used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Later still, he had been too much in love to think about her at all, in the true sense of the word.
be able to spare or give up
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
(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 Later still, he had been too much in love to think about her at all, in the true sense of the word.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Later on, such disturbing events as engagement and marriage had seemed to him enough to explain any changes he had observed in her.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Later still, he had been too much in love to think about her at all, in the true sense of the word.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
an occurrence of something
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
plural of “change” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another
From this reading Later on, such disturbing events as engagement and marriage had seemed to him enough to explain any changes he had observed in her.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading It was of course now part of his creed that he had loved Milly Flaxman from the first--only he had never known her well till that Christmas Vacation when they had skated so much together.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
comfortingadjectiveUS /ˈkʌmfərtɪŋ/
providing freedom from worry
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading It was of course now part of his creed that he had loved Milly Flaxman from the first--only he had never known her well till that Christmas Vacation when they had skated so much together.
creednounUS /kriːd/
any system of principles or beliefs
From this reading It was of course now part of his creed that he had loved Milly Flaxman from the first--only he had never known her well till that Christmas Vacation when they had skated so much together.
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading She had been to him "all a wonder and a wild desire."
disquietingadjectiveUS /dɪˈskwaɪətɪŋ/
causing mental discomfort
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
disturbingadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɜːrbɪŋ/
causing distress or worry or anxiety
From this reading Later on, such disturbing events as engagement and marriage had seemed to him enough to explain any changes he had observed in her.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading Later on, such disturbing events as engagement and marriage had seemed to him enough to explain any changes he had observed in her.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Later on, such disturbing events as engagement and marriage had seemed to him enough to explain any changes he had observed in her.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading Later on, such disturbing events as engagement and marriage had seemed to him enough to explain any changes he had observed in her.
make plain and comprehensible
From this reading Later on, such disturbing events as engagement and marriage had seemed to him enough to explain any changes he had observed in her.
feminineadjectiveUS /ˈfemənən/
associated with women and not with men
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It was of course now part of his creed that he had loved Milly Flaxman from the first--only he had never known her well till that Christmas Vacation when they had skated so much together.
Flaxman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was of course now part of his creed that he had loved Milly Flaxman from the first--only he had never known her well till that Christmas Vacation when they had skated so much together.
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was of course now part of his creed that he had loved Milly Flaxman from the first--only he had never known her well till that Christmas Vacation when they had skated so much together.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was of course now part of his creed that he had loved Milly Flaxman from the first--only he had never known her well till that Christmas Vacation when they had skated so much together.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Later on, such disturbing events as engagement and marriage had seemed to him enough to explain any changes he had observed in her.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
Ian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
intuitionnounUS /ˌɪntuːˈɪʃən/
instinctive knowing (without the use of rational processes)
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading It was of course now part of his creed that he had loved Milly Flaxman from the first--only he had never known her well till that Christmas Vacation when they had skated so much together.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading Later on, such disturbing events as engagement and marriage had seemed to him enough to explain any changes he had observed in her.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading Later still, he had been too much in love to think about her at all, in the true sense of the word.
held dear
From this reading It was of course now part of his creed that he had loved Milly Flaxman from the first--only he had never known her well till that Christmas Vacation when they had skated so much together.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading Later on, such disturbing events as engagement and marriage had seemed to him enough to explain any changes he had observed in her.
Milly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading It was of course now part of his creed that he had loved Milly Flaxman from the first--only he had never known her well till that Christmas Vacation when they had skated so much together.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading It was of course now part of his creed that he had loved Milly Flaxman from the first--only he had never known her well till that Christmas Vacation when they had skated so much together.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading It was of course now part of his creed that he had loved Milly Flaxman from the first--only he had never known her well till that Christmas Vacation when they had skated so much together.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading Later on, such disturbing events as engagement and marriage had seemed to him enough to explain any changes he had observed in her.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Later on, such disturbing events as engagement and marriage had seemed to him enough to explain any changes he had observed in her.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
and nothing more
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading It was of course now part of his creed that he had loved Milly Flaxman from the first--only he had never known her well till that Christmas Vacation when they had skated so much together.
persuadingverbUS /pərˈsweɪdɪŋ/
-ing form of “persuade” — win approval or support for
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
recollectionsnounUS /ˌrekəˈlekʃənz/
plural of “recollection” — the ability to recall past occurrences
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Later on, such disturbing events as engagement and marriage had seemed to him enough to explain any changes he had observed in her.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading Later still, he had been too much in love to think about her at all, in the true sense of the word.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had been to him "all a wonder and a wild desire."
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
skatedverbUS /ˈskeɪtɪd/
past form of “skate” — move along on skates
From this reading It was of course now part of his creed that he had loved Milly Flaxman from the first--only he had never known her well till that Christmas Vacation when they had skated so much together.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
not in physical motion
From this reading Later still, he had been too much in love to think about her at all, in the true sense of the word.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Later on, such disturbing events as engagement and marriage had seemed to him enough to explain any changes he had observed in her.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was of course now part of his creed that he had loved Milly Flaxman from the first--only he had never known her well till that Christmas Vacation when they had skated so much together.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Later still, he had been too much in love to think about her at all, in the true sense of the word.
up to a particular time
From this reading It was of course now part of his creed that he had loved Milly Flaxman from the first--only he had never known her well till that Christmas Vacation when they had skated so much together.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading It was of course now part of his creed that he had loved Milly Flaxman from the first--only he had never known her well till that Christmas Vacation when they had skated so much together.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Later still, he had been too much in love to think about her at all, in the true sense of the word.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading Later still, he had been too much in love to think about her at all, in the true sense of the word.
VacationnounUS /veɪˈkeɪʃən/
leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure
From this reading It was of course now part of his creed that he had loved Milly Flaxman from the first--only he had never known her well till that Christmas Vacation when they had skated so much together.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
watchesnounUS /ˈwɑːtʃəz/
plural of “watch” — a small portable timepiece
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
(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 It was of course now part of his creed that he had loved Milly Flaxman from the first--only he had never known her well till that Christmas Vacation when they had skated so much together.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
at the time that
From this reading It was of course now part of his creed that he had loved Milly Flaxman from the first--only he had never known her well till that Christmas Vacation when they had skated so much together.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading She had been to him "all a wonder and a wild desire."
in the company of; together with
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading She had been to him "all a wonder and a wild desire."
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Later still, he had been too much in love to think about her at all, in the true sense of the word.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Ian had been so busy persuading Milly to view her own case as a simple one, and so busy comforting her with an almost feminine intuition of what would really afford her comfort, that it was only in the watches of the night that certain disquieting recollections forced their way into his mind.
