1
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MISS JERVOIS, TO MISS BYRON* MONDAY, MAY 1.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading O my dearest, my honoured Miss Byron, how you have shamed your Emily by sending a letter to her; such a sweet letter too! before I have paid my duty to you, in a letter of thanks for all your love to me, and for all your kind instructions.
consider or hold as true
From this reading But I began once, twice, and thrice, and wrote a great deal each time, but could not please myself: you, madam, are such a writer, and I am such a poor thing at my pen!--But I know you will accept the heart.
(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 O my dearest, my honoured Miss Byron, how you have shamed your Emily by sending a letter to her; such a sweet letter too! before I have paid my duty to you, in a letter of thanks for all your love to me, and for all your kind instructions.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading But I began once, twice, and thrice, and wrote a great deal each time, but could not please myself: you, madam, are such a writer, and I am such a poor thing at my pen!--But I know you will accept the heart.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading * The letter to which this is an answer, as well as those written by Miss Byron to her cousin Reeves, Lady L----, &c., and theirs in return, are omitted.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading * The letter to which this is an answer, as well as those written by Miss Byron to her cousin Reeves, Lady L----, &c., and theirs in return, are omitted.
react verbally
From this reading * The letter to which this is an answer, as well as those written by Miss Byron to her cousin Reeves, Lady L----, &c., and theirs in return, are omitted.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading * The letter to which this is an answer, as well as those written by Miss Byron to her cousin Reeves, Lady L----, &c., and theirs in return, are omitted.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading * The letter to which this is an answer, as well as those written by Miss Byron to her cousin Reeves, Lady L----, &c., and theirs in return, are omitted.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But I began once, twice, and thrice, and wrote a great deal each time, but could not please myself: you, madam, are such a writer, and I am such a poor thing at my pen!--But I know you will accept the heart.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading And so my very diffidence shews pride; since it cannot be expected from me to be a fine writer: and yet this very letter, I foresee, will be the worse for my diffidence, and not the better: for I don't like this beginning, neither.--But come, it shall go.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading O my dearest, my honoured Miss Byron, how you have shamed your Emily by sending a letter to her; such a sweet letter too! before I have paid my duty to you, in a letter of thanks for all your love to me, and for all your kind instructions.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading But I began once, twice, and thrice, and wrote a great deal each time, but could not please myself: you, madam, are such a writer, and I am such a poor thing at my pen!--But I know you will accept the heart.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading And so my very diffidence shews pride; since it cannot be expected from me to be a fine writer: and yet this very letter, I foresee, will be the worse for my diffidence, and not the better: for I don't like this beginning, neither.--But come, it shall go.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading And so my very diffidence shews pride; since it cannot be expected from me to be a fine writer: and yet this very letter, I foresee, will be the worse for my diffidence, and not the better: for I don't like this beginning, neither.--But come, it shall go.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But I began once, twice, and thrice, and wrote a great deal each time, but could not please myself: you, madam, are such a writer, and I am such a poor thing at my pen!--But I know you will accept the heart.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading * The letter to which this is an answer, as well as those written by Miss Byron to her cousin Reeves, Lady L----, &c., and theirs in return, are omitted.
BYRONnounUS /ˈbaɪrən/
English romantic poet notorious for his rebellious and unconventional lifestyle (1788-1824)
From this reading MISS JERVOIS, TO MISS BYRON* MONDAY, MAY 1.
a degree on the centigrade scale of temperature
From this reading * The letter to which this is an answer, as well as those written by Miss Byron to her cousin Reeves, Lady L----, &c., and theirs in return, are omitted.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And so my very diffidence shews pride; since it cannot be expected from me to be a fine writer: and yet this very letter, I foresee, will be the worse for my diffidence, and not the better: for I don't like this beginning, neither.--But come, it shall go.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading And so my very diffidence shews pride; since it cannot be expected from me to be a fine writer: and yet this very letter, I foresee, will be the worse for my diffidence, and not the better: for I don't like this beginning, neither.--But come, it shall go.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But I began once, twice, and thrice, and wrote a great deal each time, but could not please myself: you, madam, are such a writer, and I am such a poor thing at my pen!--But I know you will accept the heart.
the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading * The letter to which this is an answer, as well as those written by Miss Byron to her cousin Reeves, Lady L----, &c., and theirs in return, are omitted.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading But I began once, twice, and thrice, and wrote a great deal each time, but could not please myself: you, madam, are such a writer, and I am such a poor thing at my pen!--But I know you will accept the heart.
a beloved person; used as terms of endearment
From this reading O my dearest, my honoured Miss Byron, how you have shamed your Emily by sending a letter to her; such a sweet letter too! before I have paid my duty to you, in a letter of thanks for all your love to me, and for all your kind instructions.
diffidencenoun
lack of self-confidence
From this reading And so my very diffidence shews pride; since it cannot be expected from me to be a fine writer: and yet this very letter, I foresee, will be the worse for my diffidence, and not the better: for I don't like this beginning, neither.--But come, it shall go.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And so my very diffidence shews pride; since it cannot be expected from me to be a fine writer: and yet this very letter, I foresee, will be the worse for my diffidence, and not the better: for I don't like this beginning, neither.--But come, it shall go.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading O my dearest, my honoured Miss Byron, how you have shamed your Emily by sending a letter to her; such a sweet letter too! before I have paid my duty to you, in a letter of thanks for all your love to me, and for all your kind instructions.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading But I began once, twice, and thrice, and wrote a great deal each time, but could not please myself: you, madam, are such a writer, and I am such a poor thing at my pen!--But I know you will accept the heart.
Emily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading O my dearest, my honoured Miss Byron, how you have shamed your Emily by sending a letter to her; such a sweet letter too! before I have paid my duty to you, in a letter of thanks for all your love to me, and for all your kind instructions.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading And so my very diffidence shews pride; since it cannot be expected from me to be a fine writer: and yet this very letter, I foresee, will be the worse for my diffidence, and not the better: for I don't like this beginning, neither.--But come, it shall go.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading And so my very diffidence shews pride; since it cannot be expected from me to be a fine writer: and yet this very letter, I foresee, will be the worse for my diffidence, and not the better: for I don't like this beginning, neither.--But come, it shall go.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading O my dearest, my honoured Miss Byron, how you have shamed your Emily by sending a letter to her; such a sweet letter too! before I have paid my duty to you, in a letter of thanks for all your love to me, and for all your kind instructions.
foreseeverbUS /fɔːrˈsiː/
realize beforehand
From this reading And so my very diffidence shews pride; since it cannot be expected from me to be a fine writer: and yet this very letter, I foresee, will be the worse for my diffidence, and not the better: for I don't like this beginning, neither.--But come, it shall go.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading And so my very diffidence shews pride; since it cannot be expected from me to be a fine writer: and yet this very letter, I foresee, will be the worse for my diffidence, and not the better: for I don't like this beginning, neither.--But come, it shall go.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading And so my very diffidence shews pride; since it cannot be expected from me to be a fine writer: and yet this very letter, I foresee, will be the worse for my diffidence, and not the better: for I don't like this beginning, neither.--But come, it shall go.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading But I began once, twice, and thrice, and wrote a great deal each time, but could not please myself: you, madam, are such a writer, and I am such a poor thing at my pen!--But I know you will accept the heart.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading O my dearest, my honoured Miss Byron, how you have shamed your Emily by sending a letter to her; such a sweet letter too! before I have paid my duty to you, in a letter of thanks for all your love to me, and for all your kind instructions.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading But I began once, twice, and thrice, and wrote a great deal each time, but could not please myself: you, madam, are such a writer, and I am such a poor thing at my pen!--But I know you will accept the heart.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading * The letter to which this is an answer, as well as those written by Miss Byron to her cousin Reeves, Lady L----, &c., and theirs in return, are omitted.
honouredverbUS /ˈɑːnərd/
past form of “honour” — bestow honor or rewards upon
From this reading O my dearest, my honoured Miss Byron, how you have shamed your Emily by sending a letter to her; such a sweet letter too! before I have paid my duty to you, in a letter of thanks for all your love to me, and for all your kind instructions.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading O my dearest, my honoured Miss Byron, how you have shamed your Emily by sending a letter to her; such a sweet letter too! before I have paid my duty to you, in a letter of thanks for all your love to me, and for all your kind instructions.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading O my dearest, my honoured Miss Byron, how you have shamed your Emily by sending a letter to her; such a sweet letter too! before I have paid my duty to you, in a letter of thanks for all your love to me, and for all your kind instructions.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading * The letter to which this is an answer, as well as those written by Miss Byron to her cousin Reeves, Lady L----, &c., and theirs in return, are omitted.
instructionsnounUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌkʃənz/
a manual usually accompanying a technical device and explaining how to install or operate it
From this reading O my dearest, my honoured Miss Byron, how you have shamed your Emily by sending a letter to her; such a sweet letter too! before I have paid my duty to you, in a letter of thanks for all your love to me, and for all your kind instructions.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading * The letter to which this is an answer, as well as those written by Miss Byron to her cousin Reeves, Lady L----, &c., and theirs in return, are omitted.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading And so my very diffidence shews pride; since it cannot be expected from me to be a fine writer: and yet this very letter, I foresee, will be the worse for my diffidence, and not the better: for I don't like this beginning, neither.--But come, it shall go.
JERVOIS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MISS JERVOIS, TO MISS BYRON* MONDAY, MAY 1.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading O my dearest, my honoured Miss Byron, how you have shamed your Emily by sending a letter to her; such a sweet letter too! before I have paid my duty to you, in a letter of thanks for all your love to me, and for all your kind instructions.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading But I began once, twice, and thrice, and wrote a great deal each time, but could not please myself: you, madam, are such a writer, and I am such a poor thing at my pen!--But I know you will accept the heart.
a metric unit of capacity, formerly defined as the volume of one kilogram of pure water under standard conditions; now equal to 1,000 cubic centimeters (or approximately 1.75 pints)
From this reading * The letter to which this is an answer, as well as those written by Miss Byron to her cousin Reeves, Lady L----, &c., and theirs in return, are omitted.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading * The letter to which this is an answer, as well as those written by Miss Byron to her cousin Reeves, Lady L----, &c., and theirs in return, are omitted.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading * The letter to which this is an answer, as well as those written by Miss Byron to her cousin Reeves, Lady L----, &c., and theirs in return, are omitted.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading And so my very diffidence shews pride; since it cannot be expected from me to be a fine writer: and yet this very letter, I foresee, will be the worse for my diffidence, and not the better: for I don't like this beginning, neither.--But come, it shall go.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading O my dearest, my honoured Miss Byron, how you have shamed your Emily by sending a letter to her; such a sweet letter too! before I have paid my duty to you, in a letter of thanks for all your love to me, and for all your kind instructions.
a woman of refinement
From this reading But I began once, twice, and thrice, and wrote a great deal each time, but could not please myself: you, madam, are such a writer, and I am such a poor thing at my pen!--But I know you will accept the heart.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading MISS JERVOIS, TO MISS BYRON* MONDAY, MAY 1.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading O my dearest, my honoured Miss Byron, how you have shamed your Emily by sending a letter to her; such a sweet letter too! before I have paid my duty to you, in a letter of thanks for all your love to me, and for all your kind instructions.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading MISS JERVOIS, TO MISS BYRON* MONDAY, MAY 1.
MONDAYnounUS /ˈmʌndi/
the second day of the week; the first working day
From this reading MISS JERVOIS, TO MISS BYRON* MONDAY, MAY 1.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading O my dearest, my honoured Miss Byron, how you have shamed your Emily by sending a letter to her; such a sweet letter too! before I have paid my duty to you, in a letter of thanks for all your love to me, and for all your kind instructions.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading But I began once, twice, and thrice, and wrote a great deal each time, but could not please myself: you, madam, are such a writer, and I am such a poor thing at my pen!--But I know you will accept the heart.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading And so my very diffidence shews pride; since it cannot be expected from me to be a fine writer: and yet this very letter, I foresee, will be the worse for my diffidence, and not the better: for I don't like this beginning, neither.--But come, it shall go.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But I began once, twice, and thrice, and wrote a great deal each time, but could not please myself: you, madam, are such a writer, and I am such a poor thing at my pen!--But I know you will accept the heart.
a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust
From this reading O my dearest, my honoured Miss Byron, how you have shamed your Emily by sending a letter to her; such a sweet letter too! before I have paid my duty to you, in a letter of thanks for all your love to me, and for all your kind instructions.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading O my dearest, my honoured Miss Byron, how you have shamed your Emily by sending a letter to her; such a sweet letter too! before I have paid my duty to you, in a letter of thanks for all your love to me, and for all your kind instructions.
omittedverbUS /oʊˈmɪtəd/
inflected form of “omit” — prevent from being included or considered or accepted
From this reading * The letter to which this is an answer, as well as those written by Miss Byron to her cousin Reeves, Lady L----, &c., and theirs in return, are omitted.
on one occasion
From this reading But I began once, twice, and thrice, and wrote a great deal each time, but could not please myself: you, madam, are such a writer, and I am such a poor thing at my pen!--But I know you will accept the heart.
marked by the reception of pay
From this reading O my dearest, my honoured Miss Byron, how you have shamed your Emily by sending a letter to her; such a sweet letter too! before I have paid my duty to you, in a letter of thanks for all your love to me, and for all your kind instructions.
a writing implement with a point from which ink flows
From this reading But I began once, twice, and thrice, and wrote a great deal each time, but could not please myself: you, madam, are such a writer, and I am such a poor thing at my pen!--But I know you will accept the heart.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading But I began once, twice, and thrice, and wrote a great deal each time, but could not please myself: you, madam, are such a writer, and I am such a poor thing at my pen!--But I know you will accept the heart.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading But I began once, twice, and thrice, and wrote a great deal each time, but could not please myself: you, madam, are such a writer, and I am such a poor thing at my pen!--But I know you will accept the heart.
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading And so my very diffidence shews pride; since it cannot be expected from me to be a fine writer: and yet this very letter, I foresee, will be the worse for my diffidence, and not the better: for I don't like this beginning, neither.--But come, it shall go.
ReevesnounUS /riːvz/
plural of “reeve” — female ruff
From this reading * The letter to which this is an answer, as well as those written by Miss Byron to her cousin Reeves, Lady L----, &c., and theirs in return, are omitted.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading * The letter to which this is an answer, as well as those written by Miss Byron to her cousin Reeves, Lady L----, &c., and theirs in return, are omitted.
the act of causing something to go (especially messages)
From this reading O my dearest, my honoured Miss Byron, how you have shamed your Emily by sending a letter to her; such a sweet letter too! before I have paid my duty to you, in a letter of thanks for all your love to me, and for all your kind instructions.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading And so my very diffidence shews pride; since it cannot be expected from me to be a fine writer: and yet this very letter, I foresee, will be the worse for my diffidence, and not the better: for I don't like this beginning, neither.--But come, it shall go.
shamedadjectiveUS /ʃeɪmd/
showing a sense of guilt
From this reading O my dearest, my honoured Miss Byron, how you have shamed your Emily by sending a letter to her; such a sweet letter too! before I have paid my duty to you, in a letter of thanks for all your love to me, and for all your kind instructions.
shews
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And so my very diffidence shews pride; since it cannot be expected from me to be a fine writer: and yet this very letter, I foresee, will be the worse for my diffidence, and not the better: for I don't like this beginning, neither.--But come, it shall go.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading And so my very diffidence shews pride; since it cannot be expected from me to be a fine writer: and yet this very letter, I foresee, will be the worse for my diffidence, and not the better: for I don't like this beginning, neither.--But come, it shall go.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading And so my very diffidence shews pride; since it cannot be expected from me to be a fine writer: and yet this very letter, I foresee, will be the worse for my diffidence, and not the better: for I don't like this beginning, neither.--But come, it shall go.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading O my dearest, my honoured Miss Byron, how you have shamed your Emily by sending a letter to her; such a sweet letter too! before I have paid my duty to you, in a letter of thanks for all your love to me, and for all your kind instructions.
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading O my dearest, my honoured Miss Byron, how you have shamed your Emily by sending a letter to her; such a sweet letter too! before I have paid my duty to you, in a letter of thanks for all your love to me, and for all your kind instructions.
an acknowledgment of appreciation
From this reading O my dearest, my honoured Miss Byron, how you have shamed your Emily by sending a letter to her; such a sweet letter too! before I have paid my duty to you, in a letter of thanks for all your love to me, and for all your kind instructions.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading * The letter to which this is an answer, as well as those written by Miss Byron to her cousin Reeves, Lady L----, &c., and theirs in return, are omitted.
theirspronounUS /ðerz/
the one or ones belonging to them
From this reading * The letter to which this is an answer, as well as those written by Miss Byron to her cousin Reeves, Lady L----, &c., and theirs in return, are omitted.
a special situation
From this reading But I began once, twice, and thrice, and wrote a great deal each time, but could not please myself: you, madam, are such a writer, and I am such a poor thing at my pen!--But I know you will accept the heart.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading * The letter to which this is an answer, as well as those written by Miss Byron to her cousin Reeves, Lady L----, &c., and theirs in return, are omitted.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading * The letter to which this is an answer, as well as those written by Miss Byron to her cousin Reeves, Lady L----, &c., and theirs in return, are omitted.
thriceadverbUS /θraɪs/
three times
From this reading But I began once, twice, and thrice, and wrote a great deal each time, but could not please myself: you, madam, are such a writer, and I am such a poor thing at my pen!--But I know you will accept the heart.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading But I began once, twice, and thrice, and wrote a great deal each time, but could not please myself: you, madam, are such a writer, and I am such a poor thing at my pen!--But I know you will accept the heart.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading MISS JERVOIS, TO MISS BYRON* MONDAY, MAY 1.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading O my dearest, my honoured Miss Byron, how you have shamed your Emily by sending a letter to her; such a sweet letter too! before I have paid my duty to you, in a letter of thanks for all your love to me, and for all your kind instructions.
two times
From this reading But I began once, twice, and thrice, and wrote a great deal each time, but could not please myself: you, madam, are such a writer, and I am such a poor thing at my pen!--But I know you will accept the heart.
precisely as stated
From this reading And so my very diffidence shews pride; since it cannot be expected from me to be a fine writer: and yet this very letter, I foresee, will be the worse for my diffidence, and not the better: for I don't like this beginning, neither.--But come, it shall go.
(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 * The letter to which this is an answer, as well as those written by Miss Byron to her cousin Reeves, Lady L----, &c., and theirs in return, are omitted.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading * The letter to which this is an answer, as well as those written by Miss Byron to her cousin Reeves, Lady L----, &c., and theirs in return, are omitted.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading But I began once, twice, and thrice, and wrote a great deal each time, but could not please myself: you, madam, are such a writer, and I am such a poor thing at my pen!--But I know you will accept the heart.
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading And so my very diffidence shews pride; since it cannot be expected from me to be a fine writer: and yet this very letter, I foresee, will be the worse for my diffidence, and not the better: for I don't like this beginning, neither.--But come, it shall go.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading But I began once, twice, and thrice, and wrote a great deal each time, but could not please myself: you, madam, are such a writer, and I am such a poor thing at my pen!--But I know you will accept the heart.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading * The letter to which this is an answer, as well as those written by Miss Byron to her cousin Reeves, Lady L----, &c., and theirs in return, are omitted.
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading But I began once, twice, and thrice, and wrote a great deal each time, but could not please myself: you, madam, are such a writer, and I am such a poor thing at my pen!--But I know you will accept the heart.
but in spite of that
From this reading And so my very diffidence shews pride; since it cannot be expected from me to be a fine writer: and yet this very letter, I foresee, will be the worse for my diffidence, and not the better: for I don't like this beginning, neither.--But come, it shall go.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading O my dearest, my honoured Miss Byron, how you have shamed your Emily by sending a letter to her; such a sweet letter too! before I have paid my duty to you, in a letter of thanks for all your love to me, and for all your kind instructions.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading O my dearest, my honoured Miss Byron, how you have shamed your Emily by sending a letter to her; such a sweet letter too! before I have paid my duty to you, in a letter of thanks for all your love to me, and for all your kind instructions.
