used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE PART PLAYED BY A FIVE-POUND NOTE And it was into this atmosphere of gloom and of purposeless misanthropy that Louisa Harris brought this morning the cheering sunshine of her own indomitable optimism.
acuteadjectiveUS /əˈkjuːt/
having or experiencing a rapid onset and short but severe course
From this reading But she was quite shrewd enough to see that dear old Luke--unsophisticated and none too acute an observer--had overestimated his uncle's indifference to the all-absorbing matter.
all-absorbing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But she was quite shrewd enough to see that dear old Luke--unsophisticated and none too acute an observer--had overestimated his uncle's indifference to the all-absorbing matter.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But she was quite shrewd enough to see that dear old Luke--unsophisticated and none too acute an observer--had overestimated his uncle's indifference to the all-absorbing matter.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE PART PLAYED BY A FIVE-POUND NOTE And it was into this atmosphere of gloom and of purposeless misanthropy that Louisa Harris brought this morning the cheering sunshine of her own indomitable optimism.
declared publicly; made widely known
From this reading He hardly did more than bid Louisa a curt, "How de do?" when she entered, and then relapsed into moroseness wholly unbroken before luncheon was announced.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading She knew of course from the first that the subject which interested every one in the house more than any other subject could ever do was not to be mentioned in Lord Radclyffe's presence.
a particular environment or surrounding influence
From this reading THE PART PLAYED BY A FIVE-POUND NOTE And it was into this atmosphere of gloom and of purposeless misanthropy that Louisa Harris brought this morning the cheering sunshine of her own indomitable optimism.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She knew of course from the first that the subject which interested every one in the house more than any other subject could ever do was not to be mentioned in Lord Radclyffe's presence.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He hardly did more than bid Louisa a curt, "How de do?" when she entered, and then relapsed into moroseness wholly unbroken before luncheon was announced.
propose a payment
From this reading He hardly did more than bid Louisa a curt, "How de do?" when she entered, and then relapsed into moroseness wholly unbroken before luncheon was announced.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading THE PART PLAYED BY A FIVE-POUND NOTE And it was into this atmosphere of gloom and of purposeless misanthropy that Louisa Harris brought this morning the cheering sunshine of her own indomitable optimism.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But she was quite shrewd enough to see that dear old Luke--unsophisticated and none too acute an observer--had overestimated his uncle's indifference to the all-absorbing matter.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE PART PLAYED BY A FIVE-POUND NOTE And it was into this atmosphere of gloom and of purposeless misanthropy that Louisa Harris brought this morning the cheering sunshine of her own indomitable optimism.
cheeringnounUS /ˈtʃɪrɪŋ/
encouragement in the form of cheers from spectators
From this reading THE PART PLAYED BY A FIVE-POUND NOTE And it was into this atmosphere of gloom and of purposeless misanthropy that Louisa Harris brought this morning the cheering sunshine of her own indomitable optimism.
contemptuousadjectiveUS /kənˈtemptʃuːəs/
expressing extreme contempt
From this reading The old man's face--usually a mirror of contemptuous cynicism--looked, to the woman's keener insight, distinctly troubled, and his surly silence was even more profound than hitherto.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She knew of course from the first that the subject which interested every one in the house more than any other subject could ever do was not to be mentioned in Lord Radclyffe's presence.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading She knew of course from the first that the subject which interested every one in the house more than any other subject could ever do was not to be mentioned in Lord Radclyffe's presence.
curtadjectiveUS /kɜːrt/
marked by rude or peremptory shortness
From this reading He hardly did more than bid Louisa a curt, "How de do?" when she entered, and then relapsed into moroseness wholly unbroken before luncheon was announced.
cynicismnounUS /ˈsɪnɪsɪzəm/
a cynical feeling of distrust
From this reading The old man's face--usually a mirror of contemptuous cynicism--looked, to the woman's keener insight, distinctly troubled, and his surly silence was even more profound than hitherto.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading He hardly did more than bid Louisa a curt, "How de do?" when she entered, and then relapsed into moroseness wholly unbroken before luncheon was announced.
dearly loved
From this reading But she was quite shrewd enough to see that dear old Luke--unsophisticated and none too acute an observer--had overestimated his uncle's indifference to the all-absorbing matter.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He hardly did more than bid Louisa a curt, "How de do?" when she entered, and then relapsed into moroseness wholly unbroken before luncheon was announced.
clear to the mind; with distinct mental discernment
From this reading The old man's face--usually a mirror of contemptuous cynicism--looked, to the woman's keener insight, distinctly troubled, and his surly silence was even more profound than hitherto.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading She knew of course from the first that the subject which interested every one in the house more than any other subject could ever do was not to be mentioned in Lord Radclyffe's presence.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading But she was quite shrewd enough to see that dear old Luke--unsophisticated and none too acute an observer--had overestimated his uncle's indifference to the all-absorbing matter.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading He hardly did more than bid Louisa a curt, "How de do?" when she entered, and then relapsed into moroseness wholly unbroken before luncheon was announced.
divisible by two
From this reading The old man's face--usually a mirror of contemptuous cynicism--looked, to the woman's keener insight, distinctly troubled, and his surly silence was even more profound than hitherto.
at any time
From this reading She knew of course from the first that the subject which interested every one in the house more than any other subject could ever do was not to be mentioned in Lord Radclyffe's presence.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading She knew of course from the first that the subject which interested every one in the house more than any other subject could ever do was not to be mentioned in Lord Radclyffe's presence.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The old man's face--usually a mirror of contemptuous cynicism--looked, to the woman's keener insight, distinctly troubled, and his surly silence was even more profound than hitherto.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading She knew of course from the first that the subject which interested every one in the house more than any other subject could ever do was not to be mentioned in Lord Radclyffe's presence.
FIVE-POUND
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PART PLAYED BY A FIVE-POUND NOTE And it was into this atmosphere of gloom and of purposeless misanthropy that Louisa Harris brought this morning the cheering sunshine of her own indomitable optimism.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She knew of course from the first that the subject which interested every one in the house more than any other subject could ever do was not to be mentioned in Lord Radclyffe's presence.
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading THE PART PLAYED BY A FIVE-POUND NOTE And it was into this atmosphere of gloom and of purposeless misanthropy that Louisa Harris brought this morning the cheering sunshine of her own indomitable optimism.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But she was quite shrewd enough to see that dear old Luke--unsophisticated and none too acute an observer--had overestimated his uncle's indifference to the all-absorbing matter.
only a very short time before
From this reading He hardly did more than bid Louisa a curt, "How de do?" when she entered, and then relapsed into moroseness wholly unbroken before luncheon was announced.
HarrisnounUS /ˈherɪs/
United States author who wrote the stories about Uncle Remus (1848-1908)
From this reading THE PART PLAYED BY A FIVE-POUND NOTE And it was into this atmosphere of gloom and of purposeless misanthropy that Louisa Harris brought this morning the cheering sunshine of her own indomitable optimism.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He hardly did more than bid Louisa a curt, "How de do?" when she entered, and then relapsed into moroseness wholly unbroken before luncheon was announced.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE PART PLAYED BY A FIVE-POUND NOTE And it was into this atmosphere of gloom and of purposeless misanthropy that Louisa Harris brought this morning the cheering sunshine of her own indomitable optimism.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But she was quite shrewd enough to see that dear old Luke--unsophisticated and none too acute an observer--had overestimated his uncle's indifference to the all-absorbing matter.
used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time
From this reading The old man's face--usually a mirror of contemptuous cynicism--looked, to the woman's keener insight, distinctly troubled, and his surly silence was even more profound than hitherto.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading She knew of course from the first that the subject which interested every one in the house more than any other subject could ever do was not to be mentioned in Lord Radclyffe's presence.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He hardly did more than bid Louisa a curt, "How de do?" when she entered, and then relapsed into moroseness wholly unbroken before luncheon was announced.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She knew of course from the first that the subject which interested every one in the house more than any other subject could ever do was not to be mentioned in Lord Radclyffe's presence.
unbiased impartial unconcern
From this reading But she was quite shrewd enough to see that dear old Luke--unsophisticated and none too acute an observer--had overestimated his uncle's indifference to the all-absorbing matter.
indomitableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdɑːmətəbəl/
impossible to subdue
From this reading THE PART PLAYED BY A FIVE-POUND NOTE And it was into this atmosphere of gloom and of purposeless misanthropy that Louisa Harris brought this morning the cheering sunshine of her own indomitable optimism.
insightnounUS /ˈɪnsaɪt/
clear or deep perception of a situation
From this reading The old man's face--usually a mirror of contemptuous cynicism--looked, to the woman's keener insight, distinctly troubled, and his surly silence was even more profound than hitherto.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading She knew of course from the first that the subject which interested every one in the house more than any other subject could ever do was not to be mentioned in Lord Radclyffe's presence.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading THE PART PLAYED BY A FIVE-POUND NOTE And it was into this atmosphere of gloom and of purposeless misanthropy that Louisa Harris brought this morning the cheering sunshine of her own indomitable optimism.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE PART PLAYED BY A FIVE-POUND NOTE And it was into this atmosphere of gloom and of purposeless misanthropy that Louisa Harris brought this morning the cheering sunshine of her own indomitable optimism.
keeneradjectiveUS /ˈkiːnər/
comparative of “keen” — having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading The old man's face--usually a mirror of contemptuous cynicism--looked, to the woman's keener insight, distinctly troubled, and his surly silence was even more profound than hitherto.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading She knew of course from the first that the subject which interested every one in the house more than any other subject could ever do was not to be mentioned in Lord Radclyffe's presence.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The old man's face--usually a mirror of contemptuous cynicism--looked, to the woman's keener insight, distinctly troubled, and his surly silence was even more profound than hitherto.
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading She knew of course from the first that the subject which interested every one in the house more than any other subject could ever do was not to be mentioned in Lord Radclyffe's presence.
Louisa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PART PLAYED BY A FIVE-POUND NOTE And it was into this atmosphere of gloom and of purposeless misanthropy that Louisa Harris brought this morning the cheering sunshine of her own indomitable optimism.
LukenounUS /luːk/
(New Testament) the Apostle closely associated with St. Paul and traditionally assumed to be the author of the third Gospel
From this reading But she was quite shrewd enough to see that dear old Luke--unsophisticated and none too acute an observer--had overestimated his uncle's indifference to the all-absorbing matter.
luncheonnounUS /ˈlʌntʃən/
a midday meal
From this reading He hardly did more than bid Louisa a curt, "How de do?" when she entered, and then relapsed into moroseness wholly unbroken before luncheon was announced.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The old man's face--usually a mirror of contemptuous cynicism--looked, to the woman's keener insight, distinctly troubled, and his surly silence was even more profound than hitherto.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading But she was quite shrewd enough to see that dear old Luke--unsophisticated and none too acute an observer--had overestimated his uncle's indifference to the all-absorbing matter.
past form of “mention” — make reference to
From this reading She knew of course from the first that the subject which interested every one in the house more than any other subject could ever do was not to be mentioned in Lord Radclyffe's presence.
mirrornounUS /ˈmɪrər/
polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
From this reading The old man's face--usually a mirror of contemptuous cynicism--looked, to the woman's keener insight, distinctly troubled, and his surly silence was even more profound than hitherto.
misanthropynoun
hatred of mankind
From this reading THE PART PLAYED BY A FIVE-POUND NOTE And it was into this atmosphere of gloom and of purposeless misanthropy that Louisa Harris brought this morning the cheering sunshine of her own indomitable optimism.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading She knew of course from the first that the subject which interested every one in the house more than any other subject could ever do was not to be mentioned in Lord Radclyffe's presence.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading THE PART PLAYED BY A FIVE-POUND NOTE And it was into this atmosphere of gloom and of purposeless misanthropy that Louisa Harris brought this morning the cheering sunshine of her own indomitable optimism.
morosenessnoun
a gloomy ill-tempered feeling
From this reading He hardly did more than bid Louisa a curt, "How de do?" when she entered, and then relapsed into moroseness wholly unbroken before luncheon was announced.
not one, and not any
From this reading But she was quite shrewd enough to see that dear old Luke--unsophisticated and none too acute an observer--had overestimated his uncle's indifference to the all-absorbing matter.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She knew of course from the first that the subject which interested every one in the house more than any other subject could ever do was not to be mentioned in Lord Radclyffe's presence.
a brief written record
From this reading THE PART PLAYED BY A FIVE-POUND NOTE And it was into this atmosphere of gloom and of purposeless misanthropy that Louisa Harris brought this morning the cheering sunshine of her own indomitable optimism.
observernounUS /əbˈzɜːrvər/
a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses
From this reading But she was quite shrewd enough to see that dear old Luke--unsophisticated and none too acute an observer--had overestimated his uncle's indifference to the all-absorbing matter.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE PART PLAYED BY A FIVE-POUND NOTE And it was into this atmosphere of gloom and of purposeless misanthropy that Louisa Harris brought this morning the cheering sunshine of her own indomitable optimism.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading But she was quite shrewd enough to see that dear old Luke--unsophisticated and none too acute an observer--had overestimated his uncle's indifference to the all-absorbing matter.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading She knew of course from the first that the subject which interested every one in the house more than any other subject could ever do was not to be mentioned in Lord Radclyffe's presence.
optimismnounUS /ˈɑːptəmɪzəm/
the optimistic feeling that all is going to turn out well
From this reading THE PART PLAYED BY A FIVE-POUND NOTE And it was into this atmosphere of gloom and of purposeless misanthropy that Louisa Harris brought this morning the cheering sunshine of her own indomitable optimism.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading She knew of course from the first that the subject which interested every one in the house more than any other subject could ever do was not to be mentioned in Lord Radclyffe's presence.
overestimatedverbUS /ˌoʊvərˈestəmeɪtɪd/
past form of “overestimate” — make too high an estimate of
From this reading But she was quite shrewd enough to see that dear old Luke--unsophisticated and none too acute an observer--had overestimated his uncle's indifference to the all-absorbing matter.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading THE PART PLAYED BY A FIVE-POUND NOTE And it was into this atmosphere of gloom and of purposeless misanthropy that Louisa Harris brought this morning the cheering sunshine of her own indomitable optimism.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading THE PART PLAYED BY A FIVE-POUND NOTE And it was into this atmosphere of gloom and of purposeless misanthropy that Louisa Harris brought this morning the cheering sunshine of her own indomitable optimism.
(of games) engaged in
From this reading THE PART PLAYED BY A FIVE-POUND NOTE And it was into this atmosphere of gloom and of purposeless misanthropy that Louisa Harris brought this morning the cheering sunshine of her own indomitable optimism.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading She knew of course from the first that the subject which interested every one in the house more than any other subject could ever do was not to be mentioned in Lord Radclyffe's presence.
showing intellectual penetration or emotional depth
From this reading The old man's face--usually a mirror of contemptuous cynicism--looked, to the woman's keener insight, distinctly troubled, and his surly silence was even more profound than hitherto.
purposelessadjectiveUS /ˈpɜːrpəsləs/
not evidencing any purpose or goal
From this reading THE PART PLAYED BY A FIVE-POUND NOTE And it was into this atmosphere of gloom and of purposeless misanthropy that Louisa Harris brought this morning the cheering sunshine of her own indomitable optimism.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading But she was quite shrewd enough to see that dear old Luke--unsophisticated and none too acute an observer--had overestimated his uncle's indifference to the all-absorbing matter.
Radclyffe's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She knew of course from the first that the subject which interested every one in the house more than any other subject could ever do was not to be mentioned in Lord Radclyffe's presence.
relapsedverbUS /riˈlæpst/
past form of “relapse” — deteriorate in health
From this reading He hardly did more than bid Louisa a curt, "How de do?" when she entered, and then relapsed into moroseness wholly unbroken before luncheon was announced.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading But she was quite shrewd enough to see that dear old Luke--unsophisticated and none too acute an observer--had overestimated his uncle's indifference to the all-absorbing matter.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She knew of course from the first that the subject which interested every one in the house more than any other subject could ever do was not to be mentioned in Lord Radclyffe's presence.
shrewdadjectiveUS /ʃruːd/
marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
From this reading But she was quite shrewd enough to see that dear old Luke--unsophisticated and none too acute an observer--had overestimated his uncle's indifference to the all-absorbing matter.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading The old man's face--usually a mirror of contemptuous cynicism--looked, to the woman's keener insight, distinctly troubled, and his surly silence was even more profound than hitherto.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading She knew of course from the first that the subject which interested every one in the house more than any other subject could ever do was not to be mentioned in Lord Radclyffe's presence.
the rays of the sun
From this reading THE PART PLAYED BY A FIVE-POUND NOTE And it was into this atmosphere of gloom and of purposeless misanthropy that Louisa Harris brought this morning the cheering sunshine of her own indomitable optimism.
surlyadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrli/
inclined to anger or bad feelings with overtones of menace
From this reading The old man's face--usually a mirror of contemptuous cynicism--looked, to the woman's keener insight, distinctly troubled, and his surly silence was even more profound than hitherto.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading She knew of course from the first that the subject which interested every one in the house more than any other subject could ever do was not to be mentioned in Lord Radclyffe's presence.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE PART PLAYED BY A FIVE-POUND NOTE And it was into this atmosphere of gloom and of purposeless misanthropy that Louisa Harris brought this morning the cheering sunshine of her own indomitable optimism.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PART PLAYED BY A FIVE-POUND NOTE And it was into this atmosphere of gloom and of purposeless misanthropy that Louisa Harris brought this morning the cheering sunshine of her own indomitable optimism.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He hardly did more than bid Louisa a curt, "How de do?" when she entered, and then relapsed into moroseness wholly unbroken before luncheon was announced.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading THE PART PLAYED BY A FIVE-POUND NOTE And it was into this atmosphere of gloom and of purposeless misanthropy that Louisa Harris brought this morning the cheering sunshine of her own indomitable optimism.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She knew of course from the first that the subject which interested every one in the house more than any other subject could ever do was not to be mentioned in Lord Radclyffe's presence.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading But she was quite shrewd enough to see that dear old Luke--unsophisticated and none too acute an observer--had overestimated his uncle's indifference to the all-absorbing matter.
characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need
From this reading The old man's face--usually a mirror of contemptuous cynicism--looked, to the woman's keener insight, distinctly troubled, and his surly silence was even more profound than hitherto.
unbrokenadjectiveUS /ənˈbroʊkən/
marked by continuous or uninterrupted extension in space or time or sequence
From this reading He hardly did more than bid Louisa a curt, "How de do?" when she entered, and then relapsed into moroseness wholly unbroken before luncheon was announced.
uncle'snounUS /ˈʌŋkəlz/
possessive form of “uncle” — the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading But she was quite shrewd enough to see that dear old Luke--unsophisticated and none too acute an observer--had overestimated his uncle's indifference to the all-absorbing matter.
unsophisticatedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnsəˈfɪstɪkeɪtɪd/
not wise in the ways of the world
From this reading But she was quite shrewd enough to see that dear old Luke--unsophisticated and none too acute an observer--had overestimated his uncle's indifference to the all-absorbing matter.
under normal conditions
From this reading The old man's face--usually a mirror of contemptuous cynicism--looked, to the woman's keener insight, distinctly troubled, and his surly silence was even more profound than hitherto.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE PART PLAYED BY A FIVE-POUND NOTE And it was into this atmosphere of gloom and of purposeless misanthropy that Louisa Harris brought this morning the cheering sunshine of her own indomitable optimism.
at the time that
From this reading He hardly did more than bid Louisa a curt, "How de do?" when she entered, and then relapsed into moroseness wholly unbroken before luncheon was announced.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She knew of course from the first that the subject which interested every one in the house more than any other subject could ever do was not to be mentioned in Lord Radclyffe's presence.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading He hardly did more than bid Louisa a curt, "How de do?" when she entered, and then relapsed into moroseness wholly unbroken before luncheon was announced.
woman'snounUS /ˈwʊmənz/
possessive form of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The old man's face--usually a mirror of contemptuous cynicism--looked, to the woman's keener insight, distinctly troubled, and his surly silence was even more profound than hitherto.
