used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The idea of Mr. Bragg in the light of a rival disconcerted and confused all his previous conceptions of his employer.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Mr. Bragg had a right to seek a wife to please himself; he was but little past middle life, after all; and as to the disparity in years between him and May, that was certainly not unprecedented.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading The idea of Mr. Bragg in the light of a rival disconcerted and confused all his previous conceptions of his employer.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was not until Owen had nearly reached Collingwood Terrace that the thought struck him, "What if Mr. Bragg should withdraw his countenance from him, and dismiss him from his employment, when he learned that he was betrothed to May?"
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He had taken his rejection well, and manfully--even with a touch of chivalry; but he might not, any the more, be disposed to continue his favour towards Owen when he should discover the state of the case.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading At the first blush it had appeared ludicrous--incredible; but, on reflection, there was, he found, nothing so extravagant in it.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Mr. Bragg had a right to seek a wife to please himself; he was but little past middle life, after all; and as to the disparity in years between him and May, that was certainly not unprecedented.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the first blush it had appeared ludicrous--incredible; but, on reflection, there was, he found, nothing so extravagant in it.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He had taken his rejection well, and manfully--even with a touch of chivalry; but he might not, any the more, be disposed to continue his favour towards Owen when he should discover the state of the case.
betrothedadjective
pledged to be married
From this reading It was not until Owen had nearly reached Collingwood Terrace that the thought struck him, "What if Mr. Bragg should withdraw his countenance from him, and dismiss him from his employment, when he learned that he was betrothed to May?"
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Mr. Bragg had a right to seek a wife to please himself; he was but little past middle life, after all; and as to the disparity in years between him and May, that was certainly not unprecedented.
blushverbUS /blʌʃ/
turn red, as if in embarrassment or shame
From this reading At the first blush it had appeared ludicrous--incredible; but, on reflection, there was, he found, nothing so extravagant in it.
BraggnounUS /bræɡ/
Confederate general during the American Civil War who was defeated by Grant in the battle of Chattanooga (1817-1876)
From this reading It was not until Owen had nearly reached Collingwood Terrace that the thought struck him, "What if Mr. Bragg should withdraw his countenance from him, and dismiss him from his employment, when he learned that he was betrothed to May?"
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At the first blush it had appeared ludicrous--incredible; but, on reflection, there was, he found, nothing so extravagant in it.
an occurrence of something
From this reading He had taken his rejection well, and manfully--even with a touch of chivalry; but he might not, any the more, be disposed to continue his favour towards Owen when he should discover the state of the case.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Mr. Bragg had a right to seek a wife to please himself; he was but little past middle life, after all; and as to the disparity in years between him and May, that was certainly not unprecedented.
chivalrynounUS /ˈʃɪvəlri/
courtesy towards women
From this reading He had taken his rejection well, and manfully--even with a touch of chivalry; but he might not, any the more, be disposed to continue his favour towards Owen when he should discover the state of the case.
Collingwood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not until Owen had nearly reached Collingwood Terrace that the thought struck him, "What if Mr. Bragg should withdraw his countenance from him, and dismiss him from his employment, when he learned that he was betrothed to May?"
conceptionsnounUS /kənˈsepʃənz/
plural of “conception” — an abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances
From this reading The idea of Mr. Bragg in the light of a rival disconcerted and confused all his previous conceptions of his employer.
perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment
From this reading The idea of Mr. Bragg in the light of a rival disconcerted and confused all his previous conceptions of his employer.
continue a certain state, condition, or activity
From this reading He had taken his rejection well, and manfully--even with a touch of chivalry; but he might not, any the more, be disposed to continue his favour towards Owen when he should discover the state of the case.
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading It was not until Owen had nearly reached Collingwood Terrace that the thought struck him, "What if Mr. Bragg should withdraw his countenance from him, and dismiss him from his employment, when he learned that he was betrothed to May?"
disconcertedadjective
having self-possession upset; thrown into confusion
From this reading The idea of Mr. Bragg in the light of a rival disconcerted and confused all his previous conceptions of his employer.
discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading He had taken his rejection well, and manfully--even with a touch of chivalry; but he might not, any the more, be disposed to continue his favour towards Owen when he should discover the state of the case.
dismissverbUS /dɪˈsmɪs/
bar from attention or consideration
From this reading It was not until Owen had nearly reached Collingwood Terrace that the thought struck him, "What if Mr. Bragg should withdraw his countenance from him, and dismiss him from his employment, when he learned that he was betrothed to May?"
disparitynounUS /dɪˈsperəti/
inequality or difference in some respect
From this reading Mr. Bragg had a right to seek a wife to please himself; he was but little past middle life, after all; and as to the disparity in years between him and May, that was certainly not unprecedented.
having made preparations
From this reading He had taken his rejection well, and manfully--even with a touch of chivalry; but he might not, any the more, be disposed to continue his favour towards Owen when he should discover the state of the case.
employernounUS /emˈplɔɪər/
a person or firm that employs workers
From this reading The idea of Mr. Bragg in the light of a rival disconcerted and confused all his previous conceptions of his employer.
employmentnounUS /emˈplɔɪmənt/
the state of being employed or having a job
From this reading It was not until Owen had nearly reached Collingwood Terrace that the thought struck him, "What if Mr. Bragg should withdraw his countenance from him, and dismiss him from his employment, when he learned that he was betrothed to May?"
divisible by two
From this reading He had taken his rejection well, and manfully--even with a touch of chivalry; but he might not, any the more, be disposed to continue his favour towards Owen when he should discover the state of the case.
extravagantadjectiveUS /ekˈstrævəɡənt/
unrestrained, especially with regard to feelings
From this reading At the first blush it had appeared ludicrous--incredible; but, on reflection, there was, he found, nothing so extravagant in it.
a feeling of favorable regard
From this reading He had taken his rejection well, and manfully--even with a touch of chivalry; but he might not, any the more, be disposed to continue his favour towards Owen when he should discover the state of the case.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading At the first blush it had appeared ludicrous--incredible; but, on reflection, there was, he found, nothing so extravagant in it.
set up or found
From this reading At the first blush it had appeared ludicrous--incredible; but, on reflection, there was, he found, nothing so extravagant in it.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was not until Owen had nearly reached Collingwood Terrace that the thought struck him, "What if Mr. Bragg should withdraw his countenance from him, and dismiss him from his employment, when he learned that he was betrothed to May?"
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was not until Owen had nearly reached Collingwood Terrace that the thought struck him, "What if Mr. Bragg should withdraw his countenance from him, and dismiss him from his employment, when he learned that he was betrothed to May?"
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was not until Owen had nearly reached Collingwood Terrace that the thought struck him, "What if Mr. Bragg should withdraw his countenance from him, and dismiss him from his employment, when he learned that he was betrothed to May?"
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was not until Owen had nearly reached Collingwood Terrace that the thought struck him, "What if Mr. Bragg should withdraw his countenance from him, and dismiss him from his employment, when he learned that he was betrothed to May?"
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Mr. Bragg had a right to seek a wife to please himself; he was but little past middle life, after all; and as to the disparity in years between him and May, that was certainly not unprecedented.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was not until Owen had nearly reached Collingwood Terrace that the thought struck him, "What if Mr. Bragg should withdraw his countenance from him, and dismiss him from his employment, when he learned that he was betrothed to May?"
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The idea of Mr. Bragg in the light of a rival disconcerted and confused all his previous conceptions of his employer.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It was not until Owen had nearly reached Collingwood Terrace that the thought struck him, "What if Mr. Bragg should withdraw his countenance from him, and dismiss him from his employment, when he learned that he was betrothed to May?"
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The idea of Mr. Bragg in the light of a rival disconcerted and confused all his previous conceptions of his employer.
incredibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkredəbəl/
beyond belief or understanding
From this reading At the first blush it had appeared ludicrous--incredible; but, on reflection, there was, he found, nothing so extravagant in it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was not until Owen had nearly reached Collingwood Terrace that the thought struck him, "What if Mr. Bragg should withdraw his countenance from him, and dismiss him from his employment, when he learned that he was betrothed to May?"
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading It was not until Owen had nearly reached Collingwood Terrace that the thought struck him, "What if Mr. Bragg should withdraw his countenance from him, and dismiss him from his employment, when he learned that he was betrothed to May?"
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Mr. Bragg had a right to seek a wife to please himself; he was but little past middle life, after all; and as to the disparity in years between him and May, that was certainly not unprecedented.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The idea of Mr. Bragg in the light of a rival disconcerted and confused all his previous conceptions of his employer.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Mr. Bragg had a right to seek a wife to please himself; he was but little past middle life, after all; and as to the disparity in years between him and May, that was certainly not unprecedented.
ludicrousadjectiveUS /ˈluːdəkrəs/
broadly or extravagantly humorous; resembling farce
From this reading At the first blush it had appeared ludicrous--incredible; but, on reflection, there was, he found, nothing so extravagant in it.
manfullyadverbUS /ˈmænfəli/
in a manful manner; with qualities thought to befit a man
From this reading He had taken his rejection well, and manfully--even with a touch of chivalry; but he might not, any the more, be disposed to continue his favour towards Owen when he should discover the state of the case.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading It was not until Owen had nearly reached Collingwood Terrace that the thought struck him, "What if Mr. Bragg should withdraw his countenance from him, and dismiss him from his employment, when he learned that he was betrothed to May?"
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading Mr. Bragg had a right to seek a wife to please himself; he was but little past middle life, after all; and as to the disparity in years between him and May, that was certainly not unprecedented.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He had taken his rejection well, and manfully--even with a touch of chivalry; but he might not, any the more, be disposed to continue his favour towards Owen when he should discover the state of the case.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He had taken his rejection well, and manfully--even with a touch of chivalry; but he might not, any the more, be disposed to continue his favour towards Owen when he should discover the state of the case.
a form of address for a man
From this reading It was not until Owen had nearly reached Collingwood Terrace that the thought struck him, "What if Mr. Bragg should withdraw his countenance from him, and dismiss him from his employment, when he learned that he was betrothed to May?"
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It was not until Owen had nearly reached Collingwood Terrace that the thought struck him, "What if Mr. Bragg should withdraw his countenance from him, and dismiss him from his employment, when he learned that he was betrothed to May?"
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was not until Owen had nearly reached Collingwood Terrace that the thought struck him, "What if Mr. Bragg should withdraw his countenance from him, and dismiss him from his employment, when he learned that he was betrothed to May?"
not one thing; not anything
From this reading At the first blush it had appeared ludicrous--incredible; but, on reflection, there was, he found, nothing so extravagant in it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The idea of Mr. Bragg in the light of a rival disconcerted and confused all his previous conceptions of his employer.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading At the first blush it had appeared ludicrous--incredible; but, on reflection, there was, he found, nothing so extravagant in it.
OwennounUS /ˈoʊən/
Welsh industrialist and social reformer who founded cooperative communities (1771-1858)
From this reading It was not until Owen had nearly reached Collingwood Terrace that the thought struck him, "What if Mr. Bragg should withdraw his countenance from him, and dismiss him from his employment, when he learned that he was betrothed to May?"
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Mr. Bragg had a right to seek a wife to please himself; he was but little past middle life, after all; and as to the disparity in years between him and May, that was certainly not unprecedented.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading Mr. Bragg had a right to seek a wife to please himself; he was but little past middle life, after all; and as to the disparity in years between him and May, that was certainly not unprecedented.
just preceding something else in time or order
From this reading The idea of Mr. Bragg in the light of a rival disconcerted and confused all his previous conceptions of his employer.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading It was not until Owen had nearly reached Collingwood Terrace that the thought struck him, "What if Mr. Bragg should withdraw his countenance from him, and dismiss him from his employment, when he learned that he was betrothed to May?"
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading At the first blush it had appeared ludicrous--incredible; but, on reflection, there was, he found, nothing so extravagant in it.
rejectionnounUS /rɪˈdʒekʃən/
the act of rejecting something
From this reading He had taken his rejection well, and manfully--even with a touch of chivalry; but he might not, any the more, be disposed to continue his favour towards Owen when he should discover the state of the case.
precisely, exactly
From this reading Mr. Bragg had a right to seek a wife to please himself; he was but little past middle life, after all; and as to the disparity in years between him and May, that was certainly not unprecedented.
rivalverbUS /ˈraɪvəl/
be equal to in quality or ability
From this reading The idea of Mr. Bragg in the light of a rival disconcerted and confused all his previous conceptions of his employer.
try to get or reach
From this reading Mr. Bragg had a right to seek a wife to please himself; he was but little past middle life, after all; and as to the disparity in years between him and May, that was certainly not unprecedented.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It was not until Owen had nearly reached Collingwood Terrace that the thought struck him, "What if Mr. Bragg should withdraw his countenance from him, and dismiss him from his employment, when he learned that he was betrothed to May?"
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading At the first blush it had appeared ludicrous--incredible; but, on reflection, there was, he found, nothing so extravagant in it.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading He had taken his rejection well, and manfully--even with a touch of chivalry; but he might not, any the more, be disposed to continue his favour towards Owen when he should discover the state of the case.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading It was not until Owen had nearly reached Collingwood Terrace that the thought struck him, "What if Mr. Bragg should withdraw his countenance from him, and dismiss him from his employment, when he learned that he was betrothed to May?"
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading He had taken his rejection well, and manfully--even with a touch of chivalry; but he might not, any the more, be disposed to continue his favour towards Owen when he should discover the state of the case.
TerracenounUS /ˈterəs/
usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence
From this reading It was not until Owen had nearly reached Collingwood Terrace that the thought struck him, "What if Mr. Bragg should withdraw his countenance from him, and dismiss him from his employment, when he learned that he was betrothed to May?"
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was not until Owen had nearly reached Collingwood Terrace that the thought struck him, "What if Mr. Bragg should withdraw his countenance from him, and dismiss him from his employment, when he learned that he was betrothed to May?"
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was not until Owen had nearly reached Collingwood Terrace that the thought struck him, "What if Mr. Bragg should withdraw his countenance from him, and dismiss him from his employment, when he learned that he was betrothed to May?"
in or at that place or location
From this reading At the first blush it had appeared ludicrous--incredible; but, on reflection, there was, he found, nothing so extravagant in it.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading It was not until Owen had nearly reached Collingwood Terrace that the thought struck him, "What if Mr. Bragg should withdraw his countenance from him, and dismiss him from his employment, when he learned that he was betrothed to May?"
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was not until Owen had nearly reached Collingwood Terrace that the thought struck him, "What if Mr. Bragg should withdraw his countenance from him, and dismiss him from his employment, when he learned that he was betrothed to May?"
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading He had taken his rejection well, and manfully--even with a touch of chivalry; but he might not, any the more, be disposed to continue his favour towards Owen when he should discover the state of the case.
in the direction of
From this reading He had taken his rejection well, and manfully--even with a touch of chivalry; but he might not, any the more, be disposed to continue his favour towards Owen when he should discover the state of the case.
unprecedentedadjectiveUS /ənˈpresɪdentɪd/
having no precedent; novel
From this reading Mr. Bragg had a right to seek a wife to please himself; he was but little past middle life, after all; and as to the disparity in years between him and May, that was certainly not unprecedented.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading It was not until Owen had nearly reached Collingwood Terrace that the thought struck him, "What if Mr. Bragg should withdraw his countenance from him, and dismiss him from his employment, when he learned that he was betrothed to May?"
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was not until Owen had nearly reached Collingwood Terrace that the thought struck him, "What if Mr. Bragg should withdraw his countenance from him, and dismiss him from his employment, when he learned that he was betrothed to May?"
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading He had taken his rejection well, and manfully--even with a touch of chivalry; but he might not, any the more, be disposed to continue his favour towards Owen when he should discover the state of the case.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It was not until Owen had nearly reached Collingwood Terrace that the thought struck him, "What if Mr. Bragg should withdraw his countenance from him, and dismiss him from his employment, when he learned that he was betrothed to May?"
at the time that
From this reading It was not until Owen had nearly reached Collingwood Terrace that the thought struck him, "What if Mr. Bragg should withdraw his countenance from him, and dismiss him from his employment, when he learned that he was betrothed to May?"
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Mr. Bragg had a right to seek a wife to please himself; he was but little past middle life, after all; and as to the disparity in years between him and May, that was certainly not unprecedented.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had taken his rejection well, and manfully--even with a touch of chivalry; but he might not, any the more, be disposed to continue his favour towards Owen when he should discover the state of the case.
withdrawverbUS /wɪðˈdrɔː/
pull back or move away or backward
From this reading It was not until Owen had nearly reached Collingwood Terrace that the thought struck him, "What if Mr. Bragg should withdraw his countenance from him, and dismiss him from his employment, when he learned that he was betrothed to May?"
a late time of life
From this reading Mr. Bragg had a right to seek a wife to please himself; he was but little past middle life, after all; and as to the disparity in years between him and May, that was certainly not unprecedented.
