used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The choice rested with me, for I was not particular as to terms, I had no scruple in spending part of my capital, my intentions having always been to adopt a profession, and not to pass my days in idleness.
accommodationnounUS /əˌkɑːməˈdeɪʃən/
making or becoming suitable; adjusting to circumstances
From this reading There was no difficulty in obtaining accommodation at another hotel.
adoptverbUS /əˈdɑːpt/
choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans
From this reading The choice rested with me, for I was not particular as to terms, I had no scruple in spending part of my capital, my intentions having always been to adopt a profession, and not to pass my days in idleness.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading My inclination was for literature; I was vain enough to believe that I had in me the makings of a novelist, and I had already in manuscript the skeleton of a work of fiction upon which I intended to set to work when I was settled down in life.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading The choice rested with me, for I was not particular as to terms, I had no scruple in spending part of my capital, my intentions having always been to adopt a profession, and not to pass my days in idleness.
ambitiousadjectiveUS /æmˈbɪʃəs/
having a strong desire for success or achievement
From this reading Before our marriage I had confided my ambitious schemes to Barbara.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The choice rested with me, for I was not particular as to terms, I had no scruple in spending part of my capital, my intentions having always been to adopt a profession, and not to pass my days in idleness.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading There was no difficulty in obtaining accommodation at another hotel.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The choice rested with me, for I was not particular as to terms, I had no scruple in spending part of my capital, my intentions having always been to adopt a profession, and not to pass my days in idleness.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There was no difficulty in obtaining accommodation at another hotel.
Barbara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before our marriage I had confided my ambitious schemes to Barbara.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The choice rested with me, for I was not particular as to terms, I had no scruple in spending part of my capital, my intentions having always been to adopt a profession, and not to pass my days in idleness.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before our marriage I had confided my ambitious schemes to Barbara.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading My inclination was for literature; I was vain enough to believe that I had in me the makings of a novelist, and I had already in manuscript the skeleton of a work of fiction upon which I intended to set to work when I was settled down in life.
assets available for use in the production of further assets
From this reading The choice rested with me, for I was not particular as to terms, I had no scruple in spending part of my capital, my intentions having always been to adopt a profession, and not to pass my days in idleness.
the person or thing chosen or selected
From this reading The choice rested with me, for I was not particular as to terms, I had no scruple in spending part of my capital, my intentions having always been to adopt a profession, and not to pass my days in idleness.
confidedverbUS /kənˈfaɪdɪd/
past form of “confide” — reveal in private; tell confidentially
From this reading Before our marriage I had confided my ambitious schemes to Barbara.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading The choice rested with me, for I was not particular as to terms, I had no scruple in spending part of my capital, my intentions having always been to adopt a profession, and not to pass my days in idleness.
greatly pleasing or entertaining
From this reading "Delightful!" she exclaimed.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading There was no difficulty in obtaining accommodation at another hotel.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading My inclination was for literature; I was vain enough to believe that I had in me the makings of a novelist, and I had already in manuscript the skeleton of a work of fiction upon which I intended to set to work when I was settled down in life.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading My inclination was for literature; I was vain enough to believe that I had in me the makings of a novelist, and I had already in manuscript the skeleton of a work of fiction upon which I intended to set to work when I was settled down in life.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading "Delightful!" she exclaimed.
fictionnounUS /ˈfɪkʃən/
a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact
From this reading My inclination was for literature; I was vain enough to believe that I had in me the makings of a novelist, and I had already in manuscript the skeleton of a work of fiction upon which I intended to set to work when I was settled down in life.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The choice rested with me, for I was not particular as to terms, I had no scruple in spending part of my capital, my intentions having always been to adopt a profession, and not to pass my days in idleness.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The choice rested with me, for I was not particular as to terms, I had no scruple in spending part of my capital, my intentions having always been to adopt a profession, and not to pass my days in idleness.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading The choice rested with me, for I was not particular as to terms, I had no scruple in spending part of my capital, my intentions having always been to adopt a profession, and not to pass my days in idleness.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading There was no difficulty in obtaining accommodation at another hotel.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The choice rested with me, for I was not particular as to terms, I had no scruple in spending part of my capital, my intentions having always been to adopt a profession, and not to pass my days in idleness.
idlenessnounUS /ˈaɪdəlnəs/
having no employment
From this reading The choice rested with me, for I was not particular as to terms, I had no scruple in spending part of my capital, my intentions having always been to adopt a profession, and not to pass my days in idleness.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was no difficulty in obtaining accommodation at another hotel.
inclinationnounUS /ˌɪnkləˈneɪʃən/
an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others
From this reading My inclination was for literature; I was vain enough to believe that I had in me the makings of a novelist, and I had already in manuscript the skeleton of a work of fiction upon which I intended to set to work when I was settled down in life.
resulting from one's intentions
From this reading My inclination was for literature; I was vain enough to believe that I had in me the makings of a novelist, and I had already in manuscript the skeleton of a work of fiction upon which I intended to set to work when I was settled down in life.
intentionsnounUS /ˌɪnˈtentʃənz/
plural of “intention” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading The choice rested with me, for I was not particular as to terms, I had no scruple in spending part of my capital, my intentions having always been to adopt a profession, and not to pass my days in idleness.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading My inclination was for literature; I was vain enough to believe that I had in me the makings of a novelist, and I had already in manuscript the skeleton of a work of fiction upon which I intended to set to work when I was settled down in life.
creative writing of recognized artistic value
From this reading My inclination was for literature; I was vain enough to believe that I had in me the makings of a novelist, and I had already in manuscript the skeleton of a work of fiction upon which I intended to set to work when I was settled down in life.
makingsnounUS /ˈmeɪkɪŋz/
plural of “making” — the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading My inclination was for literature; I was vain enough to believe that I had in me the makings of a novelist, and I had already in manuscript the skeleton of a work of fiction upon which I intended to set to work when I was settled down in life.
manuscriptnounUS /ˈmæn.jə.skrɪpt/
A book, document, or piece of music written by hand rather than typed or printed.
From this reading My inclination was for literature; I was vain enough to believe that I had in me the makings of a novelist, and I had already in manuscript the skeleton of a work of fiction upon which I intended to set to work when I was settled down in life.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading Before our marriage I had confided my ambitious schemes to Barbara.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The choice rested with me, for I was not particular as to terms, I had no scruple in spending part of my capital, my intentions having always been to adopt a profession, and not to pass my days in idleness.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading The choice rested with me, for I was not particular as to terms, I had no scruple in spending part of my capital, my intentions having always been to adopt a profession, and not to pass my days in idleness.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no difficulty in obtaining accommodation at another hotel.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The choice rested with me, for I was not particular as to terms, I had no scruple in spending part of my capital, my intentions having always been to adopt a profession, and not to pass my days in idleness.
novelistnounUS /ˈnɑːvələst/
one who writes novels
From this reading My inclination was for literature; I was vain enough to believe that I had in me the makings of a novelist, and I had already in manuscript the skeleton of a work of fiction upon which I intended to set to work when I was settled down in life.
obtainingverbUS /əbˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “obtain” — come into possession of
From this reading There was no difficulty in obtaining accommodation at another hotel.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The choice rested with me, for I was not particular as to terms, I had no scruple in spending part of my capital, my intentions having always been to adopt a profession, and not to pass my days in idleness.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Before our marriage I had confided my ambitious schemes to Barbara.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The choice rested with me, for I was not particular as to terms, I had no scruple in spending part of my capital, my intentions having always been to adopt a profession, and not to pass my days in idleness.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading The choice rested with me, for I was not particular as to terms, I had no scruple in spending part of my capital, my intentions having always been to adopt a profession, and not to pass my days in idleness.
go across or through
From this reading The choice rested with me, for I was not particular as to terms, I had no scruple in spending part of my capital, my intentions having always been to adopt a profession, and not to pass my days in idleness.
the body of people in a learned occupation
From this reading The choice rested with me, for I was not particular as to terms, I had no scruple in spending part of my capital, my intentions having always been to adopt a profession, and not to pass my days in idleness.
not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing
From this reading The choice rested with me, for I was not particular as to terms, I had no scruple in spending part of my capital, my intentions having always been to adopt a profession, and not to pass my days in idleness.
schemesnounUS /skiːmz/
plural of “scheme” — an elaborate and systematic plan of action
From this reading Before our marriage I had confided my ambitious schemes to Barbara.
scruplenounUS /ˈskruːpəl/
a unit of apothecary weight equal to 20 grains
From this reading The choice rested with me, for I was not particular as to terms, I had no scruple in spending part of my capital, my intentions having always been to adopt a profession, and not to pass my days in idleness.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading My inclination was for literature; I was vain enough to believe that I had in me the makings of a novelist, and I had already in manuscript the skeleton of a work of fiction upon which I intended to set to work when I was settled down in life.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading My inclination was for literature; I was vain enough to believe that I had in me the makings of a novelist, and I had already in manuscript the skeleton of a work of fiction upon which I intended to set to work when I was settled down in life.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Delightful!" she exclaimed.
skeletonnounUS /ˈskelətən/
something reduced to its minimal form
From this reading My inclination was for literature; I was vain enough to believe that I had in me the makings of a novelist, and I had already in manuscript the skeleton of a work of fiction upon which I intended to set to work when I was settled down in life.
spendingnounUS /ˈspendɪŋ/
the act of spending or disbursing money
From this reading The choice rested with me, for I was not particular as to terms, I had no scruple in spending part of my capital, my intentions having always been to adopt a profession, and not to pass my days in idleness.
status with respect to the relations between people or groups
From this reading The choice rested with me, for I was not particular as to terms, I had no scruple in spending part of my capital, my intentions having always been to adopt a profession, and not to pass my days in idleness.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading My inclination was for literature; I was vain enough to believe that I had in me the makings of a novelist, and I had already in manuscript the skeleton of a work of fiction upon which I intended to set to work when I was settled down in life.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The choice rested with me, for I was not particular as to terms, I had no scruple in spending part of my capital, my intentions having always been to adopt a profession, and not to pass my days in idleness.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no difficulty in obtaining accommodation at another hotel.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The choice rested with me, for I was not particular as to terms, I had no scruple in spending part of my capital, my intentions having always been to adopt a profession, and not to pass my days in idleness.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading My inclination was for literature; I was vain enough to believe that I had in me the makings of a novelist, and I had already in manuscript the skeleton of a work of fiction upon which I intended to set to work when I was settled down in life.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading My inclination was for literature; I was vain enough to believe that I had in me the makings of a novelist, and I had already in manuscript the skeleton of a work of fiction upon which I intended to set to work when I was settled down in life.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was no difficulty in obtaining accommodation at another hotel.
at the time that
From this reading My inclination was for literature; I was vain enough to believe that I had in me the makings of a novelist, and I had already in manuscript the skeleton of a work of fiction upon which I intended to set to work when I was settled down in life.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading My inclination was for literature; I was vain enough to believe that I had in me the makings of a novelist, and I had already in manuscript the skeleton of a work of fiction upon which I intended to set to work when I was settled down in life.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The choice rested with me, for I was not particular as to terms, I had no scruple in spending part of my capital, my intentions having always been to adopt a profession, and not to pass my days in idleness.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading My inclination was for literature; I was vain enough to believe that I had in me the makings of a novelist, and I had already in manuscript the skeleton of a work of fiction upon which I intended to set to work when I was settled down in life.
