used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The week had been a very long week to Gervase.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It was a very dull round to him who had known the livelier joys of the Seven Thorns, the beer and the tobacco in the parlour, and Patty flitting about, throwing him a word from time to time.
additionnounUS /əˈdɪʃən/
a component that is added to something to improve it
From this reading It seemed but a poor sort of paradise to sit among the slow old topers in the smoky room and imbibe the heavy beer; but it is unfortunately a kind of enjoyment which many young men prefer to the fireside at home, even without any addition of a Patty; and the poor Softy was not in this respect so very much inferior to the best and cleverest.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading It seemed but a poor sort of paradise to sit among the slow old topers in the smoky room and imbibe the heavy beer; but it is unfortunately a kind of enjoyment which many young men prefer to the fireside at home, even without any addition of a Patty; and the poor Softy was not in this respect so very much inferior to the best and cleverest.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a very dull round to him who had known the livelier joys of the Seven Thorns, the beer and the tobacco in the parlour, and Patty flitting about, throwing him a word from time to time.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It seemed but a poor sort of paradise to sit among the slow old topers in the smoky room and imbibe the heavy beer; but it is unfortunately a kind of enjoyment which many young men prefer to the fireside at home, even without any addition of a Patty; and the poor Softy was not in this respect so very much inferior to the best and cleverest.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading To him, poor fellow, there was no limit of time; no thought that his obedience was intended, nay, desired to stop at a certain point.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The week had been a very long week to Gervase.
beernounUS /bɪr/
a general name for alcoholic beverages made by fermenting a cereal (or mixture of cereals) flavored with hops
From this reading It was a very dull round to him who had known the livelier joys of the Seven Thorns, the beer and the tobacco in the parlour, and Patty flitting about, throwing him a word from time to time.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading It seemed but a poor sort of paradise to sit among the slow old topers in the smoky room and imbibe the heavy beer; but it is unfortunately a kind of enjoyment which many young men prefer to the fireside at home, even without any addition of a Patty; and the poor Softy was not in this respect so very much inferior to the best and cleverest.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It seemed but a poor sort of paradise to sit among the slow old topers in the smoky room and imbibe the heavy beer; but it is unfortunately a kind of enjoyment which many young men prefer to the fireside at home, even without any addition of a Patty; and the poor Softy was not in this respect so very much inferior to the best and cleverest.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading To him, poor fellow, there was no limit of time; no thought that his obedience was intended, nay, desired to stop at a certain point.
cleverest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed but a poor sort of paradise to sit among the slow old topers in the smoky room and imbibe the heavy beer; but it is unfortunately a kind of enjoyment which many young men prefer to the fireside at home, even without any addition of a Patty; and the poor Softy was not in this respect so very much inferior to the best and cleverest.
wanted intensely
From this reading To him, poor fellow, there was no limit of time; no thought that his obedience was intended, nay, desired to stop at a certain point.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading It was a very dull round to him who had known the livelier joys of the Seven Thorns, the beer and the tobacco in the parlour, and Patty flitting about, throwing him a word from time to time.
dullyadverb
without liveliness
From this reading He went on dully, keeping at home, keeping indoors, trying in his fatuous way to please his parents.
enjoymentnounUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪmənt/
the pleasure felt when having a good time
From this reading It seemed but a poor sort of paradise to sit among the slow old topers in the smoky room and imbibe the heavy beer; but it is unfortunately a kind of enjoyment which many young men prefer to the fireside at home, even without any addition of a Patty; and the poor Softy was not in this respect so very much inferior to the best and cleverest.
divisible by two
From this reading It seemed but a poor sort of paradise to sit among the slow old topers in the smoky room and imbibe the heavy beer; but it is unfortunately a kind of enjoyment which many young men prefer to the fireside at home, even without any addition of a Patty; and the poor Softy was not in this respect so very much inferior to the best and cleverest.
fatuousadjectiveUS /ˈfætʃəwəs/
extremely silly or stupid
From this reading He went on dully, keeping at home, keeping indoors, trying in his fatuous way to please his parents.
a boy or man
From this reading To him, poor fellow, there was no limit of time; no thought that his obedience was intended, nay, desired to stop at a certain point.
firesidenounUS /ˈfaɪərsaɪd/
an area near a fireplace (usually paved and extending out into a room)
From this reading It seemed but a poor sort of paradise to sit among the slow old topers in the smoky room and imbibe the heavy beer; but it is unfortunately a kind of enjoyment which many young men prefer to the fireside at home, even without any addition of a Patty; and the poor Softy was not in this respect so very much inferior to the best and cleverest.
flittingverbUS /ˈflɪtɪŋ/
inflected form of “flit” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading It was a very dull round to him who had known the livelier joys of the Seven Thorns, the beer and the tobacco in the parlour, and Patty flitting about, throwing him a word from time to time.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was a very dull round to him who had known the livelier joys of the Seven Thorns, the beer and the tobacco in the parlour, and Patty flitting about, throwing him a word from time to time.
Gervase
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The week had been a very long week to Gervase.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The week had been a very long week to Gervase.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He went on dully, keeping at home, keeping indoors, trying in his fatuous way to please his parents.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading It seemed but a poor sort of paradise to sit among the slow old topers in the smoky room and imbibe the heavy beer; but it is unfortunately a kind of enjoyment which many young men prefer to the fireside at home, even without any addition of a Patty; and the poor Softy was not in this respect so very much inferior to the best and cleverest.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading To him, poor fellow, there was no limit of time; no thought that his obedience was intended, nay, desired to stop at a certain point.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading To him, poor fellow, there was no limit of time; no thought that his obedience was intended, nay, desired to stop at a certain point.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading He went on dully, keeping at home, keeping indoors, trying in his fatuous way to please his parents.
imbibeverbUS /ɪmˈbaɪb/
take in, also metaphorically
From this reading It seemed but a poor sort of paradise to sit among the slow old topers in the smoky room and imbibe the heavy beer; but it is unfortunately a kind of enjoyment which many young men prefer to the fireside at home, even without any addition of a Patty; and the poor Softy was not in this respect so very much inferior to the best and cleverest.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He went on dully, keeping at home, keeping indoors, trying in his fatuous way to please his parents.
indoorsadverbUS /ˈɪndɔːrz/
within a building
From this reading He went on dully, keeping at home, keeping indoors, trying in his fatuous way to please his parents.
inferioradjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfɪriər/
of or characteristic of low rank or importance
From this reading It seemed but a poor sort of paradise to sit among the slow old topers in the smoky room and imbibe the heavy beer; but it is unfortunately a kind of enjoyment which many young men prefer to the fireside at home, even without any addition of a Patty; and the poor Softy was not in this respect so very much inferior to the best and cleverest.
resulting from one's intentions
From this reading To him, poor fellow, there was no limit of time; no thought that his obedience was intended, nay, desired to stop at a certain point.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It seemed but a poor sort of paradise to sit among the slow old topers in the smoky room and imbibe the heavy beer; but it is unfortunately a kind of enjoyment which many young men prefer to the fireside at home, even without any addition of a Patty; and the poor Softy was not in this respect so very much inferior to the best and cleverest.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a very dull round to him who had known the livelier joys of the Seven Thorns, the beer and the tobacco in the parlour, and Patty flitting about, throwing him a word from time to time.
joysnounUS /dʒɔɪz/
plural of “joy” — the emotion of great happiness
From this reading It was a very dull round to him who had known the livelier joys of the Seven Thorns, the beer and the tobacco in the parlour, and Patty flitting about, throwing him a word from time to time.
conformity or harmony
From this reading He went on dully, keeping at home, keeping indoors, trying in his fatuous way to please his parents.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading It seemed but a poor sort of paradise to sit among the slow old topers in the smoky room and imbibe the heavy beer; but it is unfortunately a kind of enjoyment which many young men prefer to the fireside at home, even without any addition of a Patty; and the poor Softy was not in this respect so very much inferior to the best and cleverest.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading It was a very dull round to him who had known the livelier joys of the Seven Thorns, the beer and the tobacco in the parlour, and Patty flitting about, throwing him a word from time to time.
limitnounUS /ˈlɪmət/
the greatest possible degree of something
From this reading To him, poor fellow, there was no limit of time; no thought that his obedience was intended, nay, desired to stop at a certain point.
livelieradjectiveUS /ˈlaɪvliər/
comparative of “lively” — full of life and energy
From this reading It was a very dull round to him who had known the livelier joys of the Seven Thorns, the beer and the tobacco in the parlour, and Patty flitting about, throwing him a word from time to time.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading The week had been a very long week to Gervase.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading It seemed but a poor sort of paradise to sit among the slow old topers in the smoky room and imbibe the heavy beer; but it is unfortunately a kind of enjoyment which many young men prefer to the fireside at home, even without any addition of a Patty; and the poor Softy was not in this respect so very much inferior to the best and cleverest.
the force of workers available
From this reading It seemed but a poor sort of paradise to sit among the slow old topers in the smoky room and imbibe the heavy beer; but it is unfortunately a kind of enjoyment which many young men prefer to the fireside at home, even without any addition of a Patty; and the poor Softy was not in this respect so very much inferior to the best and cleverest.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading It seemed but a poor sort of paradise to sit among the slow old topers in the smoky room and imbibe the heavy beer; but it is unfortunately a kind of enjoyment which many young men prefer to the fireside at home, even without any addition of a Patty; and the poor Softy was not in this respect so very much inferior to the best and cleverest.
an old word for “no”
From this reading To him, poor fellow, there was no limit of time; no thought that his obedience was intended, nay, desired to stop at a certain point.
not any; not one
From this reading To him, poor fellow, there was no limit of time; no thought that his obedience was intended, nay, desired to stop at a certain point.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It seemed but a poor sort of paradise to sit among the slow old topers in the smoky room and imbibe the heavy beer; but it is unfortunately a kind of enjoyment which many young men prefer to the fireside at home, even without any addition of a Patty; and the poor Softy was not in this respect so very much inferior to the best and cleverest.
obediencenounUS /oʊˈbiːdiəns/
the act of obeying; dutiful or submissive behavior with respect to another person
From this reading To him, poor fellow, there was no limit of time; no thought that his obedience was intended, nay, desired to stop at a certain point.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading To him, poor fellow, there was no limit of time; no thought that his obedience was intended, nay, desired to stop at a certain point.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading It seemed but a poor sort of paradise to sit among the slow old topers in the smoky room and imbibe the heavy beer; but it is unfortunately a kind of enjoyment which many young men prefer to the fireside at home, even without any addition of a Patty; and the poor Softy was not in this respect so very much inferior to the best and cleverest.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He went on dully, keeping at home, keeping indoors, trying in his fatuous way to please his parents.
paradisenounUS /ˈperədaɪs/
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading It seemed but a poor sort of paradise to sit among the slow old topers in the smoky room and imbibe the heavy beer; but it is unfortunately a kind of enjoyment which many young men prefer to the fireside at home, even without any addition of a Patty; and the poor Softy was not in this respect so very much inferior to the best and cleverest.
plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
From this reading He went on dully, keeping at home, keeping indoors, trying in his fatuous way to please his parents.
parlournounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading It was a very dull round to him who had known the livelier joys of the Seven Thorns, the beer and the tobacco in the parlour, and Patty flitting about, throwing him a word from time to time.
PattynounUS /ˈpæti/
small flat mass of chopped food
From this reading It was a very dull round to him who had known the livelier joys of the Seven Thorns, the beer and the tobacco in the parlour, and Patty flitting about, throwing him a word from time to time.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading He went on dully, keeping at home, keeping indoors, trying in his fatuous way to please his parents.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading To him, poor fellow, there was no limit of time; no thought that his obedience was intended, nay, desired to stop at a certain point.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading To him, poor fellow, there was no limit of time; no thought that his obedience was intended, nay, desired to stop at a certain point.
like better; value more highly
From this reading It seemed but a poor sort of paradise to sit among the slow old topers in the smoky room and imbibe the heavy beer; but it is unfortunately a kind of enjoyment which many young men prefer to the fireside at home, even without any addition of a Patty; and the poor Softy was not in this respect so very much inferior to the best and cleverest.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading It seemed but a poor sort of paradise to sit among the slow old topers in the smoky room and imbibe the heavy beer; but it is unfortunately a kind of enjoyment which many young men prefer to the fireside at home, even without any addition of a Patty; and the poor Softy was not in this respect so very much inferior to the best and cleverest.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading It seemed but a poor sort of paradise to sit among the slow old topers in the smoky room and imbibe the heavy beer; but it is unfortunately a kind of enjoyment which many young men prefer to the fireside at home, even without any addition of a Patty; and the poor Softy was not in this respect so very much inferior to the best and cleverest.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading It was a very dull round to him who had known the livelier joys of the Seven Thorns, the beer and the tobacco in the parlour, and Patty flitting about, throwing him a word from time to time.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seemed but a poor sort of paradise to sit among the slow old topers in the smoky room and imbibe the heavy beer; but it is unfortunately a kind of enjoyment which many young men prefer to the fireside at home, even without any addition of a Patty; and the poor Softy was not in this respect so very much inferior to the best and cleverest.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading It was a very dull round to him who had known the livelier joys of the Seven Thorns, the beer and the tobacco in the parlour, and Patty flitting about, throwing him a word from time to time.
be seated
From this reading It seemed but a poor sort of paradise to sit among the slow old topers in the smoky room and imbibe the heavy beer; but it is unfortunately a kind of enjoyment which many young men prefer to the fireside at home, even without any addition of a Patty; and the poor Softy was not in this respect so very much inferior to the best and cleverest.
not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
From this reading It seemed but a poor sort of paradise to sit among the slow old topers in the smoky room and imbibe the heavy beer; but it is unfortunately a kind of enjoyment which many young men prefer to the fireside at home, even without any addition of a Patty; and the poor Softy was not in this respect so very much inferior to the best and cleverest.
smokyadjectiveUS /ˈsmoʊki/
marked by or emitting or filled with smoke
From this reading It seemed but a poor sort of paradise to sit among the slow old topers in the smoky room and imbibe the heavy beer; but it is unfortunately a kind of enjoyment which many young men prefer to the fireside at home, even without any addition of a Patty; and the poor Softy was not in this respect so very much inferior to the best and cleverest.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It seemed but a poor sort of paradise to sit among the slow old topers in the smoky room and imbibe the heavy beer; but it is unfortunately a kind of enjoyment which many young men prefer to the fireside at home, even without any addition of a Patty; and the poor Softy was not in this respect so very much inferior to the best and cleverest.
Softynoun
a person who is weak and excessively sentimental
From this reading It seemed but a poor sort of paradise to sit among the slow old topers in the smoky room and imbibe the heavy beer; but it is unfortunately a kind of enjoyment which many young men prefer to the fireside at home, even without any addition of a Patty; and the poor Softy was not in this respect so very much inferior to the best and cleverest.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading It seemed but a poor sort of paradise to sit among the slow old topers in the smoky room and imbibe the heavy beer; but it is unfortunately a kind of enjoyment which many young men prefer to the fireside at home, even without any addition of a Patty; and the poor Softy was not in this respect so very much inferior to the best and cleverest.
come to a halt, stop moving
From this reading To him, poor fellow, there was no limit of time; no thought that his obedience was intended, nay, desired to stop at a certain point.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading To him, poor fellow, there was no limit of time; no thought that his obedience was intended, nay, desired to stop at a certain point.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The week had been a very long week to Gervase.
in or at that place or location
From this reading To him, poor fellow, there was no limit of time; no thought that his obedience was intended, nay, desired to stop at a certain point.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It seemed but a poor sort of paradise to sit among the slow old topers in the smoky room and imbibe the heavy beer; but it is unfortunately a kind of enjoyment which many young men prefer to the fireside at home, even without any addition of a Patty; and the poor Softy was not in this respect so very much inferior to the best and cleverest.
ThornsnounUS /θɔːrnz/
plural of “thorn” — something that causes irritation and annoyance
From this reading It was a very dull round to him who had known the livelier joys of the Seven Thorns, the beer and the tobacco in the parlour, and Patty flitting about, throwing him a word from time to time.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading To him, poor fellow, there was no limit of time; no thought that his obedience was intended, nay, desired to stop at a certain point.
-ing form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading It was a very dull round to him who had known the livelier joys of the Seven Thorns, the beer and the tobacco in the parlour, and Patty flitting about, throwing him a word from time to time.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading To him, poor fellow, there was no limit of time; no thought that his obedience was intended, nay, desired to stop at a certain point.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The week had been a very long week to Gervase.
tobacconounUS /təˈbækoʊ/
leaves of the tobacco plant dried and prepared for smoking or ingestion
From this reading It was a very dull round to him who had known the livelier joys of the Seven Thorns, the beer and the tobacco in the parlour, and Patty flitting about, throwing him a word from time to time.
topers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed but a poor sort of paradise to sit among the slow old topers in the smoky room and imbibe the heavy beer; but it is unfortunately a kind of enjoyment which many young men prefer to the fireside at home, even without any addition of a Patty; and the poor Softy was not in this respect so very much inferior to the best and cleverest.
hard to endure
From this reading He went on dully, keeping at home, keeping indoors, trying in his fatuous way to please his parents.
unfortunatelyadverbUS /ənˈfɔːrtʃənətli/
by bad luck
From this reading It seemed but a poor sort of paradise to sit among the slow old topers in the smoky room and imbibe the heavy beer; but it is unfortunately a kind of enjoyment which many young men prefer to the fireside at home, even without any addition of a Patty; and the poor Softy was not in this respect so very much inferior to the best and cleverest.
precisely as stated
From this reading The week had been a very long week to Gervase.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To him, poor fellow, there was no limit of time; no thought that his obedience was intended, nay, desired to stop at a certain point.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading He went on dully, keeping at home, keeping indoors, trying in his fatuous way to please his parents.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading The week had been a very long week to Gervase.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He went on dully, keeping at home, keeping indoors, trying in his fatuous way to please his parents.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It seemed but a poor sort of paradise to sit among the slow old topers in the smoky room and imbibe the heavy beer; but it is unfortunately a kind of enjoyment which many young men prefer to the fireside at home, even without any addition of a Patty; and the poor Softy was not in this respect so very much inferior to the best and cleverest.
which person or people
From this reading It was a very dull round to him who had known the livelier joys of the Seven Thorns, the beer and the tobacco in the parlour, and Patty flitting about, throwing him a word from time to time.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading It seemed but a poor sort of paradise to sit among the slow old topers in the smoky room and imbibe the heavy beer; but it is unfortunately a kind of enjoyment which many young men prefer to the fireside at home, even without any addition of a Patty; and the poor Softy was not in this respect so very much inferior to the best and cleverest.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading It was a very dull round to him who had known the livelier joys of the Seven Thorns, the beer and the tobacco in the parlour, and Patty flitting about, throwing him a word from time to time.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading It seemed but a poor sort of paradise to sit among the slow old topers in the smoky room and imbibe the heavy beer; but it is unfortunately a kind of enjoyment which many young men prefer to the fireside at home, even without any addition of a Patty; and the poor Softy was not in this respect so very much inferior to the best and cleverest.
