used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At last she settled into an armchair, beckoning me to a footstool, and I began to talk unconscionably, she urging me on.
a cherished desire
From this reading I confessed my innermost ambition, the creation of a criticism learned and judicial in substance but impressionistic in form.
amenitynounUS /əˈmenəti/
pleasantness resulting from agreeable conditions
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading At last she settled into an armchair, beckoning me to a footstool, and I began to talk unconscionably, she urging me on.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At last she settled into an armchair, beckoning me to a footstool, and I began to talk unconscionably, she urging me on.
anonymousadjectiveUS /əˈnɑːnəməs/
having no known name or identity or known source
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Feeling that this was witchcraft or divination even more questionable, and dreading she had another Giorgione to sell, I made a last futile effort for freedom, proposing introductions.
armchairnounUS /ˈɑːrmtʃer/
chair with a support on each side for arms
From this reading At last she settled into an armchair, beckoning me to a footstool, and I began to talk unconscionably, she urging me on.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At last she settled into an armchair, beckoning me to a footstool, and I began to talk unconscionably, she urging me on.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
beckoningverbUS /ˈbekənɪŋ/
-ing form of “beckon” — signal with the hands or nod
From this reading At last she settled into an armchair, beckoning me to a footstool, and I began to talk unconscionably, she urging me on.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading At last she settled into an armchair, beckoning me to a footstool, and I began to talk unconscionably, she urging me on.
state capital and largest city of Massachusetts; a major center for banking and financial services
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
past form of “confess” — confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading I confessed my innermost ambition, the creation of a criticism learned and judicial in substance but impressionistic in form.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
creationnounUS /kriˈeɪʃən/
the human act of creating
From this reading I confessed my innermost ambition, the creation of a criticism learned and judicial in substance but impressionistic in form.
criticismnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəm/
disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings
From this reading I confessed my innermost ambition, the creation of a criticism learned and judicial in substance but impressionistic in form.
a beloved person; used as terms of endearment
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
divinationnounUS /ˌdɪvəˈneɪʃən/
successful conjecture by unusual insight or good luck
From this reading Feeling that this was witchcraft or divination even more questionable, and dreading she had another Giorgione to sell, I made a last futile effort for freedom, proposing introductions.
dreadingverbUS /ˈdredɪŋ/
-ing form of “dread” — be afraid or scared of; be frightened of
From this reading Feeling that this was witchcraft or divination even more questionable, and dreading she had another Giorgione to sell, I made a last futile effort for freedom, proposing introductions.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Feeling that this was witchcraft or divination even more questionable, and dreading she had another Giorgione to sell, I made a last futile effort for freedom, proposing introductions.
eloquentadjectiveUS /ˈeləkwənt/
expressing yourself readily, clearly, effectively
From this reading With a phrase she subdued me, and my halting French began to be eloquent.
divisible by two
From this reading Feeling that this was witchcraft or divination even more questionable, and dreading she had another Giorgione to sell, I made a last futile effort for freedom, proposing introductions.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading Feeling that this was witchcraft or divination even more questionable, and dreading she had another Giorgione to sell, I made a last futile effort for freedom, proposing introductions.
footstoolnoun
a low seat or a stool to rest the feet of a seated person
From this reading At last she settled into an armchair, beckoning me to a footstool, and I began to talk unconscionably, she urging me on.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Feeling that this was witchcraft or divination even more questionable, and dreading she had another Giorgione to sell, I made a last futile effort for freedom, proposing introductions.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading I confessed my innermost ambition, the creation of a criticism learned and judicial in substance but impressionistic in form.
fosterverbUS /ˈfɑːstər/
promote the growth of
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints
From this reading Feeling that this was witchcraft or divination even more questionable, and dreading she had another Giorgione to sell, I made a last futile effort for freedom, proposing introductions.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading With a phrase she subdued me, and my halting French began to be eloquent.
futileadjectiveUS /ˈfjuːtəl/
producing no result or effect
From this reading Feeling that this was witchcraft or divination even more questionable, and dreading she had another Giorgione to sell, I made a last futile effort for freedom, proposing introductions.
usually; as a rule
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
Giorgione
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Feeling that this was witchcraft or divination even more questionable, and dreading she had another Giorgione to sell, I made a last futile effort for freedom, proposing introductions.
governmentsnounUS /ˈɡʌvərmənts/
plural of “government” — the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Feeling that this was witchcraft or divination even more questionable, and dreading she had another Giorgione to sell, I made a last futile effort for freedom, proposing introductions.
haltingadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːltɪŋ/
disabled in the feet or legs
From this reading With a phrase she subdued me, and my halting French began to be eloquent.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
hobbynounUS /ˈhɑːbi/
an auxiliary activity
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading At last she settled into an armchair, beckoning me to a footstool, and I began to talk unconscionably, she urging me on.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
impressionisticadjectiveUS /ˌɪmpreʃəˈnɪstɪk/
of or relating to or based on an impression rather than on facts or reasoning
From this reading I confessed my innermost ambition, the creation of a criticism learned and judicial in substance but impressionistic in form.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I confessed my innermost ambition, the creation of a criticism learned and judicial in substance but impressionistic in form.
innermostadjectiveUS /ˈɪnərmoʊst/
being deepest within the self
From this reading I confessed my innermost ambition, the creation of a criticism learned and judicial in substance but impressionistic in form.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading At last she settled into an armchair, beckoning me to a footstool, and I began to talk unconscionably, she urging me on.
introductionsnounUS /ˌɪntrəˈdʌkʃənz/
plural of “introduction” — the act of beginning something new
From this reading Feeling that this was witchcraft or divination even more questionable, and dreading she had another Giorgione to sell, I made a last futile effort for freedom, proposing introductions.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
judgedverbUS /dʒʌdʒd/
past form of “judge” — determine the result of (a competition)
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
judicialadjectiveUS /dʒuːˈdɪʃəl/
decreed by or proceeding from a court of justice
From this reading I confessed my innermost ambition, the creation of a criticism learned and judicial in substance but impressionistic in form.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
ladylikeadjectiveUS /ˈleɪdilaɪk/
befitting a woman of good breeding
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
immediately past
From this reading At last she settled into an armchair, beckoning me to a footstool, and I began to talk unconscionably, she urging me on.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading I confessed my innermost ambition, the creation of a criticism learned and judicial in substance but impressionistic in form.
the literary culture
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Feeling that this was witchcraft or divination even more questionable, and dreading she had another Giorgione to sell, I made a last futile effort for freedom, proposing introductions.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading At last she settled into an armchair, beckoning me to a footstool, and I began to talk unconscionably, she urging me on.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Feeling that this was witchcraft or divination even more questionable, and dreading she had another Giorgione to sell, I made a last futile effort for freedom, proposing introductions.
used to form the superlative
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
newspapersnounUS /ˈnuːzpeɪpərz/
plural of “newspaper” — a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading At last she settled into an armchair, beckoning me to a footstool, and I began to talk unconscionably, she urging me on.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Feeling that this was witchcraft or divination even more questionable, and dreading she had another Giorgione to sell, I made a last futile effort for freedom, proposing introductions.
phrasenounUS /freɪz/
an expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence
From this reading With a phrase she subdued me, and my halting French began to be eloquent.
social relations involving intrigue to gain authority or power
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
professedadjectiveUS /prəˈfest/
professing to be qualified
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
proposingverbUS /prəˈpoʊzɪŋ/
-ing form of “propose” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading Feeling that this was witchcraft or divination even more questionable, and dreading she had another Giorgione to sell, I made a last futile effort for freedom, proposing introductions.
questionableadjectiveUS /ˈkwestʃənəbəl/
subject to question
From this reading Feeling that this was witchcraft or divination even more questionable, and dreading she had another Giorgione to sell, I made a last futile effort for freedom, proposing introductions.
not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
republicsnounUS /riˈpʌblɪks/
plural of “republic” — a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
exchange or deliver for money or its equivalent
From this reading Feeling that this was witchcraft or divination even more questionable, and dreading she had another Giorgione to sell, I made a last futile effort for freedom, proposing introductions.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading At last she settled into an armchair, beckoning me to a footstool, and I began to talk unconscionably, she urging me on.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At last she settled into an armchair, beckoning me to a footstool, and I began to talk unconscionably, she urging me on.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
relating to human society and its members
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
subduedadjectiveUS /səbˈduːd/
in a softened tone
From this reading With a phrase she subdued me, and my halting French began to be eloquent.
substancenounUS /ˈsʌbstəns/
the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists
From this reading I confessed my innermost ambition, the creation of a criticism learned and judicial in substance but impressionistic in form.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading At last she settled into an armchair, beckoning me to a footstool, and I began to talk unconscionably, she urging me on.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Feeling that this was witchcraft or divination even more questionable, and dreading she had another Giorgione to sell, I made a last futile effort for freedom, proposing introductions.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At last she settled into an armchair, beckoning me to a footstool, and I began to talk unconscionably, she urging me on.
having come into contact
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
unconscionably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last she settled into an armchair, beckoning me to a footstool, and I began to talk unconscionably, she urging me on.
urgingnounUS /ˈɜːrdʒɪŋ/
a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something
From this reading At last she settled into an armchair, beckoning me to a footstool, and I began to talk unconscionably, she urging me on.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
witchcraftnounUS /ˈwɪtʃkræft/
the art of sorcery
From this reading Feeling that this was witchcraft or divination even more questionable, and dreading she had another Giorgione to sell, I made a last futile effort for freedom, proposing introductions.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With a phrase she subdued me, and my halting French began to be eloquent.
writingsnounUS /ˈraɪtɪŋz/
the third of three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures
From this reading She professed to know my writings--it was of course impossible that she should have seen those rare anonymous letters to the most ladylike of Boston newspapers: she touched my dearest hobby, that republics and governments generally must be judged not by their politics but by the amenity of the social life they foster.
