used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Nora had by nature a quick and active mind, but she had also many inherited prejudices.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It had all come about so subtilely and gradually that she was almost unaware of it herself, this inward change _in_ herself.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading Not that she was more set in her ways than other people, but that she had accepted from her childhood a definite set of ideas as to the proper conduct of life; a code, in other words, from which she had never conceived it possible to depart.
(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with
From this reading People did certain things, or they did not; you played the game according to certain prescribed rules, or you didn't play it with decent people, that was all there was to it.
tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading Nora had by nature a quick and active mind, but she had also many inherited prejudices.
(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 It had all come about so subtilely and gradually that she was almost unaware of it herself, this inward change _in_ herself.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It had all come about so subtilely and gradually that she was almost unaware of it herself, this inward change _in_ herself.
in addition
From this reading Nora had by nature a quick and active mind, but she had also many inherited prejudices.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It had all come about so subtilely and gradually that she was almost unaware of it herself, this inward change _in_ herself.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Not that she was more set in her ways than other people, but that she had accepted from her childhood a definite set of ideas as to the proper conduct of life; a code, in other words, from which she had never conceived it possible to depart.
averageadjectiveUS /ˈævərɪdʒ/
approximating the statistical norm or average or expected value
From this reading It is a truism that it is much harder to unlearn than to learn, and for her it was harder, in the circumstances, than for the average person.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Nora had by nature a quick and active mind, but she had also many inherited prejudices.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Nora had by nature a quick and active mind, but she had also many inherited prejudices.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading People did certain things, or they did not; you played the game according to certain prescribed rules, or you didn't play it with decent people, that was all there was to it.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading It had all come about so subtilely and gradually that she was almost unaware of it herself, this inward change _in_ herself.
the time of person's life when they are a child
From this reading Not that she was more set in her ways than other people, but that she had accepted from her childhood a definite set of ideas as to the proper conduct of life; a code, in other words, from which she had never conceived it possible to depart.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading It is a truism that it is much harder to unlearn than to learn, and for her it was harder, in the circumstances, than for the average person.
codenounUS /koʊd/
a set of rules or principles or laws (especially written ones)
From this reading Not that she was more set in her ways than other people, but that she had accepted from her childhood a definite set of ideas as to the proper conduct of life; a code, in other words, from which she had never conceived it possible to depart.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading It had all come about so subtilely and gradually that she was almost unaware of it herself, this inward change _in_ herself.
conceivedverbUS /kənˈsiːvd/
past form of “conceive” — have the idea for
From this reading Not that she was more set in her ways than other people, but that she had accepted from her childhood a definite set of ideas as to the proper conduct of life; a code, in other words, from which she had never conceived it possible to depart.
direct the course of; manage or control
From this reading Not that she was more set in her ways than other people, but that she had accepted from her childhood a definite set of ideas as to the proper conduct of life; a code, in other words, from which she had never conceived it possible to depart.
decentadjectiveUS /ˈdiːsənt/
socially or conventionally correct; refined or virtuous
From this reading People did certain things, or they did not; you played the game according to certain prescribed rules, or you didn't play it with decent people, that was all there was to it.
definiteadjectiveUS /ˈdefənət/
precise; explicit and clearly defined
From this reading Not that she was more set in her ways than other people, but that she had accepted from her childhood a definite set of ideas as to the proper conduct of life; a code, in other words, from which she had never conceived it possible to depart.
departverbUS /dɪˈpɑːrt/
move away from a place into another direction
From this reading Not that she was more set in her ways than other people, but that she had accepted from her childhood a definite set of ideas as to the proper conduct of life; a code, in other words, from which she had never conceived it possible to depart.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading People did certain things, or they did not; you played the game according to certain prescribed rules, or you didn't play it with decent people, that was all there was to it.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading People did certain things, or they did not; you played the game according to certain prescribed rules, or you didn't play it with decent people, that was all there was to it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It is a truism that it is much harder to unlearn than to learn, and for her it was harder, in the circumstances, than for the average person.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Not that she was more set in her ways than other people, but that she had accepted from her childhood a definite set of ideas as to the proper conduct of life; a code, in other words, from which she had never conceived it possible to depart.
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading People did certain things, or they did not; you played the game according to certain prescribed rules, or you didn't play it with decent people, that was all there was to it.
in a gradual manner
From this reading It had all come about so subtilely and gradually that she was almost unaware of it herself, this inward change _in_ herself.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It had all come about so subtilely and gradually that she was almost unaware of it herself, this inward change _in_ herself.
harderadverbUS /ˈhɑːrdər/
comparative of “hard” — with effort or force or vigor
From this reading It is a truism that it is much harder to unlearn than to learn, and for her it was harder, in the circumstances, than for the average person.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It is a truism that it is much harder to unlearn than to learn, and for her it was harder, in the circumstances, than for the average person.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading It had all come about so subtilely and gradually that she was almost unaware of it herself, this inward change _in_ herself.
plural of “idea” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Not that she was more set in her ways than other people, but that she had accepted from her childhood a definite set of ideas as to the proper conduct of life; a code, in other words, from which she had never conceived it possible to depart.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It had all come about so subtilely and gradually that she was almost unaware of it herself, this inward change _in_ herself.
inheritedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈherətɪd/
occurring among members of a family usually by heredity
From this reading Nora had by nature a quick and active mind, but she had also many inherited prejudices.
inwardadjectiveUS /ˈɪnwərd/
relating to or existing in the mind or thoughts
From this reading It had all come about so subtilely and gradually that she was almost unaware of it herself, this inward change _in_ herself.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is a truism that it is much harder to unlearn than to learn, and for her it was harder, in the circumstances, than for the average person.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It had all come about so subtilely and gradually that she was almost unaware of it herself, this inward change _in_ herself.
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading It is a truism that it is much harder to unlearn than to learn, and for her it was harder, in the circumstances, than for the average person.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Not that she was more set in her ways than other people, but that she had accepted from her childhood a definite set of ideas as to the proper conduct of life; a code, in other words, from which she had never conceived it possible to depart.
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 Nora had by nature a quick and active mind, but she had also many inherited prejudices.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Nora had by nature a quick and active mind, but she had also many inherited prejudices.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Not that she was more set in her ways than other people, but that she had accepted from her childhood a definite set of ideas as to the proper conduct of life; a code, in other words, from which she had never conceived it possible to depart.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading It is a truism that it is much harder to unlearn than to learn, and for her it was harder, in the circumstances, than for the average person.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Nora had by nature a quick and active mind, but she had also many inherited prejudices.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Not that she was more set in her ways than other people, but that she had accepted from her childhood a definite set of ideas as to the proper conduct of life; a code, in other words, from which she had never conceived it possible to depart.
Nora
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nora had by nature a quick and active mind, but she had also many inherited prejudices.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not that she was more set in her ways than other people, but that she had accepted from her childhood a definite set of ideas as to the proper conduct of life; a code, in other words, from which she had never conceived it possible to depart.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It had all come about so subtilely and gradually that she was almost unaware of it herself, this inward change _in_ herself.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading People did certain things, or they did not; you played the game according to certain prescribed rules, or you didn't play it with decent people, that was all there was to it.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Not that she was more set in her ways than other people, but that she had accepted from her childhood a definite set of ideas as to the proper conduct of life; a code, in other words, from which she had never conceived it possible to depart.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Not that she was more set in her ways than other people, but that she had accepted from her childhood a definite set of ideas as to the proper conduct of life; a code, in other words, from which she had never conceived it possible to depart.
a human being
From this reading It is a truism that it is much harder to unlearn than to learn, and for her it was harder, in the circumstances, than for the average person.
participate in games or sport
From this reading People did certain things, or they did not; you played the game according to certain prescribed rules, or you didn't play it with decent people, that was all there was to it.
(of games) engaged in
From this reading People did certain things, or they did not; you played the game according to certain prescribed rules, or you didn't play it with decent people, that was all there was to it.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading Not that she was more set in her ways than other people, but that she had accepted from her childhood a definite set of ideas as to the proper conduct of life; a code, in other words, from which she had never conceived it possible to depart.
prejudicesnounUS /ˈpredʒədɪsɪz/
plural of “prejudice” — a partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situation
From this reading Nora had by nature a quick and active mind, but she had also many inherited prejudices.
prescribedadjectiveUS /priˈskraɪbd/
set down as a rule or guide
From this reading People did certain things, or they did not; you played the game according to certain prescribed rules, or you didn't play it with decent people, that was all there was to it.
marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
From this reading Not that she was more set in her ways than other people, but that she had accepted from her childhood a definite set of ideas as to the proper conduct of life; a code, in other words, from which she had never conceived it possible to depart.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading Nora had by nature a quick and active mind, but she had also many inherited prejudices.
rulesnounUS /ruːlz/
plural of “rule” — a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading People did certain things, or they did not; you played the game according to certain prescribed rules, or you didn't play it with decent people, that was all there was to it.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Not that she was more set in her ways than other people, but that she had accepted from her childhood a definite set of ideas as to the proper conduct of life; a code, in other words, from which she had never conceived it possible to depart.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It had all come about so subtilely and gradually that she was almost unaware of it herself, this inward change _in_ herself.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It had all come about so subtilely and gradually that she was almost unaware of it herself, this inward change _in_ herself.
subtilely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had all come about so subtilely and gradually that she was almost unaware of it herself, this inward change _in_ herself.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It is a truism that it is much harder to unlearn than to learn, and for her it was harder, in the circumstances, than for the average person.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It had all come about so subtilely and gradually that she was almost unaware of it herself, this inward change _in_ herself.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It is a truism that it is much harder to unlearn than to learn, and for her it was harder, in the circumstances, than for the average person.
in or at that place or location
From this reading People did certain things, or they did not; you played the game according to certain prescribed rules, or you didn't play it with decent people, that was all there was to it.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading People did certain things, or they did not; you played the game according to certain prescribed rules, or you didn't play it with decent people, that was all there was to it.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading People did certain things, or they did not; you played the game according to certain prescribed rules, or you didn't play it with decent people, that was all there was to it.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It had all come about so subtilely and gradually that she was almost unaware of it herself, this inward change _in_ herself.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It is a truism that it is much harder to unlearn than to learn, and for her it was harder, in the circumstances, than for the average person.
truismnounUS /ˈtruːɪzəm/
an obvious truth
From this reading It is a truism that it is much harder to unlearn than to learn, and for her it was harder, in the circumstances, than for the average person.
unawareadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈwer/
(often followed by “of”) not aware
From this reading It had all come about so subtilely and gradually that she was almost unaware of it herself, this inward change _in_ herself.
unlearnverb
try to forget; put out of one's memory or knowledge
From this reading It is a truism that it is much harder to unlearn than to learn, and for her it was harder, in the circumstances, than for the average person.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It had all come about so subtilely and gradually that she was almost unaware of it herself, this inward change _in_ herself.
structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired
From this reading Not that she was more set in her ways than other people, but that she had accepted from her childhood a definite set of ideas as to the proper conduct of life; a code, in other words, from which she had never conceived it possible to depart.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Not that she was more set in her ways than other people, but that she had accepted from her childhood a definite set of ideas as to the proper conduct of life; a code, in other words, from which she had never conceived it possible to depart.
in the company of; together with
From this reading People did certain things, or they did not; you played the game according to certain prescribed rules, or you didn't play it with decent people, that was all there was to it.
the words that are spoken
From this reading Not that she was more set in her ways than other people, but that she had accepted from her childhood a definite set of ideas as to the proper conduct of life; a code, in other words, from which she had never conceived it possible to depart.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading People did certain things, or they did not; you played the game according to certain prescribed rules, or you didn't play it with decent people, that was all there was to it.
