used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
(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 After all, it is doubtful if there be anything better in the world than a spinster--if she be of the right sort.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading There were his clothes, of course, and another excrudescence or two, but these were incidentals.
any thing at all
From this reading After all, it is doubtful if there be anything better in the world than a spinster--if she be of the right sort.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Of course all spinsters are not of the right sort; few of us are.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The wayfarers did not even yawn, but looked inquiringly at the beaming and bestowed-by-Providence Colonel.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading After all, it is doubtful if there be anything better in the world than a spinster--if she be of the right sort.
beamingadjectiveUS /ˈbiːmɪŋ/
cheerful and bright
From this reading The wayfarers did not even yawn, but looked inquiringly at the beaming and bestowed-by-Providence Colonel.
bestowed-by-Providence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wayfarers did not even yawn, but looked inquiringly at the beaming and bestowed-by-Providence Colonel.
(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 After all, it is doubtful if there be anything better in the world than a spinster--if she be of the right sort.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There were his clothes, of course, and another excrudescence or two, but these were incidentals.
clothing in general
From this reading There were his clothes, of course, and another excrudescence or two, but these were incidentals.
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading The wayfarers did not even yawn, but looked inquiringly at the beaming and bestowed-by-Providence Colonel.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading There were his clothes, of course, and another excrudescence or two, but these were incidentals.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The wayfarers did not even yawn, but looked inquiringly at the beaming and bestowed-by-Providence Colonel.
doubtfuladjectiveUS /ˈdaʊtfəl/
open to doubt or suspicion
From this reading After all, it is doubtful if there be anything better in the world than a spinster--if she be of the right sort.
divisible by two
From this reading The wayfarers did not even yawn, but looked inquiringly at the beaming and bestowed-by-Providence Colonel.
excrudescence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were his clothes, of course, and another excrudescence or two, but these were incidentals.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Of course all spinsters are not of the right sort; few of us are.
footingnounUS /ˈfʊtɪŋ/
status with respect to the relations between people or groups
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading There were his clothes, of course, and another excrudescence or two, but these were incidentals.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading After all, it is doubtful if there be anything better in the world than a spinster--if she be of the right sort.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading After all, it is doubtful if there be anything better in the world than a spinster--if she be of the right sort.
incidentalsnounUS /ˌɪnsɪˈdentəlz/
plural of “incidental” — (frequently plural) an expense not budgeted or not specified
From this reading There were his clothes, of course, and another excrudescence or two, but these were incidentals.
inquiringlyadverb
in an inquiring manner
From this reading The wayfarers did not even yawn, but looked inquiringly at the beaming and bestowed-by-Providence Colonel.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading After all, it is doubtful if there be anything better in the world than a spinster--if she be of the right sort.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading After all, it is doubtful if there be anything better in the world than a spinster--if she be of the right sort.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
the sound of laughing
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
of or relating to or characteristic of literature
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The wayfarers did not even yawn, but looked inquiringly at the beaming and bestowed-by-Providence Colonel.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
as might be expected
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There were his clothes, of course, and another excrudescence or two, but these were incidentals.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading There were his clothes, of course, and another excrudescence or two, but these were incidentals.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
recitalnounUS /rəˈsaɪtəl/
the act of giving an account describing incidents or a course of events
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
precisely, exactly
From this reading After all, it is doubtful if there be anything better in the world than a spinster--if she be of the right sort.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After all, it is doubtful if there be anything better in the world than a spinster--if she be of the right sort.
Showman's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
relating to human society and its members
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading After all, it is doubtful if there be anything better in the world than a spinster--if she be of the right sort.
spinsternounUS /ˈspɪnstər/
an elderly unmarried woman
From this reading After all, it is doubtful if there be anything better in the world than a spinster--if she be of the right sort.
spinsters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course all spinsters are not of the right sort; few of us are.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading After all, it is doubtful if there be anything better in the world than a spinster--if she be of the right sort.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
in or at that place or location
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading There were his clothes, of course, and another excrudescence or two, but these were incidentals.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading There were his clothes, of course, and another excrudescence or two, but these were incidentals.
undoubtedlyadverbUS /ənˈdaʊtɪdli/
without doubt; certainly
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
unsentimentaladjectiveUS /ənˌsentɪˈmentəl/
facing facts or difficulties realistically and with determination
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Of course all spinsters are not of the right sort; few of us are.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
wayfarers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wayfarers did not even yawn, but looked inquiringly at the beaming and bestowed-by-Providence Colonel.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were his clothes, of course, and another excrudescence or two, but these were incidentals.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading After all, it is doubtful if there be anything better in the world than a spinster--if she be of the right sort.
yawnverbUS /jɔːn/
utter a yawn, as from lack of oxygen or when one is tired
From this reading The wayfarers did not even yawn, but looked inquiringly at the beaming and bestowed-by-Providence Colonel.
but in spite of that
From this reading A LITERARY LOVE AFFAIR There was laughter, naturally, over the Showman's absurd, yet not altogether unsentimental story and, after its recital he stood, undoubtedly, more nearly on a social footing with the others.
