used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Through its faulty diction ran a plainly discernible undernote of disapproval for Samson, though there was no word of reproof or criticism.
how long something has existed
From this reading It informed him that old Spicer South had been "mighty porely," but was now better, barring the breaking of age.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was plain that it was sent as a matter of courtesy to one who, having proven an apostate, scarcely merited such consideration.
apostatenounUS /əˈpɔːsteɪt/
a disloyal person who betrays or deserts his cause or religion or political party or friend etc.
From this reading It was plain that it was sent as a matter of courtesy to one who, having proven an apostate, scarcely merited such consideration.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was plain that it was sent as a matter of courtesy to one who, having proven an apostate, scarcely merited such consideration.
barringnounUS /ˈbɑːrɪŋ/
the act of excluding someone by a negative vote or veto
From this reading It informed him that old Spicer South had been "mighty porely," but was now better, barring the breaking of age.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It informed him that old Spicer South had been "mighty porely," but was now better, barring the breaking of age.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading It informed him that old Spicer South had been "mighty porely," but was now better, barring the breaking of age.
the act of breaking something
From this reading It informed him that old Spicer South had been "mighty porely," but was now better, barring the breaking of age.
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading The letter was written in the cramped hand of Brother Spencer.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It informed him that old Spicer South had been "mighty porely," but was now better, barring the breaking of age.
the process of giving careful thought to something
From this reading It was plain that it was sent as a matter of courtesy to one who, having proven an apostate, scarcely merited such consideration.
courtesynounUS /ˈkɜːrtəsi/
a courteous or respectful or considerate act
From this reading It was plain that it was sent as a matter of courtesy to one who, having proven an apostate, scarcely merited such consideration.
crampedadjectiveUS /kræmpt/
constricted in size
From this reading The letter was written in the cramped hand of Brother Spencer.
criticismnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəm/
disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings
From this reading Through its faulty diction ran a plainly discernible undernote of disapproval for Samson, though there was no word of reproof or criticism.
dictionnounUS /ˈdɪkʃən/
the articulation of speech regarded from the point of view of its intelligibility to the audience
From this reading Through its faulty diction ran a plainly discernible undernote of disapproval for Samson, though there was no word of reproof or criticism.
disapprovalnounUS /dɪsəˈpruːvəl/
a feeling of disliking something or what someone is doing
From this reading Through its faulty diction ran a plainly discernible undernote of disapproval for Samson, though there was no word of reproof or criticism.
discernibleadjectiveUS /dɪˈsɜːrnəbəl/
perceptible by the senses or intellect
From this reading Through its faulty diction ran a plainly discernible undernote of disapproval for Samson, though there was no word of reproof or criticism.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every one was "tolerable."
faultyadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːlti/
having a defect
From this reading Through its faulty diction ran a plainly discernible undernote of disapproval for Samson, though there was no word of reproof or criticism.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Through its faulty diction ran a plainly discernible undernote of disapproval for Samson, though there was no word of reproof or criticism.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It informed him that old Spicer South had been "mighty porely," but was now better, barring the breaking of age.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The letter was written in the cramped hand of Brother Spencer.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading It was plain that it was sent as a matter of courtesy to one who, having proven an apostate, scarcely merited such consideration.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It informed him that old Spicer South had been "mighty porely," but was now better, barring the breaking of age.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The letter was written in the cramped hand of Brother Spencer.
having much knowledge or education
From this reading It informed him that old Spicer South had been "mighty porely," but was now better, barring the breaking of age.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was plain that it was sent as a matter of courtesy to one who, having proven an apostate, scarcely merited such consideration.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Through its faulty diction ran a plainly discernible undernote of disapproval for Samson, though there was no word of reproof or criticism.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading The letter was written in the cramped hand of Brother Spencer.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading It was plain that it was sent as a matter of courtesy to one who, having proven an apostate, scarcely merited such consideration.
meritedadjectiveUS /ˈmerɪtɪd/
properly deserved
From this reading It was plain that it was sent as a matter of courtesy to one who, having proven an apostate, scarcely merited such consideration.
having or showing great strength or force or intensity
From this reading It informed him that old Spicer South had been "mighty porely," but was now better, barring the breaking of age.
not any; not one
From this reading Through its faulty diction ran a plainly discernible undernote of disapproval for Samson, though there was no word of reproof or criticism.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading It informed him that old Spicer South had been "mighty porely," but was now better, barring the breaking of age.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The letter was written in the cramped hand of Brother Spencer.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading It informed him that old Spicer South had been "mighty porely," but was now better, barring the breaking of age.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was plain that it was sent as a matter of courtesy to one who, having proven an apostate, scarcely merited such consideration.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Through its faulty diction ran a plainly discernible undernote of disapproval for Samson, though there was no word of reproof or criticism.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading It was plain that it was sent as a matter of courtesy to one who, having proven an apostate, scarcely merited such consideration.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Through its faulty diction ran a plainly discernible undernote of disapproval for Samson, though there was no word of reproof or criticism.
porely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It informed him that old Spicer South had been "mighty porely," but was now better, barring the breaking of age.
provenadjectiveUS /ˈpruːvən/
established beyond doubt
From this reading It was plain that it was sent as a matter of courtesy to one who, having proven an apostate, scarcely merited such consideration.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Through its faulty diction ran a plainly discernible undernote of disapproval for Samson, though there was no word of reproof or criticism.
reproofnoun
an act or expression of criticism and censure
From this reading Through its faulty diction ran a plainly discernible undernote of disapproval for Samson, though there was no word of reproof or criticism.
SamsonnounUS /ˈsæmsən/
(Old Testament) a judge of Israel who performed herculean feats of strength against the Philistines until he was betrayed to them by his mistress Delilah
From this reading Through its faulty diction ran a plainly discernible undernote of disapproval for Samson, though there was no word of reproof or criticism.
only a very short time before
From this reading It was plain that it was sent as a matter of courtesy to one who, having proven an apostate, scarcely merited such consideration.
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading It was plain that it was sent as a matter of courtesy to one who, having proven an apostate, scarcely merited such consideration.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading It informed him that old Spicer South had been "mighty porely," but was now better, barring the breaking of age.
SpencernounUS /ˈspensər/
English philosopher and sociologist who applied the theory of natural selection to human societies (1820-1903)
From this reading The letter was written in the cramped hand of Brother Spencer.
SpiceradjectiveUS /ˈspaɪsər/
comparative of “spic” — completely neat and clean
From this reading It informed him that old Spicer South had been "mighty porely," but was now better, barring the breaking of age.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading It was plain that it was sent as a matter of courtesy to one who, having proven an apostate, scarcely merited such consideration.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was plain that it was sent as a matter of courtesy to one who, having proven an apostate, scarcely merited such consideration.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The letter was written in the cramped hand of Brother Spencer.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Through its faulty diction ran a plainly discernible undernote of disapproval for Samson, though there was no word of reproof or criticism.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Through its faulty diction ran a plainly discernible undernote of disapproval for Samson, though there was no word of reproof or criticism.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Through its faulty diction ran a plainly discernible undernote of disapproval for Samson, though there was no word of reproof or criticism.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was plain that it was sent as a matter of courtesy to one who, having proven an apostate, scarcely merited such consideration.
tolerableadjectiveUS /ˈtɑːlərəbəl/
capable of being borne or endured
From this reading Every one was "tolerable."
undernote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through its faulty diction ran a plainly discernible undernote of disapproval for Samson, though there was no word of reproof or criticism.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The letter was written in the cramped hand of Brother Spencer.
which person or people
From this reading It was plain that it was sent as a matter of courtesy to one who, having proven an apostate, scarcely merited such consideration.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Through its faulty diction ran a plainly discernible undernote of disapproval for Samson, though there was no word of reproof or criticism.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading The letter was written in the cramped hand of Brother Spencer.
