used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The look with which this amiable spinster met his eye was one which a stranger would have found it hard to understand.
amiableadjectiveUS /ˈeɪmiəbəl/
disposed to please
From this reading The look with which this amiable spinster met his eye was one which a stranger would have found it hard to understand.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading SUGGESTIONS FROM AN OLD FRIEND.
for the reason that
From this reading He found it hard to understand himself, perhaps because he had never before seen this lady when she was laboring under an opinion of herself that was not one of perfect complacency.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He found it hard to understand himself, perhaps because he had never before seen this lady when she was laboring under an opinion of herself that was not one of perfect complacency.
Butterworth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Miss Butterworth!
complacencynounUS /kəmˈpleɪsənsi/
the feeling you have when you are satisfied with yourself
From this reading He found it hard to understand himself, perhaps because he had never before seen this lady when she was laboring under an opinion of herself that was not one of perfect complacency.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading What does this mean?
the organ of sight
From this reading The look with which this amiable spinster met his eye was one which a stranger would have found it hard to understand.
set up or found
From this reading The look with which this amiable spinster met his eye was one which a stranger would have found it hard to understand.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading SUGGESTIONS FROM AN OLD FRIEND.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading SUGGESTIONS FROM AN OLD FRIEND.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He found it hard to understand himself, perhaps because he had never before seen this lady when she was laboring under an opinion of herself that was not one of perfect complacency.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading The look with which this amiable spinster met his eye was one which a stranger would have found it hard to understand.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The look with which this amiable spinster met his eye was one which a stranger would have found it hard to understand.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He found it hard to understand himself, perhaps because he had never before seen this lady when she was laboring under an opinion of herself that was not one of perfect complacency.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading He found it hard to understand himself, perhaps because he had never before seen this lady when she was laboring under an opinion of herself that was not one of perfect complacency.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He found it hard to understand himself, perhaps because he had never before seen this lady when she was laboring under an opinion of herself that was not one of perfect complacency.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The look with which this amiable spinster met his eye was one which a stranger would have found it hard to understand.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The look with which this amiable spinster met his eye was one which a stranger would have found it hard to understand.
laboringadjectiveUS /ˈleɪbərɪŋ/
doing arduous or unpleasant work
From this reading He found it hard to understand himself, perhaps because he had never before seen this lady when she was laboring under an opinion of herself that was not one of perfect complacency.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading He found it hard to understand himself, perhaps because he had never before seen this lady when she was laboring under an opinion of herself that was not one of perfect complacency.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The look with which this amiable spinster met his eye was one which a stranger would have found it hard to understand.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading What does this mean?
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading The look with which this amiable spinster met his eye was one which a stranger would have found it hard to understand.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading "Miss Butterworth!
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading He found it hard to understand himself, perhaps because he had never before seen this lady when she was laboring under an opinion of herself that was not one of perfect complacency.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He found it hard to understand himself, perhaps because he had never before seen this lady when she was laboring under an opinion of herself that was not one of perfect complacency.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He found it hard to understand himself, perhaps because he had never before seen this lady when she was laboring under an opinion of herself that was not one of perfect complacency.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading SUGGESTIONS FROM AN OLD FRIEND.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The look with which this amiable spinster met his eye was one which a stranger would have found it hard to understand.
a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading He found it hard to understand himself, perhaps because he had never before seen this lady when she was laboring under an opinion of herself that was not one of perfect complacency.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading He found it hard to understand himself, perhaps because he had never before seen this lady when she was laboring under an opinion of herself that was not one of perfect complacency.
by chance
From this reading He found it hard to understand himself, perhaps because he had never before seen this lady when she was laboring under an opinion of herself that was not one of perfect complacency.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He found it hard to understand himself, perhaps because he had never before seen this lady when she was laboring under an opinion of herself that was not one of perfect complacency.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He found it hard to understand himself, perhaps because he had never before seen this lady when she was laboring under an opinion of herself that was not one of perfect complacency.
spinsternounUS /ˈspɪnstər/
an elderly unmarried woman
From this reading The look with which this amiable spinster met his eye was one which a stranger would have found it hard to understand.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading The look with which this amiable spinster met his eye was one which a stranger would have found it hard to understand.
SUGGESTIONSnounUS /səˈdʒestʃənz/
plural of “suggestion” — an idea that is suggested
From this reading SUGGESTIONS FROM AN OLD FRIEND.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He found it hard to understand himself, perhaps because he had never before seen this lady when she was laboring under an opinion of herself that was not one of perfect complacency.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The look with which this amiable spinster met his eye was one which a stranger would have found it hard to understand.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The look with which this amiable spinster met his eye was one which a stranger would have found it hard to understand.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The look with which this amiable spinster met his eye was one which a stranger would have found it hard to understand.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading He found it hard to understand himself, perhaps because he had never before seen this lady when she was laboring under an opinion of herself that was not one of perfect complacency.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading The look with which this amiable spinster met his eye was one which a stranger would have found it hard to understand.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The look with which this amiable spinster met his eye was one which a stranger would have found it hard to understand.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What does this mean?
at the time that
From this reading He found it hard to understand himself, perhaps because he had never before seen this lady when she was laboring under an opinion of herself that was not one of perfect complacency.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The look with which this amiable spinster met his eye was one which a stranger would have found it hard to understand.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The look with which this amiable spinster met his eye was one which a stranger would have found it hard to understand.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The look with which this amiable spinster met his eye was one which a stranger would have found it hard to understand.
