproval she might feel--and she had a great deal of that commodity to expend, both on persons and institutions.
Tressady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George Tressady came down very late for dinner, and found his hostess on the verge of annoyance.
Tressady's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, you _naughty_ boy, you naughty, mendacious boy!" said a sprightly voice in Tressady's ear.
tricksnounUS /trɪks/
plural of “trick” — a cunning or deceitful action or device
From this reading George hastened to propitiate her with the usual futilities: he had supposed that he was in excellent time, his watch had been playing tricks, and so on.
a successful ending of a struggle or contest
From this reading Mrs. Watton, who, after all, on this great day beheld in the new member the visible triumph of her dearest principles, received these excuses at first with stiffness, but soon thawed.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading George hastened to propitiate her with the usual futilities: he had supposed that he was in excellent time, his watch had been playing tricks, and so on.
vergenounUS /vɜːrdʒ/
a region marking a boundary
From this reading George Tressady came down very late for dinner, and found his hostess on the verge of annoyance.
precisely as stated
From this reading George Tressady came down very late for dinner, and found his hostess on the verge of annoyance.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading Mrs. Watton, who, after all, on this great day beheld in the new member the visible triumph of her dearest principles, received these excuses at first with stiffness, but soon thawed.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading "Oh, you _naughty_ boy, you naughty, mendacious boy!" said a sprightly voice in Tressady's ear.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mrs. Watton was a large, commanding woman, who seldom thought it worth while to disguise any disapproval she might feel--and she had a great deal of that commodity to expend, both on persons and institutions.
look attentively
From this reading George hastened to propitiate her with the usual futilities: he had supposed that he was in excellent time, his watch had been playing tricks, and so on.
Watton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Watton was a large, commanding woman, who seldom thought it worth while to disguise any disapproval she might feel--and she had a great deal of that commodity to expend, both on persons and institutions.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Mrs. Watton was a large, commanding woman, who seldom thought it worth while to disguise any disapproval she might feel--and she had a great deal of that commodity to expend, both on persons and institutions.
which person or people
From this reading Mrs. Watton was a large, commanding woman, who seldom thought it worth while to disguise any disapproval she might feel--and she had a great deal of that commodity to expend, both on persons and institutions.
in the company of; together with
From this reading George hastened to propitiate her with the usual futilities: he had supposed that he was in excellent time, his watch had been playing tricks, and so on.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Mrs. Watton was a large, commanding woman, who seldom thought it worth while to disguise any disapproval she might feel--and she had a great deal of that commodity to expend, both on persons and institutions.
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading Mrs. Watton was a large, commanding woman, who seldom thought it worth while to disguise any disapproval she might feel--and she had a great deal of that commodity to expend, both on persons and institutions.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Oh, you _naughty_ boy, you naughty, mendacious boy!" said a sprightly voice in Tressady's ear.
