adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ***** In spite of the bright and characteristic letter which Miss Desborough left for her host,--a letter which mingled her peculiar shrewd sense with her humorous extravagance of expression,--the consul spent a somewhat uneasy evening under the fire of questions that assailed him in reference to the fair deserter.
activeadjectiveUS /ˈæktɪv/
tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading But he kept loyal faith with her, adhering even to the letter of her instructions, and only once was goaded into more active mendacity.
adheringverbUS /ədˈhɪrɪŋ/
-ing form of “adhere” — be compatible or in accordance with
From this reading But he kept loyal faith with her, adhering even to the letter of her instructions, and only once was goaded into more active mendacity.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ***** In spite of the bright and characteristic letter which Miss Desborough left for her host,--a letter which mingled her peculiar shrewd sense with her humorous extravagance of expression,--the consul spent a somewhat uneasy evening under the fire of questions that assailed him in reference to the fair deserter.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “Possibly it might have been 'Debborough,' or even the same name as our fair friend.”
assailedverbUS /əˈseɪld/
past form of “assail” — attack someone physically or emotionally
From this reading ***** In spite of the bright and characteristic letter which Miss Desborough left for her host,--a letter which mingled her peculiar shrewd sense with her humorous extravagance of expression,--the consul spent a somewhat uneasy evening under the fire of questions that assailed him in reference to the fair deserter.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “Possibly it might have been 'Debborough,' or even the same name as our fair friend.”
brightadjectiveUS /braɪt/
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading ***** In spite of the bright and characteristic letter which Miss Desborough left for her host,--a letter which mingled her peculiar shrewd sense with her humorous extravagance of expression,--the consul spent a somewhat uneasy evening under the fire of questions that assailed him in reference to the fair deserter.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But he kept loyal faith with her, adhering even to the letter of her instructions, and only once was goaded into more active mendacity.
characteristicnounUS /ˌkerəktərˈɪstɪk/
a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading ***** In spite of the bright and characteristic letter which Miss Desborough left for her host,--a letter which mingled her peculiar shrewd sense with her humorous extravagance of expression,--the consul spent a somewhat uneasy evening under the fire of questions that assailed him in reference to the fair deserter.
consulnounUS /ˈkɑːnsəl/
a diplomat appointed by a government to protect its commercial interests and help its citizens in a foreign country
From this reading ***** In spite of the bright and characteristic letter which Miss Desborough left for her host,--a letter which mingled her peculiar shrewd sense with her humorous extravagance of expression,--the consul spent a somewhat uneasy evening under the fire of questions that assailed him in reference to the fair deserter.
contractionnounUS /kənˈtrækʃən/
(physiology) a shortening or tensing of a part or organ (especially of a muscle or muscle fiber)
From this reading A guest from the north observed, however, that the name was undoubtedly a contraction.
conversationnounUS /ˌkɑːnvərˈseɪʃən/
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading The conversation had turned upon “Debs,” and the consul had remarked on the singularity of the name.
Debborough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Possibly it might have been 'Debborough,' or even the same name as our fair friend.”
DebsnounUS /debz/
United States labor organizer who ran for President as a socialist (1855-1926)
From this reading The conversation had turned upon “Debs,” and the consul had remarked on the singularity of the name.
Desborough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ***** In spite of the bright and characteristic letter which Miss Desborough left for her host,--a letter which mingled her peculiar shrewd sense with her humorous extravagance of expression,--the consul spent a somewhat uneasy evening under the fire of questions that assailed him in reference to the fair deserter.
deserternounUS /ˈdezərtər/
a disloyal person who betrays or deserts his cause or religion or political party or friend etc.
From this reading ***** In spite of the bright and characteristic letter which Miss Desborough left for her host,--a letter which mingled her peculiar shrewd sense with her humorous extravagance of expression,--the consul spent a somewhat uneasy evening under the fire of questions that assailed him in reference to the fair deserter.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading But he kept loyal faith with her, adhering even to the letter of her instructions, and only once was goaded into more active mendacity.
eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading ***** In spite of the bright and characteristic letter which Miss Desborough left for her host,--a letter which mingled her peculiar shrewd sense with her humorous extravagance of expression,--the consul spent a somewhat uneasy evening under the fire of questions that assailed him in reference to the fair deserter.
expressionnounUS /ɪkˈspreʃən/
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading ***** In spite of the bright and characteristic letter which Miss Desborough left for her host,--a letter which mingled her peculiar shrewd sense with her humorous extravagance of expression,--the consul spent a somewhat uneasy evening under the fire of questions that assailed him in reference to the fair deserter.
extravagancenounUS /ekˈstrævəɡəns/
the quality of exceeding the appropriate limits of decorum or probability or truth
From this reading ***** In spite of the bright and characteristic letter which Miss Desborough left for her host,--a letter which mingled her peculiar shrewd sense with her humorous extravagance of expression,--the consul spent a somewhat uneasy evening under the fire of questions that assailed him in reference to the fair deserter.
fairadjectiveUS /fer/
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading ***** In spite of the bright and characteristic letter which Miss Desborough left for her host,--a letter which mingled her peculiar shrewd sense with her humorous extravagance of expression,--the consul spent a somewhat uneasy evening under the fire of questions that assailed him in reference to the fair deserter.
faithnounUS /feɪθ/
a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
From this reading But he kept loyal faith with her, adhering even to the letter of her instructions, and only once was goaded into more active mendacity.
fireverbUS /ˈfaɪər/
start firing a weapon
From this reading ***** In spite of the bright and characteristic letter which Miss Desborough left for her host,--a letter which mingled her peculiar shrewd sense with her humorous extravagance of expression,--the consul spent a somewhat uneasy evening under the fire of questions that assailed him in reference to the fair deserter.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading ***** In spite of the bright and characteristic letter which Miss Desborough left for her host,--a letter which mingled her peculiar shrewd sense with her humorous extravagance of expression,--the consul spent a somewhat uneasy evening under the fire of questions that assailed him in reference to the fair deserter.
friendnounUS /frend/
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading “Possibly it might have been 'Debborough,' or even the same name as our fair friend.”
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A guest from the north observed, however, that the name was undoubtedly a contraction.
goadedadjectiveUS /ˈɡoʊdɪd/
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading But he kept loyal faith with her, adhering even to the letter of her instructions, and only once was goaded into more active mendacity.
guestnounUS /ɡest/
a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading A guest from the north observed, however, that the name was undoubtedly a contraction.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The conversation had turned upon “Debs,” and the consul had remarked on the singularity of the name.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “Possibly it might have been 'Debborough,' or even the same name as our fair friend.”
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But he kept loyal faith with her, adhering even to the letter of her instructions, and only once was goaded into more active mendacity.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading ***** In spite of the bright and characteristic letter which Miss Desborough left for her host,--a letter which mingled her peculiar shrewd sense with her humorous extravagance of expression,--the consul spent a somewhat uneasy evening under the fire of questions that assailed him in reference to the fair deserter.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading ***** In spite of the bright and characteristic letter which Miss Desborough left for her host,--a letter which mingled her peculiar shrewd sense with her humorous extravagance of expression,--the consul spent a somewhat uneasy evening under the fire of questions that assailed him in reference to the fair deserter.
hostnounUS /hoʊst/
a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
From this reading ***** In spite of the bright and characteristic letter which Miss Desborough left for her host,--a letter which mingled her peculiar shrewd sense with her humorous extravagance of expression,--the consul spent a somewhat uneasy evening under the fire of questions that assailed him in reference to the fair deserter.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading A guest from the north observed, however, that the name was undoubtedly a contraction.
humorousadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmərəs/
full of or characterized by humor
From this reading ***** In spite of the bright and characteristic letter which Miss Desborough left for her host,--a letter which mingled her peculiar shrewd sense with her humorous extravagance of expression,--the consul spent a somewhat uneasy evening under the fire of questions that assailed him in reference to the fair deserter.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ***** In spite of the bright and characteristic letter which Miss Desborough left for her host,--a letter which mingled her peculiar shrewd sense with her humorous extravagance of expression,--the consul spent a somewhat uneasy evening under the fire of questions that assailed him in reference to the fair deserter.
instructionsnounUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌkʃənz/
a manual usually accompanying a technical device and explaining how to install or operate it
From this reading But he kept loyal faith with her, adhering even to the letter of her instructions, and only once was goaded into more active mendacity.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading But he kept loyal faith with her, adhering even to the letter of her instructions, and only once was goaded into more active mendacity.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “Possibly it might have been 'Debborough,' or even the same name as our fair friend.”
keptadjectiveUS /kept/
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading But he kept loyal faith with her, adhering even to the letter of her instructions, and only once was goaded into more active mendacity.
leftnounUS /left/
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading ***** In spite of the bright and characteristic letter which Miss Desborough left for her host,--a letter which mingled her peculiar shrewd sense with her humorous extravagance of expression,--the consul spent a somewhat uneasy evening under the fire of questions that assailed him in reference to the fair deserter.
letternounUS /ˈletər/
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading ***** In spite of the bright and characteristic letter which Miss Desborough left for her host,--a letter which mingled her peculiar shrewd sense with her humorous extravagance of expression,--the consul spent a somewhat uneasy evening under the fire of questions that assailed him in reference to the fair deserter.
loyaladjectiveUS /ˈlɔɪəl/
steadfast in allegiance or duty
From this reading But he kept loyal faith with her, adhering even to the letter of her instructions, and only once was goaded into more active mendacity.
mendacitynounUS /menˈdæsɪti/
the tendency to be untruthful
From this reading But he kept loyal faith with her, adhering even to the letter of her instructions, and only once was goaded into more active mendacity.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading “Possibly it might have been 'Debborough,' or even the same name as our fair friend.”
mingledverbUS /ˈmɪŋɡəld/
past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else
From this reading ***** In spite of the bright and characteristic letter which Miss Desborough left for her host,--a letter which mingled her peculiar shrewd sense with her humorous extravagance of expression,--the consul spent a somewhat uneasy evening under the fire of questions that assailed him in reference to the fair deserter.
MissverbUS /mɪs/
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading ***** In spite of the bright and characteristic letter which Miss Desborough left for her host,--a letter which mingled her peculiar shrewd sense with her humorous extravagance of expression,--the consul spent a somewhat uneasy evening under the fire of questions that assailed him in reference to the fair deserter.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But he kept loyal faith with her, adhering even to the letter of her instructions, and only once was goaded into more active mendacity.
nameverbUS /neɪm/
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading The conversation had turned upon “Debs,” and the consul had remarked on the singularity of the name.
northnounUS /nɔːrθ/
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading A guest from the north observed, however, that the name was undoubtedly a contraction.
observedadjectiveUS /əbˈzɜːrvd/
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading A guest from the north observed, however, that the name was undoubtedly a contraction.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ***** In spite of the bright and characteristic letter which Miss Desborough left for her host,--a letter which mingled her peculiar shrewd sense with her humorous extravagance of expression,--the consul spent a somewhat uneasy evening under the fire of questions that assailed him in reference to the fair deserter.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The conversation had turned upon “Debs,” and the consul had remarked on the singularity of the name.
onceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading But he kept loyal faith with her, adhering even to the letter of her instructions, and only once was goaded into more active mendacity.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading But he kept loyal faith with her, adhering even to the letter of her instructions, and only once was goaded into more active mendacity.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “Possibly it might have been 'Debborough,' or even the same name as our fair friend.”
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading “Possibly it might have been 'Debborough,' or even the same name as our fair friend.”
peculiaradjectiveUS /pəˈkjuːljər/
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading ***** In spite of the bright and characteristic letter which Miss Desborough left for her host,--a letter which mingled her peculiar shrewd sense with her humorous extravagance of expression,--the consul spent a somewhat uneasy evening under the fire of questions that assailed him in reference to the fair deserter.
PossiblyadverbUS /ˈpɑːsəbli/
by chance
From this reading “Possibly it might have been 'Debborough,' or even the same name as our fair friend.”
questionsnounUS /ˈkwestʃənz/
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading ***** In spite of the bright and characteristic letter which Miss Desborough left for her host,--a letter which mingled her peculiar shrewd sense with her humorous extravagance of expression,--the consul spent a somewhat uneasy evening under the fire of questions that assailed him in reference to the fair deserter.
referencenounUS /ˈrefərəns/
a remark that calls attention to something or someone
From this reading ***** In spite of the bright and characteristic letter which Miss Desborough left for her host,--a letter which mingled her peculiar shrewd sense with her humorous extravagance of expression,--the consul spent a somewhat uneasy evening under the fire of questions that assailed him in reference to the fair deserter.
remarkedverbUS /rɪˈmɑːrkt/
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading The conversation had turned upon “Debs,” and the consul had remarked on the singularity of the name.
sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/
Identical; not different.
From this reading “Possibly it might have been 'Debborough,' or even the same name as our fair friend.”
sensenounUS /sens/
a general conscious awareness
From this reading ***** In spite of the bright and characteristic letter which Miss Desborough left for her host,--a letter which mingled her peculiar shrewd sense with her humorous extravagance of expression,--the consul spent a somewhat uneasy evening under the fire of questions that assailed him in reference to the fair deserter.
shrewdadjectiveUS /ʃruːd/
marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
From this reading ***** In spite of the bright and characteristic letter which Miss Desborough left for her host,--a letter which mingled her peculiar shrewd sense with her humorous extravagance of expression,--the consul spent a somewhat uneasy evening under the fire of questions that assailed him in reference to the fair deserter.
singularitynounUS /ˈsɪŋɡjəˈlerəti/
the quality of being one of a kind
From this reading The conversation had turned upon “Debs,” and the consul had remarked on the singularity of the name.
somewhatadverbUS /ˈsʌmˈwʌt/
to a small degree or extent
From this reading ***** In spite of the bright and characteristic letter which Miss Desborough left for her host,--a letter which mingled her peculiar shrewd sense with her humorous extravagance of expression,--the consul spent a somewhat uneasy evening under the fire of questions that assailed him in reference to the fair deserter.
spentadjectiveUS /spent/
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading ***** In spite of the bright and characteristic letter which Miss Desborough left for her host,--a letter which mingled her peculiar shrewd sense with her humorous extravagance of expression,--the consul spent a somewhat uneasy evening under the fire of questions that assailed him in reference to the fair deserter.
spitenounUS /spaɪt/
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading ***** In spite of the bright and characteristic letter which Miss Desborough left for her host,--a letter which mingled her peculiar shrewd sense with her humorous extravagance of expression,--the consul spent a somewhat uneasy evening under the fire of questions that assailed him in reference to the fair deserter.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading ***** In spite of the bright and characteristic letter which Miss Desborough left for her host,--a letter which mingled her peculiar shrewd sense with her humorous extravagance of expression,--the consul spent a somewhat uneasy evening under the fire of questions that assailed him in reference to the fair deserter.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ***** In spite of the bright and characteristic letter which Miss Desborough left for her host,--a letter which mingled her peculiar shrewd sense with her humorous extravagance of expression,--the consul spent a somewhat uneasy evening under the fire of questions that assailed him in reference to the fair deserter.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ***** In spite of the bright and characteristic letter which Miss Desborough left for her host,--a letter which mingled her peculiar shrewd sense with her humorous extravagance of expression,--the consul spent a somewhat uneasy evening under the fire of questions that assailed him in reference to the fair deserter.
turnedadjectiveUS /tɜːrnd/
moved around an axis or center
From this reading The conversation had turned upon “Debs,” and the consul had remarked on the singularity of the name.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading ***** In spite of the bright and characteristic letter which Miss Desborough left for her host,--a letter which mingled her peculiar shrewd sense with her humorous extravagance of expression,--the consul spent a somewhat uneasy evening under the fire of questions that assailed him in reference to the fair deserter.
undoubtedlyadverbUS /ənˈdaʊtɪdli/
without doubt; certainly
From this reading A guest from the north observed, however, that the name was undoubtedly a contraction.
uneasyadjectiveUS /əˈniːzi/
lacking a sense of security or affording no ease or reassurance
From this reading ***** In spite of the bright and characteristic letter which Miss Desborough left for her host,--a letter which mingled her peculiar shrewd sense with her humorous extravagance of expression,--the consul spent a somewhat uneasy evening under the fire of questions that assailed him in reference to the fair deserter.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The conversation had turned upon “Debs,” and the consul had remarked on the singularity of the name.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But he kept loyal faith with her, adhering even to the letter of her instructions, and only once was goaded into more active mendacity.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading ***** In spite of the bright and characteristic letter which Miss Desborough left for her host,--a letter which mingled her peculiar shrewd sense with her humorous extravagance of expression,--the consul spent a somewhat uneasy evening under the fire of questions that assailed him in reference to the fair deserter.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading ***** In spite of the bright and characteristic letter which Miss Desborough left for her host,--a letter which mingled her peculiar shrewd sense with her humorous extravagance of expression,--the consul spent a somewhat uneasy evening under the fire of questions that assailed him in reference to the fair deserter.
