used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She cross-questioned me a little more than was usual with her as to the Granville Square people, and was not _quite_ as cordial about them as I could have wished, which somewhat perplexed me.
abbreviationnounUS /əˌbriːviˈeɪʃən/
a shortened form of a word or phrase
From this reading It had rather taken her fancy, and then, too, she being my name-mother as well as godmother, the abbreviation diminished confusion--"no harm to see something of other kinds of society.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading She cross-questioned me a little more than was usual with her as to the Granville Square people, and was not _quite_ as cordial about them as I could have wished, which somewhat perplexed me.
anew
From this reading My godmother was pleased, unfeignedly and rather specially so, it seemed to me, to have me with her again.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading There are so many _shades_ of it in London, even among the well-bred, unexceptionable people."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading My godmother was pleased, unfeignedly and rather specially so, it seemed to me, to have me with her again.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Very nice! oh yes, I have no doubt they are very nice, excellent people," she said, "and it will do you no harm, Reggie, dear," for she sometimes condescended to use my brother's pet name.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She cross-questioned me a little more than was usual with her as to the Granville Square people, and was not _quite_ as cordial about them as I could have wished, which somewhat perplexed me.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading It had rather taken her fancy, and then, too, she being my name-mother as well as godmother, the abbreviation diminished confusion--"no harm to see something of other kinds of society.
brother'snounUS /ˈbrʌðərz/
possessive form of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading "Very nice! oh yes, I have no doubt they are very nice, excellent people," she said, "and it will do you no harm, Reggie, dear," for she sometimes condescended to use my brother's pet name.
condescendedverbUS /ˌkɑːndɪˈsendɪd/
past form of “condescend” — behave in a patronizing and condescending manner
From this reading "Very nice! oh yes, I have no doubt they are very nice, excellent people," she said, "and it will do you no harm, Reggie, dear," for she sometimes condescended to use my brother's pet name.
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading It had rather taken her fancy, and then, too, she being my name-mother as well as godmother, the abbreviation diminished confusion--"no harm to see something of other kinds of society.
cordialadjectiveUS /ˈkɔːrdʒəl/
diffusing warmth and friendliness
From this reading She cross-questioned me a little more than was usual with her as to the Granville Square people, and was not _quite_ as cordial about them as I could have wished, which somewhat perplexed me.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She cross-questioned me a little more than was usual with her as to the Granville Square people, and was not _quite_ as cordial about them as I could have wished, which somewhat perplexed me.
cross-questioned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She cross-questioned me a little more than was usual with her as to the Granville Square people, and was not _quite_ as cordial about them as I could have wished, which somewhat perplexed me.
dearly loved
From this reading "Very nice! oh yes, I have no doubt they are very nice, excellent people," she said, "and it will do you no harm, Reggie, dear," for she sometimes condescended to use my brother's pet name.
diminishedadjectiveUS /dɪˈmɪnɪʃt/
impaired by diminution
From this reading It had rather taken her fancy, and then, too, she being my name-mother as well as godmother, the abbreviation diminished confusion--"no harm to see something of other kinds of society.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "Very nice! oh yes, I have no doubt they are very nice, excellent people," she said, "and it will do you no harm, Reggie, dear," for she sometimes condescended to use my brother's pet name.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading "Very nice! oh yes, I have no doubt they are very nice, excellent people," she said, "and it will do you no harm, Reggie, dear," for she sometimes condescended to use my brother's pet name.
divisible by two
From this reading There are so many _shades_ of it in London, even among the well-bred, unexceptionable people."
very good; of the highest quality
From this reading "Very nice! oh yes, I have no doubt they are very nice, excellent people," she said, "and it will do you no harm, Reggie, dear," for she sometimes condescended to use my brother's pet name.
something many people believe that is false
From this reading It had rather taken her fancy, and then, too, she being my name-mother as well as godmother, the abbreviation diminished confusion--"no harm to see something of other kinds of society.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Very nice! oh yes, I have no doubt they are very nice, excellent people," she said, "and it will do you no harm, Reggie, dear," for she sometimes condescended to use my brother's pet name.
godmothernounUS /ˈɡɑːdmʌðər/
any woman who serves as a sponsor for a child at baptism
From this reading My godmother was pleased, unfeignedly and rather specially so, it seemed to me, to have me with her again.
Granville
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She cross-questioned me a little more than was usual with her as to the Granville Square people, and was not _quite_ as cordial about them as I could have wished, which somewhat perplexed me.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It had rather taken her fancy, and then, too, she being my name-mother as well as godmother, the abbreviation diminished confusion--"no harm to see something of other kinds of society.
any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.
From this reading "Very nice! oh yes, I have no doubt they are very nice, excellent people," she said, "and it will do you no harm, Reggie, dear," for she sometimes condescended to use my brother's pet name.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading My godmother was pleased, unfeignedly and rather specially so, it seemed to me, to have me with her again.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading My godmother was pleased, unfeignedly and rather specially so, it seemed to me, to have me with her again.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading She cross-questioned me a little more than was usual with her as to the Granville Square people, and was not _quite_ as cordial about them as I could have wished, which somewhat perplexed me.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There are so many _shades_ of it in London, even among the well-bred, unexceptionable people."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading My godmother was pleased, unfeignedly and rather specially so, it seemed to me, to have me with her again.
plural of “kind” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading It had rather taken her fancy, and then, too, she being my name-mother as well as godmother, the abbreviation diminished confusion--"no harm to see something of other kinds of society.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She cross-questioned me a little more than was usual with her as to the Granville Square people, and was not _quite_ as cordial about them as I could have wished, which somewhat perplexed me.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading There are so many _shades_ of it in London, even among the well-bred, unexceptionable people."
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading There are so many _shades_ of it in London, even among the well-bred, unexceptionable people."
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading My godmother was pleased, unfeignedly and rather specially so, it seemed to me, to have me with her again.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading She cross-questioned me a little more than was usual with her as to the Granville Square people, and was not _quite_ as cordial about them as I could have wished, which somewhat perplexed me.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My godmother was pleased, unfeignedly and rather specially so, it seemed to me, to have me with her again.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading "Very nice! oh yes, I have no doubt they are very nice, excellent people," she said, "and it will do you no harm, Reggie, dear," for she sometimes condescended to use my brother's pet name.
name-mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had rather taken her fancy, and then, too, she being my name-mother as well as godmother, the abbreviation diminished confusion--"no harm to see something of other kinds of society.
pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance
From this reading "Very nice! oh yes, I have no doubt they are very nice, excellent people," she said, "and it will do you no harm, Reggie, dear," for she sometimes condescended to use my brother's pet name.
not any; not one
From this reading "Very nice! oh yes, I have no doubt they are very nice, excellent people," she said, "and it will do you no harm, Reggie, dear," for she sometimes condescended to use my brother's pet name.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She cross-questioned me a little more than was usual with her as to the Granville Square people, and was not _quite_ as cordial about them as I could have wished, which somewhat perplexed me.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It had rather taken her fancy, and then, too, she being my name-mother as well as godmother, the abbreviation diminished confusion--"no harm to see something of other kinds of society.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading "Very nice! oh yes, I have no doubt they are very nice, excellent people," she said, "and it will do you no harm, Reggie, dear," for she sometimes condescended to use my brother's pet name.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading It had rather taken her fancy, and then, too, she being my name-mother as well as godmother, the abbreviation diminished confusion--"no harm to see something of other kinds of society.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading She cross-questioned me a little more than was usual with her as to the Granville Square people, and was not _quite_ as cordial about them as I could have wished, which somewhat perplexed me.
perplexedadjectiveUS /pərˈplekst/
full of difficulty or confusion or bewilderment
From this reading She cross-questioned me a little more than was usual with her as to the Granville Square people, and was not _quite_ as cordial about them as I could have wished, which somewhat perplexed me.
petnounUS /pet/
a domesticated animal kept for companionship or amusement
From this reading "Very nice! oh yes, I have no doubt they are very nice, excellent people," she said, "and it will do you no harm, Reggie, dear," for she sometimes condescended to use my brother's pet name.
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
From this reading My godmother was pleased, unfeignedly and rather specially so, it seemed to me, to have me with her again.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading She cross-questioned me a little more than was usual with her as to the Granville Square people, and was not _quite_ as cordial about them as I could have wished, which somewhat perplexed me.
on the contrary
From this reading My godmother was pleased, unfeignedly and rather specially so, it seemed to me, to have me with her again.
Reggie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Very nice! oh yes, I have no doubt they are very nice, excellent people," she said, "and it will do you no harm, Reggie, dear," for she sometimes condescended to use my brother's pet name.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Very nice! oh yes, I have no doubt they are very nice, excellent people," she said, "and it will do you no harm, Reggie, dear," for she sometimes condescended to use my brother's pet name.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading It had rather taken her fancy, and then, too, she being my name-mother as well as godmother, the abbreviation diminished confusion--"no harm to see something of other kinds of society.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading My godmother was pleased, unfeignedly and rather specially so, it seemed to me, to have me with her again.
shadesnounUS /ʃeɪdz/
(plural) something that reminds you of someone or something
From this reading There are so many _shades_ of it in London, even among the well-bred, unexceptionable people."
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She cross-questioned me a little more than was usual with her as to the Granville Square people, and was not _quite_ as cordial about them as I could have wished, which somewhat perplexed me.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading My godmother was pleased, unfeignedly and rather specially so, it seemed to me, to have me with her again.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading It had rather taken her fancy, and then, too, she being my name-mother as well as godmother, the abbreviation diminished confusion--"no harm to see something of other kinds of society.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading It had rather taken her fancy, and then, too, she being my name-mother as well as godmother, the abbreviation diminished confusion--"no harm to see something of other kinds of society.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading "Very nice! oh yes, I have no doubt they are very nice, excellent people," she said, "and it will do you no harm, Reggie, dear," for she sometimes condescended to use my brother's pet name.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading She cross-questioned me a little more than was usual with her as to the Granville Square people, and was not _quite_ as cordial about them as I could have wished, which somewhat perplexed me.
speciallyadverbUS /ˈspeʃəli/
in a special manner
From this reading My godmother was pleased, unfeignedly and rather specially so, it seemed to me, to have me with her again.
make square
From this reading She cross-questioned me a little more than was usual with her as to the Granville Square people, and was not _quite_ as cordial about them as I could have wished, which somewhat perplexed me.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading It had rather taken her fancy, and then, too, she being my name-mother as well as godmother, the abbreviation diminished confusion--"no harm to see something of other kinds of society.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading She cross-questioned me a little more than was usual with her as to the Granville Square people, and was not _quite_ as cordial about them as I could have wished, which somewhat perplexed me.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She cross-questioned me a little more than was usual with her as to the Granville Square people, and was not _quite_ as cordial about them as I could have wished, which somewhat perplexed me.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading She cross-questioned me a little more than was usual with her as to the Granville Square people, and was not _quite_ as cordial about them as I could have wished, which somewhat perplexed me.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading It had rather taken her fancy, and then, too, she being my name-mother as well as godmother, the abbreviation diminished confusion--"no harm to see something of other kinds of society.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There are so many _shades_ of it in London, even among the well-bred, unexceptionable people."
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Very nice! oh yes, I have no doubt they are very nice, excellent people," she said, "and it will do you no harm, Reggie, dear," for she sometimes condescended to use my brother's pet name.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading My godmother was pleased, unfeignedly and rather specially so, it seemed to me, to have me with her again.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading It had rather taken her fancy, and then, too, she being my name-mother as well as godmother, the abbreviation diminished confusion--"no harm to see something of other kinds of society.
unexceptionableadjective
completely acceptable; not open to exception or reproach
From this reading There are so many _shades_ of it in London, even among the well-bred, unexceptionable people."
unfeignedlyadverb
with sincerity; without pretense
From this reading My godmother was pleased, unfeignedly and rather specially so, it seemed to me, to have me with her again.
the act of using
From this reading "Very nice! oh yes, I have no doubt they are very nice, excellent people," she said, "and it will do you no harm, Reggie, dear," for she sometimes condescended to use my brother's pet name.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading She cross-questioned me a little more than was usual with her as to the Granville Square people, and was not _quite_ as cordial about them as I could have wished, which somewhat perplexed me.
precisely as stated
From this reading "Very nice! oh yes, I have no doubt they are very nice, excellent people," she said, "and it will do you no harm, Reggie, dear," for she sometimes condescended to use my brother's pet name.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading My godmother was pleased, unfeignedly and rather specially so, it seemed to me, to have me with her again.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading It had rather taken her fancy, and then, too, she being my name-mother as well as godmother, the abbreviation diminished confusion--"no harm to see something of other kinds of society.
well-bredadjective
of good upbringing
From this reading There are so many _shades_ of it in London, even among the well-bred, unexceptionable people."
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She cross-questioned me a little more than was usual with her as to the Granville Square people, and was not _quite_ as cordial about them as I could have wished, which somewhat perplexed me.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "Very nice! oh yes, I have no doubt they are very nice, excellent people," she said, "and it will do you no harm, Reggie, dear," for she sometimes condescended to use my brother's pet name.
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading She cross-questioned me a little more than was usual with her as to the Granville Square people, and was not _quite_ as cordial about them as I could have wished, which somewhat perplexed me.
in the company of; together with
From this reading My godmother was pleased, unfeignedly and rather specially so, it seemed to me, to have me with her again.
an affirmative
From this reading "Very nice! oh yes, I have no doubt they are very nice, excellent people," she said, "and it will do you no harm, Reggie, dear," for she sometimes condescended to use my brother's pet name.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Very nice! oh yes, I have no doubt they are very nice, excellent people," she said, "and it will do you no harm, Reggie, dear," for she sometimes condescended to use my brother's pet name.
