used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It has been stated by various persons afflicted with that kind of trouble, that to be enlightened above one’s fellows is a great trial and misery.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading I don’t know how that may be, but it is certainly a great trouble to be a Softy, to have a fluid brain in which everything gets disintegrated, and floats about in confusion, and never to be able to lay hold upon a subject distinctly either by head or tail, however much it may concern you.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading I don’t know how that may be, but it is certainly a great trouble to be a Softy, to have a fluid brain in which everything gets disintegrated, and floats about in confusion, and never to be able to lay hold upon a subject distinctly either by head or tail, however much it may concern you.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading It has been stated by various persons afflicted with that kind of trouble, that to be enlightened above one’s fellows is a great trial and misery.
adaptedadjectiveUS /əˈdæptɪd/
changed in order to improve or made more fit for a particular purpose
From this reading This was the case of poor Gervase the morning after he had received that evening address from his mother in her nightcap, which was so well adapted to confuse any little wits the poor fellow had.
speak to
From this reading This was the case of poor Gervase the morning after he had received that evening address from his mother in her nightcap, which was so well adapted to confuse any little wits the poor fellow had.
afflictedadjectiveUS /əˈflɪktɪd/
grievously affected especially by disease
From this reading It has been stated by various persons afflicted with that kind of trouble, that to be enlightened above one’s fellows is a great trial and misery.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading This was the case of poor Gervase the morning after he had received that evening address from his mother in her nightcap, which was so well adapted to confuse any little wits the poor fellow had.
(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 That his marriage might be forbidden, and his very name taken from him, and himself reduced to draw beer at the Seven Thorns for his living, instead of making a lady of Patty, and lifting her out of all such necessities, overwhelmed his mind altogether.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading That his marriage might be forbidden, and his very name taken from him, and himself reduced to draw beer at the Seven Thorns for his living, instead of making a lady of Patty, and lifting her out of all such necessities, overwhelmed his mind altogether.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It has been stated by various persons afflicted with that kind of trouble, that to be enlightened above one’s fellows is a great trial and misery.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading This was the case of poor Gervase the morning after he had received that evening address from his mother in her nightcap, which was so well adapted to confuse any little wits the poor fellow had.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading That his marriage might be forbidden, and his very name taken from him, and himself reduced to draw beer at the Seven Thorns for his living, instead of making a lady of Patty, and lifting her out of all such necessities, overwhelmed his mind altogether.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It has been stated by various persons afflicted with that kind of trouble, that to be enlightened above one’s fellows is a great trial and misery.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It has been stated by various persons afflicted with that kind of trouble, that to be enlightened above one’s fellows is a great trial and misery.
beernounUS /bɪr/
a general name for alcoholic beverages made by fermenting a cereal (or mixture of cereals) flavored with hops
From this reading That his marriage might be forbidden, and his very name taken from him, and himself reduced to draw beer at the Seven Thorns for his living, instead of making a lady of Patty, and lifting her out of all such necessities, overwhelmed his mind altogether.
(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 If it was true, he had better, in fact, have nothing more to say to Patty at all.
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading I don’t know how that may be, but it is certainly a great trouble to be a Softy, to have a fluid brain in which everything gets disintegrated, and floats about in confusion, and never to be able to lay hold upon a subject distinctly either by head or tail, however much it may concern you.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I don’t know how that may be, but it is certainly a great trouble to be a Softy, to have a fluid brain in which everything gets disintegrated, and floats about in confusion, and never to be able to lay hold upon a subject distinctly either by head or tail, however much it may concern you.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It has been stated by various persons afflicted with that kind of trouble, that to be enlightened above one’s fellows is a great trial and misery.
an occurrence of something
From this reading This was the case of poor Gervase the morning after he had received that evening address from his mother in her nightcap, which was so well adapted to confuse any little wits the poor fellow had.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading I don’t know how that may be, but it is certainly a great trouble to be a Softy, to have a fluid brain in which everything gets disintegrated, and floats about in confusion, and never to be able to lay hold upon a subject distinctly either by head or tail, however much it may concern you.
something that interests you because it is important or affects you
From this reading I don’t know how that may be, but it is certainly a great trouble to be a Softy, to have a fluid brain in which everything gets disintegrated, and floats about in confusion, and never to be able to lay hold upon a subject distinctly either by head or tail, however much it may concern you.
confuseverbUS /kənˈfjuːz/
mistake one thing for another
From this reading This was the case of poor Gervase the morning after he had received that evening address from his mother in her nightcap, which was so well adapted to confuse any little wits the poor fellow had.
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading I don’t know how that may be, but it is certainly a great trouble to be a Softy, to have a fluid brain in which everything gets disintegrated, and floats about in confusion, and never to be able to lay hold upon a subject distinctly either by head or tail, however much it may concern you.
disintegratedverbUS /dɪˈsɪntəɡreɪtɪd/
past form of “disintegrate” — break into parts or components or lose cohesion or unity
From this reading I don’t know how that may be, but it is certainly a great trouble to be a Softy, to have a fluid brain in which everything gets disintegrated, and floats about in confusion, and never to be able to lay hold upon a subject distinctly either by head or tail, however much it may concern you.
clear to the mind; with distinct mental discernment
From this reading I don’t know how that may be, but it is certainly a great trouble to be a Softy, to have a fluid brain in which everything gets disintegrated, and floats about in confusion, and never to be able to lay hold upon a subject distinctly either by head or tail, however much it may concern you.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I don’t know how that may be, but it is certainly a great trouble to be a Softy, to have a fluid brain in which everything gets disintegrated, and floats about in confusion, and never to be able to lay hold upon a subject distinctly either by head or tail, however much it may concern you.
cause to move by pulling
From this reading That his marriage might be forbidden, and his very name taken from him, and himself reduced to draw beer at the Seven Thorns for his living, instead of making a lady of Patty, and lifting her out of all such necessities, overwhelmed his mind altogether.
one or the other of two
From this reading I don’t know how that may be, but it is certainly a great trouble to be a Softy, to have a fluid brain in which everything gets disintegrated, and floats about in confusion, and never to be able to lay hold upon a subject distinctly either by head or tail, however much it may concern you.
enlightenedadjectiveUS /ˌenˈlaɪtənd/
having knowledge and spiritual insight
From this reading It has been stated by various persons afflicted with that kind of trouble, that to be enlightened above one’s fellows is a great trial and misery.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading This was the case of poor Gervase the morning after he had received that evening address from his mother in her nightcap, which was so well adapted to confuse any little wits the poor fellow had.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading I don’t know how that may be, but it is certainly a great trouble to be a Softy, to have a fluid brain in which everything gets disintegrated, and floats about in confusion, and never to be able to lay hold upon a subject distinctly either by head or tail, however much it may concern you.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading If it was true, he had better, in fact, have nothing more to say to Patty at all.
a boy or man
From this reading This was the case of poor Gervase the morning after he had received that evening address from his mother in her nightcap, which was so well adapted to confuse any little wits the poor fellow had.
plural of “fellow” — a boy or man
From this reading It has been stated by various persons afflicted with that kind of trouble, that to be enlightened above one’s fellows is a great trial and misery.
floatsnounUS /floʊts/
plural of “float” — the time interval between the deposit of a check in a bank and its payment
From this reading I don’t know how that may be, but it is certainly a great trouble to be a Softy, to have a fluid brain in which everything gets disintegrated, and floats about in confusion, and never to be able to lay hold upon a subject distinctly either by head or tail, however much it may concern you.
fluidnounUS /ˈfluːəd/
a substance that is fluid at room temperature and pressure
From this reading I don’t know how that may be, but it is certainly a great trouble to be a Softy, to have a fluid brain in which everything gets disintegrated, and floats about in confusion, and never to be able to lay hold upon a subject distinctly either by head or tail, however much it may concern you.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading That his marriage might be forbidden, and his very name taken from him, and himself reduced to draw beer at the Seven Thorns for his living, instead of making a lady of Patty, and lifting her out of all such necessities, overwhelmed his mind altogether.
forbiddenadjectiveUS /fərˈbɪd.ən/
Not allowed; banned or prohibited by rule or law.
From this reading That his marriage might be forbidden, and his very name taken from him, and himself reduced to draw beer at the Seven Thorns for his living, instead of making a lady of Patty, and lifting her out of all such necessities, overwhelmed his mind altogether.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading This was the case of poor Gervase the morning after he had received that evening address from his mother in her nightcap, which was so well adapted to confuse any little wits the poor fellow had.
Gervase
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was the case of poor Gervase the morning after he had received that evening address from his mother in her nightcap, which was so well adapted to confuse any little wits the poor fellow had.
plural of “get” — a return on a shot that seemed impossible to reach and would normally have resulted in a point for the opponent
From this reading I don’t know how that may be, but it is certainly a great trouble to be a Softy, to have a fluid brain in which everything gets disintegrated, and floats about in confusion, and never to be able to lay hold upon a subject distinctly either by head or tail, however much it may concern you.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading It has been stated by various persons afflicted with that kind of trouble, that to be enlightened above one’s fellows is a great trial and misery.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading This was the case of poor Gervase the morning after he had received that evening address from his mother in her nightcap, which was so well adapted to confuse any little wits the poor fellow had.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It has been stated by various persons afflicted with that kind of trouble, that to be enlightened above one’s fellows is a great trial and misery.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I don’t know how that may be, but it is certainly a great trouble to be a Softy, to have a fluid brain in which everything gets disintegrated, and floats about in confusion, and never to be able to lay hold upon a subject distinctly either by head or tail, however much it may concern you.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This was the case of poor Gervase the morning after he had received that evening address from his mother in her nightcap, which was so well adapted to confuse any little wits the poor fellow had.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading I don’t know how that may be, but it is certainly a great trouble to be a Softy, to have a fluid brain in which everything gets disintegrated, and floats about in confusion, and never to be able to lay hold upon a subject distinctly either by head or tail, however much it may concern you.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading This was the case of poor Gervase the morning after he had received that evening address from his mother in her nightcap, which was so well adapted to confuse any little wits the poor fellow had.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading That his marriage might be forbidden, and his very name taken from him, and himself reduced to draw beer at the Seven Thorns for his living, instead of making a lady of Patty, and lifting her out of all such necessities, overwhelmed his mind altogether.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading That his marriage might be forbidden, and his very name taken from him, and himself reduced to draw beer at the Seven Thorns for his living, instead of making a lady of Patty, and lifting her out of all such necessities, overwhelmed his mind altogether.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading This was the case of poor Gervase the morning after he had received that evening address from his mother in her nightcap, which was so well adapted to confuse any little wits the poor fellow had.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading I don’t know how that may be, but it is certainly a great trouble to be a Softy, to have a fluid brain in which everything gets disintegrated, and floats about in confusion, and never to be able to lay hold upon a subject distinctly either by head or tail, however much it may concern you.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I don’t know how that may be, but it is certainly a great trouble to be a Softy, to have a fluid brain in which everything gets disintegrated, and floats about in confusion, and never to be able to lay hold upon a subject distinctly either by head or tail, however much it may concern you.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading I don’t know how that may be, but it is certainly a great trouble to be a Softy, to have a fluid brain in which everything gets disintegrated, and floats about in confusion, and never to be able to lay hold upon a subject distinctly either by head or tail, however much it may concern you.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I don’t know how that may be, but it is certainly a great trouble to be a Softy, to have a fluid brain in which everything gets disintegrated, and floats about in confusion, and never to be able to lay hold upon a subject distinctly either by head or tail, however much it may concern you.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If it was true, he had better, in fact, have nothing more to say to Patty at all.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I don’t know how that may be, but it is certainly a great trouble to be a Softy, to have a fluid brain in which everything gets disintegrated, and floats about in confusion, and never to be able to lay hold upon a subject distinctly either by head or tail, however much it may concern you.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading That his marriage might be forbidden, and his very name taken from him, and himself reduced to draw beer at the Seven Thorns for his living, instead of making a lady of Patty, and lifting her out of all such necessities, overwhelmed his mind altogether.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It has been stated by various persons afflicted with that kind of trouble, that to be enlightened above one’s fellows is a great trial and misery.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It has been stated by various persons afflicted with that kind of trouble, that to be enlightened above one’s fellows is a great trial and misery.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading It has been stated by various persons afflicted with that kind of trouble, that to be enlightened above one’s fellows is a great trial and misery.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading I don’t know how that may be, but it is certainly a great trouble to be a Softy, to have a fluid brain in which everything gets disintegrated, and floats about in confusion, and never to be able to lay hold upon a subject distinctly either by head or tail, however much it may concern you.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading That his marriage might be forbidden, and his very name taken from him, and himself reduced to draw beer at the Seven Thorns for his living, instead of making a lady of Patty, and lifting her out of all such necessities, overwhelmed his mind altogether.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading I don’t know how that may be, but it is certainly a great trouble to be a Softy, to have a fluid brain in which everything gets disintegrated, and floats about in confusion, and never to be able to lay hold upon a subject distinctly either by head or tail, however much it may concern you.
liftingverbUS /ˈlɪftɪŋ/
-ing form of “lift” — raise from a lower to a higher position
From this reading That his marriage might be forbidden, and his very name taken from him, and himself reduced to draw beer at the Seven Thorns for his living, instead of making a lady of Patty, and lifting her out of all such necessities, overwhelmed his mind altogether.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading This was the case of poor Gervase the morning after he had received that evening address from his mother in her nightcap, which was so well adapted to confuse any little wits the poor fellow had.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading That his marriage might be forbidden, and his very name taken from him, and himself reduced to draw beer at the Seven Thorns for his living, instead of making a lady of Patty, and lifting her out of all such necessities, overwhelmed his mind altogether.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading That his marriage might be forbidden, and his very name taken from him, and himself reduced to draw beer at the Seven Thorns for his living, instead of making a lady of Patty, and lifting her out of all such necessities, overwhelmed his mind altogether.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading That his marriage might be forbidden, and his very name taken from him, and himself reduced to draw beer at the Seven Thorns for his living, instead of making a lady of Patty, and lifting her out of all such necessities, overwhelmed his mind altogether.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading I don’t know how that may be, but it is certainly a great trouble to be a Softy, to have a fluid brain in which everything gets disintegrated, and floats about in confusion, and never to be able to lay hold upon a subject distinctly either by head or tail, however much it may concern you.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading That his marriage might be forbidden, and his very name taken from him, and himself reduced to draw beer at the Seven Thorns for his living, instead of making a lady of Patty, and lifting her out of all such necessities, overwhelmed his mind altogether.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading That his marriage might be forbidden, and his very name taken from him, and himself reduced to draw beer at the Seven Thorns for his living, instead of making a lady of Patty, and lifting her out of all such necessities, overwhelmed his mind altogether.
a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune
From this reading It has been stated by various persons afflicted with that kind of trouble, that to be enlightened above one’s fellows is a great trial and misery.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading If it was true, he had better, in fact, have nothing more to say to Patty at all.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading This was the case of poor Gervase the morning after he had received that evening address from his mother in her nightcap, which was so well adapted to confuse any little wits the poor fellow had.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading This was the case of poor Gervase the morning after he had received that evening address from his mother in her nightcap, which was so well adapted to confuse any little wits the poor fellow had.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading I don’t know how that may be, but it is certainly a great trouble to be a Softy, to have a fluid brain in which everything gets disintegrated, and floats about in confusion, and never to be able to lay hold upon a subject distinctly either by head or tail, however much it may concern you.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading That his marriage might be forbidden, and his very name taken from him, and himself reduced to draw beer at the Seven Thorns for his living, instead of making a lady of Patty, and lifting her out of all such necessities, overwhelmed his mind altogether.
necessitiesnounUS /nəˈsesɪtiz/
plural of “necessity” — the condition of being essential or indispensable
From this reading That his marriage might be forbidden, and his very name taken from him, and himself reduced to draw beer at the Seven Thorns for his living, instead of making a lady of Patty, and lifting her out of all such necessities, overwhelmed his mind altogether.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading I don’t know how that may be, but it is certainly a great trouble to be a Softy, to have a fluid brain in which everything gets disintegrated, and floats about in confusion, and never to be able to lay hold upon a subject distinctly either by head or tail, however much it may concern you.
nightcapnoun
an alcoholic drink taken at bedtime; often alcoholic
From this reading This was the case of poor Gervase the morning after he had received that evening address from his mother in her nightcap, which was so well adapted to confuse any little wits the poor fellow had.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading If it was true, he had better, in fact, have nothing more to say to Patty at all.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It has been stated by various persons afflicted with that kind of trouble, that to be enlightened above one’s fellows is a great trial and misery.
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It has been stated by various persons afflicted with that kind of trouble, that to be enlightened above one’s fellows is a great trial and misery.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I don’t know how that may be, but it is certainly a great trouble to be a Softy, to have a fluid brain in which everything gets disintegrated, and floats about in confusion, and never to be able to lay hold upon a subject distinctly either by head or tail, however much it may concern you.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading That his marriage might be forbidden, and his very name taken from him, and himself reduced to draw beer at the Seven Thorns for his living, instead of making a lady of Patty, and lifting her out of all such necessities, overwhelmed his mind altogether.
overwhelmedverbUS /ˌoʊvərˈwelmd/
past form of “overwhelm” — overcome, as with emotions or perceptual stimuli
From this reading That his marriage might be forbidden, and his very name taken from him, and himself reduced to draw beer at the Seven Thorns for his living, instead of making a lady of Patty, and lifting her out of all such necessities, overwhelmed his mind altogether.
PattynounUS /ˈpæti/
small flat mass of chopped food
From this reading That his marriage might be forbidden, and his very name taken from him, and himself reduced to draw beer at the Seven Thorns for his living, instead of making a lady of Patty, and lifting her out of all such necessities, overwhelmed his mind altogether.
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading It has been stated by various persons afflicted with that kind of trouble, that to be enlightened above one’s fellows is a great trial and misery.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading This was the case of poor Gervase the morning after he had received that evening address from his mother in her nightcap, which was so well adapted to confuse any little wits the poor fellow had.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading This was the case of poor Gervase the morning after he had received that evening address from his mother in her nightcap, which was so well adapted to confuse any little wits the poor fellow had.
reducedadjectiveUS /rəˈduːst/
made less in size or amount or degree
From this reading That his marriage might be forbidden, and his very name taken from him, and himself reduced to draw beer at the Seven Thorns for his living, instead of making a lady of Patty, and lifting her out of all such necessities, overwhelmed his mind altogether.
express in words
From this reading If it was true, he had better, in fact, have nothing more to say to Patty at all.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading That his marriage might be forbidden, and his very name taken from him, and himself reduced to draw beer at the Seven Thorns for his living, instead of making a lady of Patty, and lifting her out of all such necessities, overwhelmed his mind altogether.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading This was the case of poor Gervase the morning after he had received that evening address from his mother in her nightcap, which was so well adapted to confuse any little wits the poor fellow had.
Softynoun
a person who is weak and excessively sentimental
From this reading I don’t know how that may be, but it is certainly a great trouble to be a Softy, to have a fluid brain in which everything gets disintegrated, and floats about in confusion, and never to be able to lay hold upon a subject distinctly either by head or tail, however much it may concern you.
statedadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪtɪd/
declared as fact; explicitly stated
From this reading It has been stated by various persons afflicted with that kind of trouble, that to be enlightened above one’s fellows is a great trial and misery.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading I don’t know how that may be, but it is certainly a great trouble to be a Softy, to have a fluid brain in which everything gets disintegrated, and floats about in confusion, and never to be able to lay hold upon a subject distinctly either by head or tail, however much it may concern you.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading That his marriage might be forbidden, and his very name taken from him, and himself reduced to draw beer at the Seven Thorns for his living, instead of making a lady of Patty, and lifting her out of all such necessities, overwhelmed his mind altogether.
the posterior part of the body of a vertebrate especially when elongated and extending beyond the trunk or main part of the body
From this reading I don’t know how that may be, but it is certainly a great trouble to be a Softy, to have a fluid brain in which everything gets disintegrated, and floats about in confusion, and never to be able to lay hold upon a subject distinctly either by head or tail, however much it may concern you.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading That his marriage might be forbidden, and his very name taken from him, and himself reduced to draw beer at the Seven Thorns for his living, instead of making a lady of Patty, and lifting her out of all such necessities, overwhelmed his mind altogether.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It has been stated by various persons afflicted with that kind of trouble, that to be enlightened above one’s fellows is a great trial and misery.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading This was the case of poor Gervase the morning after he had received that evening address from his mother in her nightcap, which was so well adapted to confuse any little wits the poor fellow had.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was the case of poor Gervase the morning after he had received that evening address from his mother in her nightcap, which was so well adapted to confuse any little wits the poor fellow had.
ThornsnounUS /θɔːrnz/
plural of “thorn” — something that causes irritation and annoyance
From this reading That his marriage might be forbidden, and his very name taken from him, and himself reduced to draw beer at the Seven Thorns for his living, instead of making a lady of Patty, and lifting her out of all such necessities, overwhelmed his mind altogether.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It has been stated by various persons afflicted with that kind of trouble, that to be enlightened above one’s fellows is a great trial and misery.
the act of testing something
From this reading It has been stated by various persons afflicted with that kind of trouble, that to be enlightened above one’s fellows is a great trial and misery.
a source of difficulty
From this reading It has been stated by various persons afflicted with that kind of trouble, that to be enlightened above one’s fellows is a great trial and misery.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading If it was true, he had better, in fact, have nothing more to say to Patty at all.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading I don’t know how that may be, but it is certainly a great trouble to be a Softy, to have a fluid brain in which everything gets disintegrated, and floats about in confusion, and never to be able to lay hold upon a subject distinctly either by head or tail, however much it may concern you.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading It has been stated by various persons afflicted with that kind of trouble, that to be enlightened above one’s fellows is a great trial and misery.
precisely as stated
From this reading That his marriage might be forbidden, and his very name taken from him, and himself reduced to draw beer at the Seven Thorns for his living, instead of making a lady of Patty, and lifting her out of all such necessities, overwhelmed his mind altogether.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This was the case of poor Gervase the morning after he had received that evening address from his mother in her nightcap, which was so well adapted to confuse any little wits the poor fellow had.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading This was the case of poor Gervase the morning after he had received that evening address from his mother in her nightcap, which was so well adapted to confuse any little wits the poor fellow had.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I don’t know how that may be, but it is certainly a great trouble to be a Softy, to have a fluid brain in which everything gets disintegrated, and floats about in confusion, and never to be able to lay hold upon a subject distinctly either by head or tail, however much it may concern you.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It has been stated by various persons afflicted with that kind of trouble, that to be enlightened above one’s fellows is a great trial and misery.
witsnounUS /wɪts/
the basic human power of intelligent thought and perception
From this reading This was the case of poor Gervase the morning after he had received that evening address from his mother in her nightcap, which was so well adapted to confuse any little wits the poor fellow had.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading I don’t know how that may be, but it is certainly a great trouble to be a Softy, to have a fluid brain in which everything gets disintegrated, and floats about in confusion, and never to be able to lay hold upon a subject distinctly either by head or tail, however much it may concern you.
