used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He felt, to be candid, a trifle awkward in the _role_ of knight-errant, a part reserved in those days for Lord Peterborough.
inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense
From this reading But from the first he had been aware that his status in the matter was ill-defined; he now began to see it in a worse, an absurd light.
past form of “act” — perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading He had taken the field in the belief that Sophia had not stayed in Davies Street; that Hawkesworth, therefore, was beside the question; and that whatever folly she had committed, she had not altogether compromised herself; he now found the data on which he had acted painfully erroneous.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading He had taken the field in the belief that Sophia had not stayed in Davies Street; that Hawkesworth, therefore, was beside the question; and that whatever folly she had committed, she had not altogether compromised herself; he now found the data on which he had acted painfully erroneous.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But from the first he had been aware that his status in the matter was ill-defined; he now began to see it in a worse, an absurd light.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Northeys' heartless cynicism, and their instant and cruel desertion of the girl, had stirred the chivalry that underlay his cold exterior.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE TUG OF WAR At the corner of Bolton Row Sir Hervey paused.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading But from the first he had been aware that his status in the matter was ill-defined; he now began to see it in a worse, an absurd light.
awkwardadjectiveUS /ˈɑːkwərd/
causing inconvenience
From this reading He felt, to be candid, a trifle awkward in the _role_ of knight-errant, a part reserved in those days for Lord Peterborough.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He felt, to be candid, a trifle awkward in the _role_ of knight-errant, a part reserved in those days for Lord Peterborough.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But from the first he had been aware that his status in the matter was ill-defined; he now began to see it in a worse, an absurd light.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading But from the first he had been aware that his status in the matter was ill-defined; he now began to see it in a worse, an absurd light.
any cognitive content held as true
From this reading He had taken the field in the belief that Sophia had not stayed in Davies Street; that Hawkesworth, therefore, was beside the question; and that whatever folly she had committed, she had not altogether compromised herself; he now found the data on which he had acted painfully erroneous.
next to; at the side of
From this reading He had taken the field in the belief that Sophia had not stayed in Davies Street; that Hawkesworth, therefore, was beside the question; and that whatever folly she had committed, she had not altogether compromised herself; he now found the data on which he had acted painfully erroneous.
Bolton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TUG OF WAR At the corner of Bolton Row Sir Hervey paused.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But from the first he had been aware that his status in the matter was ill-defined; he now began to see it in a worse, an absurd light.
candidadjectiveUS /ˈkændəd/
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading He felt, to be candid, a trifle awkward in the _role_ of knight-errant, a part reserved in those days for Lord Peterborough.
chivalrynounUS /ˈʃɪvəlri/
courtesy towards women
From this reading The Northeys' heartless cynicism, and their instant and cruel desertion of the girl, had stirred the chivalry that underlay his cold exterior.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading The Northeys' heartless cynicism, and their instant and cruel desertion of the girl, had stirred the chivalry that underlay his cold exterior.
bound or obligated, as under a pledge to a particular cause, action, or attitude
From this reading He had taken the field in the belief that Sophia had not stayed in Davies Street; that Hawkesworth, therefore, was beside the question; and that whatever folly she had committed, she had not altogether compromised herself; he now found the data on which he had acted painfully erroneous.
compromisedverbUS /ˈkɑːmprəmaɪzd/
past form of “compromise” — make a compromise; arrive at a compromise
From this reading He had taken the field in the belief that Sophia had not stayed in Davies Street; that Hawkesworth, therefore, was beside the question; and that whatever folly she had committed, she had not altogether compromised herself; he now found the data on which he had acted painfully erroneous.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading THE TUG OF WAR At the corner of Bolton Row Sir Hervey paused.
crueladjectiveUS /ˈkruːəl/
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading The Northeys' heartless cynicism, and their instant and cruel desertion of the girl, had stirred the chivalry that underlay his cold exterior.
cynicismnounUS /ˈsɪnɪsɪzəm/
a cynical feeling of distrust
From this reading The Northeys' heartless cynicism, and their instant and cruel desertion of the girl, had stirred the chivalry that underlay his cold exterior.
datanounUS /ˈdeɪtə/
a collection of facts from which conclusions may be drawn
From this reading He had taken the field in the belief that Sophia had not stayed in Davies Street; that Hawkesworth, therefore, was beside the question; and that whatever folly she had committed, she had not altogether compromised herself; he now found the data on which he had acted painfully erroneous.
DaviesnounUS /ˈdeɪviz/
plural of “davy” — English chemist who was a pioneer in electrochemistry and who used it to isolate elements sodium and potassium and barium and boron and calcium and magnesium and chlorine (1778-1829)
From this reading He had taken the field in the belief that Sophia had not stayed in Davies Street; that Hawkesworth, therefore, was beside the question; and that whatever folly she had committed, she had not altogether compromised herself; he now found the data on which he had acted painfully erroneous.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading He felt, to be candid, a trifle awkward in the _role_ of knight-errant, a part reserved in those days for Lord Peterborough.
desertionnounUS /dɪˈzɜːrʃən/
withdrawing support or help despite allegiance or responsibility
From this reading The Northeys' heartless cynicism, and their instant and cruel desertion of the girl, had stirred the chivalry that underlay his cold exterior.
erroneousadjectiveUS /eˈroʊniəs/
containing or characterized by error
From this reading He had taken the field in the belief that Sophia had not stayed in Davies Street; that Hawkesworth, therefore, was beside the question; and that whatever folly she had committed, she had not altogether compromised herself; he now found the data on which he had acted painfully erroneous.
exteriornounUS /ɪkˈstɪriər/
the region that is outside of something
From this reading The Northeys' heartless cynicism, and their instant and cruel desertion of the girl, had stirred the chivalry that underlay his cold exterior.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading He felt, to be candid, a trifle awkward in the _role_ of knight-errant, a part reserved in those days for Lord Peterborough.
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading He had taken the field in the belief that Sophia had not stayed in Davies Street; that Hawkesworth, therefore, was beside the question; and that whatever folly she had committed, she had not altogether compromised herself; he now found the data on which he had acted painfully erroneous.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading But from the first he had been aware that his status in the matter was ill-defined; he now began to see it in a worse, an absurd light.
the trait of acting stupidly or rashly
From this reading He had taken the field in the belief that Sophia had not stayed in Davies Street; that Hawkesworth, therefore, was beside the question; and that whatever folly she had committed, she had not altogether compromised herself; he now found the data on which he had acted painfully erroneous.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He felt, to be candid, a trifle awkward in the _role_ of knight-errant, a part reserved in those days for Lord Peterborough.
set up or found
From this reading He had taken the field in the belief that Sophia had not stayed in Davies Street; that Hawkesworth, therefore, was beside the question; and that whatever folly she had committed, she had not altogether compromised herself; he now found the data on which he had acted painfully erroneous.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But from the first he had been aware that his status in the matter was ill-defined; he now began to see it in a worse, an absurd light.
a young female
From this reading The Northeys' heartless cynicism, and their instant and cruel desertion of the girl, had stirred the chivalry that underlay his cold exterior.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Northeys' heartless cynicism, and their instant and cruel desertion of the girl, had stirred the chivalry that underlay his cold exterior.
Hawkesworth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had taken the field in the belief that Sophia had not stayed in Davies Street; that Hawkesworth, therefore, was beside the question; and that whatever folly she had committed, she had not altogether compromised herself; he now found the data on which he had acted painfully erroneous.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He felt, to be candid, a trifle awkward in the _role_ of knight-errant, a part reserved in those days for Lord Peterborough.
heartlessadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrtləs/
lacking in feeling or pity or warmth
From this reading The Northeys' heartless cynicism, and their instant and cruel desertion of the girl, had stirred the chivalry that underlay his cold exterior.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading He had taken the field in the belief that Sophia had not stayed in Davies Street; that Hawkesworth, therefore, was beside the question; and that whatever folly she had committed, she had not altogether compromised herself; he now found the data on which he had acted painfully erroneous.
Hervey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TUG OF WAR At the corner of Bolton Row Sir Hervey paused.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Northeys' heartless cynicism, and their instant and cruel desertion of the girl, had stirred the chivalry that underlay his cold exterior.
ill-definedadjective
poorly stated or described
From this reading But from the first he had been aware that his status in the matter was ill-defined; he now began to see it in a worse, an absurd light.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He felt, to be candid, a trifle awkward in the _role_ of knight-errant, a part reserved in those days for Lord Peterborough.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading The Northeys' heartless cynicism, and their instant and cruel desertion of the girl, had stirred the chivalry that underlay his cold exterior.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But from the first he had been aware that his status in the matter was ill-defined; he now began to see it in a worse, an absurd light.
knight-errantnoun
a wandering knight travelling in search of adventure
From this reading He felt, to be candid, a trifle awkward in the _role_ of knight-errant, a part reserved in those days for Lord Peterborough.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading But from the first he had been aware that his status in the matter was ill-defined; he now began to see it in a worse, an absurd light.
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading He felt, to be candid, a trifle awkward in the _role_ of knight-errant, a part reserved in those days for Lord Peterborough.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading But from the first he had been aware that his status in the matter was ill-defined; he now began to see it in a worse, an absurd light.
Northeys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Northeys' heartless cynicism, and their instant and cruel desertion of the girl, had stirred the chivalry that underlay his cold exterior.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He had taken the field in the belief that Sophia had not stayed in Davies Street; that Hawkesworth, therefore, was beside the question; and that whatever folly she had committed, she had not altogether compromised herself; he now found the data on which he had acted painfully erroneous.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But from the first he had been aware that his status in the matter was ill-defined; he now began to see it in a worse, an absurd light.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE TUG OF WAR At the corner of Bolton Row Sir Hervey paused.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He had taken the field in the belief that Sophia had not stayed in Davies Street; that Hawkesworth, therefore, was beside the question; and that whatever folly she had committed, she had not altogether compromised herself; he now found the data on which he had acted painfully erroneous.
painfullyadverbUS /ˈpeɪnfəli/
unpleasantly
From this reading He had taken the field in the belief that Sophia had not stayed in Davies Street; that Hawkesworth, therefore, was beside the question; and that whatever folly she had committed, she had not altogether compromised herself; he now found the data on which he had acted painfully erroneous.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading He felt, to be candid, a trifle awkward in the _role_ of knight-errant, a part reserved in those days for Lord Peterborough.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading THE TUG OF WAR At the corner of Bolton Row Sir Hervey paused.
Peterborough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt, to be candid, a trifle awkward in the _role_ of knight-errant, a part reserved in those days for Lord Peterborough.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading He had taken the field in the belief that Sophia had not stayed in Davies Street; that Hawkesworth, therefore, was beside the question; and that whatever folly she had committed, she had not altogether compromised herself; he now found the data on which he had acted painfully erroneous.
reservedadjectiveUS /rɪˈzɜːrvd/
set aside for the use of a particular person or party
From this reading He felt, to be candid, a trifle awkward in the _role_ of knight-errant, a part reserved in those days for Lord Peterborough.
rolenounUS /roʊl/
the actions and activities assigned to or required or expected of a person or group
From this reading He felt, to be candid, a trifle awkward in the _role_ of knight-errant, a part reserved in those days for Lord Peterborough.
an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
From this reading THE TUG OF WAR At the corner of Bolton Row Sir Hervey paused.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading But from the first he had been aware that his status in the matter was ill-defined; he now began to see it in a worse, an absurd light.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had taken the field in the belief that Sophia had not stayed in Davies Street; that Hawkesworth, therefore, was beside the question; and that whatever folly she had committed, she had not altogether compromised herself; he now found the data on which he had acted painfully erroneous.
term of address for a man
From this reading THE TUG OF WAR At the corner of Bolton Row Sir Hervey paused.
Sophia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had taken the field in the belief that Sophia had not stayed in Davies Street; that Hawkesworth, therefore, was beside the question; and that whatever folly she had committed, she had not altogether compromised herself; he now found the data on which he had acted painfully erroneous.
statusnounUS /ˈstætəs/
the relative position or standing of things or especially persons in a society
From this reading But from the first he had been aware that his status in the matter was ill-defined; he now began to see it in a worse, an absurd light.
past form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading He had taken the field in the belief that Sophia had not stayed in Davies Street; that Hawkesworth, therefore, was beside the question; and that whatever folly she had committed, she had not altogether compromised herself; he now found the data on which he had acted painfully erroneous.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading The Northeys' heartless cynicism, and their instant and cruel desertion of the girl, had stirred the chivalry that underlay his cold exterior.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading He had taken the field in the belief that Sophia had not stayed in Davies Street; that Hawkesworth, therefore, was beside the question; and that whatever folly she had committed, she had not altogether compromised herself; he now found the data on which he had acted painfully erroneous.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading He had taken the field in the belief that Sophia had not stayed in Davies Street; that Hawkesworth, therefore, was beside the question; and that whatever folly she had committed, she had not altogether compromised herself; he now found the data on which he had acted painfully erroneous.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The Northeys' heartless cynicism, and their instant and cruel desertion of the girl, had stirred the chivalry that underlay his cold exterior.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE TUG OF WAR At the corner of Bolton Row Sir Hervey paused.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The Northeys' heartless cynicism, and their instant and cruel desertion of the girl, had stirred the chivalry that underlay his cold exterior.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading He had taken the field in the belief that Sophia had not stayed in Davies Street; that Hawkesworth, therefore, was beside the question; and that whatever folly she had committed, she had not altogether compromised herself; he now found the data on which he had acted painfully erroneous.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading He felt, to be candid, a trifle awkward in the _role_ of knight-errant, a part reserved in those days for Lord Peterborough.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He felt, to be candid, a trifle awkward in the _role_ of knight-errant, a part reserved in those days for Lord Peterborough.
a cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorated with nuts, cream, or chocolate
From this reading He felt, to be candid, a trifle awkward in the _role_ of knight-errant, a part reserved in those days for Lord Peterborough.
TUGverbUS /tʌɡ/
pull hard
From this reading THE TUG OF WAR At the corner of Bolton Row Sir Hervey paused.
underlayverb
raise or support (the level of printing) by inserting a piece of paper or cardboard under the type
From this reading The Northeys' heartless cynicism, and their instant and cruel desertion of the girl, had stirred the chivalry that underlay his cold exterior.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading THE TUG OF WAR At the corner of Bolton Row Sir Hervey paused.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But from the first he had been aware that his status in the matter was ill-defined; he now began to see it in a worse, an absurd light.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading He had taken the field in the belief that Sophia had not stayed in Davies Street; that Hawkesworth, therefore, was beside the question; and that whatever folly she had committed, she had not altogether compromised herself; he now found the data on which he had acted painfully erroneous.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had taken the field in the belief that Sophia had not stayed in Davies Street; that Hawkesworth, therefore, was beside the question; and that whatever folly she had committed, she had not altogether compromised herself; he now found the data on which he had acted painfully erroneous.
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading But from the first he had been aware that his status in the matter was ill-defined; he now began to see it in a worse, an absurd light.
