used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Eh bien! my dear Eleanor, could you have thought of a better excuse for me?
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading You say that I have not written to you so punctually of late as I used to do before I came to London, and you impute my negligence to the gayeties and pleasures by which I am surrounded.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading You say that I have not written to you so punctually of late as I used to do before I came to London, and you impute my negligence to the gayeties and pleasures by which I am surrounded.
anticipateverbUS /ænˈtɪsəpeɪt/
regard something as probable or likely
From this reading You know how fond we--ay, dearest, you as well as I--used to be of dancing, and how earnestly we were wont to anticipate those children's balls at my uncle's, which were the only ones we were ever permitted to attend.
ARDENNE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FROM LADY FLORA ARDENNE TO MISS ELEANOR TREVANION.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading You say that I have not written to you so punctually of late as I used to do before I came to London, and you impute my negligence to the gayeties and pleasures by which I am surrounded.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading You know how fond we--ay, dearest, you as well as I--used to be of dancing, and how earnestly we were wont to anticipate those children's balls at my uncle's, which were the only ones we were ever permitted to attend.
be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.
From this reading You know how fond we--ay, dearest, you as well as I--used to be of dancing, and how earnestly we were wont to anticipate those children's balls at my uncle's, which were the only ones we were ever permitted to attend.
ay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You know how fond we--ay, dearest, you as well as I--used to be of dancing, and how earnestly we were wont to anticipate those children's balls at my uncle's, which were the only ones we were ever permitted to attend.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading I found a stick the other day, on which I had cut seven notches, significant of seven days more to the next ball; we reckoned time by balls then, and danced chronologically.
ballsnounUS /bɔːlz/
plural of “ball” — round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading You know how fond we--ay, dearest, you as well as I--used to be of dancing, and how earnestly we were wont to anticipate those children's balls at my uncle's, which were the only ones we were ever permitted to attend.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading You know how fond we--ay, dearest, you as well as I--used to be of dancing, and how earnestly we were wont to anticipate those children's balls at my uncle's, which were the only ones we were ever permitted to attend.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading You say that I have not written to you so punctually of late as I used to do before I came to London, and you impute my negligence to the gayeties and pleasures by which I am surrounded.
(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 Eh bien! my dear Eleanor, could you have thought of a better excuse for me?
bien
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Eh bien! my dear Eleanor, could you have thought of a better excuse for me?
showing who or what does the action
From this reading You say that I have not written to you so punctually of late as I used to do before I came to London, and you impute my negligence to the gayeties and pleasures by which I am surrounded.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading You say that I have not written to you so punctually of late as I used to do before I came to London, and you impute my negligence to the gayeties and pleasures by which I am surrounded.
children's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You know how fond we--ay, dearest, you as well as I--used to be of dancing, and how earnestly we were wont to anticipate those children's balls at my uncle's, which were the only ones we were ever permitted to attend.
chronologicallyadverbUS /ˌkrɑːnəˈlɑːdʒɪkli/
with respect to chronology
From this reading I found a stick the other day, on which I had cut seven notches, significant of seven days more to the next ball; we reckoned time by balls then, and danced chronologically.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Eh bien! my dear Eleanor, could you have thought of a better excuse for me?
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading I found a stick the other day, on which I had cut seven notches, significant of seven days more to the next ball; we reckoned time by balls then, and danced chronologically.
dancedverbUS /dænst/
past form of “dance” — move in a graceful and rhythmical way
From this reading I found a stick the other day, on which I had cut seven notches, significant of seven days more to the next ball; we reckoned time by balls then, and danced chronologically.
taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music
From this reading You know how fond we--ay, dearest, you as well as I--used to be of dancing, and how earnestly we were wont to anticipate those children's balls at my uncle's, which were the only ones we were ever permitted to attend.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading I found a stick the other day, on which I had cut seven notches, significant of seven days more to the next ball; we reckoned time by balls then, and danced chronologically.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading I found a stick the other day, on which I had cut seven notches, significant of seven days more to the next ball; we reckoned time by balls then, and danced chronologically.
dearly loved
From this reading Eh bien! my dear Eleanor, could you have thought of a better excuse for me?
a beloved person; used as terms of endearment
From this reading You know how fond we--ay, dearest, you as well as I--used to be of dancing, and how earnestly we were wont to anticipate those children's balls at my uncle's, which were the only ones we were ever permitted to attend.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading You say that I have not written to you so punctually of late as I used to do before I came to London, and you impute my negligence to the gayeties and pleasures by which I am surrounded.
in a serious manner
From this reading You know how fond we--ay, dearest, you as well as I--used to be of dancing, and how earnestly we were wont to anticipate those children's balls at my uncle's, which were the only ones we were ever permitted to attend.
Eh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Eh bien! my dear Eleanor, could you have thought of a better excuse for me?
ELEANOR
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FROM LADY FLORA ARDENNE TO MISS ELEANOR TREVANION.
at any time
From this reading You know how fond we--ay, dearest, you as well as I--used to be of dancing, and how earnestly we were wont to anticipate those children's balls at my uncle's, which were the only ones we were ever permitted to attend.
accept an excuse for
From this reading Eh bien! my dear Eleanor, could you have thought of a better excuse for me?
FLORAnounUS /ˈflɔːrə/
all the plant life in a particular region or period
From this reading FROM LADY FLORA ARDENNE TO MISS ELEANOR TREVANION.
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading You know how fond we--ay, dearest, you as well as I--used to be of dancing, and how earnestly we were wont to anticipate those children's balls at my uncle's, which were the only ones we were ever permitted to attend.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Eh bien! my dear Eleanor, could you have thought of a better excuse for me?
set up or found
From this reading I found a stick the other day, on which I had cut seven notches, significant of seven days more to the next ball; we reckoned time by balls then, and danced chronologically.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading FROM LADY FLORA ARDENNE TO MISS ELEANOR TREVANION.
gayeties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You say that I have not written to you so punctually of late as I used to do before I came to London, and you impute my negligence to the gayeties and pleasures by which I am surrounded.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I found a stick the other day, on which I had cut seven notches, significant of seven days more to the next ball; we reckoned time by balls then, and danced chronologically.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading You say that I have not written to you so punctually of late as I used to do before I came to London, and you impute my negligence to the gayeties and pleasures by which I am surrounded.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You know how fond we--ay, dearest, you as well as I--used to be of dancing, and how earnestly we were wont to anticipate those children's balls at my uncle's, which were the only ones we were ever permitted to attend.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading You say that I have not written to you so punctually of late as I used to do before I came to London, and you impute my negligence to the gayeties and pleasures by which I am surrounded.
imputeverbUS /ˌɪmˈpjuːt/
attribute or credit to
From this reading You say that I have not written to you so punctually of late as I used to do before I came to London, and you impute my negligence to the gayeties and pleasures by which I am surrounded.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading You know how fond we--ay, dearest, you as well as I--used to be of dancing, and how earnestly we were wont to anticipate those children's balls at my uncle's, which were the only ones we were ever permitted to attend.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading FROM LADY FLORA ARDENNE TO MISS ELEANOR TREVANION.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading You say that I have not written to you so punctually of late as I used to do before I came to London, and you impute my negligence to the gayeties and pleasures by which I am surrounded.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading You say that I have not written to you so punctually of late as I used to do before I came to London, and you impute my negligence to the gayeties and pleasures by which I am surrounded.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Eh bien! my dear Eleanor, could you have thought of a better excuse for me?
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading FROM LADY FLORA ARDENNE TO MISS ELEANOR TREVANION.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading I found a stick the other day, on which I had cut seven notches, significant of seven days more to the next ball; we reckoned time by balls then, and danced chronologically.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading You say that I have not written to you so punctually of late as I used to do before I came to London, and you impute my negligence to the gayeties and pleasures by which I am surrounded.
negligencenounUS /ˈneɡlədʒəns/
failure to act with the prudence that a reasonable person would exercise under the same circumstances
From this reading You say that I have not written to you so punctually of late as I used to do before I came to London, and you impute my negligence to the gayeties and pleasures by which I am surrounded.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading I found a stick the other day, on which I had cut seven notches, significant of seven days more to the next ball; we reckoned time by balls then, and danced chronologically.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading You say that I have not written to you so punctually of late as I used to do before I came to London, and you impute my negligence to the gayeties and pleasures by which I am surrounded.
notchesnounUS /ˈnɑːtʃəz/
plural of “notch” — a V-shaped indentation
From this reading I found a stick the other day, on which I had cut seven notches, significant of seven days more to the next ball; we reckoned time by balls then, and danced chronologically.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading You say that I have not written to you so punctually of late as I used to do before I came to London, and you impute my negligence to the gayeties and pleasures by which I am surrounded.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I found a stick the other day, on which I had cut seven notches, significant of seven days more to the next ball; we reckoned time by balls then, and danced chronologically.
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading You know how fond we--ay, dearest, you as well as I--used to be of dancing, and how earnestly we were wont to anticipate those children's balls at my uncle's, which were the only ones we were ever permitted to attend.
and nothing more
From this reading You know how fond we--ay, dearest, you as well as I--used to be of dancing, and how earnestly we were wont to anticipate those children's balls at my uncle's, which were the only ones we were ever permitted to attend.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading I found a stick the other day, on which I had cut seven notches, significant of seven days more to the next ball; we reckoned time by balls then, and danced chronologically.
inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission
From this reading You know how fond we--ay, dearest, you as well as I--used to be of dancing, and how earnestly we were wont to anticipate those children's balls at my uncle's, which were the only ones we were ever permitted to attend.
pleasuresnounUS /ˈpleʒərz/
plural of “pleasure” — a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading You say that I have not written to you so punctually of late as I used to do before I came to London, and you impute my negligence to the gayeties and pleasures by which I am surrounded.
punctuallyadverb
at the expected or proper time
From this reading You say that I have not written to you so punctually of late as I used to do before I came to London, and you impute my negligence to the gayeties and pleasures by which I am surrounded.
reckonedverbUS /ˈrekənd/
past form of “reckon” — expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading I found a stick the other day, on which I had cut seven notches, significant of seven days more to the next ball; we reckoned time by balls then, and danced chronologically.
express in words
From this reading You say that I have not written to you so punctually of late as I used to do before I came to London, and you impute my negligence to the gayeties and pleasures by which I am surrounded.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading I found a stick the other day, on which I had cut seven notches, significant of seven days more to the next ball; we reckoned time by balls then, and danced chronologically.
significantadjectiveUS /səɡˈnɪfɪkənt/
important in effect or meaning
From this reading I found a stick the other day, on which I had cut seven notches, significant of seven days more to the next ball; we reckoned time by balls then, and danced chronologically.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading You say that I have not written to you so punctually of late as I used to do before I came to London, and you impute my negligence to the gayeties and pleasures by which I am surrounded.
put, fix, force, or implant
From this reading I found a stick the other day, on which I had cut seven notches, significant of seven days more to the next ball; we reckoned time by balls then, and danced chronologically.
confined on all sides
From this reading You say that I have not written to you so punctually of late as I used to do before I came to London, and you impute my negligence to the gayeties and pleasures by which I am surrounded.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading You say that I have not written to you so punctually of late as I used to do before I came to London, and you impute my negligence to the gayeties and pleasures by which I am surrounded.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading You say that I have not written to you so punctually of late as I used to do before I came to London, and you impute my negligence to the gayeties and pleasures by which I am surrounded.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading I found a stick the other day, on which I had cut seven notches, significant of seven days more to the next ball; we reckoned time by balls then, and danced chronologically.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading You know how fond we--ay, dearest, you as well as I--used to be of dancing, and how earnestly we were wont to anticipate those children's balls at my uncle's, which were the only ones we were ever permitted to attend.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Eh bien! my dear Eleanor, could you have thought of a better excuse for me?
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading I found a stick the other day, on which I had cut seven notches, significant of seven days more to the next ball; we reckoned time by balls then, and danced chronologically.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading FROM LADY FLORA ARDENNE TO MISS ELEANOR TREVANION.
TREVANION
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FROM LADY FLORA ARDENNE TO MISS ELEANOR TREVANION.
uncle'snounUS /ˈʌŋkəlz/
possessive form of “uncle” — the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading You know how fond we--ay, dearest, you as well as I--used to be of dancing, and how earnestly we were wont to anticipate those children's balls at my uncle's, which were the only ones we were ever permitted to attend.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading You say that I have not written to you so punctually of late as I used to do before I came to London, and you impute my negligence to the gayeties and pleasures by which I am surrounded.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading You know how fond we--ay, dearest, you as well as I--used to be of dancing, and how earnestly we were wont to anticipate those children's balls at my uncle's, which were the only ones we were ever permitted to attend.
(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 You know how fond we--ay, dearest, you as well as I--used to be of dancing, and how earnestly we were wont to anticipate those children's balls at my uncle's, which were the only ones we were ever permitted to attend.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading You know how fond we--ay, dearest, you as well as I--used to be of dancing, and how earnestly we were wont to anticipate those children's balls at my uncle's, which were the only ones we were ever permitted to attend.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading You say that I have not written to you so punctually of late as I used to do before I came to London, and you impute my negligence to the gayeties and pleasures by which I am surrounded.
wontnounUS /woʊnt/
an established custom
From this reading You know how fond we--ay, dearest, you as well as I--used to be of dancing, and how earnestly we were wont to anticipate those children's balls at my uncle's, which were the only ones we were ever permitted to attend.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading You say that I have not written to you so punctually of late as I used to do before I came to London, and you impute my negligence to the gayeties and pleasures by which I am surrounded.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading You say that I have not written to you so punctually of late as I used to do before I came to London, and you impute my negligence to the gayeties and pleasures by which I am surrounded.
