used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She thought, but this within herself, that to get quit of the Softy, even for a few days, would be a great blessing to the house--though what she said was chiefly to agree with her mistress that a change, and to see a little of life, would be the best thing possible for Mr. Gervase.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “I remember a piece of poetry, or a hymn, or something, which I used to know, that had a line about home-keeping youths, and that they had but poor wits--that is, looked as if they had poor wits, because they had never seen anything, don’t you know?”
be in accord; be in agreement
From this reading She thought, but this within herself, that to get quit of the Softy, even for a few days, would be a great blessing to the house--though what she said was chiefly to agree with her mistress that a change, and to see a little of life, would be the best thing possible for Mr. Gervase.
(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 Lady Piercey discussed it all next morning, not only with Margaret but with Parsons, whose views on the subject were very decided.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading “’Tisn’t good for any young man to be always at home,” said Lady Piercey.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The household at Greyshott was much disturbed and excited by the new idea thus thrown into the midst of them.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading “’Tisn’t good for any young man to be always at home,” said Lady Piercey.
any thing at all
From this reading “I remember a piece of poetry, or a hymn, or something, which I used to know, that had a line about home-keeping youths, and that they had but poor wits--that is, looked as if they had poor wits, because they had never seen anything, don’t you know?”
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “I remember a piece of poetry, or a hymn, or something, which I used to know, that had a line about home-keeping youths, and that they had but poor wits--that is, looked as if they had poor wits, because they had never seen anything, don’t you know?”
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The household at Greyshott was much disturbed and excited by the new idea thus thrown into the midst of them.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She thought, but this within herself, that to get quit of the Softy, even for a few days, would be a great blessing to the house--though what she said was chiefly to agree with her mistress that a change, and to see a little of life, would be the best thing possible for Mr. Gervase.
for the reason that
From this reading “I remember a piece of poetry, or a hymn, or something, which I used to know, that had a line about home-keeping youths, and that they had but poor wits--that is, looked as if they had poor wits, because they had never seen anything, don’t you know?”
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading She thought, but this within herself, that to get quit of the Softy, even for a few days, would be a great blessing to the house--though what she said was chiefly to agree with her mistress that a change, and to see a little of life, would be the best thing possible for Mr. Gervase.
blessingnounUS /ˈblesɪŋ/
the formal act of approving
From this reading She thought, but this within herself, that to get quit of the Softy, even for a few days, would be a great blessing to the house--though what she said was chiefly to agree with her mistress that a change, and to see a little of life, would be the best thing possible for Mr. Gervase.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Lady Piercey discussed it all next morning, not only with Margaret but with Parsons, whose views on the subject were very decided.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The household at Greyshott was much disturbed and excited by the new idea thus thrown into the midst of them.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading She thought, but this within herself, that to get quit of the Softy, even for a few days, would be a great blessing to the house--though what she said was chiefly to agree with her mistress that a change, and to see a little of life, would be the best thing possible for Mr. Gervase.
chieflyadverbUS /ˈtʃiːfli/
for the most part
From this reading She thought, but this within herself, that to get quit of the Softy, even for a few days, would be a great blessing to the house--though what she said was chiefly to agree with her mistress that a change, and to see a little of life, would be the best thing possible for Mr. Gervase.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading She thought, but this within herself, that to get quit of the Softy, even for a few days, would be a great blessing to the house--though what she said was chiefly to agree with her mistress that a change, and to see a little of life, would be the best thing possible for Mr. Gervase.
recognizable; marked
From this reading Lady Piercey discussed it all next morning, not only with Margaret but with Parsons, whose views on the subject were very decided.
discussedverbUS /dɪˈskʌst/
past form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading Lady Piercey discussed it all next morning, not only with Margaret but with Parsons, whose views on the subject were very decided.
having the place or position changed
From this reading The household at Greyshott was much disturbed and excited by the new idea thus thrown into the midst of them.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I remember a piece of poetry, or a hymn, or something, which I used to know, that had a line about home-keeping youths, and that they had but poor wits--that is, looked as if they had poor wits, because they had never seen anything, don’t you know?”
divisible by two
From this reading She thought, but this within herself, that to get quit of the Softy, even for a few days, would be a great blessing to the house--though what she said was chiefly to agree with her mistress that a change, and to see a little of life, would be the best thing possible for Mr. Gervase.
(of persons) excessively affected by emotion
From this reading The household at Greyshott was much disturbed and excited by the new idea thus thrown into the midst of them.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading She thought, but this within herself, that to get quit of the Softy, even for a few days, would be a great blessing to the house--though what she said was chiefly to agree with her mistress that a change, and to see a little of life, would be the best thing possible for Mr. Gervase.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She thought, but this within herself, that to get quit of the Softy, even for a few days, would be a great blessing to the house--though what she said was chiefly to agree with her mistress that a change, and to see a little of life, would be the best thing possible for Mr. Gervase.
Gervase
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She thought, but this within herself, that to get quit of the Softy, even for a few days, would be a great blessing to the house--though what she said was chiefly to agree with her mistress that a change, and to see a little of life, would be the best thing possible for Mr. Gervase.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading She thought, but this within herself, that to get quit of the Softy, even for a few days, would be a great blessing to the house--though what she said was chiefly to agree with her mistress that a change, and to see a little of life, would be the best thing possible for Mr. Gervase.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading “’Tisn’t good for any young man to be always at home,” said Lady Piercey.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading She thought, but this within herself, that to get quit of the Softy, even for a few days, would be a great blessing to the house--though what she said was chiefly to agree with her mistress that a change, and to see a little of life, would be the best thing possible for Mr. Gervase.
Greyshott
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The household at Greyshott was much disturbed and excited by the new idea thus thrown into the midst of them.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading “I remember a piece of poetry, or a hymn, or something, which I used to know, that had a line about home-keeping youths, and that they had but poor wits--that is, looked as if they had poor wits, because they had never seen anything, don’t you know?”
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She thought, but this within herself, that to get quit of the Softy, even for a few days, would be a great blessing to the house--though what she said was chiefly to agree with her mistress that a change, and to see a little of life, would be the best thing possible for Mr. Gervase.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She thought, but this within herself, that to get quit of the Softy, even for a few days, would be a great blessing to the house--though what she said was chiefly to agree with her mistress that a change, and to see a little of life, would be the best thing possible for Mr. Gervase.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading “’Tisn’t good for any young man to be always at home,” said Lady Piercey.
home-keeping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I remember a piece of poetry, or a hymn, or something, which I used to know, that had a line about home-keeping youths, and that they had but poor wits--that is, looked as if they had poor wits, because they had never seen anything, don’t you know?”
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading She thought, but this within herself, that to get quit of the Softy, even for a few days, would be a great blessing to the house--though what she said was chiefly to agree with her mistress that a change, and to see a little of life, would be the best thing possible for Mr. Gervase.
a social unit living together
From this reading The household at Greyshott was much disturbed and excited by the new idea thus thrown into the midst of them.
hymnnounUS /hɪm/
a song of praise (to God or to a saint or to a nation)
From this reading “I remember a piece of poetry, or a hymn, or something, which I used to know, that had a line about home-keeping youths, and that they had but poor wits--that is, looked as if they had poor wits, because they had never seen anything, don’t you know?”
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I remember a piece of poetry, or a hymn, or something, which I used to know, that had a line about home-keeping youths, and that they had but poor wits--that is, looked as if they had poor wits, because they had never seen anything, don’t you know?”
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The household at Greyshott was much disturbed and excited by the new idea thus thrown into the midst of them.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “I remember a piece of poetry, or a hymn, or something, which I used to know, that had a line about home-keeping youths, and that they had but poor wits--that is, looked as if they had poor wits, because they had never seen anything, don’t you know?”
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The household at Greyshott was much disturbed and excited by the new idea thus thrown into the midst of them.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “I remember a piece of poetry, or a hymn, or something, which I used to know, that had a line about home-keeping youths, and that they had but poor wits--that is, looked as if they had poor wits, because they had never seen anything, don’t you know?”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Lady Piercey discussed it all next morning, not only with Margaret but with Parsons, whose views on the subject were very decided.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading “I remember a piece of poetry, or a hymn, or something, which I used to know, that had a line about home-keeping youths, and that they had but poor wits--that is, looked as if they had poor wits, because they had never seen anything, don’t you know?”
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Lady Piercey discussed it all next morning, not only with Margaret but with Parsons, whose views on the subject were very decided.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading She thought, but this within herself, that to get quit of the Softy, even for a few days, would be a great blessing to the house--though what she said was chiefly to agree with her mistress that a change, and to see a little of life, would be the best thing possible for Mr. Gervase.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading “I remember a piece of poetry, or a hymn, or something, which I used to know, that had a line about home-keeping youths, and that they had but poor wits--that is, looked as if they had poor wits, because they had never seen anything, don’t you know?”
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She thought, but this within herself, that to get quit of the Softy, even for a few days, would be a great blessing to the house--though what she said was chiefly to agree with her mistress that a change, and to see a little of life, would be the best thing possible for Mr. Gervase.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading “I remember a piece of poetry, or a hymn, or something, which I used to know, that had a line about home-keeping youths, and that they had but poor wits--that is, looked as if they had poor wits, because they had never seen anything, don’t you know?”
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading “’Tisn’t good for any young man to be always at home,” said Lady Piercey.
Margaret
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Piercey discussed it all next morning, not only with Margaret but with Parsons, whose views on the subject were very decided.
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading The household at Greyshott was much disturbed and excited by the new idea thus thrown into the midst of them.
an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man
From this reading She thought, but this within herself, that to get quit of the Softy, even for a few days, would be a great blessing to the house--though what she said was chiefly to agree with her mistress that a change, and to see a little of life, would be the best thing possible for Mr. Gervase.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Lady Piercey discussed it all next morning, not only with Margaret but with Parsons, whose views on the subject were very decided.
a form of address for a man
From this reading She thought, but this within herself, that to get quit of the Softy, even for a few days, would be a great blessing to the house--though what she said was chiefly to agree with her mistress that a change, and to see a little of life, would be the best thing possible for Mr. Gervase.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The household at Greyshott was much disturbed and excited by the new idea thus thrown into the midst of them.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading “I remember a piece of poetry, or a hymn, or something, which I used to know, that had a line about home-keeping youths, and that they had but poor wits--that is, looked as if they had poor wits, because they had never seen anything, don’t you know?”
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The household at Greyshott was much disturbed and excited by the new idea thus thrown into the midst of them.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Lady Piercey discussed it all next morning, not only with Margaret but with Parsons, whose views on the subject were very decided.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Lady Piercey discussed it all next morning, not only with Margaret but with Parsons, whose views on the subject were very decided.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The household at Greyshott was much disturbed and excited by the new idea thus thrown into the midst of them.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Lady Piercey discussed it all next morning, not only with Margaret but with Parsons, whose views on the subject were very decided.
and nothing more
From this reading Lady Piercey discussed it all next morning, not only with Margaret but with Parsons, whose views on the subject were very decided.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “I remember a piece of poetry, or a hymn, or something, which I used to know, that had a line about home-keeping youths, and that they had but poor wits--that is, looked as if they had poor wits, because they had never seen anything, don’t you know?”
ParsonsnounUS /ˈpɑːrsənz/
United States sociologist (1902-1979)
From this reading Lady Piercey discussed it all next morning, not only with Margaret but with Parsons, whose views on the subject were very decided.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading “I remember a piece of poetry, or a hymn, or something, which I used to know, that had a line about home-keeping youths, and that they had but poor wits--that is, looked as if they had poor wits, because they had never seen anything, don’t you know?”
Piercey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Piercey discussed it all next morning, not only with Margaret but with Parsons, whose views on the subject were very decided.
literature in metrical form
From this reading “I remember a piece of poetry, or a hymn, or something, which I used to know, that had a line about home-keeping youths, and that they had but poor wits--that is, looked as if they had poor wits, because they had never seen anything, don’t you know?”
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading “I remember a piece of poetry, or a hymn, or something, which I used to know, that had a line about home-keeping youths, and that they had but poor wits--that is, looked as if they had poor wits, because they had never seen anything, don’t you know?”
capable of happening or existing
From this reading She thought, but this within herself, that to get quit of the Softy, even for a few days, would be a great blessing to the house--though what she said was chiefly to agree with her mistress that a change, and to see a little of life, would be the best thing possible for Mr. Gervase.
quitverbUS /kwɪt/
put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading She thought, but this within herself, that to get quit of the Softy, even for a few days, would be a great blessing to the house--though what she said was chiefly to agree with her mistress that a change, and to see a little of life, would be the best thing possible for Mr. Gervase.
To recall to mind.
From this reading “I remember a piece of poetry, or a hymn, or something, which I used to know, that had a line about home-keeping youths, and that they had but poor wits--that is, looked as if they had poor wits, because they had never seen anything, don’t you know?”
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading She thought, but this within herself, that to get quit of the Softy, even for a few days, would be a great blessing to the house--though what she said was chiefly to agree with her mistress that a change, and to see a little of life, would be the best thing possible for Mr. Gervase.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading She thought, but this within herself, that to get quit of the Softy, even for a few days, would be a great blessing to the house--though what she said was chiefly to agree with her mistress that a change, and to see a little of life, would be the best thing possible for Mr. Gervase.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading “I remember a piece of poetry, or a hymn, or something, which I used to know, that had a line about home-keeping youths, and that they had but poor wits--that is, looked as if they had poor wits, because they had never seen anything, don’t you know?”
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She thought, but this within herself, that to get quit of the Softy, even for a few days, would be a great blessing to the house--though what she said was chiefly to agree with her mistress that a change, and to see a little of life, would be the best thing possible for Mr. Gervase.
Softynoun
a person who is weak and excessively sentimental
From this reading She thought, but this within herself, that to get quit of the Softy, even for a few days, would be a great blessing to the house--though what she said was chiefly to agree with her mistress that a change, and to see a little of life, would be the best thing possible for Mr. Gervase.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading “I remember a piece of poetry, or a hymn, or something, which I used to know, that had a line about home-keeping youths, and that they had but poor wits--that is, looked as if they had poor wits, because they had never seen anything, don’t you know?”
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading Lady Piercey discussed it all next morning, not only with Margaret but with Parsons, whose views on the subject were very decided.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She thought, but this within herself, that to get quit of the Softy, even for a few days, would be a great blessing to the house--though what she said was chiefly to agree with her mistress that a change, and to see a little of life, would be the best thing possible for Mr. Gervase.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The household at Greyshott was much disturbed and excited by the new idea thus thrown into the midst of them.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The household at Greyshott was much disturbed and excited by the new idea thus thrown into the midst of them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “I remember a piece of poetry, or a hymn, or something, which I used to know, that had a line about home-keeping youths, and that they had but poor wits--that is, looked as if they had poor wits, because they had never seen anything, don’t you know?”
a special situation
From this reading She thought, but this within herself, that to get quit of the Softy, even for a few days, would be a great blessing to the house--though what she said was chiefly to agree with her mistress that a change, and to see a little of life, would be the best thing possible for Mr. Gervase.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading She thought, but this within herself, that to get quit of the Softy, even for a few days, would be a great blessing to the house--though what she said was chiefly to agree with her mistress that a change, and to see a little of life, would be the best thing possible for Mr. Gervase.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading She thought, but this within herself, that to get quit of the Softy, even for a few days, would be a great blessing to the house--though what she said was chiefly to agree with her mistress that a change, and to see a little of life, would be the best thing possible for Mr. Gervase.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading She thought, but this within herself, that to get quit of the Softy, even for a few days, would be a great blessing to the house--though what she said was chiefly to agree with her mistress that a change, and to see a little of life, would be the best thing possible for Mr. Gervase.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading The household at Greyshott was much disturbed and excited by the new idea thus thrown into the midst of them.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading The household at Greyshott was much disturbed and excited by the new idea thus thrown into the midst of them.
Tisn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “’Tisn’t good for any young man to be always at home,” said Lady Piercey.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She thought, but this within herself, that to get quit of the Softy, even for a few days, would be a great blessing to the house--though what she said was chiefly to agree with her mistress that a change, and to see a little of life, would be the best thing possible for Mr. Gervase.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading “I remember a piece of poetry, or a hymn, or something, which I used to know, that had a line about home-keeping youths, and that they had but poor wits--that is, looked as if they had poor wits, because they had never seen anything, don’t you know?”
precisely as stated
From this reading Lady Piercey discussed it all next morning, not only with Margaret but with Parsons, whose views on the subject were very decided.
plural of “view” — a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading Lady Piercey discussed it all next morning, not only with Margaret but with Parsons, whose views on the subject were very decided.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The household at Greyshott was much disturbed and excited by the new idea thus thrown into the midst of them.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Lady Piercey discussed it all next morning, not only with Margaret but with Parsons, whose views on the subject were very decided.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading She thought, but this within herself, that to get quit of the Softy, even for a few days, would be a great blessing to the house--though what she said was chiefly to agree with her mistress that a change, and to see a little of life, would be the best thing possible for Mr. Gervase.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “I remember a piece of poetry, or a hymn, or something, which I used to know, that had a line about home-keeping youths, and that they had but poor wits--that is, looked as if they had poor wits, because they had never seen anything, don’t you know?”
belonging to which person
From this reading Lady Piercey discussed it all next morning, not only with Margaret but with Parsons, whose views on the subject were very decided.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Lady Piercey discussed it all next morning, not only with Margaret but with Parsons, whose views on the subject were very decided.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading She thought, but this within herself, that to get quit of the Softy, even for a few days, would be a great blessing to the house--though what she said was chiefly to agree with her mistress that a change, and to see a little of life, would be the best thing possible for Mr. Gervase.
witsnounUS /wɪts/
the basic human power of intelligent thought and perception
From this reading “I remember a piece of poetry, or a hymn, or something, which I used to know, that had a line about home-keeping youths, and that they had but poor wits--that is, looked as if they had poor wits, because they had never seen anything, don’t you know?”
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She thought, but this within herself, that to get quit of the Softy, even for a few days, would be a great blessing to the house--though what she said was chiefly to agree with her mistress that a change, and to see a little of life, would be the best thing possible for Mr. Gervase.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “I remember a piece of poetry, or a hymn, or something, which I used to know, that had a line about home-keeping youths, and that they had but poor wits--that is, looked as if they had poor wits, because they had never seen anything, don’t you know?”
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading “’Tisn’t good for any young man to be always at home,” said Lady Piercey.
youthsnounUS /juːðz/
plural of “youth” — a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading “I remember a piece of poetry, or a hymn, or something, which I used to know, that had a line about home-keeping youths, and that they had but poor wits--that is, looked as if they had poor wits, because they had never seen anything, don’t you know?”
