used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Thou bear'st a precious burden, gentle post, Nitre and sulphur--See that it explode not!
plural of “adventure” — a wild and exciting undertaking (not necessarily lawful)
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
(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 The Ignis Fatuus which, you say, governed your father, seems to have ruled the fortunes of your whole house, there is so much eccentricity in all that you have told me.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Thou bear'st a precious burden, gentle post, Nitre and sulphur--See that it explode not!
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
bear'st
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thou bear'st a precious burden, gentle post, Nitre and sulphur--See that it explode not!
earlier than; in front of
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
an onerous or difficult concern
From this reading Thou bear'st a precious burden, gentle post, Nitre and sulphur--See that it explode not!
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
complicatedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmpləkeɪtəd/
difficult to analyze or understand
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
dearly loved
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
eccentricitynounUS /ˌeksənˈtrɪsəti/
strange and unconventional behavior
From this reading The Ignis Fatuus which, you say, governed your father, seems to have ruled the fortunes of your whole house, there is so much eccentricity in all that you have told me.
be identical or equivalent to
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
Etherington
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
explodeverbUS /ɪkˈsploʊd/
cause to burst with a violent release of energy
From this reading Thou bear'st a precious burden, gentle post, Nitre and sulphur--See that it explode not!
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading The Ignis Fatuus which, you say, governed your father, seems to have ruled the fortunes of your whole house, there is so much eccentricity in all that you have told me.
Fatuus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Ignis Fatuus which, you say, governed your father, seems to have ruled the fortunes of your whole house, there is so much eccentricity in all that you have told me.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
fortunesnounUS /ˈfɔːrtʃənz/
plural of “fortune” — an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading The Ignis Fatuus which, you say, governed your father, seems to have ruled the fortunes of your whole house, there is so much eccentricity in all that you have told me.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
yet to be or coming
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading Thou bear'st a precious burden, gentle post, Nitre and sulphur--See that it explode not!
governednounUS /ˈɡʌvərnd/
the body of people who are citizens of a particular government
From this reading The Ignis Fatuus which, you say, governed your father, seems to have ruled the fortunes of your whole house, there is so much eccentricity in all that you have told me.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The Ignis Fatuus which, you say, governed your father, seems to have ruled the fortunes of your whole house, there is so much eccentricity in all that you have told me.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
Ignis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Ignis Fatuus which, you say, governed your father, seems to have ruled the fortunes of your whole house, there is so much eccentricity in all that you have told me.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Ignis Fatuus which, you say, governed your father, seems to have ruled the fortunes of your whole house, there is so much eccentricity in all that you have told me.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Ignis Fatuus which, you say, governed your father, seems to have ruled the fortunes of your whole house, there is so much eccentricity in all that you have told me.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Thou bear'st a precious burden, gentle post, Nitre and sulphur--See that it explode not!
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
the literary culture
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The Ignis Fatuus which, you say, governed your father, seems to have ruled the fortunes of your whole house, there is so much eccentricity in all that you have told me.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
n'importe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
Nitrenoun
(KNO3) used especially as a fertilizer and explosive
From this reading Thou bear'st a precious burden, gentle post, Nitre and sulphur--See that it explode not!
not any; not one
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Thou bear'st a precious burden, gentle post, Nitre and sulphur--See that it explode not!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
perverselyadverbUS /pərˈvɜːrsli/
deliberately deviant
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
participate in games or sport
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading Thou bear'st a precious burden, gentle post, Nitre and sulphur--See that it explode not!
characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for
From this reading Thou bear'st a precious burden, gentle post, Nitre and sulphur--See that it explode not!
prepareverbUS /priˈper/
make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
reflectionsnounUS /rɪˈflekʃənz/
plural of “reflection” — a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading THE REPLY.
ruledadjectiveUS /ruːld/
subject to a ruling authority
From this reading The Ignis Fatuus which, you say, governed your father, seems to have ruled the fortunes of your whole house, there is so much eccentricity in all that you have told me.
express in words
From this reading The Ignis Fatuus which, you say, governed your father, seems to have ruled the fortunes of your whole house, there is so much eccentricity in all that you have told me.
ScottishnounUS /ˈskɑːtɪʃ/
the dialect of English used in Scotland
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Thou bear'st a precious burden, gentle post, Nitre and sulphur--See that it explode not!
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The Ignis Fatuus which, you say, governed your father, seems to have ruled the fortunes of your whole house, there is so much eccentricity in all that you have told me.
performance of duties or provision of space and equipment helpful to others
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
sulphurverbUS /ˈsʌlfər/
treat with sulphur in order to preserve
From this reading Thou bear'st a precious burden, gentle post, Nitre and sulphur--See that it explode not!
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Thou bear'st a precious burden, gentle post, Nitre and sulphur--See that it explode not!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE REPLY.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The Ignis Fatuus which, you say, governed your father, seems to have ruled the fortunes of your whole house, there is so much eccentricity in all that you have told me.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
an old word for “you”, as the subject, speaking to one person
From this reading Thou bear'st a precious burden, gentle post, Nitre and sulphur--See that it explode not!
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading The Ignis Fatuus which, you say, governed your father, seems to have ruled the fortunes of your whole house, there is so much eccentricity in all that you have told me.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
at the time that
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The Ignis Fatuus which, you say, governed your father, seems to have ruled the fortunes of your whole house, there is so much eccentricity in all that you have told me.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading The Ignis Fatuus which, you say, governed your father, seems to have ruled the fortunes of your whole house, there is so much eccentricity in all that you have told me.
in the company of; together with
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading The Ignis Fatuus which, you say, governed your father, seems to have ruled the fortunes of your whole house, there is so much eccentricity in all that you have told me.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
