used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Indeed there are! the presumptuous ones are much more numerous than the respectful ones; that is a great pity, for if it were not so----" "Well?"
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Yes, indeed, and more than once; but I know how to defend myself.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading I box their ears, and I don't do it with any gentle hand, either."
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Indeed there are! the presumptuous ones are much more numerous than the respectful ones; that is a great pity, for if it were not so----" "Well?"
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading I box their ears, and I don't do it with any gentle hand, either."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "Yes, indeed, and more than once; but I know how to defend myself.
defendverbUS /dɪˈfend/
argue or speak in defense of
From this reading "Yes, indeed, and more than once; but I know how to defend myself.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading I box their ears, and I don't do it with any gentle hand, either."
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I box their ears, and I don't do it with any gentle hand, either."
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading I box their ears, and I don't do it with any gentle hand, either."
one or the other of two
From this reading I box their ears, and I don't do it with any gentle hand, either."
at any time
From this reading "Have they ever tried to kiss you?"
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Indeed there are! the presumptuous ones are much more numerous than the respectful ones; that is a great pity, for if it were not so----" "Well?"
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading I box their ears, and I don't do it with any gentle hand, either."
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading "Indeed there are! the presumptuous ones are much more numerous than the respectful ones; that is a great pity, for if it were not so----" "Well?"
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading I box their ears, and I don't do it with any gentle hand, either."
Haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Have they ever tried to kiss you?"
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Yes, indeed, and more than once; but I know how to defend myself.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Yes, indeed, and more than once; but I know how to defend myself.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "Indeed there are! the presumptuous ones are much more numerous than the respectful ones; that is a great pity, for if it were not so----" "Well?"
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading "Indeed there are! the presumptuous ones are much more numerous than the respectful ones; that is a great pity, for if it were not so----" "Well?"
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Indeed there are! the presumptuous ones are much more numerous than the respectful ones; that is a great pity, for if it were not so----" "Well?"
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Indeed there are! the presumptuous ones are much more numerous than the respectful ones; that is a great pity, for if it were not so----" "Well?"
the act of caressing with the lips (or an instance thereof)
From this reading "Have they ever tried to kiss you?"
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "Yes, indeed, and more than once; but I know how to defend myself.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "Why, one might talk with them a little."
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading "Why, one might talk with them a little."
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading "Indeed there are! the presumptuous ones are much more numerous than the respectful ones; that is a great pity, for if it were not so----" "Well?"
to a great degree or extent
From this reading "Indeed there are! the presumptuous ones are much more numerous than the respectful ones; that is a great pity, for if it were not so----" "Well?"
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading "Yes, indeed, and more than once; but I know how to defend myself.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Indeed there are! the presumptuous ones are much more numerous than the respectful ones; that is a great pity, for if it were not so----" "Well?"
amounting to a large indefinite number
From this reading "Indeed there are! the presumptuous ones are much more numerous than the respectful ones; that is a great pity, for if it were not so----" "Well?"
on one occasion
From this reading "Yes, indeed, and more than once; but I know how to defend myself.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "Why, one might talk with them a little."
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading "Indeed there are! the presumptuous ones are much more numerous than the respectful ones; that is a great pity, for if it were not so----" "Well?"
a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others
From this reading "Indeed there are! the presumptuous ones are much more numerous than the respectful ones; that is a great pity, for if it were not so----" "Well?"
presumptuousadjectiveUS /prɪˈzʌmptʃəwəs/
excessively forward
From this reading "Indeed there are! the presumptuous ones are much more numerous than the respectful ones; that is a great pity, for if it were not so----" "Well?"
respectfuladjectiveUS /rɪˈspektfəl/
full of or exhibiting respect
From this reading "Indeed there are! the presumptuous ones are much more numerous than the respectful ones; that is a great pity, for if it were not so----" "Well?"
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "Indeed there are! the presumptuous ones are much more numerous than the respectful ones; that is a great pity, for if it were not so----" "Well?"
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading "Why, one might talk with them a little."
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading "Indeed there are! the presumptuous ones are much more numerous than the respectful ones; that is a great pity, for if it were not so----" "Well?"
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Indeed there are! the presumptuous ones are much more numerous than the respectful ones; that is a great pity, for if it were not so----" "Well?"
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Indeed there are! the presumptuous ones are much more numerous than the respectful ones; that is a great pity, for if it were not so----" "Well?"
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading I box their ears, and I don't do it with any gentle hand, either."
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading "Why, one might talk with them a little."
in or at that place or location
From this reading "Indeed there are! the presumptuous ones are much more numerous than the respectful ones; that is a great pity, for if it were not so----" "Well?"
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Have they ever tried to kiss you?"
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Have they ever tried to kiss you?"
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading "Have they ever tried to kiss you?"
(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 "Indeed there are! the presumptuous ones are much more numerous than the respectful ones; that is a great pity, for if it were not so----" "Well?"
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Indeed there are! the presumptuous ones are much more numerous than the respectful ones; that is a great pity, for if it were not so----" "Well?"
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading "Why, one might talk with them a little."
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Why, one might talk with them a little."
an affirmative
From this reading "Yes, indeed, and more than once; but I know how to defend myself.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Have they ever tried to kiss you?"
