used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The position of a single woman to-day is very favourable, you know.”
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading There are things, of sorts, I should be able to have—things I should be able to be.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There are things, of sorts, I should be able to have—things I should be able to be.
argueverbUS /ˈɑːrɡjuː/
present reasons and arguments
From this reading “You think I ought to argue for more than mere existence?” she asked.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “I don’t see why MY existence—even reduced as much as you like to being merely mine—should be so impossible.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “You think I ought to argue for more than mere existence?” she asked.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “I don’t see why MY existence—even reduced as much as you like to being merely mine—should be so impossible.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading “I don’t see why MY existence—even reduced as much as you like to being merely mine—should be so impossible.
commentedverbUS /ˈkɑːmentəd/
past form of “comment” — make or write a comment on
From this reading “Oh—existence!” the Prince vaguely commented.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I don’t see why MY existence—even reduced as much as you like to being merely mine—should be so impossible.
divisible by two
From this reading “I don’t see why MY existence—even reduced as much as you like to being merely mine—should be so impossible.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading “Oh—existence!” the Prince vaguely commented.
favourableadjective
encouraging or approving or pleasing
From this reading The position of a single woman to-day is very favourable, you know.”
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “You think I ought to argue for more than mere existence?” she asked.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading There are things, of sorts, I should be able to have—things I should be able to be.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “You think I ought to argue for more than mere existence?” she asked.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading “I don’t see why MY existence—even reduced as much as you like to being merely mine—should be so impossible.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The position of a single woman to-day is very favourable, you know.”
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading The position of a single woman to-day is very favourable, you know.”
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading “I don’t see why MY existence—even reduced as much as you like to being merely mine—should be so impossible.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading “You think I ought to argue for more than mere existence?” she asked.
and nothing more
From this reading “I don’t see why MY existence—even reduced as much as you like to being merely mine—should be so impossible.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “I don’t see why MY existence—even reduced as much as you like to being merely mine—should be so impossible.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading “You think I ought to argue for more than mere existence?” she asked.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading “I don’t see why MY existence—even reduced as much as you like to being merely mine—should be so impossible.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “I don’t see why MY existence—even reduced as much as you like to being merely mine—should be so impossible.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There are things, of sorts, I should be able to have—things I should be able to be.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading “Oh—existence!” the Prince vaguely commented.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading “You think I ought to argue for more than mere existence?” she asked.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading The position of a single woman to-day is very favourable, you know.”
a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)
From this reading “Oh—existence!” the Prince vaguely commented.
reducedadjectiveUS /rəˈduːst/
made less in size or amount or degree
From this reading “I don’t see why MY existence—even reduced as much as you like to being merely mine—should be so impossible.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading “I don’t see why MY existence—even reduced as much as you like to being merely mine—should be so impossible.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “You think I ought to argue for more than mere existence?” she asked.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading “I don’t see why MY existence—even reduced as much as you like to being merely mine—should be so impossible.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading The position of a single woman to-day is very favourable, you know.”
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “I don’t see why MY existence—even reduced as much as you like to being merely mine—should be so impossible.
plural of “sort” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading There are things, of sorts, I should be able to have—things I should be able to be.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading “You think I ought to argue for more than mere existence?” she asked.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Oh—existence!” the Prince vaguely commented.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There are things, of sorts, I should be able to have—things I should be able to be.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading There are things, of sorts, I should be able to have—things I should be able to be.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading “You think I ought to argue for more than mere existence?” she asked.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “You think I ought to argue for more than mere existence?” she asked.
to-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The position of a single woman to-day is very favourable, you know.”
vaguelyadverbUS /ˈveɪɡli/
in a vague way
From this reading “Oh—existence!” the Prince vaguely commented.
precisely as stated
From this reading The position of a single woman to-day is very favourable, you know.”
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading “I don’t see why MY existence—even reduced as much as you like to being merely mine—should be so impossible.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The position of a single woman to-day is very favourable, you know.”
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “You think I ought to argue for more than mere existence?” she asked.
