used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Lord Beachcombe drew himself up with a grieved air.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading Prue accepted his apologies with a dignified coolness that left him no excuse for prolonging his visit, so he departed, much crestfallen, but far from being convinced.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Lord Beachcombe drew himself up with a grieved air.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading "I merely wished to withdraw any remark that might be displeasing to you, Viscountess.
apologiesnounUS /əˈpɑːlədʒiːz/
plural of “apology” — an expression of regret at having caused trouble for someone
From this reading Prue accepted his apologies with a dignified coolness that left him no excuse for prolonging his visit, so he departed, much crestfallen, but far from being convinced.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading If, in my excitement, I appeared incredulous, it was not that I presumed to doubt your word, but that I found it hard to believe that Fate could have played me so scurvy a trick."
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "I merely wished to withdraw any remark that might be displeasing to you, Viscountess.
Beachcombe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lord Beachcombe drew himself up with a grieved air.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Prue accepted his apologies with a dignified coolness that left him no excuse for prolonging his visit, so he departed, much crestfallen, but far from being convinced.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading If, in my excitement, I appeared incredulous, it was not that I presumed to doubt your word, but that I found it hard to believe that Fate could have played me so scurvy a trick."
on the far side of; further than
From this reading It would grieve me beyond expression to offend you.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading If, in my excitement, I appeared incredulous, it was not that I presumed to doubt your word, but that I found it hard to believe that Fate could have played me so scurvy a trick."
persuaded of; very sure
From this reading Prue accepted his apologies with a dignified coolness that left him no excuse for prolonging his visit, so he departed, much crestfallen, but far from being convinced.
coolnessnounUS /ˈkuːlnəs/
calm and unruffled self-assurance
From this reading Prue accepted his apologies with a dignified coolness that left him no excuse for prolonging his visit, so he departed, much crestfallen, but far from being convinced.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading If, in my excitement, I appeared incredulous, it was not that I presumed to doubt your word, but that I found it hard to believe that Fate could have played me so scurvy a trick."
crestfallenadjectiveUS /ˈkrestfɔːlən/
brought low in spirit
From this reading Prue accepted his apologies with a dignified coolness that left him no excuse for prolonging his visit, so he departed, much crestfallen, but far from being convinced.
well in the past; former
From this reading Prue accepted his apologies with a dignified coolness that left him no excuse for prolonging his visit, so he departed, much crestfallen, but far from being convinced.
dignifiedadjectiveUS /ˈdɪɡnəfaɪd/
having or expressing dignity; especially formality or stateliness in bearing or appearance
From this reading Prue accepted his apologies with a dignified coolness that left him no excuse for prolonging his visit, so he departed, much crestfallen, but far from being convinced.
displeasingadjective
causing displeasure or lacking pleasing qualities
From this reading "I merely wished to withdraw any remark that might be displeasing to you, Viscountess.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading If, in my excitement, I appeared incredulous, it was not that I presumed to doubt your word, but that I found it hard to believe that Fate could have played me so scurvy a trick."
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading Lord Beachcombe drew himself up with a grieved air.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading If, in my excitement, I appeared incredulous, it was not that I presumed to doubt your word, but that I found it hard to believe that Fate could have played me so scurvy a trick."
accept an excuse for
From this reading Prue accepted his apologies with a dignified coolness that left him no excuse for prolonging his visit, so he departed, much crestfallen, but far from being convinced.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading It would grieve me beyond expression to offend you.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Prue accepted his apologies with a dignified coolness that left him no excuse for prolonging his visit, so he departed, much crestfallen, but far from being convinced.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading If, in my excitement, I appeared incredulous, it was not that I presumed to doubt your word, but that I found it hard to believe that Fate could have played me so scurvy a trick."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Prue accepted his apologies with a dignified coolness that left him no excuse for prolonging his visit, so he departed, much crestfallen, but far from being convinced.
set up or found
From this reading If, in my excitement, I appeared incredulous, it was not that I presumed to doubt your word, but that I found it hard to believe that Fate could have played me so scurvy a trick."
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Prue accepted his apologies with a dignified coolness that left him no excuse for prolonging his visit, so he departed, much crestfallen, but far from being convinced.
grieveverbUS /ɡriːv/
feel grief
From this reading It would grieve me beyond expression to offend you.
grievedverbUS /ɡriːvd/
past form of “grieve” — feel grief
From this reading Lord Beachcombe drew himself up with a grieved air.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading If, in my excitement, I appeared incredulous, it was not that I presumed to doubt your word, but that I found it hard to believe that Fate could have played me so scurvy a trick."
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If, in my excitement, I appeared incredulous, it was not that I presumed to doubt your word, but that I found it hard to believe that Fate could have played me so scurvy a trick."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Prue accepted his apologies with a dignified coolness that left him no excuse for prolonging his visit, so he departed, much crestfallen, but far from being convinced.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Prue accepted his apologies with a dignified coolness that left him no excuse for prolonging his visit, so he departed, much crestfallen, but far from being convinced.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Lord Beachcombe drew himself up with a grieved air.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Prue accepted his apologies with a dignified coolness that left him no excuse for prolonging his visit, so he departed, much crestfallen, but far from being convinced.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I merely wished to withdraw any remark that might be displeasing to you, Viscountess.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If, in my excitement, I appeared incredulous, it was not that I presumed to doubt your word, but that I found it hard to believe that Fate could have played me so scurvy a trick."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading If, in my excitement, I appeared incredulous, it was not that I presumed to doubt your word, but that I found it hard to believe that Fate could have played me so scurvy a trick."
incredulousadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkredʒələs/
not disposed or willing to believe; unbelieving
From this reading If, in my excitement, I appeared incredulous, it was not that I presumed to doubt your word, but that I found it hard to believe that Fate could have played me so scurvy a trick."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It would grieve me beyond expression to offend you.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Prue accepted his apologies with a dignified coolness that left him no excuse for prolonging his visit, so he departed, much crestfallen, but far from being convinced.
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading Lord Beachcombe drew himself up with a grieved air.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It would grieve me beyond expression to offend you.
and nothing more
From this reading "I merely wished to withdraw any remark that might be displeasing to you, Viscountess.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading "I merely wished to withdraw any remark that might be displeasing to you, Viscountess.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Prue accepted his apologies with a dignified coolness that left him no excuse for prolonging his visit, so he departed, much crestfallen, but far from being convinced.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading If, in my excitement, I appeared incredulous, it was not that I presumed to doubt your word, but that I found it hard to believe that Fate could have played me so scurvy a trick."
not any; not one
From this reading Prue accepted his apologies with a dignified coolness that left him no excuse for prolonging his visit, so he departed, much crestfallen, but far from being convinced.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading If, in my excitement, I appeared incredulous, it was not that I presumed to doubt your word, but that I found it hard to believe that Fate could have played me so scurvy a trick."
offendverbUS /əˈfend/
cause to feel resentment or indignation
From this reading It would grieve me beyond expression to offend you.
(of games) engaged in
From this reading If, in my excitement, I appeared incredulous, it was not that I presumed to doubt your word, but that I found it hard to believe that Fate could have played me so scurvy a trick."
presumedverbUS /prəˈzuːmd/
past form of “presume” — take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof
From this reading If, in my excitement, I appeared incredulous, it was not that I presumed to doubt your word, but that I found it hard to believe that Fate could have played me so scurvy a trick."
prolongingverbUS /proʊˈlɔːŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “prolong” — lengthen in time; cause to be or last longer
From this reading Prue accepted his apologies with a dignified coolness that left him no excuse for prolonging his visit, so he departed, much crestfallen, but far from being convinced.
Prue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Prue accepted his apologies with a dignified coolness that left him no excuse for prolonging his visit, so he departed, much crestfallen, but far from being convinced.
a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
From this reading "I merely wished to withdraw any remark that might be displeasing to you, Viscountess.
scurvynoun
a condition caused by deficiency of ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
From this reading If, in my excitement, I appeared incredulous, it was not that I presumed to doubt your word, but that I found it hard to believe that Fate could have played me so scurvy a trick."
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading If, in my excitement, I appeared incredulous, it was not that I presumed to doubt your word, but that I found it hard to believe that Fate could have played me so scurvy a trick."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "I merely wished to withdraw any remark that might be displeasing to you, Viscountess.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "I merely wished to withdraw any remark that might be displeasing to you, Viscountess.
a cunning or deceitful action or device
From this reading If, in my excitement, I appeared incredulous, it was not that I presumed to doubt your word, but that I found it hard to believe that Fate could have played me so scurvy a trick."
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Lord Beachcombe drew himself up with a grieved air.
Viscountessnoun
a wife or widow of a viscount
From this reading "I merely wished to withdraw any remark that might be displeasing to you, Viscountess.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading Prue accepted his apologies with a dignified coolness that left him no excuse for prolonging his visit, so he departed, much crestfallen, but far from being convinced.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If, in my excitement, I appeared incredulous, it was not that I presumed to doubt your word, but that I found it hard to believe that Fate could have played me so scurvy a trick."
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading "I merely wished to withdraw any remark that might be displeasing to you, Viscountess.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Lord Beachcombe drew himself up with a grieved air.
withdrawverbUS /wɪðˈdrɔː/
pull back or move away or backward
From this reading "I merely wished to withdraw any remark that might be displeasing to you, Viscountess.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading If, in my excitement, I appeared incredulous, it was not that I presumed to doubt your word, but that I found it hard to believe that Fate could have played me so scurvy a trick."
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It would grieve me beyond expression to offend you.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I merely wished to withdraw any remark that might be displeasing to you, Viscountess.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading If, in my excitement, I appeared incredulous, it was not that I presumed to doubt your word, but that I found it hard to believe that Fate could have played me so scurvy a trick."
