used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The twins had a code of ethics which differed in some respects from that ordinarily accepted in their state of life.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading The twins had a code of ethics which differed in some respects from that ordinarily accepted in their state of life.
a feeling of delight at being entertained
From this reading They honoured their mother--they couldn't help it, as they said themselves, apologetically; but their father they looked upon as fair game for their amusement.
apologeticallyadverbUS /əˌpɑːləˈdʒetɪkliː/
in an apologetic manner
From this reading They honoured their mother--they couldn't help it, as they said themselves, apologetically; but their father they looked upon as fair game for their amusement.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They honoured their mother--they couldn't help it, as they said themselves, apologetically; but their father they looked upon as fair game for their amusement.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Mr. Ellis asked one day.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They honoured their mother--they couldn't help it, as they said themselves, apologetically; but their father they looked upon as fair game for their amusement.
codenounUS /koʊd/
a set of rules or principles or laws (especially written ones)
From this reading The twins had a code of ethics which differed in some respects from that ordinarily accepted in their state of life.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They honoured their mother--they couldn't help it, as they said themselves, apologetically; but their father they looked upon as fair game for their amusement.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Mr. Ellis asked one day.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "Oh, did we wake you, sir?"
differedverbUS /ˈdɪfərd/
past form of “differ” — be different
From this reading The twins had a code of ethics which differed in some respects from that ordinarily accepted in their state of life.
EllisnounUS /ˈelɪs/
plural of “elli” — (Norse mythology) goddess of old age who defeated Thor in a wrestling match
From this reading Mr. Ellis asked one day.
ethicsnounUS /ˈeθɪks/
motivation based on ideas of right and wrong
From this reading The twins had a code of ethics which differed in some respects from that ordinarily accepted in their state of life.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading They honoured their mother--they couldn't help it, as they said themselves, apologetically; but their father they looked upon as fair game for their amusement.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading They honoured their mother--they couldn't help it, as they said themselves, apologetically; but their father they looked upon as fair game for their amusement.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They honoured their mother--they couldn't help it, as they said themselves, apologetically; but their father they looked upon as fair game for their amusement.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The twins had a code of ethics which differed in some respects from that ordinarily accepted in their state of life.
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading They honoured their mother--they couldn't help it, as they said themselves, apologetically; but their father they looked upon as fair game for their amusement.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The twins had a code of ethics which differed in some respects from that ordinarily accepted in their state of life.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading "What was that unearthly noise I heard this morning?"
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading They honoured their mother--they couldn't help it, as they said themselves, apologetically; but their father they looked upon as fair game for their amusement.
honouredverbUS /ˈɑːnərd/
past form of “honour” — bestow honor or rewards upon
From this reading They honoured their mother--they couldn't help it, as they said themselves, apologetically; but their father they looked upon as fair game for their amusement.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "What was that unearthly noise I heard this morning?"
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The twins had a code of ethics which differed in some respects from that ordinarily accepted in their state of life.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading They honoured their mother--they couldn't help it, as they said themselves, apologetically; but their father they looked upon as fair game for their amusement.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The twins had a code of ethics which differed in some respects from that ordinarily accepted in their state of life.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading They honoured their mother--they couldn't help it, as they said themselves, apologetically; but their father they looked upon as fair game for their amusement.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading "What was that unearthly noise I heard this morning?"
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading They honoured their mother--they couldn't help it, as they said themselves, apologetically; but their father they looked upon as fair game for their amusement.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Ellis asked one day.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading "What was that unearthly noise I heard this morning?"
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The twins had a code of ethics which differed in some respects from that ordinarily accepted in their state of life.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading "Oh, did we wake you, sir?"
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Mr. Ellis asked one day.
ordinarilyadverbUS /ˌɔːrdəˈnerəli/
under normal conditions
From this reading The twins had a code of ethics which differed in some respects from that ordinarily accepted in their state of life.
respectsnounUS /rɪˈspekts/
(often used with “pay”) a formal expression of esteem
From this reading The twins had a code of ethics which differed in some respects from that ordinarily accepted in their state of life.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading They honoured their mother--they couldn't help it, as they said themselves, apologetically; but their father they looked upon as fair game for their amusement.
term of address for a man
From this reading "Oh, did we wake you, sir?"
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The twins had a code of ethics which differed in some respects from that ordinarily accepted in their state of life.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading The twins had a code of ethics which differed in some respects from that ordinarily accepted in their state of life.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The twins had a code of ethics which differed in some respects from that ordinarily accepted in their state of life.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The twins had a code of ethics which differed in some respects from that ordinarily accepted in their state of life.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The twins had a code of ethics which differed in some respects from that ordinarily accepted in their state of life.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading They honoured their mother--they couldn't help it, as they said themselves, apologetically; but their father they looked upon as fair game for their amusement.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They honoured their mother--they couldn't help it, as they said themselves, apologetically; but their father they looked upon as fair game for their amusement.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "What was that unearthly noise I heard this morning?"
twinsnounUS /twɪnz/
(mineralogy) two interwoven crystals that are mirror images on each other
From this reading The twins had a code of ethics which differed in some respects from that ordinarily accepted in their state of life.
unearthlyadjectiveUS /əˈnɜːrθli/
concerned with or affecting the spirit or soul
From this reading "What was that unearthly noise I heard this morning?"
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading They honoured their mother--they couldn't help it, as they said themselves, apologetically; but their father they looked upon as fair game for their amusement.
be awake, be alert, be there
From this reading "Oh, did we wake you, sir?"
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "What was that unearthly noise I heard this morning?"
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "Oh, did we wake you, sir?"
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What was that unearthly noise I heard this morning?"
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The twins had a code of ethics which differed in some respects from that ordinarily accepted in their state of life.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Oh, did we wake you, sir?"
