used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But the Duchess’s thoughts were of a more serious kind, and it was she who through all had the most difficult part to play.
(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 But the Duchess’s thoughts were of a more serious kind, and it was she who through all had the most difficult part to play.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She would have preferred, need it be said, another set of strawberry-leaves; or even an earl with a good estate would have seemed to her a more suitable match.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But the Duchess’s thoughts were of a more serious kind, and it was she who through all had the most difficult part to play.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading She would have preferred, need it be said, another set of strawberry-leaves; or even an earl with a good estate would have seemed to her a more suitable match.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading But as the years went on, and it became apparent to her that what with Lady Jane’s own visionary stateliness, and the known folly of her father, it was quite possible that there might be no match for her daughter at all, her ideas were sensibly modified.
ARTauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading THE ART OF STRATEGY.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Perhaps five or six years before, when Lady Jane was in the first bloom of womanhood, her mother would have thought but little of Reginald Winton as a husband for her child.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But as the years went on, and it became apparent to her that what with Lady Jane’s own visionary stateliness, and the known folly of her father, it was quite possible that there might be no match for her daughter at all, her ideas were sensibly modified.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She would have preferred, need it be said, another set of strawberry-leaves; or even an earl with a good estate would have seemed to her a more suitable match.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading But as the years went on, and it became apparent to her that what with Lady Jane’s own visionary stateliness, and the known folly of her father, it was quite possible that there might be no match for her daughter at all, her ideas were sensibly modified.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Perhaps five or six years before, when Lady Jane was in the first bloom of womanhood, her mother would have thought but little of Reginald Winton as a husband for her child.
bloomnounUS /bluːm/
the organic process of bearing flowers
From this reading Perhaps five or six years before, when Lady Jane was in the first bloom of womanhood, her mother would have thought but little of Reginald Winton as a husband for her child.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the Duchess’s thoughts were of a more serious kind, and it was she who through all had the most difficult part to play.
a young person of either sex
From this reading Perhaps five or six years before, when Lady Jane was in the first bloom of womanhood, her mother would have thought but little of Reginald Winton as a husband for her child.
a female human offspring
From this reading But as the years went on, and it became apparent to her that what with Lady Jane’s own visionary stateliness, and the known folly of her father, it was quite possible that there might be no match for her daughter at all, her ideas were sensibly modified.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading But the Duchess’s thoughts were of a more serious kind, and it was she who through all had the most difficult part to play.
Duchess's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the Duchess’s thoughts were of a more serious kind, and it was she who through all had the most difficult part to play.
a British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount
From this reading She would have preferred, need it be said, another set of strawberry-leaves; or even an earl with a good estate would have seemed to her a more suitable match.
everything you own; all of your assets (whether real property or personal property) and liabilities
From this reading She would have preferred, need it be said, another set of strawberry-leaves; or even an earl with a good estate would have seemed to her a more suitable match.
divisible by two
From this reading She would have preferred, need it be said, another set of strawberry-leaves; or even an earl with a good estate would have seemed to her a more suitable match.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading But as the years went on, and it became apparent to her that what with Lady Jane’s own visionary stateliness, and the known folly of her father, it was quite possible that there might be no match for her daughter at all, her ideas were sensibly modified.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Perhaps five or six years before, when Lady Jane was in the first bloom of womanhood, her mother would have thought but little of Reginald Winton as a husband for her child.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading Perhaps five or six years before, when Lady Jane was in the first bloom of womanhood, her mother would have thought but little of Reginald Winton as a husband for her child.
the trait of acting stupidly or rashly
From this reading But as the years went on, and it became apparent to her that what with Lady Jane’s own visionary stateliness, and the known folly of her father, it was quite possible that there might be no match for her daughter at all, her ideas were sensibly modified.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Perhaps five or six years before, when Lady Jane was in the first bloom of womanhood, her mother would have thought but little of Reginald Winton as a husband for her child.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading She would have preferred, need it be said, another set of strawberry-leaves; or even an earl with a good estate would have seemed to her a more suitable match.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But the Duchess’s thoughts were of a more serious kind, and it was she who through all had the most difficult part to play.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Perhaps five or six years before, when Lady Jane was in the first bloom of womanhood, her mother would have thought but little of Reginald Winton as a husband for her child.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Perhaps five or six years before, when Lady Jane was in the first bloom of womanhood, her mother would have thought but little of Reginald Winton as a husband for her child.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Perhaps five or six years before, when Lady Jane was in the first bloom of womanhood, her mother would have thought but little of Reginald Winton as a husband for her child.
plural of “idea” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading But as the years went on, and it became apparent to her that what with Lady Jane’s own visionary stateliness, and the known folly of her father, it was quite possible that there might be no match for her daughter at all, her ideas were sensibly modified.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Perhaps five or six years before, when Lady Jane was in the first bloom of womanhood, her mother would have thought but little of Reginald Winton as a husband for her child.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But the Duchess’s thoughts were of a more serious kind, and it was she who through all had the most difficult part to play.
Jane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps five or six years before, when Lady Jane was in the first bloom of womanhood, her mother would have thought but little of Reginald Winton as a husband for her child.
Jane's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the years went on, and it became apparent to her that what with Lady Jane’s own visionary stateliness, and the known folly of her father, it was quite possible that there might be no match for her daughter at all, her ideas were sensibly modified.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading But the Duchess’s thoughts were of a more serious kind, and it was she who through all had the most difficult part to play.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading But as the years went on, and it became apparent to her that what with Lady Jane’s own visionary stateliness, and the known folly of her father, it was quite possible that there might be no match for her daughter at all, her ideas were sensibly modified.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Perhaps five or six years before, when Lady Jane was in the first bloom of womanhood, her mother would have thought but little of Reginald Winton as a husband for her child.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Perhaps five or six years before, when Lady Jane was in the first bloom of womanhood, her mother would have thought but little of Reginald Winton as a husband for her child.
be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
From this reading She would have preferred, need it be said, another set of strawberry-leaves; or even an earl with a good estate would have seemed to her a more suitable match.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading But as the years went on, and it became apparent to her that what with Lady Jane’s own visionary stateliness, and the known folly of her father, it was quite possible that there might be no match for her daughter at all, her ideas were sensibly modified.
modifiedadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːdəfaɪd/
changed in form or character
From this reading But as the years went on, and it became apparent to her that what with Lady Jane’s own visionary stateliness, and the known folly of her father, it was quite possible that there might be no match for her daughter at all, her ideas were sensibly modified.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But the Duchess’s thoughts were of a more serious kind, and it was she who through all had the most difficult part to play.
used to form the superlative
From this reading But the Duchess’s thoughts were of a more serious kind, and it was she who through all had the most difficult part to play.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Perhaps five or six years before, when Lady Jane was in the first bloom of womanhood, her mother would have thought but little of Reginald Winton as a husband for her child.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading She would have preferred, need it be said, another set of strawberry-leaves; or even an earl with a good estate would have seemed to her a more suitable match.
not any; not one
From this reading But as the years went on, and it became apparent to her that what with Lady Jane’s own visionary stateliness, and the known folly of her father, it was quite possible that there might be no match for her daughter at all, her ideas were sensibly modified.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE ART OF STRATEGY.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But as the years went on, and it became apparent to her that what with Lady Jane’s own visionary stateliness, and the known folly of her father, it was quite possible that there might be no match for her daughter at all, her ideas were sensibly modified.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Perhaps five or six years before, when Lady Jane was in the first bloom of womanhood, her mother would have thought but little of Reginald Winton as a husband for her child.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading But as the years went on, and it became apparent to her that what with Lady Jane’s own visionary stateliness, and the known folly of her father, it was quite possible that there might be no match for her daughter at all, her ideas were sensibly modified.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading But the Duchess’s thoughts were of a more serious kind, and it was she who through all had the most difficult part to play.
by chance
From this reading Perhaps five or six years before, when Lady Jane was in the first bloom of womanhood, her mother would have thought but little of Reginald Winton as a husband for her child.
participate in games or sport
From this reading But the Duchess’s thoughts were of a more serious kind, and it was she who through all had the most difficult part to play.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading But as the years went on, and it became apparent to her that what with Lady Jane’s own visionary stateliness, and the known folly of her father, it was quite possible that there might be no match for her daughter at all, her ideas were sensibly modified.
preferredadjectiveUS /prəˈfɜːrd/
more desirable than another
From this reading She would have preferred, need it be said, another set of strawberry-leaves; or even an earl with a good estate would have seemed to her a more suitable match.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading But as the years went on, and it became apparent to her that what with Lady Jane’s own visionary stateliness, and the known folly of her father, it was quite possible that there might be no match for her daughter at all, her ideas were sensibly modified.
Reginald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps five or six years before, when Lady Jane was in the first bloom of womanhood, her mother would have thought but little of Reginald Winton as a husband for her child.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading She would have preferred, need it be said, another set of strawberry-leaves; or even an earl with a good estate would have seemed to her a more suitable match.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading She would have preferred, need it be said, another set of strawberry-leaves; or even an earl with a good estate would have seemed to her a more suitable match.
sensiblyadverbUS /ˈsensəbli/
with good sense or in a reasonable or intelligent manner
From this reading But as the years went on, and it became apparent to her that what with Lady Jane’s own visionary stateliness, and the known folly of her father, it was quite possible that there might be no match for her daughter at all, her ideas were sensibly modified.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading But the Duchess’s thoughts were of a more serious kind, and it was she who through all had the most difficult part to play.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading She would have preferred, need it be said, another set of strawberry-leaves; or even an earl with a good estate would have seemed to her a more suitable match.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But the Duchess’s thoughts were of a more serious kind, and it was she who through all had the most difficult part to play.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading Perhaps five or six years before, when Lady Jane was in the first bloom of womanhood, her mother would have thought but little of Reginald Winton as a husband for her child.
statelinessnoun
an elaborate manner of doing something
From this reading But as the years went on, and it became apparent to her that what with Lady Jane’s own visionary stateliness, and the known folly of her father, it was quite possible that there might be no match for her daughter at all, her ideas were sensibly modified.
STRATEGYnounUS /ˈstrætədʒi/
an elaborate and systematic plan of action
From this reading THE ART OF STRATEGY.
strawberry-leaves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She would have preferred, need it be said, another set of strawberry-leaves; or even an earl with a good estate would have seemed to her a more suitable match.
suitableadjectiveUS /ˈsuːtəbəl/
meant or adapted for an occasion or use
From this reading She would have preferred, need it be said, another set of strawberry-leaves; or even an earl with a good estate would have seemed to her a more suitable match.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But as the years went on, and it became apparent to her that what with Lady Jane’s own visionary stateliness, and the known folly of her father, it was quite possible that there might be no match for her daughter at all, her ideas were sensibly modified.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE ART OF STRATEGY.
in or at that place or location
From this reading But as the years went on, and it became apparent to her that what with Lady Jane’s own visionary stateliness, and the known folly of her father, it was quite possible that there might be no match for her daughter at all, her ideas were sensibly modified.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Perhaps five or six years before, when Lady Jane was in the first bloom of womanhood, her mother would have thought but little of Reginald Winton as a husband for her child.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading But the Duchess’s thoughts were of a more serious kind, and it was she who through all had the most difficult part to play.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading But the Duchess’s thoughts were of a more serious kind, and it was she who through all had the most difficult part to play.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But the Duchess’s thoughts were of a more serious kind, and it was she who through all had the most difficult part to play.
visionarynounUS /ˈvɪʒəneri/
a person given to fanciful speculations and enthusiasms with little regard for what is actually possible
From this reading But as the years went on, and it became apparent to her that what with Lady Jane’s own visionary stateliness, and the known folly of her father, it was quite possible that there might be no match for her daughter at all, her ideas were sensibly modified.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But the Duchess’s thoughts were of a more serious kind, and it was she who through all had the most difficult part to play.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading But as the years went on, and it became apparent to her that what with Lady Jane’s own visionary stateliness, and the known folly of her father, it was quite possible that there might be no match for her daughter at all, her ideas were sensibly modified.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But the Duchess’s thoughts were of a more serious kind, and it was she who through all had the most difficult part to play.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But as the years went on, and it became apparent to her that what with Lady Jane’s own visionary stateliness, and the known folly of her father, it was quite possible that there might be no match for her daughter at all, her ideas were sensibly modified.
at the time that
From this reading Perhaps five or six years before, when Lady Jane was in the first bloom of womanhood, her mother would have thought but little of Reginald Winton as a husband for her child.
which person or people
From this reading But the Duchess’s thoughts were of a more serious kind, and it was she who through all had the most difficult part to play.
Winton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps five or six years before, when Lady Jane was in the first bloom of womanhood, her mother would have thought but little of Reginald Winton as a husband for her child.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She would have preferred, need it be said, another set of strawberry-leaves; or even an earl with a good estate would have seemed to her a more suitable match.
womanhoodnounUS /ˈwʊmənhʊd/
the state of being an adult woman
From this reading Perhaps five or six years before, when Lady Jane was in the first bloom of womanhood, her mother would have thought but little of Reginald Winton as a husband for her child.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Perhaps five or six years before, when Lady Jane was in the first bloom of womanhood, her mother would have thought but little of Reginald Winton as a husband for her child.
a late time of life
From this reading Perhaps five or six years before, when Lady Jane was in the first bloom of womanhood, her mother would have thought but little of Reginald Winton as a husband for her child.
