11
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading § 11 So you see Frank Shirley was a difficult man to get at—as much so as if he had been an emperor or an anchorite.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading § 11 So you see Frank Shirley was a difficult man to get at—as much so as if he had been an emperor or an anchorite.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading But here was a man who was different; a man whom one could not get at without humiliating efforts; a man of mystery, about whom one could imagine things!
affinitynounUS /əˈfɪnəti/
(immunology) the attraction between an antigen and an antibody
From this reading I asked Sylvia, who thought there might be something in this; but much more in a deeper fact, which is known to poets and tellers of love-tales, but has not been sufficiently heeded by scientists—that intuitive, commanding and sometimes terrifying revelation of sexual affinity, which we smile at and discredit under the name of “love at first sight.”
equally
From this reading There were so many men, and they were all so much alike, and they were all so easy!
(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 There were so many men, and they were all so much alike, and they were all so easy!
aloofnessnounUS /əˈluːfnəs/
indifference by personal withdrawal
From this reading I have been interested in the psychology of sex, and I wondered how much this aloofness had to do with what happened to Sylvia.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading § 11 So you see Frank Shirley was a difficult man to get at—as much so as if he had been an emperor or an anchorite.
anchoritenoun
one retired from society for religious reasons
From this reading § 11 So you see Frank Shirley was a difficult man to get at—as much so as if he had been an emperor or an anchorite.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I have been interested in the psychology of sex, and I wondered how much this aloofness had to do with what happened to Sylvia.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading § 11 So you see Frank Shirley was a difficult man to get at—as much so as if he had been an emperor or an anchorite.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading I asked Sylvia, who thought there might be something in this; but much more in a deeper fact, which is known to poets and tellers of love-tales, but has not been sufficiently heeded by scientists—that intuitive, commanding and sometimes terrifying revelation of sexual affinity, which we smile at and discredit under the name of “love at first sight.”
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading § 11 So you see Frank Shirley was a difficult man to get at—as much so as if he had been an emperor or an anchorite.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I asked Sylvia, who thought there might be something in this; but much more in a deeper fact, which is known to poets and tellers of love-tales, but has not been sufficiently heeded by scientists—that intuitive, commanding and sometimes terrifying revelation of sexual affinity, which we smile at and discredit under the name of “love at first sight.”
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading § 11 So you see Frank Shirley was a difficult man to get at—as much so as if he had been an emperor or an anchorite.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But here was a man who was different; a man whom one could not get at without humiliating efforts; a man of mystery, about whom one could imagine things!
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I asked Sylvia, who thought there might be something in this; but much more in a deeper fact, which is known to poets and tellers of love-tales, but has not been sufficiently heeded by scientists—that intuitive, commanding and sometimes terrifying revelation of sexual affinity, which we smile at and discredit under the name of “love at first sight.”
commandingadjectiveUS /kəˈmændɪŋ/
used of a height or viewpoint
From this reading I asked Sylvia, who thought there might be something in this; but much more in a deeper fact, which is known to poets and tellers of love-tales, but has not been sufficiently heeded by scientists—that intuitive, commanding and sometimes terrifying revelation of sexual affinity, which we smile at and discredit under the name of “love at first sight.”
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But here was a man who was different; a man whom one could not get at without humiliating efforts; a man of mystery, about whom one could imagine things!
comparative of “deeply” — to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading I asked Sylvia, who thought there might be something in this; but much more in a deeper fact, which is known to poets and tellers of love-tales, but has not been sufficiently heeded by scientists—that intuitive, commanding and sometimes terrifying revelation of sexual affinity, which we smile at and discredit under the name of “love at first sight.”
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading But here was a man who was different; a man whom one could not get at without humiliating efforts; a man of mystery, about whom one could imagine things!
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading § 11 So you see Frank Shirley was a difficult man to get at—as much so as if he had been an emperor or an anchorite.
discreditverbUS /dɪˈskredət/
cause to be distrusted or disbelieved
From this reading I asked Sylvia, who thought there might be something in this; but much more in a deeper fact, which is known to poets and tellers of love-tales, but has not been sufficiently heeded by scientists—that intuitive, commanding and sometimes terrifying revelation of sexual affinity, which we smile at and discredit under the name of “love at first sight.”
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading I have been interested in the psychology of sex, and I wondered how much this aloofness had to do with what happened to Sylvia.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading There were so many men, and they were all so much alike, and they were all so easy!
plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading But here was a man who was different; a man whom one could not get at without humiliating efforts; a man of mystery, about whom one could imagine things!
the male ruler of an empire
From this reading § 11 So you see Frank Shirley was a difficult man to get at—as much so as if he had been an emperor or an anchorite.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading I asked Sylvia, who thought there might be something in this; but much more in a deeper fact, which is known to poets and tellers of love-tales, but has not been sufficiently heeded by scientists—that intuitive, commanding and sometimes terrifying revelation of sexual affinity, which we smile at and discredit under the name of “love at first sight.”
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading I asked Sylvia, who thought there might be something in this; but much more in a deeper fact, which is known to poets and tellers of love-tales, but has not been sufficiently heeded by scientists—that intuitive, commanding and sometimes terrifying revelation of sexual affinity, which we smile at and discredit under the name of “love at first sight.”
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading § 11 So you see Frank Shirley was a difficult man to get at—as much so as if he had been an emperor or an anchorite.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading § 11 So you see Frank Shirley was a difficult man to get at—as much so as if he had been an emperor or an anchorite.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading § 11 So you see Frank Shirley was a difficult man to get at—as much so as if he had been an emperor or an anchorite.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading I have been interested in the psychology of sex, and I wondered how much this aloofness had to do with what happened to Sylvia.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I asked Sylvia, who thought there might be something in this; but much more in a deeper fact, which is known to poets and tellers of love-tales, but has not been sufficiently heeded by scientists—that intuitive, commanding and sometimes terrifying revelation of sexual affinity, which we smile at and discredit under the name of “love at first sight.”
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I have been interested in the psychology of sex, and I wondered how much this aloofness had to do with what happened to Sylvia.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading § 11 So you see Frank Shirley was a difficult man to get at—as much so as if he had been an emperor or an anchorite.
heededverbUS /ˈhiːdəd/
past form of “heed” — pay close attention to; give heed to
From this reading I asked Sylvia, who thought there might be something in this; but much more in a deeper fact, which is known to poets and tellers of love-tales, but has not been sufficiently heeded by scientists—that intuitive, commanding and sometimes terrifying revelation of sexual affinity, which we smile at and discredit under the name of “love at first sight.”
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading But here was a man who was different; a man whom one could not get at without humiliating efforts; a man of mystery, about whom one could imagine things!
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have been interested in the psychology of sex, and I wondered how much this aloofness had to do with what happened to Sylvia.
humiliatingadjectiveUS /hjuːˈmɪlieɪtɪŋ/
causing awareness of your shortcomings
From this reading But here was a man who was different; a man whom one could not get at without humiliating efforts; a man of mystery, about whom one could imagine things!
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I have been interested in the psychology of sex, and I wondered how much this aloofness had to do with what happened to Sylvia.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading § 11 So you see Frank Shirley was a difficult man to get at—as much so as if he had been an emperor or an anchorite.
form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading But here was a man who was different; a man whom one could not get at without humiliating efforts; a man of mystery, about whom one could imagine things!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I have been interested in the psychology of sex, and I wondered how much this aloofness had to do with what happened to Sylvia.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading I have been interested in the psychology of sex, and I wondered how much this aloofness had to do with what happened to Sylvia.
intuitiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtuːətɪv/
spontaneously derived from or prompted by a natural tendency
From this reading I asked Sylvia, who thought there might be something in this; but much more in a deeper fact, which is known to poets and tellers of love-tales, but has not been sufficiently heeded by scientists—that intuitive, commanding and sometimes terrifying revelation of sexual affinity, which we smile at and discredit under the name of “love at first sight.”
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I asked Sylvia, who thought there might be something in this; but much more in a deeper fact, which is known to poets and tellers of love-tales, but has not been sufficiently heeded by scientists—that intuitive, commanding and sometimes terrifying revelation of sexual affinity, which we smile at and discredit under the name of “love at first sight.”
apprehended with certainty
From this reading I asked Sylvia, who thought there might be something in this; but much more in a deeper fact, which is known to poets and tellers of love-tales, but has not been sufficiently heeded by scientists—that intuitive, commanding and sometimes terrifying revelation of sexual affinity, which we smile at and discredit under the name of “love at first sight.”
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading I asked Sylvia, who thought there might be something in this; but much more in a deeper fact, which is known to poets and tellers of love-tales, but has not been sufficiently heeded by scientists—that intuitive, commanding and sometimes terrifying revelation of sexual affinity, which we smile at and discredit under the name of “love at first sight.”
love-tales
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I asked Sylvia, who thought there might be something in this; but much more in a deeper fact, which is known to poets and tellers of love-tales, but has not been sufficiently heeded by scientists—that intuitive, commanding and sometimes terrifying revelation of sexual affinity, which we smile at and discredit under the name of “love at first sight.”
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading § 11 So you see Frank Shirley was a difficult man to get at—as much so as if he had been an emperor or an anchorite.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading There were so many men, and they were all so much alike, and they were all so easy!
the force of workers available
From this reading There were so many men, and they were all so much alike, and they were all so easy!
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading I asked Sylvia, who thought there might be something in this; but much more in a deeper fact, which is known to poets and tellers of love-tales, but has not been sufficiently heeded by scientists—that intuitive, commanding and sometimes terrifying revelation of sexual affinity, which we smile at and discredit under the name of “love at first sight.”
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading I asked Sylvia, who thought there might be something in this; but much more in a deeper fact, which is known to poets and tellers of love-tales, but has not been sufficiently heeded by scientists—that intuitive, commanding and sometimes terrifying revelation of sexual affinity, which we smile at and discredit under the name of “love at first sight.”
to a great degree or extent
From this reading § 11 So you see Frank Shirley was a difficult man to get at—as much so as if he had been an emperor or an anchorite.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading But here was a man who was different; a man whom one could not get at without humiliating efforts; a man of mystery, about whom one could imagine things!
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading I asked Sylvia, who thought there might be something in this; but much more in a deeper fact, which is known to poets and tellers of love-tales, but has not been sufficiently heeded by scientists—that intuitive, commanding and sometimes terrifying revelation of sexual affinity, which we smile at and discredit under the name of “love at first sight.”
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But here was a man who was different; a man whom one could not get at without humiliating efforts; a man of mystery, about whom one could imagine things!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I have been interested in the psychology of sex, and I wondered how much this aloofness had to do with what happened to Sylvia.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But here was a man who was different; a man whom one could not get at without humiliating efforts; a man of mystery, about whom one could imagine things!
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading § 11 So you see Frank Shirley was a difficult man to get at—as much so as if he had been an emperor or an anchorite.
poetsnounUS /ˈpoʊəts/
plural of “poet” — a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)
From this reading I asked Sylvia, who thought there might be something in this; but much more in a deeper fact, which is known to poets and tellers of love-tales, but has not been sufficiently heeded by scientists—that intuitive, commanding and sometimes terrifying revelation of sexual affinity, which we smile at and discredit under the name of “love at first sight.”
psychologynounUS /saɪˈkɑːlədʒi/
the science of mental life
From this reading I have been interested in the psychology of sex, and I wondered how much this aloofness had to do with what happened to Sylvia.
revelationnounUS /ˌrevəˈleɪʃən/
the speech act of making something evident
From this reading I asked Sylvia, who thought there might be something in this; but much more in a deeper fact, which is known to poets and tellers of love-tales, but has not been sufficiently heeded by scientists—that intuitive, commanding and sometimes terrifying revelation of sexual affinity, which we smile at and discredit under the name of “love at first sight.”
scientistsnounUS /ˈsaɪəntɪsts/
plural of “scientist” — a person with advanced knowledge of one or more sciences
From this reading I asked Sylvia, who thought there might be something in this; but much more in a deeper fact, which is known to poets and tellers of love-tales, but has not been sufficiently heeded by scientists—that intuitive, commanding and sometimes terrifying revelation of sexual affinity, which we smile at and discredit under the name of “love at first sight.”
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading § 11 So you see Frank Shirley was a difficult man to get at—as much so as if he had been an emperor or an anchorite.
activities associated with sexual intercourse
From this reading I have been interested in the psychology of sex, and I wondered how much this aloofness had to do with what happened to Sylvia.
sexualadjectiveUS /ˈsekʃuːəl/
of or relating to or characterized by sexuality
From this reading I asked Sylvia, who thought there might be something in this; but much more in a deeper fact, which is known to poets and tellers of love-tales, but has not been sufficiently heeded by scientists—that intuitive, commanding and sometimes terrifying revelation of sexual affinity, which we smile at and discredit under the name of “love at first sight.”
Shirley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading § 11 So you see Frank Shirley was a difficult man to get at—as much so as if he had been an emperor or an anchorite.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading I asked Sylvia, who thought there might be something in this; but much more in a deeper fact, which is known to poets and tellers of love-tales, but has not been sufficiently heeded by scientists—that intuitive, commanding and sometimes terrifying revelation of sexual affinity, which we smile at and discredit under the name of “love at first sight.”
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading I asked Sylvia, who thought there might be something in this; but much more in a deeper fact, which is known to poets and tellers of love-tales, but has not been sufficiently heeded by scientists—that intuitive, commanding and sometimes terrifying revelation of sexual affinity, which we smile at and discredit under the name of “love at first sight.”
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading § 11 So you see Frank Shirley was a difficult man to get at—as much so as if he had been an emperor or an anchorite.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading I asked Sylvia, who thought there might be something in this; but much more in a deeper fact, which is known to poets and tellers of love-tales, but has not been sufficiently heeded by scientists—that intuitive, commanding and sometimes terrifying revelation of sexual affinity, which we smile at and discredit under the name of “love at first sight.”
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading I asked Sylvia, who thought there might be something in this; but much more in a deeper fact, which is known to poets and tellers of love-tales, but has not been sufficiently heeded by scientists—that intuitive, commanding and sometimes terrifying revelation of sexual affinity, which we smile at and discredit under the name of “love at first sight.”
to a sufficient degree
From this reading I asked Sylvia, who thought there might be something in this; but much more in a deeper fact, which is known to poets and tellers of love-tales, but has not been sufficiently heeded by scientists—that intuitive, commanding and sometimes terrifying revelation of sexual affinity, which we smile at and discredit under the name of “love at first sight.”
Sylvia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have been interested in the psychology of sex, and I wondered how much this aloofness had to do with what happened to Sylvia.
tellersnounUS /ˈtelərz/
plural of “teller” — United States physicist (born in Hungary) who worked on the first atom bomb and the first hydrogen bomb (1908-2003)
From this reading I asked Sylvia, who thought there might be something in this; but much more in a deeper fact, which is known to poets and tellers of love-tales, but has not been sufficiently heeded by scientists—that intuitive, commanding and sometimes terrifying revelation of sexual affinity, which we smile at and discredit under the name of “love at first sight.”
terrifyingadjectiveUS /ˈterəfaɪɪŋ/
causing extreme terror
From this reading I asked Sylvia, who thought there might be something in this; but much more in a deeper fact, which is known to poets and tellers of love-tales, but has not been sufficiently heeded by scientists—that intuitive, commanding and sometimes terrifying revelation of sexual affinity, which we smile at and discredit under the name of “love at first sight.”
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I asked Sylvia, who thought there might be something in this; but much more in a deeper fact, which is known to poets and tellers of love-tales, but has not been sufficiently heeded by scientists—that intuitive, commanding and sometimes terrifying revelation of sexual affinity, which we smile at and discredit under the name of “love at first sight.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I have been interested in the psychology of sex, and I wondered how much this aloofness had to do with what happened to Sylvia.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were so many men, and they were all so much alike, and they were all so easy!
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There were so many men, and they were all so much alike, and they were all so easy!
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading But here was a man who was different; a man whom one could not get at without humiliating efforts; a man of mystery, about whom one could imagine things!
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading I have been interested in the psychology of sex, and I wondered how much this aloofness had to do with what happened to Sylvia.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading I asked Sylvia, who thought there might be something in this; but much more in a deeper fact, which is known to poets and tellers of love-tales, but has not been sufficiently heeded by scientists—that intuitive, commanding and sometimes terrifying revelation of sexual affinity, which we smile at and discredit under the name of “love at first sight.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading § 11 So you see Frank Shirley was a difficult man to get at—as much so as if he had been an emperor or an anchorite.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading I asked Sylvia, who thought there might be something in this; but much more in a deeper fact, which is known to poets and tellers of love-tales, but has not been sufficiently heeded by scientists—that intuitive, commanding and sometimes terrifying revelation of sexual affinity, which we smile at and discredit under the name of “love at first sight.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading § 11 So you see Frank Shirley was a difficult man to get at—as much so as if he had been an emperor or an anchorite.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading I asked Sylvia, who thought there might be something in this; but much more in a deeper fact, which is known to poets and tellers of love-tales, but has not been sufficiently heeded by scientists—that intuitive, commanding and sometimes terrifying revelation of sexual affinity, which we smile at and discredit under the name of “love at first sight.”
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were so many men, and they were all so much alike, and they were all so easy!
used to ask for information about something
From this reading I have been interested in the psychology of sex, and I wondered how much this aloofness had to do with what happened to Sylvia.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I asked Sylvia, who thought there might be something in this; but much more in a deeper fact, which is known to poets and tellers of love-tales, but has not been sufficiently heeded by scientists—that intuitive, commanding and sometimes terrifying revelation of sexual affinity, which we smile at and discredit under the name of “love at first sight.”
which person or people
From this reading But here was a man who was different; a man whom one could not get at without humiliating efforts; a man of mystery, about whom one could imagine things!
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But here was a man who was different; a man whom one could not get at without humiliating efforts; a man of mystery, about whom one could imagine things!
in the company of; together with
From this reading I have been interested in the psychology of sex, and I wondered how much this aloofness had to do with what happened to Sylvia.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading But here was a man who was different; a man whom one could not get at without humiliating efforts; a man of mystery, about whom one could imagine things!
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading I have been interested in the psychology of sex, and I wondered how much this aloofness had to do with what happened to Sylvia.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading § 11 So you see Frank Shirley was a difficult man to get at—as much so as if he had been an emperor or an anchorite.
