used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading John Allan's voice was harsher, more positive, than usual; his shoulders seemed to square themselves and a frowning brow hardened an always austere face.
the performance of a part or role in a drama
From this reading "Since it seems you have set your heart upon this thing, I do not forbid it; but remember, you are acting in direct opposition to my judgment and advice, and if you ever live to regret it (as I believe you shall) you will have no one but yourself to blame."
a proposal for an appropriate course of action
From this reading "Since it seems you have set your heart upon this thing, I do not forbid it; but remember, you are acting in direct opposition to my judgment and advice, and if you ever live to regret it (as I believe you shall) you will have no one but yourself to blame."
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading His whole manner was that of a man consenting against his will.
Allan's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading John Allan's voice was harsher, more positive, than usual; his shoulders seemed to square themselves and a frowning brow hardened an always austere face.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading John Allan's voice was harsher, more positive, than usual; his shoulders seemed to square themselves and a frowning brow hardened an always austere face.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading John Allan's voice was harsher, more positive, than usual; his shoulders seemed to square themselves and a frowning brow hardened an always austere face.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Since it seems you have set your heart upon this thing, I do not forbid it; but remember, you are acting in direct opposition to my judgment and advice, and if you ever live to regret it (as I believe you shall) you will have no one but yourself to blame."
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Since it seems you have set your heart upon this thing, I do not forbid it; but remember, you are acting in direct opposition to my judgment and advice, and if you ever live to regret it (as I believe you shall) you will have no one but yourself to blame."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Since it seems you have set your heart upon this thing, I do not forbid it; but remember, you are acting in direct opposition to my judgment and advice, and if you ever live to regret it (as I believe you shall) you will have no one but yourself to blame."
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Her soft and vivacious beauty was in striking contrast to the strength and severity of his rugged and at the same time distinguished countenance.
austereadjectiveUS /ɔːˈstɪr/
severely simple
From this reading John Allan's voice was harsher, more positive, than usual; his shoulders seemed to square themselves and a frowning brow hardened an always austere face.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading Her soft and vivacious beauty was in striking contrast to the strength and severity of his rugged and at the same time distinguished countenance.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading "Since it seems you have set your heart upon this thing, I do not forbid it; but remember, you are acting in direct opposition to my judgment and advice, and if you ever live to regret it (as I believe you shall) you will have no one but yourself to blame."
put or pin the blame on
From this reading "Since it seems you have set your heart upon this thing, I do not forbid it; but remember, you are acting in direct opposition to my judgment and advice, and if you ever live to regret it (as I believe you shall) you will have no one but yourself to blame."
bristlesnounUS /ˈbrɪsəlz/
plural of “bristle” — a stiff fiber (coarse hair or filament); natural or synthetic
From this reading His young wife hung over his chair vainly endeavoring to smooth, with little pats of her fair hands, the stubborn locks that _would_ stand on end, like the bristles of a brush, whatever she did.
the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading John Allan's voice was harsher, more positive, than usual; his shoulders seemed to square themselves and a frowning brow hardened an always austere face.
brushverbUS /brʌʃ/
rub with a brush, or as if with a brush
From this reading His young wife hung over his chair vainly endeavoring to smooth, with little pats of her fair hands, the stubborn locks that _would_ stand on end, like the bristles of a brush, whatever she did.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "Since it seems you have set your heart upon this thing, I do not forbid it; but remember, you are acting in direct opposition to my judgment and advice, and if you ever live to regret it (as I believe you shall) you will have no one but yourself to blame."
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading His young wife hung over his chair vainly endeavoring to smooth, with little pats of her fair hands, the stubborn locks that _would_ stand on end, like the bristles of a brush, whatever she did.
consentingadjectiveUS /kənˈsentɪŋ/
having given consent
From this reading His whole manner was that of a man consenting against his will.
contrastnounUS /ˈkɑːntræst/
the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared
From this reading Her soft and vivacious beauty was in striking contrast to the strength and severity of his rugged and at the same time distinguished countenance.
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading Her soft and vivacious beauty was in striking contrast to the strength and severity of his rugged and at the same time distinguished countenance.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading His young wife hung over his chair vainly endeavoring to smooth, with little pats of her fair hands, the stubborn locks that _would_ stand on end, like the bristles of a brush, whatever she did.
command with authority
From this reading "Since it seems you have set your heart upon this thing, I do not forbid it; but remember, you are acting in direct opposition to my judgment and advice, and if you ever live to regret it (as I believe you shall) you will have no one but yourself to blame."
(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation
From this reading Her soft and vivacious beauty was in striking contrast to the strength and severity of his rugged and at the same time distinguished countenance.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "Since it seems you have set your heart upon this thing, I do not forbid it; but remember, you are acting in direct opposition to my judgment and advice, and if you ever live to regret it (as I believe you shall) you will have no one but yourself to blame."
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading His young wife hung over his chair vainly endeavoring to smooth, with little pats of her fair hands, the stubborn locks that _would_ stand on end, like the bristles of a brush, whatever she did.
endeavoringverbUS /ɪnˈdevərɪŋ/
-ing form of “endeavor” — attempt by employing effort
From this reading His young wife hung over his chair vainly endeavoring to smooth, with little pats of her fair hands, the stubborn locks that _would_ stand on end, like the bristles of a brush, whatever she did.
at any time
From this reading "Since it seems you have set your heart upon this thing, I do not forbid it; but remember, you are acting in direct opposition to my judgment and advice, and if you ever live to regret it (as I believe you shall) you will have no one but yourself to blame."
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading John Allan's voice was harsher, more positive, than usual; his shoulders seemed to square themselves and a frowning brow hardened an always austere face.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading His young wife hung over his chair vainly endeavoring to smooth, with little pats of her fair hands, the stubborn locks that _would_ stand on end, like the bristles of a brush, whatever she did.
forbidverbUS /fərˈbɪd/
command against
From this reading "Since it seems you have set your heart upon this thing, I do not forbid it; but remember, you are acting in direct opposition to my judgment and advice, and if you ever live to regret it (as I believe you shall) you will have no one but yourself to blame."
frowningadjectiveUS /ˈfraʊnɪŋ/
showing displeasure or anger
From this reading John Allan's voice was harsher, more positive, than usual; his shoulders seemed to square themselves and a frowning brow hardened an always austere face.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading His young wife hung over his chair vainly endeavoring to smooth, with little pats of her fair hands, the stubborn locks that _would_ stand on end, like the bristles of a brush, whatever she did.
hardenedadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrdənd/
used of persons; emotionally hardened
From this reading John Allan's voice was harsher, more positive, than usual; his shoulders seemed to square themselves and a frowning brow hardened an always austere face.
harsheradjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrʃər/
comparative of “harsh” — unpleasantly stern
From this reading John Allan's voice was harsher, more positive, than usual; his shoulders seemed to square themselves and a frowning brow hardened an always austere face.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Since it seems you have set your heart upon this thing, I do not forbid it; but remember, you are acting in direct opposition to my judgment and advice, and if you ever live to regret it (as I believe you shall) you will have no one but yourself to blame."
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading "Since it seems you have set your heart upon this thing, I do not forbid it; but remember, you are acting in direct opposition to my judgment and advice, and if you ever live to regret it (as I believe you shall) you will have no one but yourself to blame."
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading His young wife hung over his chair vainly endeavoring to smooth, with little pats of her fair hands, the stubborn locks that _would_ stand on end, like the bristles of a brush, whatever she did.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading John Allan's voice was harsher, more positive, than usual; his shoulders seemed to square themselves and a frowning brow hardened an always austere face.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading His young wife hung over his chair vainly endeavoring to smooth, with little pats of her fair hands, the stubborn locks that _would_ stand on end, like the bristles of a brush, whatever she did.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Since it seems you have set your heart upon this thing, I do not forbid it; but remember, you are acting in direct opposition to my judgment and advice, and if you ever live to regret it (as I believe you shall) you will have no one but yourself to blame."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "Since it seems you have set your heart upon this thing, I do not forbid it; but remember, you are acting in direct opposition to my judgment and advice, and if you ever live to regret it (as I believe you shall) you will have no one but yourself to blame."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Since it seems you have set your heart upon this thing, I do not forbid it; but remember, you are acting in direct opposition to my judgment and advice, and if you ever live to regret it (as I believe you shall) you will have no one but yourself to blame."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Since it seems you have set your heart upon this thing, I do not forbid it; but remember, you are acting in direct opposition to my judgment and advice, and if you ever live to regret it (as I believe you shall) you will have no one but yourself to blame."
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading John Allan's voice was harsher, more positive, than usual; his shoulders seemed to square themselves and a frowning brow hardened an always austere face.
an opinion formed by judging something
From this reading "Since it seems you have set your heart upon this thing, I do not forbid it; but remember, you are acting in direct opposition to my judgment and advice, and if you ever live to regret it (as I believe you shall) you will have no one but yourself to blame."
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading His young wife hung over his chair vainly endeavoring to smooth, with little pats of her fair hands, the stubborn locks that _would_ stand on end, like the bristles of a brush, whatever she did.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading His young wife hung over his chair vainly endeavoring to smooth, with little pats of her fair hands, the stubborn locks that _would_ stand on end, like the bristles of a brush, whatever she did.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading "Since it seems you have set your heart upon this thing, I do not forbid it; but remember, you are acting in direct opposition to my judgment and advice, and if you ever live to regret it (as I believe you shall) you will have no one but yourself to blame."
locksnounUS /lɑːks/
plural of “lock” — a fastener fitted to a door or drawer to keep it firmly closed
From this reading His young wife hung over his chair vainly endeavoring to smooth, with little pats of her fair hands, the stubborn locks that _would_ stand on end, like the bristles of a brush, whatever she did.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading His whole manner was that of a man consenting against his will.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading His whole manner was that of a man consenting against his will.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading John Allan's voice was harsher, more positive, than usual; his shoulders seemed to square themselves and a frowning brow hardened an always austere face.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Since it seems you have set your heart upon this thing, I do not forbid it; but remember, you are acting in direct opposition to my judgment and advice, and if you ever live to regret it (as I believe you shall) you will have no one but yourself to blame."
not any; not one
From this reading "Since it seems you have set your heart upon this thing, I do not forbid it; but remember, you are acting in direct opposition to my judgment and advice, and if you ever live to regret it (as I believe you shall) you will have no one but yourself to blame."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Since it seems you have set your heart upon this thing, I do not forbid it; but remember, you are acting in direct opposition to my judgment and advice, and if you ever live to regret it (as I believe you shall) you will have no one but yourself to blame."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His whole manner was that of a man consenting against his will.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading His young wife hung over his chair vainly endeavoring to smooth, with little pats of her fair hands, the stubborn locks that _would_ stand on end, like the bristles of a brush, whatever she did.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "Since it seems you have set your heart upon this thing, I do not forbid it; but remember, you are acting in direct opposition to my judgment and advice, and if you ever live to regret it (as I believe you shall) you will have no one but yourself to blame."
oppositionnounUS /ˌɑːpəˈzɪʃən/
the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with
From this reading "Since it seems you have set your heart upon this thing, I do not forbid it; but remember, you are acting in direct opposition to my judgment and advice, and if you ever live to regret it (as I believe you shall) you will have no one but yourself to blame."
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading His young wife hung over his chair vainly endeavoring to smooth, with little pats of her fair hands, the stubborn locks that _would_ stand on end, like the bristles of a brush, whatever she did.
patsnounUS /pæts/
plural of “pat” — the sound made by a gentle blow
From this reading His young wife hung over his chair vainly endeavoring to smooth, with little pats of her fair hands, the stubborn locks that _would_ stand on end, like the bristles of a brush, whatever she did.
positiveadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːzətɪv/
characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance or certainty etc.
From this reading John Allan's voice was harsher, more positive, than usual; his shoulders seemed to square themselves and a frowning brow hardened an always austere face.
feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about
From this reading "Since it seems you have set your heart upon this thing, I do not forbid it; but remember, you are acting in direct opposition to my judgment and advice, and if you ever live to regret it (as I believe you shall) you will have no one but yourself to blame."
To recall to mind.
From this reading "Since it seems you have set your heart upon this thing, I do not forbid it; but remember, you are acting in direct opposition to my judgment and advice, and if you ever live to regret it (as I believe you shall) you will have no one but yourself to blame."
ruggedadjectiveUS /ˈrʌɡəd/
sturdy and strong in constitution or construction; enduring
From this reading Her soft and vivacious beauty was in striking contrast to the strength and severity of his rugged and at the same time distinguished countenance.
Identical; not different.
From this reading Her soft and vivacious beauty was in striking contrast to the strength and severity of his rugged and at the same time distinguished countenance.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading John Allan's voice was harsher, more positive, than usual; his shoulders seemed to square themselves and a frowning brow hardened an always austere face.
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading "Since it seems you have set your heart upon this thing, I do not forbid it; but remember, you are acting in direct opposition to my judgment and advice, and if you ever live to regret it (as I believe you shall) you will have no one but yourself to blame."
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading "Since it seems you have set your heart upon this thing, I do not forbid it; but remember, you are acting in direct opposition to my judgment and advice, and if you ever live to regret it (as I believe you shall) you will have no one but yourself to blame."
severitynounUS /sɪˈverɪti/
used of the degree of something undesirable e.g. pain or weather
From this reading Her soft and vivacious beauty was in striking contrast to the strength and severity of his rugged and at the same time distinguished countenance.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading "Since it seems you have set your heart upon this thing, I do not forbid it; but remember, you are acting in direct opposition to my judgment and advice, and if you ever live to regret it (as I believe you shall) you will have no one but yourself to blame."
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His young wife hung over his chair vainly endeavoring to smooth, with little pats of her fair hands, the stubborn locks that _would_ stand on end, like the bristles of a brush, whatever she did.
plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm
From this reading John Allan's voice was harsher, more positive, than usual; his shoulders seemed to square themselves and a frowning brow hardened an always austere face.
SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading "Since it seems you have set your heart upon this thing, I do not forbid it; but remember, you are acting in direct opposition to my judgment and advice, and if you ever live to regret it (as I believe you shall) you will have no one but yourself to blame."
having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
From this reading His young wife hung over his chair vainly endeavoring to smooth, with little pats of her fair hands, the stubborn locks that _would_ stand on end, like the bristles of a brush, whatever she did.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading Her soft and vivacious beauty was in striking contrast to the strength and severity of his rugged and at the same time distinguished countenance.
make square
From this reading John Allan's voice was harsher, more positive, than usual; his shoulders seemed to square themselves and a frowning brow hardened an always austere face.
be standing; be upright
From this reading His young wife hung over his chair vainly endeavoring to smooth, with little pats of her fair hands, the stubborn locks that _would_ stand on end, like the bristles of a brush, whatever she did.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading Her soft and vivacious beauty was in striking contrast to the strength and severity of his rugged and at the same time distinguished countenance.
sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect
From this reading Her soft and vivacious beauty was in striking contrast to the strength and severity of his rugged and at the same time distinguished countenance.
stubbornadjectiveUS /ˈstʌbərn/
tenaciously unwilling or marked by tenacious unwillingness to yield
From this reading His young wife hung over his chair vainly endeavoring to smooth, with little pats of her fair hands, the stubborn locks that _would_ stand on end, like the bristles of a brush, whatever she did.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading John Allan's voice was harsher, more positive, than usual; his shoulders seemed to square themselves and a frowning brow hardened an always austere face.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading His whole manner was that of a man consenting against his will.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading His young wife hung over his chair vainly endeavoring to smooth, with little pats of her fair hands, the stubborn locks that _would_ stand on end, like the bristles of a brush, whatever she did.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading John Allan's voice was harsher, more positive, than usual; his shoulders seemed to square themselves and a frowning brow hardened an always austere face.
a special situation
From this reading "Since it seems you have set your heart upon this thing, I do not forbid it; but remember, you are acting in direct opposition to my judgment and advice, and if you ever live to regret it (as I believe you shall) you will have no one but yourself to blame."
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "Since it seems you have set your heart upon this thing, I do not forbid it; but remember, you are acting in direct opposition to my judgment and advice, and if you ever live to regret it (as I believe you shall) you will have no one but yourself to blame."
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Her soft and vivacious beauty was in striking contrast to the strength and severity of his rugged and at the same time distinguished countenance.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Since it seems you have set your heart upon this thing, I do not forbid it; but remember, you are acting in direct opposition to my judgment and advice, and if you ever live to regret it (as I believe you shall) you will have no one but yourself to blame."
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading "Since it seems you have set your heart upon this thing, I do not forbid it; but remember, you are acting in direct opposition to my judgment and advice, and if you ever live to regret it (as I believe you shall) you will have no one but yourself to blame."
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading John Allan's voice was harsher, more positive, than usual; his shoulders seemed to square themselves and a frowning brow hardened an always austere face.
vainlyadverbUS /ˈveɪnli/
to no avail
From this reading His young wife hung over his chair vainly endeavoring to smooth, with little pats of her fair hands, the stubborn locks that _would_ stand on end, like the bristles of a brush, whatever she did.
vivaciousadjectiveUS /vəˈveɪʃəs/
vigorous and animated
From this reading Her soft and vivacious beauty was in striking contrast to the strength and severity of his rugged and at the same time distinguished countenance.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading John Allan's voice was harsher, more positive, than usual; his shoulders seemed to square themselves and a frowning brow hardened an always austere face.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading John Allan's voice was harsher, more positive, than usual; his shoulders seemed to square themselves and a frowning brow hardened an always austere face.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading His young wife hung over his chair vainly endeavoring to smooth, with little pats of her fair hands, the stubborn locks that _would_ stand on end, like the bristles of a brush, whatever she did.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading His whole manner was that of a man consenting against his will.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading His young wife hung over his chair vainly endeavoring to smooth, with little pats of her fair hands, the stubborn locks that _would_ stand on end, like the bristles of a brush, whatever she did.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "Since it seems you have set your heart upon this thing, I do not forbid it; but remember, you are acting in direct opposition to my judgment and advice, and if you ever live to regret it (as I believe you shall) you will have no one but yourself to blame."
in the company of; together with
From this reading His young wife hung over his chair vainly endeavoring to smooth, with little pats of her fair hands, the stubborn locks that _would_ stand on end, like the bristles of a brush, whatever she did.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading His young wife hung over his chair vainly endeavoring to smooth, with little pats of her fair hands, the stubborn locks that _would_ stand on end, like the bristles of a brush, whatever she did.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Since it seems you have set your heart upon this thing, I do not forbid it; but remember, you are acting in direct opposition to my judgment and advice, and if you ever live to regret it (as I believe you shall) you will have no one but yourself to blame."
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading His young wife hung over his chair vainly endeavoring to smooth, with little pats of her fair hands, the stubborn locks that _would_ stand on end, like the bristles of a brush, whatever she did.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Since it seems you have set your heart upon this thing, I do not forbid it; but remember, you are acting in direct opposition to my judgment and advice, and if you ever live to regret it (as I believe you shall) you will have no one but yourself to blame."
used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action
From this reading "Since it seems you have set your heart upon this thing, I do not forbid it; but remember, you are acting in direct opposition to my judgment and advice, and if you ever live to regret it (as I believe you shall) you will have no one but yourself to blame."
