used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mr. Sutton was a vain man and sensitive, and though he clung to hope, Henrietta’s words hurt him to the quick.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading For an hour, writhing under the reflection that even the yokels about him were aware of his discomfiture, he was cast down to the very ground.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For an hour, writhing under the reflection that even the yokels about him were aware of his discomfiture, he was cast down to the very ground.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mr. Sutton was a vain man and sensitive, and though he clung to hope, Henrietta’s words hurt him to the quick.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The name of Chaplain was growing obsolete at this time; it was beginning to import unpleasant things.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading For an hour, writhing under the reflection that even the yokels about him were aware of his discomfiture, he was cast down to the very ground.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading With this chaplain in particular his dependence on a patron was a sore point; for with some capacity, he lacked, and knew that he lacked, that strength of mind which enables a man to hold his own, be his position what it may.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading The name of Chaplain was growing obsolete at this time; it was beginning to import unpleasant things.
capacitynounUS /kəˈpæsəti/
capability to perform or produce
From this reading With this chaplain in particular his dependence on a patron was a sore point; for with some capacity, he lacked, and knew that he lacked, that strength of mind which enables a man to hold his own, be his position what it may.
put or send forth
From this reading For an hour, writhing under the reflection that even the yokels about him were aware of his discomfiture, he was cast down to the very ground.
ChaplainnounUS /ˈtʃæplən/
a clergyman ministering to some institution
From this reading The name of Chaplain was growing obsolete at this time; it was beginning to import unpleasant things.
clungverbUS /klʌŋ/
inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading Mr. Sutton was a vain man and sensitive, and though he clung to hope, Henrietta’s words hurt him to the quick.
dazzlingadjectiveUS /ˈdæzəlɪŋ/
amazingly impressive; suggestive of the flashing of lightning
From this reading He was inclined to withdraw his hand and let the dazzling vision pass.
dependencenounUS /dɪˈpendəns/
the state of relying on or being controlled by someone or something else
From this reading With this chaplain in particular his dependence on a patron was a sore point; for with some capacity, he lacked, and knew that he lacked, that strength of mind which enables a man to hold his own, be his position what it may.
discomfiturenoun
anxious embarrassment
From this reading For an hour, writhing under the reflection that even the yokels about him were aware of his discomfiture, he was cast down to the very ground.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading For an hour, writhing under the reflection that even the yokels about him were aware of his discomfiture, he was cast down to the very ground.
enablesverbUS /eˈneɪbəlz/
third-person singular of “enable” — render capable or able for some task
From this reading With this chaplain in particular his dependence on a patron was a sore point; for with some capacity, he lacked, and knew that he lacked, that strength of mind which enables a man to hold his own, be his position what it may.
divisible by two
From this reading For an hour, writhing under the reflection that even the yokels about him were aware of his discomfiture, he was cast down to the very ground.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading With this chaplain in particular his dependence on a patron was a sore point; for with some capacity, he lacked, and knew that he lacked, that strength of mind which enables a man to hold his own, be his position what it may.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading For an hour, writhing under the reflection that even the yokels about him were aware of his discomfiture, he was cast down to the very ground.
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading The name of Chaplain was growing obsolete at this time; it was beginning to import unpleasant things.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading He was inclined to withdraw his hand and let the dazzling vision pass.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mr. Sutton was a vain man and sensitive, and though he clung to hope, Henrietta’s words hurt him to the quick.
Henrietta's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Sutton was a vain man and sensitive, and though he clung to hope, Henrietta’s words hurt him to the quick.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Mr. Sutton was a vain man and sensitive, and though he clung to hope, Henrietta’s words hurt him to the quick.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading With this chaplain in particular his dependence on a patron was a sore point; for with some capacity, he lacked, and knew that he lacked, that strength of mind which enables a man to hold his own, be his position what it may.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading With this chaplain in particular his dependence on a patron was a sore point; for with some capacity, he lacked, and knew that he lacked, that strength of mind which enables a man to hold his own, be his position what it may.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading Mr. Sutton was a vain man and sensitive, and though he clung to hope, Henrietta’s words hurt him to the quick.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading For an hour, writhing under the reflection that even the yokels about him were aware of his discomfiture, he was cast down to the very ground.
be the source of pain
From this reading Mr. Sutton was a vain man and sensitive, and though he clung to hope, Henrietta’s words hurt him to the quick.
importnounUS /ˌɪmˈpɔːrt/
commodities (goods or services) bought from a foreign country
From this reading The name of Chaplain was growing obsolete at this time; it was beginning to import unpleasant things.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading With this chaplain in particular his dependence on a patron was a sore point; for with some capacity, he lacked, and knew that he lacked, that strength of mind which enables a man to hold his own, be his position what it may.
(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency
From this reading He was inclined to withdraw his hand and let the dazzling vision pass.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The name of Chaplain was growing obsolete at this time; it was beginning to import unpleasant things.
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 With this chaplain in particular his dependence on a patron was a sore point; for with some capacity, he lacked, and knew that he lacked, that strength of mind which enables a man to hold his own, be his position what it may.
lackedverbUS /lækt/
past form of “lack” — be without
From this reading With this chaplain in particular his dependence on a patron was a sore point; for with some capacity, he lacked, and knew that he lacked, that strength of mind which enables a man to hold his own, be his position what it may.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading He was inclined to withdraw his hand and let the dazzling vision pass.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Mr. Sutton was a vain man and sensitive, and though he clung to hope, Henrietta’s words hurt him to the quick.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading With this chaplain in particular his dependence on a patron was a sore point; for with some capacity, he lacked, and knew that he lacked, that strength of mind which enables a man to hold his own, be his position what it may.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading With this chaplain in particular his dependence on a patron was a sore point; for with some capacity, he lacked, and knew that he lacked, that strength of mind which enables a man to hold his own, be his position what it may.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Sutton was a vain man and sensitive, and though he clung to hope, Henrietta’s words hurt him to the quick.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading The name of Chaplain was growing obsolete at this time; it was beginning to import unpleasant things.
obsoleteadjectiveUS /ˈɑːbsəliːt/
no longer in use
From this reading The name of Chaplain was growing obsolete at this time; it was beginning to import unpleasant things.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The name of Chaplain was growing obsolete at this time; it was beginning to import unpleasant things.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading With this chaplain in particular his dependence on a patron was a sore point; for with some capacity, he lacked, and knew that he lacked, that strength of mind which enables a man to hold his own, be his position what it may.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading With this chaplain in particular his dependence on a patron was a sore point; for with some capacity, he lacked, and knew that he lacked, that strength of mind which enables a man to hold his own, be his position what it may.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading With this chaplain in particular his dependence on a patron was a sore point; for with some capacity, he lacked, and knew that he lacked, that strength of mind which enables a man to hold his own, be his position what it may.
go across or through
From this reading He was inclined to withdraw his hand and let the dazzling vision pass.
patronnounUS /ˈpeɪtrən/
a regular customer
From this reading With this chaplain in particular his dependence on a patron was a sore point; for with some capacity, he lacked, and knew that he lacked, that strength of mind which enables a man to hold his own, be his position what it may.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading With this chaplain in particular his dependence on a patron was a sore point; for with some capacity, he lacked, and knew that he lacked, that strength of mind which enables a man to hold his own, be his position what it may.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading With this chaplain in particular his dependence on a patron was a sore point; for with some capacity, he lacked, and knew that he lacked, that strength of mind which enables a man to hold his own, be his position what it may.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading Mr. Sutton was a vain man and sensitive, and though he clung to hope, Henrietta’s words hurt him to the quick.
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading For an hour, writhing under the reflection that even the yokels about him were aware of his discomfiture, he was cast down to the very ground.
sensitiveadjectiveUS /ˈsensətɪv/
responsive to physical stimuli
From this reading Mr. Sutton was a vain man and sensitive, and though he clung to hope, Henrietta’s words hurt him to the quick.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading With this chaplain in particular his dependence on a patron was a sore point; for with some capacity, he lacked, and knew that he lacked, that strength of mind which enables a man to hold his own, be his position what it may.
hurting
From this reading With this chaplain in particular his dependence on a patron was a sore point; for with some capacity, he lacked, and knew that he lacked, that strength of mind which enables a man to hold his own, be his position what it may.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading With this chaplain in particular his dependence on a patron was a sore point; for with some capacity, he lacked, and knew that he lacked, that strength of mind which enables a man to hold his own, be his position what it may.
Sutton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Sutton was a vain man and sensitive, and though he clung to hope, Henrietta’s words hurt him to the quick.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading With this chaplain in particular his dependence on a patron was a sore point; for with some capacity, he lacked, and knew that he lacked, that strength of mind which enables a man to hold his own, be his position what it may.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mr. Sutton was a vain man and sensitive, and though he clung to hope, Henrietta’s words hurt him to the quick.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading The name of Chaplain was growing obsolete at this time; it was beginning to import unpleasant things.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The name of Chaplain was growing obsolete at this time; it was beginning to import unpleasant things.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Mr. Sutton was a vain man and sensitive, and though he clung to hope, Henrietta’s words hurt him to the quick.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The name of Chaplain was growing obsolete at this time; it was beginning to import unpleasant things.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mr. Sutton was a vain man and sensitive, and though he clung to hope, Henrietta’s words hurt him to the quick.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading For an hour, writhing under the reflection that even the yokels about him were aware of his discomfiture, he was cast down to the very ground.
offensive or disagreeable; causing discomfort or unhappiness
From this reading The name of Chaplain was growing obsolete at this time; it was beginning to import unpleasant things.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading Mr. Sutton was a vain man and sensitive, and though he clung to hope, Henrietta’s words hurt him to the quick.
precisely as stated
From this reading For an hour, writhing under the reflection that even the yokels about him were aware of his discomfiture, he was cast down to the very ground.
a vivid mental image
From this reading He was inclined to withdraw his hand and let the dazzling vision pass.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mr. Sutton was a vain man and sensitive, and though he clung to hope, Henrietta’s words hurt him to the quick.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading For an hour, writhing under the reflection that even the yokels about him were aware of his discomfiture, he was cast down to the very ground.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading With this chaplain in particular his dependence on a patron was a sore point; for with some capacity, he lacked, and knew that he lacked, that strength of mind which enables a man to hold his own, be his position what it may.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading With this chaplain in particular his dependence on a patron was a sore point; for with some capacity, he lacked, and knew that he lacked, that strength of mind which enables a man to hold his own, be his position what it may.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With this chaplain in particular his dependence on a patron was a sore point; for with some capacity, he lacked, and knew that he lacked, that strength of mind which enables a man to hold his own, be his position what it may.
withdrawverbUS /wɪðˈdrɔː/
pull back or move away or backward
From this reading He was inclined to withdraw his hand and let the dazzling vision pass.
the words that are spoken
From this reading Mr. Sutton was a vain man and sensitive, and though he clung to hope, Henrietta’s words hurt him to the quick.
writhingadjectiveUS /ˈraɪðɪŋ/
moving in a twisting or snake-like or wormlike fashion
From this reading For an hour, writhing under the reflection that even the yokels about him were aware of his discomfiture, he was cast down to the very ground.
yokels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For an hour, writhing under the reflection that even the yokels about him were aware of his discomfiture, he was cast down to the very ground.
