used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a simple proposal of marriage from the lips of a man I respected and liked; a man of talent, and wealth and position, who flattered me by so generous an offer of his love.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There was a glow of fire about his sentiment, mine had none, and yet I could not have given him up at that moment for all the world.
(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 There was a glow of fire about his sentiment, mine had none, and yet I could not have given him up at that moment for all the world.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was a simple proposal of marriage from the lips of a man I respected and liked; a man of talent, and wealth and position, who flattered me by so generous an offer of his love.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Next day Arthur Campbell came to see me, as he had said, and in Cousin Bessie's humble little parlor, by the cheerful glowing embers, asked me to become his wife.
elected vice president and became 21st President of the United States when Garfield was assassinated (1830-1886)
From this reading Next day Arthur Campbell came to see me, as he had said, and in Cousin Bessie's humble little parlor, by the cheerful glowing embers, asked me to become his wife.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Next day Arthur Campbell came to see me, as he had said, and in Cousin Bessie's humble little parlor, by the cheerful glowing embers, asked me to become his wife.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Next day Arthur Campbell came to see me, as he had said, and in Cousin Bessie's humble little parlor, by the cheerful glowing embers, asked me to become his wife.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There was a glow of fire about his sentiment, mine had none, and yet I could not have given him up at that moment for all the world.
be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.
From this reading There was no thrill or joy for me in the sound of his earnest voice, no definite sensation of that happiness which is said to attend this circumstance, no prospect of golden pleasures in the near future, that would find us united in these holy bonds.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I might have known it--perhaps I did know it, in spite of my wilful perverseness in denying it to myself, but I had not imagined it to be like this.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Next day Arthur Campbell came to see me, as he had said, and in Cousin Bessie's humble little parlor, by the cheerful glowing embers, asked me to become his wife.
Bessie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next day Arthur Campbell came to see me, as he had said, and in Cousin Bessie's humble little parlor, by the cheerful glowing embers, asked me to become his wife.
bondsnounUS /bɑːndz/
plural of “bond” — an electrical force linking atoms
From this reading There was no thrill or joy for me in the sound of his earnest voice, no definite sensation of that happiness which is said to attend this circumstance, no prospect of golden pleasures in the near future, that would find us united in these holy bonds.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I might have known it--perhaps I did know it, in spite of my wilful perverseness in denying it to myself, but I had not imagined it to be like this.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Next day Arthur Campbell came to see me, as he had said, and in Cousin Bessie's humble little parlor, by the cheerful glowing embers, asked me to become his wife.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Next day Arthur Campbell came to see me, as he had said, and in Cousin Bessie's humble little parlor, by the cheerful glowing embers, asked me to become his wife.
CampbellnounUS /ˈkæmbəl/
United States mythologist (1904-1987)
From this reading Next day Arthur Campbell came to see me, as he had said, and in Cousin Bessie's humble little parlor, by the cheerful glowing embers, asked me to become his wife.
being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits
From this reading Next day Arthur Campbell came to see me, as he had said, and in Cousin Bessie's humble little parlor, by the cheerful glowing embers, asked me to become his wife.
a condition that accompanies or influences some event or activity
From this reading There was no thrill or joy for me in the sound of his earnest voice, no definite sensation of that happiness which is said to attend this circumstance, no prospect of golden pleasures in the near future, that would find us united in these holy bonds.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading There was a glow of fire about his sentiment, mine had none, and yet I could not have given him up at that moment for all the world.
the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading Next day Arthur Campbell came to see me, as he had said, and in Cousin Bessie's humble little parlor, by the cheerful glowing embers, asked me to become his wife.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Next day Arthur Campbell came to see me, as he had said, and in Cousin Bessie's humble little parlor, by the cheerful glowing embers, asked me to become his wife.
definiteadjectiveUS /ˈdefənət/
precise; explicit and clearly defined
From this reading There was no thrill or joy for me in the sound of his earnest voice, no definite sensation of that happiness which is said to attend this circumstance, no prospect of golden pleasures in the near future, that would find us united in these holy bonds.
denyingverbUS /dɪˈnaɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “deny” — declare untrue; contradict
From this reading I might have known it--perhaps I did know it, in spite of my wilful perverseness in denying it to myself, but I had not imagined it to be like this.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading I might have known it--perhaps I did know it, in spite of my wilful perverseness in denying it to myself, but I had not imagined it to be like this.
characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions
From this reading There was no thrill or joy for me in the sound of his earnest voice, no definite sensation of that happiness which is said to attend this circumstance, no prospect of golden pleasures in the near future, that would find us united in these holy bonds.
embersnounUS /ˈembərz/
plural of “ember” — a hot fragment of wood or coal that is left from a fire and is glowing or smoldering
From this reading Next day Arthur Campbell came to see me, as he had said, and in Cousin Bessie's humble little parlor, by the cheerful glowing embers, asked me to become his wife.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading There was no thrill or joy for me in the sound of his earnest voice, no definite sensation of that happiness which is said to attend this circumstance, no prospect of golden pleasures in the near future, that would find us united in these holy bonds.
start firing a weapon
From this reading There was a glow of fire about his sentiment, mine had none, and yet I could not have given him up at that moment for all the world.
flatteredverbUS /ˈflætərd/
past form of “flatter” — praise somewhat dishonestly
From this reading It was a simple proposal of marriage from the lips of a man I respected and liked; a man of talent, and wealth and position, who flattered me by so generous an offer of his love.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There was no thrill or joy for me in the sound of his earnest voice, no definite sensation of that happiness which is said to attend this circumstance, no prospect of golden pleasures in the near future, that would find us united in these holy bonds.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was a simple proposal of marriage from the lips of a man I respected and liked; a man of talent, and wealth and position, who flattered me by so generous an offer of his love.
yet to be or coming
From this reading There was no thrill or joy for me in the sound of his earnest voice, no definite sensation of that happiness which is said to attend this circumstance, no prospect of golden pleasures in the near future, that would find us united in these holy bonds.
willing to give and share unstintingly
From this reading It was a simple proposal of marriage from the lips of a man I respected and liked; a man of talent, and wealth and position, who flattered me by so generous an offer of his love.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading There was a glow of fire about his sentiment, mine had none, and yet I could not have given him up at that moment for all the world.
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading There was a glow of fire about his sentiment, mine had none, and yet I could not have given him up at that moment for all the world.
glowingadjectiveUS /ˈɡloʊɪŋ/
highly enthusiastic
From this reading Next day Arthur Campbell came to see me, as he had said, and in Cousin Bessie's humble little parlor, by the cheerful glowing embers, asked me to become his wife.
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading There was no thrill or joy for me in the sound of his earnest voice, no definite sensation of that happiness which is said to attend this circumstance, no prospect of golden pleasures in the near future, that would find us united in these holy bonds.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Next day Arthur Campbell came to see me, as he had said, and in Cousin Bessie's humble little parlor, by the cheerful glowing embers, asked me to become his wife.
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading There was no thrill or joy for me in the sound of his earnest voice, no definite sensation of that happiness which is said to attend this circumstance, no prospect of golden pleasures in the near future, that would find us united in these holy bonds.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I might have known it--perhaps I did know it, in spite of my wilful perverseness in denying it to myself, but I had not imagined it to be like this.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Next day Arthur Campbell came to see me, as he had said, and in Cousin Bessie's humble little parlor, by the cheerful glowing embers, asked me to become his wife.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There was a glow of fire about his sentiment, mine had none, and yet I could not have given him up at that moment for all the world.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Next day Arthur Campbell came to see me, as he had said, and in Cousin Bessie's humble little parlor, by the cheerful glowing embers, asked me to become his wife.
a sacred place of pilgrimage
From this reading There was no thrill or joy for me in the sound of his earnest voice, no definite sensation of that happiness which is said to attend this circumstance, no prospect of golden pleasures in the near future, that would find us united in these holy bonds.
low or inferior in station or quality
From this reading Next day Arthur Campbell came to see me, as he had said, and in Cousin Bessie's humble little parlor, by the cheerful glowing embers, asked me to become his wife.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I might have known it--perhaps I did know it, in spite of my wilful perverseness in denying it to myself, but I had not imagined it to be like this.
past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading I might have known it--perhaps I did know it, in spite of my wilful perverseness in denying it to myself, but I had not imagined it to be like this.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Next day Arthur Campbell came to see me, as he had said, and in Cousin Bessie's humble little parlor, by the cheerful glowing embers, asked me to become his wife.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was no thrill or joy for me in the sound of his earnest voice, no definite sensation of that happiness which is said to attend this circumstance, no prospect of golden pleasures in the near future, that would find us united in these holy bonds.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I might have known it--perhaps I did know it, in spite of my wilful perverseness in denying it to myself, but I had not imagined it to be like this.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading There was no thrill or joy for me in the sound of his earnest voice, no definite sensation of that happiness which is said to attend this circumstance, no prospect of golden pleasures in the near future, that would find us united in these holy bonds.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading I might have known it--perhaps I did know it, in spite of my wilful perverseness in denying it to myself, but I had not imagined it to be like this.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading I might have known it--perhaps I did know it, in spite of my wilful perverseness in denying it to myself, but I had not imagined it to be like this.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading I might have known it--perhaps I did know it, in spite of my wilful perverseness in denying it to myself, but I had not imagined it to be like this.
found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form
From this reading It was a simple proposal of marriage from the lips of a man I respected and liked; a man of talent, and wealth and position, who flattered me by so generous an offer of his love.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading It was a simple proposal of marriage from the lips of a man I respected and liked; a man of talent, and wealth and position, who flattered me by so generous an offer of his love.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Next day Arthur Campbell came to see me, as he had said, and in Cousin Bessie's humble little parlor, by the cheerful glowing embers, asked me to become his wife.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading It was a simple proposal of marriage from the lips of a man I respected and liked; a man of talent, and wealth and position, who flattered me by so generous an offer of his love.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading It was a simple proposal of marriage from the lips of a man I respected and liked; a man of talent, and wealth and position, who flattered me by so generous an offer of his love.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading It was a simple proposal of marriage from the lips of a man I respected and liked; a man of talent, and wealth and position, who flattered me by so generous an offer of his love.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Next day Arthur Campbell came to see me, as he had said, and in Cousin Bessie's humble little parlor, by the cheerful glowing embers, asked me to become his wife.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading I might have known it--perhaps I did know it, in spite of my wilful perverseness in denying it to myself, but I had not imagined it to be like this.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading There was a glow of fire about his sentiment, mine had none, and yet I could not have given him up at that moment for all the world.
a particular point in time
From this reading There was a glow of fire about his sentiment, mine had none, and yet I could not have given him up at that moment for all the world.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I might have known it--perhaps I did know it, in spite of my wilful perverseness in denying it to myself, but I had not imagined it to be like this.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading I might have known it--perhaps I did know it, in spite of my wilful perverseness in denying it to myself, but I had not imagined it to be like this.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading There was no thrill or joy for me in the sound of his earnest voice, no definite sensation of that happiness which is said to attend this circumstance, no prospect of golden pleasures in the near future, that would find us united in these holy bonds.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Next day Arthur Campbell came to see me, as he had said, and in Cousin Bessie's humble little parlor, by the cheerful glowing embers, asked me to become his wife.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no thrill or joy for me in the sound of his earnest voice, no definite sensation of that happiness which is said to attend this circumstance, no prospect of golden pleasures in the near future, that would find us united in these holy bonds.
not one, and not any
From this reading There was a glow of fire about his sentiment, mine had none, and yet I could not have given him up at that moment for all the world.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I might have known it--perhaps I did know it, in spite of my wilful perverseness in denying it to myself, but I had not imagined it to be like this.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I might have known it--perhaps I did know it, in spite of my wilful perverseness in denying it to myself, but I had not imagined it to be like this.
make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading It was a simple proposal of marriage from the lips of a man I respected and liked; a man of talent, and wealth and position, who flattered me by so generous an offer of his love.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading There was no thrill or joy for me in the sound of his earnest voice, no definite sensation of that happiness which is said to attend this circumstance, no prospect of golden pleasures in the near future, that would find us united in these holy bonds.
parlornounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading Next day Arthur Campbell came to see me, as he had said, and in Cousin Bessie's humble little parlor, by the cheerful glowing embers, asked me to become his wife.
by chance
From this reading I might have known it--perhaps I did know it, in spite of my wilful perverseness in denying it to myself, but I had not imagined it to be like this.
perversenessnoun
deliberate and stubborn unruliness and resistance to guidance or discipline
From this reading I might have known it--perhaps I did know it, in spite of my wilful perverseness in denying it to myself, but I had not imagined it to be like this.
pleasuresnounUS /ˈpleʒərz/
plural of “pleasure” — a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading There was no thrill or joy for me in the sound of his earnest voice, no definite sensation of that happiness which is said to attend this circumstance, no prospect of golden pleasures in the near future, that would find us united in these holy bonds.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading It was a simple proposal of marriage from the lips of a man I respected and liked; a man of talent, and wealth and position, who flattered me by so generous an offer of his love.
proposalnounUS /prəˈpoʊzəl/
something proposed (such as a plan or assumption)
From this reading It was a simple proposal of marriage from the lips of a man I respected and liked; a man of talent, and wealth and position, who flattered me by so generous an offer of his love.
the possibility of future success
From this reading There was no thrill or joy for me in the sound of his earnest voice, no definite sensation of that happiness which is said to attend this circumstance, no prospect of golden pleasures in the near future, that would find us united in these holy bonds.
respectedadjectiveUS /rɪˈspektɪd/
receiving deferential regard
From this reading It was a simple proposal of marriage from the lips of a man I respected and liked; a man of talent, and wealth and position, who flattered me by so generous an offer of his love.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Next day Arthur Campbell came to see me, as he had said, and in Cousin Bessie's humble little parlor, by the cheerful glowing embers, asked me to become his wife.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Next day Arthur Campbell came to see me, as he had said, and in Cousin Bessie's humble little parlor, by the cheerful glowing embers, asked me to become his wife.
an unelaborated elementary awareness of stimulation
From this reading There was no thrill or joy for me in the sound of his earnest voice, no definite sensation of that happiness which is said to attend this circumstance, no prospect of golden pleasures in the near future, that would find us united in these holy bonds.
tender, romantic, or nostalgic feeling or emotion
From this reading There was a glow of fire about his sentiment, mine had none, and yet I could not have given him up at that moment for all the world.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading It was a simple proposal of marriage from the lips of a man I respected and liked; a man of talent, and wealth and position, who flattered me by so generous an offer of his love.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was a simple proposal of marriage from the lips of a man I respected and liked; a man of talent, and wealth and position, who flattered me by so generous an offer of his love.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading There was no thrill or joy for me in the sound of his earnest voice, no definite sensation of that happiness which is said to attend this circumstance, no prospect of golden pleasures in the near future, that would find us united in these holy bonds.
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading I might have known it--perhaps I did know it, in spite of my wilful perverseness in denying it to myself, but I had not imagined it to be like this.
talentnounUS /ˈtælənt/
natural abilities or qualities
From this reading It was a simple proposal of marriage from the lips of a man I respected and liked; a man of talent, and wealth and position, who flattered me by so generous an offer of his love.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was no thrill or joy for me in the sound of his earnest voice, no definite sensation of that happiness which is said to attend this circumstance, no prospect of golden pleasures in the near future, that would find us united in these holy bonds.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Next day Arthur Campbell came to see me, as he had said, and in Cousin Bessie's humble little parlor, by the cheerful glowing embers, asked me to become his wife.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no thrill or joy for me in the sound of his earnest voice, no definite sensation of that happiness which is said to attend this circumstance, no prospect of golden pleasures in the near future, that would find us united in these holy bonds.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading There was no thrill or joy for me in the sound of his earnest voice, no definite sensation of that happiness which is said to attend this circumstance, no prospect of golden pleasures in the near future, that would find us united in these holy bonds.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading I might have known it--perhaps I did know it, in spite of my wilful perverseness in denying it to myself, but I had not imagined it to be like this.
thrillnounUS /θrɪl/
the swift release of a store of affective force
From this reading There was no thrill or joy for me in the sound of his earnest voice, no definite sensation of that happiness which is said to attend this circumstance, no prospect of golden pleasures in the near future, that would find us united in these holy bonds.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Next day Arthur Campbell came to see me, as he had said, and in Cousin Bessie's humble little parlor, by the cheerful glowing embers, asked me to become his wife.
unitedadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/
characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity
From this reading There was no thrill or joy for me in the sound of his earnest voice, no definite sensation of that happiness which is said to attend this circumstance, no prospect of golden pleasures in the near future, that would find us united in these holy bonds.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading There was a glow of fire about his sentiment, mine had none, and yet I could not have given him up at that moment for all the world.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There was no thrill or joy for me in the sound of his earnest voice, no definite sensation of that happiness which is said to attend this circumstance, no prospect of golden pleasures in the near future, that would find us united in these holy bonds.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading There was no thrill or joy for me in the sound of his earnest voice, no definite sensation of that happiness which is said to attend this circumstance, no prospect of golden pleasures in the near future, that would find us united in these holy bonds.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was no thrill or joy for me in the sound of his earnest voice, no definite sensation of that happiness which is said to attend this circumstance, no prospect of golden pleasures in the near future, that would find us united in these holy bonds.
the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money
From this reading It was a simple proposal of marriage from the lips of a man I respected and liked; a man of talent, and wealth and position, who flattered me by so generous an offer of his love.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There was no thrill or joy for me in the sound of his earnest voice, no definite sensation of that happiness which is said to attend this circumstance, no prospect of golden pleasures in the near future, that would find us united in these holy bonds.
which person or people
From this reading It was a simple proposal of marriage from the lips of a man I respected and liked; a man of talent, and wealth and position, who flattered me by so generous an offer of his love.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Next day Arthur Campbell came to see me, as he had said, and in Cousin Bessie's humble little parlor, by the cheerful glowing embers, asked me to become his wife.
wilfuladjective
done by design
From this reading I might have known it--perhaps I did know it, in spite of my wilful perverseness in denying it to myself, but I had not imagined it to be like this.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading There was a glow of fire about his sentiment, mine had none, and yet I could not have given him up at that moment for all the world.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading There was no thrill or joy for me in the sound of his earnest voice, no definite sensation of that happiness which is said to attend this circumstance, no prospect of golden pleasures in the near future, that would find us united in these holy bonds.
but in spite of that
From this reading There was a glow of fire about his sentiment, mine had none, and yet I could not have given him up at that moment for all the world.
