used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Though full of affectionate kindness, they wished him always to dance to their piping--a marionette of which they pulled the strings.
affectionateadjectiveUS /əˈfekʃənət/
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading Though full of affectionate kindness, they wished him always to dance to their piping--a marionette of which they pulled the strings.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading They loved him tyrannically, on the condition that he should conform to all their prejudices.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Though full of affectionate kindness, they wished him always to dance to their piping--a marionette of which they pulled the strings.
react verbally
From this reading James did not speak, for his only answer would have been bitter.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading James did not speak, for his only answer would have been bitter.
marked by strong resentment or cynicism
From this reading James did not speak, for his only answer would have been bitter.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Throughout, they had been unwilling to let him live his own life, but desirous rather that he should live theirs.
a state at a particular time
From this reading They loved him tyrannically, on the condition that he should conform to all their prejudices.
conformverbUS /kənˈfɔːrm/
be similar, be in line with
From this reading They loved him tyrannically, on the condition that he should conform to all their prejudices.
an artistic form of nonverbal communication
From this reading Though full of affectionate kindness, they wished him always to dance to their piping--a marionette of which they pulled the strings.
desirousadjectiveUS /dɪˈzaɪrəs/
having or expressing desire for something
From this reading Throughout, they had been unwilling to let him live his own life, but desirous rather that he should live theirs.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading James did not speak, for his only answer would have been bitter.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "What would you have me do?"
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading James did not speak, for his only answer would have been bitter.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Though full of affectionate kindness, they wished him always to dance to their piping--a marionette of which they pulled the strings.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Throughout, they had been unwilling to let him live his own life, but desirous rather that he should live theirs.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading James did not speak, for his only answer would have been bitter.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Throughout, they had been unwilling to let him live his own life, but desirous rather that he should live theirs.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Throughout, they had been unwilling to let him live his own life, but desirous rather that he should live theirs.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading James did not speak, for his only answer would have been bitter.
a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)
From this reading James did not speak, for his only answer would have been bitter.
the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic
From this reading Though full of affectionate kindness, they wished him always to dance to their piping--a marionette of which they pulled the strings.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Throughout, they had been unwilling to let him live his own life, but desirous rather that he should live theirs.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Throughout, they had been unwilling to let him live his own life, but desirous rather that he should live theirs.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Throughout, they had been unwilling to let him live his own life, but desirous rather that he should live theirs.
held dear
From this reading They loved him tyrannically, on the condition that he should conform to all their prejudices.
marionettenoun
a small figure of a person operated from above with strings by a puppeteer
From this reading Though full of affectionate kindness, they wished him always to dance to their piping--a marionette of which they pulled the strings.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "What would you have me do?"
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading James did not speak, for his only answer would have been bitter.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Though full of affectionate kindness, they wished him always to dance to their piping--a marionette of which they pulled the strings.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They loved him tyrannically, on the condition that he should conform to all their prejudices.
and nothing more
From this reading James did not speak, for his only answer would have been bitter.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Throughout, they had been unwilling to let him live his own life, but desirous rather that he should live theirs.
pipingnounUS /ˈpaɪpɪŋ/
a thin strip of covered cord used to edge hems
From this reading Though full of affectionate kindness, they wished him always to dance to their piping--a marionette of which they pulled the strings.
prejudicesnounUS /ˈpredʒədɪsɪz/
plural of “prejudice” — a partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situation
From this reading They loved him tyrannically, on the condition that he should conform to all their prejudices.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading Though full of affectionate kindness, they wished him always to dance to their piping--a marionette of which they pulled the strings.
on the contrary
From this reading Throughout, they had been unwilling to let him live his own life, but desirous rather that he should live theirs.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Throughout, they had been unwilling to let him live his own life, but desirous rather that he should live theirs.
express in speech
From this reading James did not speak, for his only answer would have been bitter.
stringsnounUS /strɪŋz/
the section of an orchestra that plays stringed instruments
From this reading Though full of affectionate kindness, they wished him always to dance to their piping--a marionette of which they pulled the strings.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Throughout, they had been unwilling to let him live his own life, but desirous rather that he should live theirs.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading They loved him tyrannically, on the condition that he should conform to all their prejudices.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They loved him tyrannically, on the condition that he should conform to all their prejudices.
theirspronounUS /ðerz/
the one or ones belonging to them
From this reading Throughout, they had been unwilling to let him live his own life, but desirous rather that he should live theirs.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Throughout, they had been unwilling to let him live his own life, but desirous rather that he should live theirs.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Though full of affectionate kindness, they wished him always to dance to their piping--a marionette of which they pulled the strings.
in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period
From this reading Throughout, they had been unwilling to let him live his own life, but desirous rather that he should live theirs.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Throughout, they had been unwilling to let him live his own life, but desirous rather that he should live theirs.
tyrannically
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They loved him tyrannically, on the condition that he should conform to all their prejudices.
unwillingadjectiveUS /ənˈwɪlɪŋ/
not disposed or inclined toward
From this reading Throughout, they had been unwilling to let him live his own life, but desirous rather that he should live theirs.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What would you have me do?"
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Though full of affectionate kindness, they wished him always to dance to their piping--a marionette of which they pulled the strings.
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading Though full of affectionate kindness, they wished him always to dance to their piping--a marionette of which they pulled the strings.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading James did not speak, for his only answer would have been bitter.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "What would you have me do?"
