used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a great comfort to Mrs. Dormer-Smith to find her niece so pretty ("not a beauty," as she said to herself, "but extremely pleasing, and with capital points"), and so entirely free from vulgarisms of speech or manner.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading But it is dreadfully disheartening to come every now and then upon some absolutely middle-class prejudice or scruple in May.
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading But a more intimate acquaintance revealed traits of character which troubled Mrs. Dormer-Smith a good deal.
(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 In fact, May's outward demeanour needed but very few polishing touches to make it all her aunt could desire.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a great comfort to Mrs. Dormer-Smith to find her niece so pretty ("not a beauty," as she said to herself, "but extremely pleasing, and with capital points"), and so entirely free from vulgarisms of speech or manner.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was a great comfort to Mrs. Dormer-Smith to find her niece so pretty ("not a beauty," as she said to herself, "but extremely pleasing, and with capital points"), and so entirely free from vulgarisms of speech or manner.
Augustus's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I suppose," she observed to her husband, with a sigh, "one had no right to expect that poor Augustus's unfortunate marriage should have left no trace in his children.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading In fact, May's outward demeanour needed but very few polishing touches to make it all her aunt could desire.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading It was a great comfort to Mrs. Dormer-Smith to find her niece so pretty ("not a beauty," as she said to herself, "but extremely pleasing, and with capital points"), and so entirely free from vulgarisms of speech or manner.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was a great comfort to Mrs. Dormer-Smith to find her niece so pretty ("not a beauty," as she said to herself, "but extremely pleasing, and with capital points"), and so entirely free from vulgarisms of speech or manner.
assets available for use in the production of further assets
From this reading It was a great comfort to Mrs. Dormer-Smith to find her niece so pretty ("not a beauty," as she said to herself, "but extremely pleasing, and with capital points"), and so entirely free from vulgarisms of speech or manner.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading But a more intimate acquaintance revealed traits of character which troubled Mrs. Dormer-Smith a good deal.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading "I suppose," she observed to her husband, with a sigh, "one had no right to expect that poor Augustus's unfortunate marriage should have left no trace in his children.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading But it is dreadfully disheartening to come every now and then upon some absolutely middle-class prejudice or scruple in May.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading It was a great comfort to Mrs. Dormer-Smith to find her niece so pretty ("not a beauty," as she said to herself, "but extremely pleasing, and with capital points"), and so entirely free from vulgarisms of speech or manner.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading In fact, May's outward demeanour needed but very few polishing touches to make it all her aunt could desire.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading But a more intimate acquaintance revealed traits of character which troubled Mrs. Dormer-Smith a good deal.
demeanournounUS /dɪˈmiːnər/
(behavioral attributes) the way a person behaves toward other people
From this reading In fact, May's outward demeanour needed but very few polishing touches to make it all her aunt could desire.
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading In fact, May's outward demeanour needed but very few polishing touches to make it all her aunt could desire.
dishearteningadjectiveUS /dɪsˈhɑːrtənɪŋ/
destructive of morale and self-reliance
From this reading But it is dreadfully disheartening to come every now and then upon some absolutely middle-class prejudice or scruple in May.
Dormer-Smith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a great comfort to Mrs. Dormer-Smith to find her niece so pretty ("not a beauty," as she said to herself, "but extremely pleasing, and with capital points"), and so entirely free from vulgarisms of speech or manner.
dreadfullyadverbUS /ˈdredfəli/
of a dreadful kind
From this reading But it is dreadfully disheartening to come every now and then upon some absolutely middle-class prejudice or scruple in May.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading It was a great comfort to Mrs. Dormer-Smith to find her niece so pretty ("not a beauty," as she said to herself, "but extremely pleasing, and with capital points"), and so entirely free from vulgarisms of speech or manner.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading But it is dreadfully disheartening to come every now and then upon some absolutely middle-class prejudice or scruple in May.
regard something as probable or likely
From this reading "I suppose," she observed to her husband, with a sigh, "one had no right to expect that poor Augustus's unfortunate marriage should have left no trace in his children.
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading It was a great comfort to Mrs. Dormer-Smith to find her niece so pretty ("not a beauty," as she said to herself, "but extremely pleasing, and with capital points"), and so entirely free from vulgarisms of speech or manner.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading In fact, May's outward demeanour needed but very few polishing touches to make it all her aunt could desire.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading In fact, May's outward demeanour needed but very few polishing touches to make it all her aunt could desire.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading It was a great comfort to Mrs. Dormer-Smith to find her niece so pretty ("not a beauty," as she said to herself, "but extremely pleasing, and with capital points"), and so entirely free from vulgarisms of speech or manner.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading It was a great comfort to Mrs. Dormer-Smith to find her niece so pretty ("not a beauty," as she said to herself, "but extremely pleasing, and with capital points"), and so entirely free from vulgarisms of speech or manner.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was a great comfort to Mrs. Dormer-Smith to find her niece so pretty ("not a beauty," as she said to herself, "but extremely pleasing, and with capital points"), and so entirely free from vulgarisms of speech or manner.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading But a more intimate acquaintance revealed traits of character which troubled Mrs. Dormer-Smith a good deal.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading It was a great comfort to Mrs. Dormer-Smith to find her niece so pretty ("not a beauty," as she said to herself, "but extremely pleasing, and with capital points"), and so entirely free from vulgarisms of speech or manner.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "I suppose," she observed to her husband, with a sigh, "one had no right to expect that poor Augustus's unfortunate marriage should have left no trace in his children.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "I suppose," she observed to her husband, with a sigh, "one had no right to expect that poor Augustus's unfortunate marriage should have left no trace in his children.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It was a great comfort to Mrs. Dormer-Smith to find her niece so pretty ("not a beauty," as she said to herself, "but extremely pleasing, and with capital points"), and so entirely free from vulgarisms of speech or manner.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was a great comfort to Mrs. Dormer-Smith to find her niece so pretty ("not a beauty," as she said to herself, "but extremely pleasing, and with capital points"), and so entirely free from vulgarisms of speech or manner.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "I suppose," she observed to her husband, with a sigh, "one had no right to expect that poor Augustus's unfortunate marriage should have left no trace in his children.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading "I suppose," she observed to her husband, with a sigh, "one had no right to expect that poor Augustus's unfortunate marriage should have left no trace in his children.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I suppose," she observed to her husband, with a sigh, "one had no right to expect that poor Augustus's unfortunate marriage should have left no trace in his children.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In fact, May's outward demeanour needed but very few polishing touches to make it all her aunt could desire.
intimateadjectiveUS /ˈɪntəmət/
marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity
From this reading But a more intimate acquaintance revealed traits of character which troubled Mrs. Dormer-Smith a good deal.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But it is dreadfully disheartening to come every now and then upon some absolutely middle-class prejudice or scruple in May.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a great comfort to Mrs. Dormer-Smith to find her niece so pretty ("not a beauty," as she said to herself, "but extremely pleasing, and with capital points"), and so entirely free from vulgarisms of speech or manner.
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 "I suppose," she observed to her husband, with a sigh, "one had no right to expect that poor Augustus's unfortunate marriage should have left no trace in his children.
engage in
From this reading In fact, May's outward demeanour needed but very few polishing touches to make it all her aunt could desire.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading It was a great comfort to Mrs. Dormer-Smith to find her niece so pretty ("not a beauty," as she said to herself, "but extremely pleasing, and with capital points"), and so entirely free from vulgarisms of speech or manner.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading "I suppose," she observed to her husband, with a sigh, "one had no right to expect that poor Augustus's unfortunate marriage should have left no trace in his children.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading But it is dreadfully disheartening to come every now and then upon some absolutely middle-class prejudice or scruple in May.
May'snounUS /meɪz/
possessive form of “may” — the month following April and preceding June
From this reading In fact, May's outward demeanour needed but very few polishing touches to make it all her aunt could desire.
middle-classadjectiveUS /ˈmɪdəlˈklæs/
occupying a socioeconomic position intermediate between those of the lower classes and the wealthy
From this reading But it is dreadfully disheartening to come every now and then upon some absolutely middle-class prejudice or scruple in May.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But a more intimate acquaintance revealed traits of character which troubled Mrs. Dormer-Smith a good deal.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading It was a great comfort to Mrs. Dormer-Smith to find her niece so pretty ("not a beauty," as she said to herself, "but extremely pleasing, and with capital points"), and so entirely free from vulgarisms of speech or manner.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading In fact, May's outward demeanour needed but very few polishing touches to make it all her aunt could desire.
niecenounUS /niːs/
a daughter of your brother or sister
From this reading It was a great comfort to Mrs. Dormer-Smith to find her niece so pretty ("not a beauty," as she said to herself, "but extremely pleasing, and with capital points"), and so entirely free from vulgarisms of speech or manner.
not any; not one
From this reading "I suppose," she observed to her husband, with a sigh, "one had no right to expect that poor Augustus's unfortunate marriage should have left no trace in his children.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was a great comfort to Mrs. Dormer-Smith to find her niece so pretty ("not a beauty," as she said to herself, "but extremely pleasing, and with capital points"), and so entirely free from vulgarisms of speech or manner.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But it is dreadfully disheartening to come every now and then upon some absolutely middle-class prejudice or scruple in May.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading "I suppose," she observed to her husband, with a sigh, "one had no right to expect that poor Augustus's unfortunate marriage should have left no trace in his children.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was a great comfort to Mrs. Dormer-Smith to find her niece so pretty ("not a beauty," as she said to herself, "but extremely pleasing, and with capital points"), and so entirely free from vulgarisms of speech or manner.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "I suppose," she observed to her husband, with a sigh, "one had no right to expect that poor Augustus's unfortunate marriage should have left no trace in his children.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was a great comfort to Mrs. Dormer-Smith to find her niece so pretty ("not a beauty," as she said to herself, "but extremely pleasing, and with capital points"), and so entirely free from vulgarisms of speech or manner.
outwardadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtwərd/
relating to physical reality rather than with thoughts or the mind
From this reading In fact, May's outward demeanour needed but very few polishing touches to make it all her aunt could desire.
pleasingadjectiveUS /ˈpliːzɪŋ/
giving pleasure and satisfaction
From this reading It was a great comfort to Mrs. Dormer-Smith to find her niece so pretty ("not a beauty," as she said to herself, "but extremely pleasing, and with capital points"), and so entirely free from vulgarisms of speech or manner.
plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading It was a great comfort to Mrs. Dormer-Smith to find her niece so pretty ("not a beauty," as she said to herself, "but extremely pleasing, and with capital points"), and so entirely free from vulgarisms of speech or manner.
polishingnounUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃɪŋ/
the work of making something smooth and shiny by rubbing or waxing it
From this reading In fact, May's outward demeanour needed but very few polishing touches to make it all her aunt could desire.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading "I suppose," she observed to her husband, with a sigh, "one had no right to expect that poor Augustus's unfortunate marriage should have left no trace in his children.
prejudicenounUS /ˈpredʒədɪs/
a partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situation
From this reading But it is dreadfully disheartening to come every now and then upon some absolutely middle-class prejudice or scruple in May.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading It was a great comfort to Mrs. Dormer-Smith to find her niece so pretty ("not a beauty," as she said to herself, "but extremely pleasing, and with capital points"), and so entirely free from vulgarisms of speech or manner.
past form of “reveal” — make visible
From this reading But a more intimate acquaintance revealed traits of character which troubled Mrs. Dormer-Smith a good deal.
precisely, exactly
From this reading "I suppose," she observed to her husband, with a sigh, "one had no right to expect that poor Augustus's unfortunate marriage should have left no trace in his children.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading It was a great comfort to Mrs. Dormer-Smith to find her niece so pretty ("not a beauty," as she said to herself, "but extremely pleasing, and with capital points"), and so entirely free from vulgarisms of speech or manner.
scruplenounUS /ˈskruːpəl/
a unit of apothecary weight equal to 20 grains
From this reading But it is dreadfully disheartening to come every now and then upon some absolutely middle-class prejudice or scruple in May.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was a great comfort to Mrs. Dormer-Smith to find her niece so pretty ("not a beauty," as she said to herself, "but extremely pleasing, and with capital points"), and so entirely free from vulgarisms of speech or manner.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading "I suppose," she observed to her husband, with a sigh, "one had no right to expect that poor Augustus's unfortunate marriage should have left no trace in his children.
heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading "I suppose," she observed to her husband, with a sigh, "one had no right to expect that poor Augustus's unfortunate marriage should have left no trace in his children.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was a great comfort to Mrs. Dormer-Smith to find her niece so pretty ("not a beauty," as she said to herself, "but extremely pleasing, and with capital points"), and so entirely free from vulgarisms of speech or manner.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading But it is dreadfully disheartening to come every now and then upon some absolutely middle-class prejudice or scruple in May.
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading It was a great comfort to Mrs. Dormer-Smith to find her niece so pretty ("not a beauty," as she said to herself, "but extremely pleasing, and with capital points"), and so entirely free from vulgarisms of speech or manner.
express a supposition
From this reading "I suppose," she observed to her husband, with a sigh, "one had no right to expect that poor Augustus's unfortunate marriage should have left no trace in his children.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "I suppose," she observed to her husband, with a sigh, "one had no right to expect that poor Augustus's unfortunate marriage should have left no trace in his children.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading But it is dreadfully disheartening to come every now and then upon some absolutely middle-class prejudice or scruple in May.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was a great comfort to Mrs. Dormer-Smith to find her niece so pretty ("not a beauty," as she said to herself, "but extremely pleasing, and with capital points"), and so entirely free from vulgarisms of speech or manner.
touchesnounUS /ˈtʌtʃəz/
plural of “touch” — the event of something coming in contact with the body
From this reading In fact, May's outward demeanour needed but very few polishing touches to make it all her aunt could desire.
a just detectable amount
From this reading "I suppose," she observed to her husband, with a sigh, "one had no right to expect that poor Augustus's unfortunate marriage should have left no trace in his children.
traitsnounUS /treɪts/
plural of “trait” — a distinguishing feature of your personal nature
From this reading But a more intimate acquaintance revealed traits of character which troubled Mrs. Dormer-Smith a good deal.
characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need
From this reading But a more intimate acquaintance revealed traits of character which troubled Mrs. Dormer-Smith a good deal.
not favored by fortune; marked or accompanied by or resulting in ill fortune
From this reading "I suppose," she observed to her husband, with a sigh, "one had no right to expect that poor Augustus's unfortunate marriage should have left no trace in his children.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading But it is dreadfully disheartening to come every now and then upon some absolutely middle-class prejudice or scruple in May.
precisely as stated
From this reading In fact, May's outward demeanour needed but very few polishing touches to make it all her aunt could desire.
vulgarisms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a great comfort to Mrs. Dormer-Smith to find her niece so pretty ("not a beauty," as she said to herself, "but extremely pleasing, and with capital points"), and so entirely free from vulgarisms of speech or manner.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a great comfort to Mrs. Dormer-Smith to find her niece so pretty ("not a beauty," as she said to herself, "but extremely pleasing, and with capital points"), and so entirely free from vulgarisms of speech or manner.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But a more intimate acquaintance revealed traits of character which troubled Mrs. Dormer-Smith a good deal.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was a great comfort to Mrs. Dormer-Smith to find her niece so pretty ("not a beauty," as she said to herself, "but extremely pleasing, and with capital points"), and so entirely free from vulgarisms of speech or manner.
