used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Well, here is the real matter," said my father, slowly; "Edgar Southcote, it appears, is eighteen--two years older than my Hester, and old enough, he thinks, as he tells me, to decide upon the most important event of his life for himself--so he sends me a formal proposal for the hand of his cousin.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading There was another pause, and there he stood turning over my work, and I not able to rush forward and snatch it out of his hand.
consider or hold as true
From this reading My difficulty is not whether to accept the proposal--you understand that, Osborne--but whether, before giving it a peremptory and decided negative, I ought to make it known to Hester?"
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was another pause, and there he stood turning over my work, and I not able to rush forward and snatch it out of his hand.
a strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance
From this reading My cheeks burned with shame and anger--how dared any man discuss my thoughts and fancies so!
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading There was another pause, and there he stood turning over my work, and I not able to rush forward and snatch it out of his hand.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading My cheeks burned with shame and anger--how dared any man discuss my thoughts and fancies so!
third-person singular of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading "Well, here is the real matter," said my father, slowly; "Edgar Southcote, it appears, is eighteen--two years older than my Hester, and old enough, he thinks, as he tells me, to decide upon the most important event of his life for himself--so he sends me a formal proposal for the hand of his cousin.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Well, here is the real matter," said my father, slowly; "Edgar Southcote, it appears, is eighteen--two years older than my Hester, and old enough, he thinks, as he tells me, to decide upon the most important event of his life for himself--so he sends me a formal proposal for the hand of his cousin.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading My difficulty is not whether to accept the proposal--you understand that, Osborne--but whether, before giving it a peremptory and decided negative, I ought to make it known to Hester?"
treated by heating to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point
From this reading My cheeks burned with shame and anger--how dared any man discuss my thoughts and fancies so!
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading My difficulty is not whether to accept the proposal--you understand that, Osborne--but whether, before giving it a peremptory and decided negative, I ought to make it known to Hester?"
plural of “cheek” — either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading My cheeks burned with shame and anger--how dared any man discuss my thoughts and fancies so!
the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading "Well, here is the real matter," said my father, slowly; "Edgar Southcote, it appears, is eighteen--two years older than my Hester, and old enough, he thinks, as he tells me, to decide upon the most important event of his life for himself--so he sends me a formal proposal for the hand of his cousin.
past form of “dare” — take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading My cheeks burned with shame and anger--how dared any man discuss my thoughts and fancies so!
reach, make, or come to a decision about something
From this reading "Well, here is the real matter," said my father, slowly; "Edgar Southcote, it appears, is eighteen--two years older than my Hester, and old enough, he thinks, as he tells me, to decide upon the most important event of his life for himself--so he sends me a formal proposal for the hand of his cousin.
recognizable; marked
From this reading My difficulty is not whether to accept the proposal--you understand that, Osborne--but whether, before giving it a peremptory and decided negative, I ought to make it known to Hester?"
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading My difficulty is not whether to accept the proposal--you understand that, Osborne--but whether, before giving it a peremptory and decided negative, I ought to make it known to Hester?"
discussverbUS /dɪˈskʌs/
to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading My cheeks burned with shame and anger--how dared any man discuss my thoughts and fancies so!
EdgarnounUS /ˈedɡər/
the younger brother of Edwy who became king of Northumbria when it renounced Edwy; on Edwy's death he succeeded to the throne of England (944-975)
From this reading "Well, here is the real matter," said my father, slowly; "Edgar Southcote, it appears, is eighteen--two years older than my Hester, and old enough, he thinks, as he tells me, to decide upon the most important event of his life for himself--so he sends me a formal proposal for the hand of his cousin.
eighteenadjectiveUS /eɪˈtiːn/
being one more than seventeen
From this reading "Well, here is the real matter," said my father, slowly; "Edgar Southcote, it appears, is eighteen--two years older than my Hester, and old enough, he thinks, as he tells me, to decide upon the most important event of his life for himself--so he sends me a formal proposal for the hand of his cousin.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading "Well, here is the real matter," said my father, slowly; "Edgar Southcote, it appears, is eighteen--two years older than my Hester, and old enough, he thinks, as he tells me, to decide upon the most important event of his life for himself--so he sends me a formal proposal for the hand of his cousin.
something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading "Well, here is the real matter," said my father, slowly; "Edgar Southcote, it appears, is eighteen--two years older than my Hester, and old enough, he thinks, as he tells me, to decide upon the most important event of his life for himself--so he sends me a formal proposal for the hand of his cousin.
fanciesnounUS /ˈfænsiz/
plural of “fancy” — something many people believe that is false
From this reading My cheeks burned with shame and anger--how dared any man discuss my thoughts and fancies so!
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading "Well, here is the real matter," said my father, slowly; "Edgar Southcote, it appears, is eighteen--two years older than my Hester, and old enough, he thinks, as he tells me, to decide upon the most important event of his life for himself--so he sends me a formal proposal for the hand of his cousin.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Well, here is the real matter," said my father, slowly; "Edgar Southcote, it appears, is eighteen--two years older than my Hester, and old enough, he thinks, as he tells me, to decide upon the most important event of his life for himself--so he sends me a formal proposal for the hand of his cousin.
formaladjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrməl/
being in accord with established forms and conventions and requirements (as e.g. of formal dress)
From this reading "Well, here is the real matter," said my father, slowly; "Edgar Southcote, it appears, is eighteen--two years older than my Hester, and old enough, he thinks, as he tells me, to decide upon the most important event of his life for himself--so he sends me a formal proposal for the hand of his cousin.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading There was another pause, and there he stood turning over my work, and I not able to rush forward and snatch it out of his hand.
the act of giving
From this reading My difficulty is not whether to accept the proposal--you understand that, Osborne--but whether, before giving it a peremptory and decided negative, I ought to make it known to Hester?"
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading There was another pause, and there he stood turning over my work, and I not able to rush forward and snatch it out of his hand.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There was another pause, and there he stood turning over my work, and I not able to rush forward and snatch it out of his hand.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "Well, here is the real matter," said my father, slowly; "Edgar Southcote, it appears, is eighteen--two years older than my Hester, and old enough, he thinks, as he tells me, to decide upon the most important event of his life for himself--so he sends me a formal proposal for the hand of his cousin.
Hester
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, here is the real matter," said my father, slowly; "Edgar Southcote, it appears, is eighteen--two years older than my Hester, and old enough, he thinks, as he tells me, to decide upon the most important event of his life for himself--so he sends me a formal proposal for the hand of his cousin.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading "Well, here is the real matter," said my father, slowly; "Edgar Southcote, it appears, is eighteen--two years older than my Hester, and old enough, he thinks, as he tells me, to decide upon the most important event of his life for himself--so he sends me a formal proposal for the hand of his cousin.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading There was another pause, and there he stood turning over my work, and I not able to rush forward and snatch it out of his hand.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My cheeks burned with shame and anger--how dared any man discuss my thoughts and fancies so!
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading There was another pause, and there he stood turning over my work, and I not able to rush forward and snatch it out of his hand.
of great significance or value
From this reading "Well, here is the real matter," said my father, slowly; "Edgar Southcote, it appears, is eighteen--two years older than my Hester, and old enough, he thinks, as he tells me, to decide upon the most important event of his life for himself--so he sends me a formal proposal for the hand of his cousin.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Well, here is the real matter," said my father, slowly; "Edgar Southcote, it appears, is eighteen--two years older than my Hester, and old enough, he thinks, as he tells me, to decide upon the most important event of his life for himself--so he sends me a formal proposal for the hand of his cousin.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There was another pause, and there he stood turning over my work, and I not able to rush forward and snatch it out of his hand.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading My difficulty is not whether to accept the proposal--you understand that, Osborne--but whether, before giving it a peremptory and decided negative, I ought to make it known to Hester?"
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading "Well, here is the real matter," said my father, slowly; "Edgar Southcote, it appears, is eighteen--two years older than my Hester, and old enough, he thinks, as he tells me, to decide upon the most important event of his life for himself--so he sends me a formal proposal for the hand of his cousin.
engage in
From this reading My difficulty is not whether to accept the proposal--you understand that, Osborne--but whether, before giving it a peremptory and decided negative, I ought to make it known to Hester?"
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading My cheeks burned with shame and anger--how dared any man discuss my thoughts and fancies so!
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading "Well, here is the real matter," said my father, slowly; "Edgar Southcote, it appears, is eighteen--two years older than my Hester, and old enough, he thinks, as he tells me, to decide upon the most important event of his life for himself--so he sends me a formal proposal for the hand of his cousin.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Well, here is the real matter," said my father, slowly; "Edgar Southcote, it appears, is eighteen--two years older than my Hester, and old enough, he thinks, as he tells me, to decide upon the most important event of his life for himself--so he sends me a formal proposal for the hand of his cousin.
used to form the superlative
From this reading "Well, here is the real matter," said my father, slowly; "Edgar Southcote, it appears, is eighteen--two years older than my Hester, and old enough, he thinks, as he tells me, to decide upon the most important event of his life for himself--so he sends me a formal proposal for the hand of his cousin.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading There was another pause, and there he stood turning over my work, and I not able to rush forward and snatch it out of his hand.
negativeadjectiveUS /ˈneɡətɪv/
characterized by or displaying negation or denial or opposition or resistance; having no positive features
From this reading My difficulty is not whether to accept the proposal--you understand that, Osborne--but whether, before giving it a peremptory and decided negative, I ought to make it known to Hester?"
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There was another pause, and there he stood turning over my work, and I not able to rush forward and snatch it out of his hand.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was another pause, and there he stood turning over my work, and I not able to rush forward and snatch it out of his hand.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading "Well, here is the real matter," said my father, slowly; "Edgar Southcote, it appears, is eighteen--two years older than my Hester, and old enough, he thinks, as he tells me, to decide upon the most important event of his life for himself--so he sends me a formal proposal for the hand of his cousin.
olderadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldər/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading "Well, here is the real matter," said my father, slowly; "Edgar Southcote, it appears, is eighteen--two years older than my Hester, and old enough, he thinks, as he tells me, to decide upon the most important event of his life for himself--so he sends me a formal proposal for the hand of his cousin.
OsbornenounUS /ˈɔːzbɔːrn/
English playwright (1929-1994)
From this reading My difficulty is not whether to accept the proposal--you understand that, Osborne--but whether, before giving it a peremptory and decided negative, I ought to make it known to Hester?"
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading My difficulty is not whether to accept the proposal--you understand that, Osborne--but whether, before giving it a peremptory and decided negative, I ought to make it known to Hester?"
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading There was another pause, and there he stood turning over my work, and I not able to rush forward and snatch it out of his hand.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading There was another pause, and there he stood turning over my work, and I not able to rush forward and snatch it out of his hand.
a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
From this reading There was another pause, and there he stood turning over my work, and I not able to rush forward and snatch it out of his hand.
peremptoryadjectiveUS /pərˈemptəri/
offensively self-assured or given to exercising usually unwarranted power
From this reading My difficulty is not whether to accept the proposal--you understand that, Osborne--but whether, before giving it a peremptory and decided negative, I ought to make it known to Hester?"
proposalnounUS /prəˈpoʊzəl/
something proposed (such as a plan or assumption)
From this reading "Well, here is the real matter," said my father, slowly; "Edgar Southcote, it appears, is eighteen--two years older than my Hester, and old enough, he thinks, as he tells me, to decide upon the most important event of his life for himself--so he sends me a formal proposal for the hand of his cousin.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading "Well, here is the real matter," said my father, slowly; "Edgar Southcote, it appears, is eighteen--two years older than my Hester, and old enough, he thinks, as he tells me, to decide upon the most important event of his life for himself--so he sends me a formal proposal for the hand of his cousin.
move hurridly
From this reading There was another pause, and there he stood turning over my work, and I not able to rush forward and snatch it out of his hand.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Well, here is the real matter," said my father, slowly; "Edgar Southcote, it appears, is eighteen--two years older than my Hester, and old enough, he thinks, as he tells me, to decide upon the most important event of his life for himself--so he sends me a formal proposal for the hand of his cousin.
sendsverbUS /sendz/
third-person singular of “send” — cause to go somewhere
From this reading "Well, here is the real matter," said my father, slowly; "Edgar Southcote, it appears, is eighteen--two years older than my Hester, and old enough, he thinks, as he tells me, to decide upon the most important event of his life for himself--so he sends me a formal proposal for the hand of his cousin.
a painful emotion resulting from an awareness of inadequacy or guilt
From this reading My cheeks burned with shame and anger--how dared any man discuss my thoughts and fancies so!
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading "Well, here is the real matter," said my father, slowly; "Edgar Southcote, it appears, is eighteen--two years older than my Hester, and old enough, he thinks, as he tells me, to decide upon the most important event of his life for himself--so he sends me a formal proposal for the hand of his cousin.
snatchverbUS /snætʃ/
to grasp hastily or eagerly
From this reading There was another pause, and there he stood turning over my work, and I not able to rush forward and snatch it out of his hand.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading My cheeks burned with shame and anger--how dared any man discuss my thoughts and fancies so!
Southcote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, here is the real matter," said my father, slowly; "Edgar Southcote, it appears, is eighteen--two years older than my Hester, and old enough, he thinks, as he tells me, to decide upon the most important event of his life for himself--so he sends me a formal proposal for the hand of his cousin.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading There was another pause, and there he stood turning over my work, and I not able to rush forward and snatch it out of his hand.
plural of “tell” — a Swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer
From this reading "Well, here is the real matter," said my father, slowly; "Edgar Southcote, it appears, is eighteen--two years older than my Hester, and old enough, he thinks, as he tells me, to decide upon the most important event of his life for himself--so he sends me a formal proposal for the hand of his cousin.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading "Well, here is the real matter," said my father, slowly; "Edgar Southcote, it appears, is eighteen--two years older than my Hester, and old enough, he thinks, as he tells me, to decide upon the most important event of his life for himself--so he sends me a formal proposal for the hand of his cousin.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading My difficulty is not whether to accept the proposal--you understand that, Osborne--but whether, before giving it a peremptory and decided negative, I ought to make it known to Hester?"
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Well, here is the real matter," said my father, slowly; "Edgar Southcote, it appears, is eighteen--two years older than my Hester, and old enough, he thinks, as he tells me, to decide upon the most important event of his life for himself--so he sends me a formal proposal for the hand of his cousin.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was another pause, and there he stood turning over my work, and I not able to rush forward and snatch it out of his hand.
plural of “think” — an instance of deliberate thinking
From this reading "Well, here is the real matter," said my father, slowly; "Edgar Southcote, it appears, is eighteen--two years older than my Hester, and old enough, he thinks, as he tells me, to decide upon the most important event of his life for himself--so he sends me a formal proposal for the hand of his cousin.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading My cheeks burned with shame and anger--how dared any man discuss my thoughts and fancies so!
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was another pause, and there he stood turning over my work, and I not able to rush forward and snatch it out of his hand.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading There was another pause, and there he stood turning over my work, and I not able to rush forward and snatch it out of his hand.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading "Well, here is the real matter," said my father, slowly; "Edgar Southcote, it appears, is eighteen--two years older than my Hester, and old enough, he thinks, as he tells me, to decide upon the most important event of his life for himself--so he sends me a formal proposal for the hand of his cousin.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading My difficulty is not whether to accept the proposal--you understand that, Osborne--but whether, before giving it a peremptory and decided negative, I ought to make it known to Hester?"
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading "Well, here is the real matter," said my father, slowly; "Edgar Southcote, it appears, is eighteen--two years older than my Hester, and old enough, he thinks, as he tells me, to decide upon the most important event of his life for himself--so he sends me a formal proposal for the hand of his cousin.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was another pause, and there he stood turning over my work, and I not able to rush forward and snatch it out of his hand.
(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 "Well, here is the real matter," said my father, slowly; "Edgar Southcote, it appears, is eighteen--two years older than my Hester, and old enough, he thinks, as he tells me, to decide upon the most important event of his life for himself--so he sends me a formal proposal for the hand of his cousin.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading My difficulty is not whether to accept the proposal--you understand that, Osborne--but whether, before giving it a peremptory and decided negative, I ought to make it known to Hester?"
in the company of; together with
From this reading My cheeks burned with shame and anger--how dared any man discuss my thoughts and fancies so!
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading There was another pause, and there he stood turning over my work, and I not able to rush forward and snatch it out of his hand.
a late time of life
From this reading "Well, here is the real matter," said my father, slowly; "Edgar Southcote, it appears, is eighteen--two years older than my Hester, and old enough, he thinks, as he tells me, to decide upon the most important event of his life for himself--so he sends me a formal proposal for the hand of his cousin.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading My difficulty is not whether to accept the proposal--you understand that, Osborne--but whether, before giving it a peremptory and decided negative, I ought to make it known to Hester?"
