used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A MESSAGE.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Frank King could never exactly define what peculiarities of mind, or person, or manner it was that had so singularly attracted him in Nan Beresford, though he had spent many a meditative hour on board ship in thinking about her.
the state of being absent
From this reading In any case, that boyish fancy was one that a few years' absence might very well have been expected to cure.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Perhaps it was the mere hopelessness of the thing that made him brood the more over it, until it took possession of his life altogether.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading In any case, that boyish fancy was one that a few years' absence might very well have been expected to cure.
past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
From this reading Frank King could never exactly define what peculiarities of mind, or person, or manner it was that had so singularly attracted him in Nan Beresford, though he had spent many a meditative hour on board ship in thinking about her.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading In any case, that boyish fancy was one that a few years' absence might very well have been expected to cure.
Beresford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Frank King could never exactly define what peculiarities of mind, or person, or manner it was that had so singularly attracted him in Nan Beresford, though he had spent many a meditative hour on board ship in thinking about her.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading Frank King could never exactly define what peculiarities of mind, or person, or manner it was that had so singularly attracted him in Nan Beresford, though he had spent many a meditative hour on board ship in thinking about her.
boyishadjectiveUS /ˈbɔɪɪʃ/
befitting or characteristic of a young boy
From this reading In any case, that boyish fancy was one that a few years' absence might very well have been expected to cure.
broodverbUS /bruːd/
think moodily or anxiously about something
From this reading Perhaps it was the mere hopelessness of the thing that made him brood the more over it, until it took possession of his life altogether.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the very opposite had happened.
an occurrence of something
From this reading In any case, that boyish fancy was one that a few years' absence might very well have been expected to cure.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Frank King could never exactly define what peculiarities of mind, or person, or manner it was that had so singularly attracted him in Nan Beresford, though he had spent many a meditative hour on board ship in thinking about her.
provide a cure for, make healthy again
From this reading In any case, that boyish fancy was one that a few years' absence might very well have been expected to cure.
defineverbUS /dɪˈfaɪn/
determine the essential quality of
From this reading Frank King could never exactly define what peculiarities of mind, or person, or manner it was that had so singularly attracted him in Nan Beresford, though he had spent many a meditative hour on board ship in thinking about her.
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading Frank King could never exactly define what peculiarities of mind, or person, or manner it was that had so singularly attracted him in Nan Beresford, though he had spent many a meditative hour on board ship in thinking about her.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading In any case, that boyish fancy was one that a few years' absence might very well have been expected to cure.
something many people believe that is false
From this reading In any case, that boyish fancy was one that a few years' absence might very well have been expected to cure.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading In any case, that boyish fancy was one that a few years' absence might very well have been expected to cure.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading Frank King could never exactly define what peculiarities of mind, or person, or manner it was that had so singularly attracted him in Nan Beresford, though he had spent many a meditative hour on board ship in thinking about her.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Frank King could never exactly define what peculiarities of mind, or person, or manner it was that had so singularly attracted him in Nan Beresford, though he had spent many a meditative hour on board ship in thinking about her.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading But the very opposite had happened.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading In any case, that boyish fancy was one that a few years' absence might very well have been expected to cure.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Frank King could never exactly define what peculiarities of mind, or person, or manner it was that had so singularly attracted him in Nan Beresford, though he had spent many a meditative hour on board ship in thinking about her.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Frank King could never exactly define what peculiarities of mind, or person, or manner it was that had so singularly attracted him in Nan Beresford, though he had spent many a meditative hour on board ship in thinking about her.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Frank King could never exactly define what peculiarities of mind, or person, or manner it was that had so singularly attracted him in Nan Beresford, though he had spent many a meditative hour on board ship in thinking about her.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Perhaps it was the mere hopelessness of the thing that made him brood the more over it, until it took possession of his life altogether.
hopelessnessnounUS /ˈhoʊpləsnəs/
the despair you feel when you have abandoned hope of comfort or success
From this reading Perhaps it was the mere hopelessness of the thing that made him brood the more over it, until it took possession of his life altogether.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Frank King could never exactly define what peculiarities of mind, or person, or manner it was that had so singularly attracted him in Nan Beresford, though he had spent many a meditative hour on board ship in thinking about her.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Frank King could never exactly define what peculiarities of mind, or person, or manner it was that had so singularly attracted him in Nan Beresford, though he had spent many a meditative hour on board ship in thinking about her.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Frank King could never exactly define what peculiarities of mind, or person, or manner it was that had so singularly attracted him in Nan Beresford, though he had spent many a meditative hour on board ship in thinking about her.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading Frank King could never exactly define what peculiarities of mind, or person, or manner it was that had so singularly attracted him in Nan Beresford, though he had spent many a meditative hour on board ship in thinking about her.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Perhaps it was the mere hopelessness of the thing that made him brood the more over it, until it took possession of his life altogether.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Perhaps it was the mere hopelessness of the thing that made him brood the more over it, until it took possession of his life altogether.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Frank King could never exactly define what peculiarities of mind, or person, or manner it was that had so singularly attracted him in Nan Beresford, though he had spent many a meditative hour on board ship in thinking about her.
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 Frank King could never exactly define what peculiarities of mind, or person, or manner it was that had so singularly attracted him in Nan Beresford, though he had spent many a meditative hour on board ship in thinking about her.
meditativeadjectiveUS /ˈmedəteɪtɪv/
deeply or seriously thoughtful
From this reading Frank King could never exactly define what peculiarities of mind, or person, or manner it was that had so singularly attracted him in Nan Beresford, though he had spent many a meditative hour on board ship in thinking about her.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading Perhaps it was the mere hopelessness of the thing that made him brood the more over it, until it took possession of his life altogether.
a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled
From this reading A MESSAGE.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading In any case, that boyish fancy was one that a few years' absence might very well have been expected to cure.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Frank King could never exactly define what peculiarities of mind, or person, or manner it was that had so singularly attracted him in Nan Beresford, though he had spent many a meditative hour on board ship in thinking about her.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Perhaps it was the mere hopelessness of the thing that made him brood the more over it, until it took possession of his life altogether.
NannounUS /næn/
your grandmother
From this reading Frank King could never exactly define what peculiarities of mind, or person, or manner it was that had so singularly attracted him in Nan Beresford, though he had spent many a meditative hour on board ship in thinking about her.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Frank King could never exactly define what peculiarities of mind, or person, or manner it was that had so singularly attracted him in Nan Beresford, though he had spent many a meditative hour on board ship in thinking about her.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Frank King could never exactly define what peculiarities of mind, or person, or manner it was that had so singularly attracted him in Nan Beresford, though he had spent many a meditative hour on board ship in thinking about her.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Frank King could never exactly define what peculiarities of mind, or person, or manner it was that had so singularly attracted him in Nan Beresford, though he had spent many a meditative hour on board ship in thinking about her.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In any case, that boyish fancy was one that a few years' absence might very well have been expected to cure.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading But the very opposite had happened.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Frank King could never exactly define what peculiarities of mind, or person, or manner it was that had so singularly attracted him in Nan Beresford, though he had spent many a meditative hour on board ship in thinking about her.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Perhaps it was the mere hopelessness of the thing that made him brood the more over it, until it took possession of his life altogether.
peculiaritiesnounUS /pɪˌkjuːliˈerətiz/
plural of “peculiarity” — an odd or unusual characteristic
From this reading Frank King could never exactly define what peculiarities of mind, or person, or manner it was that had so singularly attracted him in Nan Beresford, though he had spent many a meditative hour on board ship in thinking about her.
by chance
From this reading Perhaps it was the mere hopelessness of the thing that made him brood the more over it, until it took possession of his life altogether.
a human being
From this reading Frank King could never exactly define what peculiarities of mind, or person, or manner it was that had so singularly attracted him in Nan Beresford, though he had spent many a meditative hour on board ship in thinking about her.
the act of having and controlling property
From this reading Perhaps it was the mere hopelessness of the thing that made him brood the more over it, until it took possession of his life altogether.
transport commercially
From this reading Frank King could never exactly define what peculiarities of mind, or person, or manner it was that had so singularly attracted him in Nan Beresford, though he had spent many a meditative hour on board ship in thinking about her.
singularlyadverbUS /ˈsɪŋɡjələrli/
in a singular manner or to a singular degree
From this reading Frank King could never exactly define what peculiarities of mind, or person, or manner it was that had so singularly attracted him in Nan Beresford, though he had spent many a meditative hour on board ship in thinking about her.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Frank King could never exactly define what peculiarities of mind, or person, or manner it was that had so singularly attracted him in Nan Beresford, though he had spent many a meditative hour on board ship in thinking about her.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading Frank King could never exactly define what peculiarities of mind, or person, or manner it was that had so singularly attracted him in Nan Beresford, though he had spent many a meditative hour on board ship in thinking about her.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Frank King could never exactly define what peculiarities of mind, or person, or manner it was that had so singularly attracted him in Nan Beresford, though he had spent many a meditative hour on board ship in thinking about her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But the very opposite had happened.
a special situation
From this reading Perhaps it was the mere hopelessness of the thing that made him brood the more over it, until it took possession of his life altogether.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading Frank King could never exactly define what peculiarities of mind, or person, or manner it was that had so singularly attracted him in Nan Beresford, though he had spent many a meditative hour on board ship in thinking about her.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Frank King could never exactly define what peculiarities of mind, or person, or manner it was that had so singularly attracted him in Nan Beresford, though he had spent many a meditative hour on board ship in thinking about her.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In any case, that boyish fancy was one that a few years' absence might very well have been expected to cure.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Perhaps it was the mere hopelessness of the thing that made him brood the more over it, until it took possession of his life altogether.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Perhaps it was the mere hopelessness of the thing that made him brood the more over it, until it took possession of his life altogether.
precisely as stated
From this reading In any case, that boyish fancy was one that a few years' absence might very well have been expected to cure.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Frank King could never exactly define what peculiarities of mind, or person, or manner it was that had so singularly attracted him in Nan Beresford, though he had spent many a meditative hour on board ship in thinking about her.
(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 In any case, that boyish fancy was one that a few years' absence might very well have been expected to cure.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Frank King could never exactly define what peculiarities of mind, or person, or manner it was that had so singularly attracted him in Nan Beresford, though he had spent many a meditative hour on board ship in thinking about her.
a late time of life
From this reading In any case, that boyish fancy was one that a few years' absence might very well have been expected to cure.
