adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading You will not be ashamed of her looks, for she is a copy in little of her beautiful mother--and it is that Andalusian beauty which is not surpassable, even in your country.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading You do not know the child, therefore I must tell you something about her.
AcademynounUS /əˈkæd.ə.mi/
A place of study or training in a special field of knowledge and arts.
From this reading My dear Brother-in-Law,--Please let me write again in Spanish, I cannot trust my English, and I am aware, from what your brother used to say, that army officers educated at the Military Academy of the United States are taught our tongue.
affectionateadjectiveUS /əˈfekʃənət/
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading She has her mother's charm and grace and good heart and sense of justice, and she has her father's vivacity and cheerfulness and pluck and spirit of enterprise, with the affectionate disposition and sincerity of both parents.
againadverbUS /əˈɡen/
anew
From this reading My dear Brother-in-Law,--Please let me write again in Spanish, I cannot trust my English, and I am aware, from what your brother used to say, that army officers educated at the Military Academy of the United States are taught our tongue.
alsoadverbUS /ˈɔːlsoʊ/
in addition
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading My dear Brother-in-Law,--Please let me write again in Spanish, I cannot trust my English, and I am aware, from what your brother used to say, that army officers educated at the Military Academy of the United States are taught our tongue.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading My dear Brother-in-Law,--Please let me write again in Spanish, I cannot trust my English, and I am aware, from what your brother used to say, that army officers educated at the Military Academy of the United States are taught our tongue.
AndalusianadjectiveUS /ˌændəˈluːʃən/
in or relating to Andalusia
From this reading You will not be ashamed of her looks, for she is a copy in little of her beautiful mother--and it is that Andalusian beauty which is not surpassable, even in your country.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading My dear Brother-in-Law,--Please let me write again in Spanish, I cannot trust my English, and I am aware, from what your brother used to say, that army officers educated at the Military Academy of the United States are taught our tongue.
armynounUS /ˈɑːrmi/
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading My dear Brother-in-Law,--Please let me write again in Spanish, I cannot trust my English, and I am aware, from what your brother used to say, that army officers educated at the Military Academy of the United States are taught our tongue.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
ashamedadjectiveUS /əˈʃeɪmd/
feeling shame or guilt or embarrassment or remorse
From this reading You will not be ashamed of her looks, for she is a copy in little of her beautiful mother--and it is that Andalusian beauty which is not surpassable, even in your country.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading My dear Brother-in-Law,--Please let me write again in Spanish, I cannot trust my English, and I am aware, from what your brother used to say, that army officers educated at the Military Academy of the United States are taught our tongue.
awareadjectiveUS /əˈwer/
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading My dear Brother-in-Law,--Please let me write again in Spanish, I cannot trust my English, and I am aware, from what your brother used to say, that army officers educated at the Military Academy of the United States are taught our tongue.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
beautifuladjectiveUS /ˈbjuːtəfəl/
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading You will not be ashamed of her looks, for she is a copy in little of her beautiful mother--and it is that Andalusian beauty which is not surpassable, even in your country.
beautynounUS /ˈbjuːti/
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading You will not be ashamed of her looks, for she is a copy in little of her beautiful mother--and it is that Andalusian beauty which is not surpassable, even in your country.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
brokenadjectiveUS /ˈbroʊkən/
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
brothernounUS /ˈbrʌðər/
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading My dear Brother-in-Law,--Please let me write again in Spanish, I cannot trust my English, and I am aware, from what your brother used to say, that army officers educated at the Military Academy of the United States are taught our tongue.
Brother-in-LawnounUS /ˈbrʌðərɪnlɔː/
a brother by marriage
From this reading My dear Brother-in-Law,--Please let me write again in Spanish, I cannot trust my English, and I am aware, from what your brother used to say, that army officers educated at the Military Academy of the United States are taught our tongue.
CalifornianounUS /ˌkæləˈfɔːrnjə/
a state in the western United States on the Pacific; the 3rd largest state; known for earthquakes
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My dear Brother-in-Law,--Please let me write again in Spanish, I cannot trust my English, and I am aware, from what your brother used to say, that army officers educated at the Military Academy of the United States are taught our tongue.
CatherinenounUS /ˈkæθərən/
first wife of Henry VIII; Henry VIII's divorce from her was the initial step of the Reformation in England (1485-1536)
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
charmnounUS /tʃɑːrm/
attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates
From this reading She has her mother's charm and grace and good heart and sense of justice, and she has her father's vivacity and cheerfulness and pluck and spirit of enterprise, with the affectionate disposition and sincerity of both parents.
cheerfulnessnounUS /ˈtʃɪrfəlnəs/
the quality of being cheerful and dispelling gloom
From this reading She has her mother's charm and grace and good heart and sense of justice, and she has her father's vivacity and cheerfulness and pluck and spirit of enterprise, with the affectionate disposition and sincerity of both parents.
childnounUS /tʃaɪld/
a young person of either sex
From this reading You do not know the child, therefore I must tell you something about her.
copynounUS /ˈkɑːpi/
a reproduction of a written record (e.g. of a legal or school record)
From this reading You will not be ashamed of her looks, for she is a copy in little of her beautiful mother--and it is that Andalusian beauty which is not surpassable, even in your country.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
countrynounUS /ˈkʌntri/
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading You will not be ashamed of her looks, for she is a copy in little of her beautiful mother--and it is that Andalusian beauty which is not surpassable, even in your country.
dearadjectiveUS /dɪr/
dearly loved
From this reading My dear Brother-in-Law,--Please let me write again in Spanish, I cannot trust my English, and I am aware, from what your brother used to say, that army officers educated at the Military Academy of the United States are taught our tongue.
dispositionnounUS /ˌdɪspəˈzɪʃən/
your usual mood
From this reading She has her mother's charm and grace and good heart and sense of justice, and she has her father's vivacity and cheerfulness and pluck and spirit of enterprise, with the affectionate disposition and sincerity of both parents.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading You do not know the child, therefore I must tell you something about her.
educatedadjectiveUS /ˈedʒəkeɪtɪd/
possessing an education (especially having more than average knowledge)
From this reading My dear Brother-in-Law,--Please let me write again in Spanish, I cannot trust my English, and I am aware, from what your brother used to say, that army officers educated at the Military Academy of the United States are taught our tongue.
EnglishnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading My dear Brother-in-Law,--Please let me write again in Spanish, I cannot trust my English, and I am aware, from what your brother used to say, that army officers educated at the Military Academy of the United States are taught our tongue.
enterprisenounUS /ˈentərpraɪz/
a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)
From this reading She has her mother's charm and grace and good heart and sense of justice, and she has her father's vivacity and cheerfulness and pluck and spirit of enterprise, with the affectionate disposition and sincerity of both parents.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading You will not be ashamed of her looks, for she is a copy in little of her beautiful mother--and it is that Andalusian beauty which is not surpassable, even in your country.
expressedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsprest/
communicated in words
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading She has her mother's charm and grace and good heart and sense of justice, and she has her father's vivacity and cheerfulness and pluck and spirit of enterprise, with the affectionate disposition and sincerity of both parents.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading You will not be ashamed of her looks, for she is a copy in little of her beautiful mother--and it is that Andalusian beauty which is not surpassable, even in your country.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
frailadjectiveUS /freɪl/
physically weak
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading My dear Brother-in-Law,--Please let me write again in Spanish, I cannot trust my English, and I am aware, from what your brother used to say, that army officers educated at the Military Academy of the United States are taught our tongue.
goverbUS /ɡoʊ/
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading She has her mother's charm and grace and good heart and sense of justice, and she has her father's vivacity and cheerfulness and pluck and spirit of enterprise, with the affectionate disposition and sincerity of both parents.
gracenounUS /ɡreɪs/
(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading She has her mother's charm and grace and good heart and sense of justice, and she has her father's vivacity and cheerfulness and pluck and spirit of enterprise, with the affectionate disposition and sincerity of both parents.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She has her mother's charm and grace and good heart and sense of justice, and she has her father's vivacity and cheerfulness and pluck and spirit of enterprise, with the affectionate disposition and sincerity of both parents.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
healthnounUS /helθ/
a healthy state of wellbeing free from disease
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
heartnounUS /hɑːrt/
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading She has her mother's charm and grace and good heart and sense of justice, and she has her father's vivacity and cheerfulness and pluck and spirit of enterprise, with the affectionate disposition and sincerity of both parents.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
husbandnounUS /ˈhʌzbənd/
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading My dear Brother-in-Law,--Please let me write again in Spanish, I cannot trust my English, and I am aware, from what your brother used to say, that army officers educated at the Military Academy of the United States are taught our tongue.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading My dear Brother-in-Law,--Please let me write again in Spanish, I cannot trust my English, and I am aware, from what your brother used to say, that army officers educated at the Military Academy of the United States are taught our tongue.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
justicenounUS /ˈdʒʌstəs/
the quality of being just or fair
From this reading She has her mother's charm and grace and good heart and sense of justice, and she has her father's vivacity and cheerfulness and pluck and spirit of enterprise, with the affectionate disposition and sincerity of both parents.
knowverbUS /noʊ/
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading You do not know the child, therefore I must tell you something about her.
knowingadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊɪŋ/
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading My dear Brother-in-Law,--Please let me write again in Spanish, I cannot trust my English, and I am aware, from what your brother used to say, that army officers educated at the Military Academy of the United States are taught our tongue.
letternounUS /ˈletər/
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
looksnounUS /lʊks/
plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading You will not be ashamed of her looks, for she is a copy in little of her beautiful mother--and it is that Andalusian beauty which is not surpassable, even in your country.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading My dear Brother-in-Law,--Please let me write again in Spanish, I cannot trust my English, and I am aware, from what your brother used to say, that army officers educated at the Military Academy of the United States are taught our tongue.
MilitaryadjectiveUS /ˈmɪləteri/
of or relating to the study of the principles of warfare
From this reading My dear Brother-in-Law,--Please let me write again in Spanish, I cannot trust my English, and I am aware, from what your brother used to say, that army officers educated at the Military Academy of the United States are taught our tongue.
mothernounUS /ˈmʌðər/
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading She has her mother's charm and grace and good heart and sense of justice, and she has her father's vivacity and cheerfulness and pluck and spirit of enterprise, with the affectionate disposition and sincerity of both parents.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading You do not know the child, therefore I must tell you something about her.
MydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My dear Brother-in-Law,--Please let me write again in Spanish, I cannot trust my English, and I am aware, from what your brother used to say, that army officers educated at the Military Academy of the United States are taught our tongue.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading My dear Brother-in-Law,--Please let me write again in Spanish, I cannot trust my English, and I am aware, from what your brother used to say, that army officers educated at the Military Academy of the United States are taught our tongue.
officersnounUS /ˈɔːfəsərz/
plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading My dear Brother-in-Law,--Please let me write again in Spanish, I cannot trust my English, and I am aware, from what your brother used to say, that army officers educated at the Military Academy of the United States are taught our tongue.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading My dear Brother-in-Law,--Please let me write again in Spanish, I cannot trust my English, and I am aware, from what your brother used to say, that army officers educated at the Military Academy of the United States are taught our tongue.
parentsnounUS /ˈperənts/
plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
From this reading She has her mother's charm and grace and good heart and sense of justice, and she has her father's vivacity and cheerfulness and pluck and spirit of enterprise, with the affectionate disposition and sincerity of both parents.
PleaseverbUS /pliːz/
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading My dear Brother-in-Law,--Please let me write again in Spanish, I cannot trust my English, and I am aware, from what your brother used to say, that army officers educated at the Military Academy of the United States are taught our tongue.
pluckverbUS /plʌk/
pull or pull out sharply
From this reading She has her mother's charm and grace and good heart and sense of justice, and she has her father's vivacity and cheerfulness and pluck and spirit of enterprise, with the affectionate disposition and sincerity of both parents.
pooradjectiveUS /puːr/
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
presentlyadverbUS /ˈprezəntli/
in the near future
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/
on the contrary
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
recoververbUS /rɪˈkʌvər/
get or find back; recover the use of
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
remainverbUS /rɪˈmeɪn/
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
retiredadjectiveUS /rɪˈtaɪrd/
no longer active in your work or profession
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
sayverbUS /seɪ/
express in words
From this reading My dear Brother-in-Law,--Please let me write again in Spanish, I cannot trust my English, and I am aware, from what your brother used to say, that army officers educated at the Military Academy of the United States are taught our tongue.
sensenounUS /sens/
a general conscious awareness
From this reading She has her mother's charm and grace and good heart and sense of justice, and she has her father's vivacity and cheerfulness and pluck and spirit of enterprise, with the affectionate disposition and sincerity of both parents.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
sinceritynounUS /sɪnˈserəti/
an earnest and sincere feeling
From this reading She has her mother's charm and grace and good heart and sense of justice, and she has her father's vivacity and cheerfulness and pluck and spirit of enterprise, with the affectionate disposition and sincerity of both parents.
sisternounUS /ˈsɪstər/
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading You do not know the child, therefore I must tell you something about her.
SpanishnounUS /ˈspænɪʃ/
the Romance language spoken in most of Spain and the countries colonized by Spain
From this reading My dear Brother-in-Law,--Please let me write again in Spanish, I cannot trust my English, and I am aware, from what your brother used to say, that army officers educated at the Military Academy of the United States are taught our tongue.
spiritnounUS /ˈspɪrət/
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading She has her mother's charm and grace and good heart and sense of justice, and she has her father's vivacity and cheerfulness and pluck and spirit of enterprise, with the affectionate disposition and sincerity of both parents.
StatesnounUS /steɪts/
plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading My dear Brother-in-Law,--Please let me write again in Spanish, I cannot trust my English, and I am aware, from what your brother used to say, that army officers educated at the Military Academy of the United States are taught our tongue.
surpassable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You will not be ashamed of her looks, for she is a copy in little of her beautiful mother--and it is that Andalusian beauty which is not surpassable, even in your country.
taughtverbUS /tɔːt/
inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading My dear Brother-in-Law,--Please let me write again in Spanish, I cannot trust my English, and I am aware, from what your brother used to say, that army officers educated at the Military Academy of the United States are taught our tongue.
tellverbUS /tel/
express in words
From this reading You do not know the child, therefore I must tell you something about her.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading My dear Brother-in-Law,--Please let me write again in Spanish, I cannot trust my English, and I am aware, from what your brother used to say, that army officers educated at the Military Academy of the United States are taught our tongue.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading My dear Brother-in-Law,--Please let me write again in Spanish, I cannot trust my English, and I am aware, from what your brother used to say, that army officers educated at the Military Academy of the United States are taught our tongue.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading You do not know the child, therefore I must tell you something about her.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading My dear Brother-in-Law,--Please let me write again in Spanish, I cannot trust my English, and I am aware, from what your brother used to say, that army officers educated at the Military Academy of the United States are taught our tongue.
toldverbUS /toʊld/
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
tonguenounUS /tʌŋ/
a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity
From this reading My dear Brother-in-Law,--Please let me write again in Spanish, I cannot trust my English, and I am aware, from what your brother used to say, that army officers educated at the Military Academy of the United States are taught our tongue.
trustnounUS /trʌst/
something (as property) held by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary)
From this reading My dear Brother-in-Law,--Please let me write again in Spanish, I cannot trust my English, and I am aware, from what your brother used to say, that army officers educated at the Military Academy of the United States are taught our tongue.
UnitedadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/
characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity
From this reading My dear Brother-in-Law,--Please let me write again in Spanish, I cannot trust my English, and I am aware, from what your brother used to say, that army officers educated at the Military Academy of the United States are taught our tongue.
usedadjectiveUS /juːzd/
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading My dear Brother-in-Law,--Please let me write again in Spanish, I cannot trust my English, and I am aware, from what your brother used to say, that army officers educated at the Military Academy of the United States are taught our tongue.
vivacitynoun
characterized by high spirits and animation
From this reading She has her mother's charm and grace and good heart and sense of justice, and she has her father's vivacity and cheerfulness and pluck and spirit of enterprise, with the affectionate disposition and sincerity of both parents.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading My dear Brother-in-Law,--Please let me write again in Spanish, I cannot trust my English, and I am aware, from what your brother used to say, that army officers educated at the Military Academy of the United States are taught our tongue.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading You will not be ashamed of her looks, for she is a copy in little of her beautiful mother--and it is that Andalusian beauty which is not surpassable, even in your country.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading You will not be ashamed of her looks, for she is a copy in little of her beautiful mother--and it is that Andalusian beauty which is not surpassable, even in your country.
wishverbUS /wɪʃ/
hope for; have a wish
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
writeverbUS /raɪt/
produce a literary work
From this reading My dear Brother-in-Law,--Please let me write again in Spanish, I cannot trust my English, and I am aware, from what your brother used to say, that army officers educated at the Military Academy of the United States are taught our tongue.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading It is as I told you in my other letter: both my poor sister and her husband, when they found they could not recover, expressed the wish that you should have their little Catherine--as knowing that you would presently be retired from the army--rather than that she should remain with me, who am broken in health, or go to your mother in California, whose health is also frail.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading My dear Brother-in-Law,--Please let me write again in Spanish, I cannot trust my English, and I am aware, from what your brother used to say, that army officers educated at the Military Academy of the United States are taught our tongue.
