used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading With the exception of the firmness and pertinacity with which he kept the mysterious secret of his origin and identity--that is, if he himself knew them, he was never known to maintain the same moral temperament for a week together.
(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 At one time, you found him all ingenuousness and candor; at another, no earthly power could extort a syllable of truth from his lips.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The character of Fenton was one that presented an extraordinary variety of phases.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading With the exception of the firmness and pertinacity with which he kept the mysterious secret of his origin and identity--that is, if he himself knew them, he was never known to maintain the same moral temperament for a week together.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading At one time, you found him all ingenuousness and candor; at another, no earthly power could extort a syllable of truth from his lips.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At one time, you found him all ingenuousness and candor; at another, no earthly power could extort a syllable of truth from his lips.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Never did there exist a being so capricious and unstable.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For whole days, if not for weeks together, he dealt in nothing but the wildest fiction, and the most extraordinary and grotesque rodomontade.
candornounUS /ˈkændər/
ability to make judgments free from discrimination or dishonesty
From this reading At one time, you found him all ingenuousness and candor; at another, no earthly power could extort a syllable of truth from his lips.
capriciousadjectiveUS /kəˈprɪʃəs/
changeable
From this reading Never did there exist a being so capricious and unstable.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading The character of Fenton was one that presented an extraordinary variety of phases.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading At one time, you found him all ingenuousness and candor; at another, no earthly power could extort a syllable of truth from his lips.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading For whole days, if not for weeks together, he dealt in nothing but the wildest fiction, and the most extraordinary and grotesque rodomontade.
dealtverbUS /delt/
inflected form of “deal” — act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading For whole days, if not for weeks together, he dealt in nothing but the wildest fiction, and the most extraordinary and grotesque rodomontade.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Never did there exist a being so capricious and unstable.
earthlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrθli/
of or belonging to or characteristic of this earth as distinguished from heaven
From this reading At one time, you found him all ingenuousness and candor; at another, no earthly power could extort a syllable of truth from his lips.
exceptionnounUS /ɪkˈsepʃən/
a deliberate act of omission
From this reading With the exception of the firmness and pertinacity with which he kept the mysterious secret of his origin and identity--that is, if he himself knew them, he was never known to maintain the same moral temperament for a week together.
existverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪst/
have an existence, be extant
From this reading Never did there exist a being so capricious and unstable.
extortverbUS /ekˈstɔːrt/
obtain through intimidation
From this reading At one time, you found him all ingenuousness and candor; at another, no earthly power could extort a syllable of truth from his lips.
beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable
From this reading The character of Fenton was one that presented an extraordinary variety of phases.
Fenton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The character of Fenton was one that presented an extraordinary variety of phases.
fictionnounUS /ˈfɪkʃən/
a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact
From this reading For whole days, if not for weeks together, he dealt in nothing but the wildest fiction, and the most extraordinary and grotesque rodomontade.
firmnessnounUS /ˈfɜːrmnəs/
the muscle tone of healthy tissue
From this reading With the exception of the firmness and pertinacity with which he kept the mysterious secret of his origin and identity--that is, if he himself knew them, he was never known to maintain the same moral temperament for a week together.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading With the exception of the firmness and pertinacity with which he kept the mysterious secret of his origin and identity--that is, if he himself knew them, he was never known to maintain the same moral temperament for a week together.
set up or found
From this reading At one time, you found him all ingenuousness and candor; at another, no earthly power could extort a syllable of truth from his lips.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading At one time, you found him all ingenuousness and candor; at another, no earthly power could extort a syllable of truth from his lips.
grotesqueadjectiveUS /ɡroʊˈtesk/
distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
From this reading For whole days, if not for weeks together, he dealt in nothing but the wildest fiction, and the most extraordinary and grotesque rodomontade.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading With the exception of the firmness and pertinacity with which he kept the mysterious secret of his origin and identity--that is, if he himself knew them, he was never known to maintain the same moral temperament for a week together.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading At one time, you found him all ingenuousness and candor; at another, no earthly power could extort a syllable of truth from his lips.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading With the exception of the firmness and pertinacity with which he kept the mysterious secret of his origin and identity--that is, if he himself knew them, he was never known to maintain the same moral temperament for a week together.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading With the exception of the firmness and pertinacity with which he kept the mysterious secret of his origin and identity--that is, if he himself knew them, he was never known to maintain the same moral temperament for a week together.
identitynounUS /aɪˈdentɪtiː/
the distinct personality of an individual regarded as a persisting entity
From this reading With the exception of the firmness and pertinacity with which he kept the mysterious secret of his origin and identity--that is, if he himself knew them, he was never known to maintain the same moral temperament for a week together.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading With the exception of the firmness and pertinacity with which he kept the mysterious secret of his origin and identity--that is, if he himself knew them, he was never known to maintain the same moral temperament for a week together.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For whole days, if not for weeks together, he dealt in nothing but the wildest fiction, and the most extraordinary and grotesque rodomontade.
ingenuousnessnoun
the quality of innocent naivete
From this reading At one time, you found him all ingenuousness and candor; at another, no earthly power could extort a syllable of truth from his lips.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading With the exception of the firmness and pertinacity with which he kept the mysterious secret of his origin and identity--that is, if he himself knew them, he was never known to maintain the same moral temperament for a week together.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading With the exception of the firmness and pertinacity with which he kept the mysterious secret of his origin and identity--that is, if he himself knew them, he was never known to maintain the same moral temperament for a week together.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading With the exception of the firmness and pertinacity with which he kept the mysterious secret of his origin and identity--that is, if he himself knew them, he was never known to maintain the same moral temperament for a week together.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading With the exception of the firmness and pertinacity with which he kept the mysterious secret of his origin and identity--that is, if he himself knew them, he was never known to maintain the same moral temperament for a week together.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading At one time, you found him all ingenuousness and candor; at another, no earthly power could extort a syllable of truth from his lips.
maintainverbUS /meɪnˈteɪn/
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading With the exception of the firmness and pertinacity with which he kept the mysterious secret of his origin and identity--that is, if he himself knew them, he was never known to maintain the same moral temperament for a week together.
moraladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrəl/
concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles
From this reading With the exception of the firmness and pertinacity with which he kept the mysterious secret of his origin and identity--that is, if he himself knew them, he was never known to maintain the same moral temperament for a week together.
used to form the superlative
From this reading For whole days, if not for weeks together, he dealt in nothing but the wildest fiction, and the most extraordinary and grotesque rodomontade.
of an obscure nature
From this reading With the exception of the firmness and pertinacity with which he kept the mysterious secret of his origin and identity--that is, if he himself knew them, he was never known to maintain the same moral temperament for a week together.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading With the exception of the firmness and pertinacity with which he kept the mysterious secret of his origin and identity--that is, if he himself knew them, he was never known to maintain the same moral temperament for a week together.
not any; not one
From this reading At one time, you found him all ingenuousness and candor; at another, no earthly power could extort a syllable of truth from his lips.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading For whole days, if not for weeks together, he dealt in nothing but the wildest fiction, and the most extraordinary and grotesque rodomontade.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading For whole days, if not for weeks together, he dealt in nothing but the wildest fiction, and the most extraordinary and grotesque rodomontade.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The character of Fenton was one that presented an extraordinary variety of phases.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The character of Fenton was one that presented an extraordinary variety of phases.
originnounUS /ˈɔːrədʒən/
the place where something begins, where it springs into being
From this reading With the exception of the firmness and pertinacity with which he kept the mysterious secret of his origin and identity--that is, if he himself knew them, he was never known to maintain the same moral temperament for a week together.
pertinacitynoun
persistent determination
From this reading With the exception of the firmness and pertinacity with which he kept the mysterious secret of his origin and identity--that is, if he himself knew them, he was never known to maintain the same moral temperament for a week together.
phasesnounUS /ˈfeɪzəz/
plural of “phase” — any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading The character of Fenton was one that presented an extraordinary variety of phases.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading At one time, you found him all ingenuousness and candor; at another, no earthly power could extort a syllable of truth from his lips.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The character of Fenton was one that presented an extraordinary variety of phases.
rodomontadenoun
vain and empty boasting
From this reading For whole days, if not for weeks together, he dealt in nothing but the wildest fiction, and the most extraordinary and grotesque rodomontade.
Identical; not different.
From this reading With the exception of the firmness and pertinacity with which he kept the mysterious secret of his origin and identity--that is, if he himself knew them, he was never known to maintain the same moral temperament for a week together.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading With the exception of the firmness and pertinacity with which he kept the mysterious secret of his origin and identity--that is, if he himself knew them, he was never known to maintain the same moral temperament for a week together.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Never did there exist a being so capricious and unstable.
syllablenounUS /ˈsɪləbəl/
a unit of spoken language larger than a phoneme
From this reading At one time, you found him all ingenuousness and candor; at another, no earthly power could extort a syllable of truth from his lips.
temperamentnounUS /ˈtemprəmənt/
your usual mood
From this reading With the exception of the firmness and pertinacity with which he kept the mysterious secret of his origin and identity--that is, if he himself knew them, he was never known to maintain the same moral temperament for a week together.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The character of Fenton was one that presented an extraordinary variety of phases.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The character of Fenton was one that presented an extraordinary variety of phases.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading With the exception of the firmness and pertinacity with which he kept the mysterious secret of his origin and identity--that is, if he himself knew them, he was never known to maintain the same moral temperament for a week together.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Never did there exist a being so capricious and unstable.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading At one time, you found him all ingenuousness and candor; at another, no earthly power could extort a syllable of truth from his lips.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading With the exception of the firmness and pertinacity with which he kept the mysterious secret of his origin and identity--that is, if he himself knew them, he was never known to maintain the same moral temperament for a week together.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading With the exception of the firmness and pertinacity with which he kept the mysterious secret of his origin and identity--that is, if he himself knew them, he was never known to maintain the same moral temperament for a week together.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading At one time, you found him all ingenuousness and candor; at another, no earthly power could extort a syllable of truth from his lips.
unstableadjectiveUS /ənˈsteɪbəl/
lacking stability or fixity or firmness
From this reading Never did there exist a being so capricious and unstable.
varietynounUS /vərˈaɪəti/
a collection containing a variety of sorts of things
From this reading The character of Fenton was one that presented an extraordinary variety of phases.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The character of Fenton was one that presented an extraordinary variety of phases.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading With the exception of the firmness and pertinacity with which he kept the mysterious secret of his origin and identity--that is, if he himself knew them, he was never known to maintain the same moral temperament for a week together.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading For whole days, if not for weeks together, he dealt in nothing but the wildest fiction, and the most extraordinary and grotesque rodomontade.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading With the exception of the firmness and pertinacity with which he kept the mysterious secret of his origin and identity--that is, if he himself knew them, he was never known to maintain the same moral temperament for a week together.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading For whole days, if not for weeks together, he dealt in nothing but the wildest fiction, and the most extraordinary and grotesque rodomontade.
wildestadjectiveUS /ˈwaɪldɪst/
superlative of “wild” — marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading For whole days, if not for weeks together, he dealt in nothing but the wildest fiction, and the most extraordinary and grotesque rodomontade.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With the exception of the firmness and pertinacity with which he kept the mysterious secret of his origin and identity--that is, if he himself knew them, he was never known to maintain the same moral temperament for a week together.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading At one time, you found him all ingenuousness and candor; at another, no earthly power could extort a syllable of truth from his lips.
