used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Ian only came home just in time to scramble into his evening dress-suit for a dinner at the Fletchers'.
inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense
From this reading That trifles such as this should cause bitterness will seem as absurd to sensible persons as it would to be told that our lives are made up of mere to-morrows--if Shakespeare had not happened to put that in his own memorable way.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Milly looked after him in a way which, if the makers of traditions concerning wives were not up to their necks in falsehood, must have inspired devotion in the heart of any husband alive.
aliveadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪv/
possessing life
From this reading Milly looked after him in a way which, if the makers of traditions concerning wives were not up to their necks in falsehood, must have inspired devotion in the heart of any husband alive.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading She had already observed that he had been allowed to lose most of the pocket-handkerchiefs she had marked for him in linen thread.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading She had already observed that he had been allowed to lose most of the pocket-handkerchiefs she had marked for him in linen thread.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He needed not to fear delay either from that shirt-button at the back, refractory or on the last thread, or from any other and more insidious trap for the hurrying male.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He needed not to fear delay either from that shirt-button at the back, refractory or on the last thread, or from any other and more insidious trap for the hurrying male.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading That trifles such as this should cause bitterness will seem as absurd to sensible persons as it would to be told that our lives are made up of mere to-morrows--if Shakespeare had not happened to put that in his own memorable way.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading That trifles such as this should cause bitterness will seem as absurd to sensible persons as it would to be told that our lives are made up of mere to-morrows--if Shakespeare had not happened to put that in his own memorable way.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Ian only came home just in time to scramble into his evening dress-suit for a dinner at the Fletchers'.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading He needed not to fear delay either from that shirt-button at the back, refractory or on the last thread, or from any other and more insidious trap for the hurrying male.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading That trifles such as this should cause bitterness will seem as absurd to sensible persons as it would to be told that our lives are made up of mere to-morrows--if Shakespeare had not happened to put that in his own memorable way.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She had already observed that he had been allowed to lose most of the pocket-handkerchiefs she had marked for him in linen thread.
bitternessnounUS /ˈbɪtərnəs/
a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will
From this reading That trifles such as this should cause bitterness will seem as absurd to sensible persons as it would to be told that our lives are made up of mere to-morrows--if Shakespeare had not happened to put that in his own memorable way.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Ian only came home just in time to scramble into his evening dress-suit for a dinner at the Fletchers'.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading That trifles such as this should cause bitterness will seem as absurd to sensible persons as it would to be told that our lives are made up of mere to-morrows--if Shakespeare had not happened to put that in his own memorable way.
-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to
From this reading Milly looked after him in a way which, if the makers of traditions concerning wives were not up to their necks in falsehood, must have inspired devotion in the heart of any husband alive.
cause to be slowed down or delayed
From this reading He needed not to fear delay either from that shirt-button at the back, refractory or on the last thread, or from any other and more insidious trap for the hurrying male.
feelings of ardent love
From this reading Milly looked after him in a way which, if the makers of traditions concerning wives were not up to their necks in falsehood, must have inspired devotion in the heart of any husband alive.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading Ian only came home just in time to scramble into his evening dress-suit for a dinner at the Fletchers'.
dress-suit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ian only came home just in time to scramble into his evening dress-suit for a dinner at the Fletchers'.
one or the other of two
From this reading He needed not to fear delay either from that shirt-button at the back, refractory or on the last thread, or from any other and more insidious trap for the hurrying male.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Ian only came home just in time to scramble into his evening dress-suit for a dinner at the Fletchers'.
falsehoodnounUS /ˈfælshʊd/
a false statement
From this reading Milly looked after him in a way which, if the makers of traditions concerning wives were not up to their necks in falsehood, must have inspired devotion in the heart of any husband alive.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading He needed not to fear delay either from that shirt-button at the back, refractory or on the last thread, or from any other and more insidious trap for the hurrying male.
Fletchers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ian only came home just in time to scramble into his evening dress-suit for a dinner at the Fletchers'.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Ian only came home just in time to scramble into his evening dress-suit for a dinner at the Fletchers'.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He needed not to fear delay either from that shirt-button at the back, refractory or on the last thread, or from any other and more insidious trap for the hurrying male.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had already observed that he had been allowed to lose most of the pocket-handkerchiefs she had marked for him in linen thread.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading That trifles such as this should cause bitterness will seem as absurd to sensible persons as it would to be told that our lives are made up of mere to-morrows--if Shakespeare had not happened to put that in his own memorable way.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Milly looked after him in a way which, if the makers of traditions concerning wives were not up to their necks in falsehood, must have inspired devotion in the heart of any husband alive.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He needed not to fear delay either from that shirt-button at the back, refractory or on the last thread, or from any other and more insidious trap for the hurrying male.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Milly looked after him in a way which, if the makers of traditions concerning wives were not up to their necks in falsehood, must have inspired devotion in the heart of any husband alive.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Milly looked after him in a way which, if the makers of traditions concerning wives were not up to their necks in falsehood, must have inspired devotion in the heart of any husband alive.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Ian only came home just in time to scramble into his evening dress-suit for a dinner at the Fletchers'.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Ian only came home just in time to scramble into his evening dress-suit for a dinner at the Fletchers'.
hurryingadjectiveUS /ˈhɜːriɪŋ/
moving with great haste
From this reading He needed not to fear delay either from that shirt-button at the back, refractory or on the last thread, or from any other and more insidious trap for the hurrying male.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Milly looked after him in a way which, if the makers of traditions concerning wives were not up to their necks in falsehood, must have inspired devotion in the heart of any husband alive.
Ian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ian only came home just in time to scramble into his evening dress-suit for a dinner at the Fletchers'.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Milly looked after him in a way which, if the makers of traditions concerning wives were not up to their necks in falsehood, must have inspired devotion in the heart of any husband alive.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Ian only came home just in time to scramble into his evening dress-suit for a dinner at the Fletchers'.
insidiousadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsɪdiːəs/
beguiling but harmful
From this reading He needed not to fear delay either from that shirt-button at the back, refractory or on the last thread, or from any other and more insidious trap for the hurrying male.
being of such surpassing excellence as to suggest inspiration by the gods
From this reading Milly looked after him in a way which, if the makers of traditions concerning wives were not up to their necks in falsehood, must have inspired devotion in the heart of any husband alive.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Ian only came home just in time to scramble into his evening dress-suit for a dinner at the Fletchers'.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading That trifles such as this should cause bitterness will seem as absurd to sensible persons as it would to be told that our lives are made up of mere to-morrows--if Shakespeare had not happened to put that in his own memorable way.
and nothing more
From this reading Ian only came home just in time to scramble into his evening dress-suit for a dinner at the Fletchers'.
immediately past
From this reading He needed not to fear delay either from that shirt-button at the back, refractory or on the last thread, or from any other and more insidious trap for the hurrying male.
linennounUS /ˈlɪnən/
a fabric woven with fibers from the flax plant
From this reading She had already observed that he had been allowed to lose most of the pocket-handkerchiefs she had marked for him in linen thread.
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading That trifles such as this should cause bitterness will seem as absurd to sensible persons as it would to be told that our lives are made up of mere to-morrows--if Shakespeare had not happened to put that in his own memorable way.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Milly looked after him in a way which, if the makers of traditions concerning wives were not up to their necks in falsehood, must have inspired devotion in the heart of any husband alive.
fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
From this reading She had already observed that he had been allowed to lose most of the pocket-handkerchiefs she had marked for him in linen thread.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading That trifles such as this should cause bitterness will seem as absurd to sensible persons as it would to be told that our lives are made up of mere to-morrows--if Shakespeare had not happened to put that in his own memorable way.
makersnounUS /ˈmeɪkərz/
plural of “maker” — a person who makes things
From this reading Milly looked after him in a way which, if the makers of traditions concerning wives were not up to their necks in falsehood, must have inspired devotion in the heart of any husband alive.
malenounUS /meɪl/
an animal that produces gametes (spermatozoa) that can fertilize female gametes
From this reading He needed not to fear delay either from that shirt-button at the back, refractory or on the last thread, or from any other and more insidious trap for the hurrying male.
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading She had already observed that he had been allowed to lose most of the pocket-handkerchiefs she had marked for him in linen thread.
memorableadjectiveUS /ˈmemərəbəl/
worth remembering
From this reading That trifles such as this should cause bitterness will seem as absurd to sensible persons as it would to be told that our lives are made up of mere to-morrows--if Shakespeare had not happened to put that in his own memorable way.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading That trifles such as this should cause bitterness will seem as absurd to sensible persons as it would to be told that our lives are made up of mere to-morrows--if Shakespeare had not happened to put that in his own memorable way.
Milly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Milly looked after him in a way which, if the makers of traditions concerning wives were not up to their necks in falsehood, must have inspired devotion in the heart of any husband alive.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He needed not to fear delay either from that shirt-button at the back, refractory or on the last thread, or from any other and more insidious trap for the hurrying male.
used to form the superlative
From this reading She had already observed that he had been allowed to lose most of the pocket-handkerchiefs she had marked for him in linen thread.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Milly looked after him in a way which, if the makers of traditions concerning wives were not up to their necks in falsehood, must have inspired devotion in the heart of any husband alive.
necksnounUS /neks/
plural of “neck” — the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading Milly looked after him in a way which, if the makers of traditions concerning wives were not up to their necks in falsehood, must have inspired devotion in the heart of any husband alive.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading He needed not to fear delay either from that shirt-button at the back, refractory or on the last thread, or from any other and more insidious trap for the hurrying male.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He needed not to fear delay either from that shirt-button at the back, refractory or on the last thread, or from any other and more insidious trap for the hurrying male.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading She had already observed that he had been allowed to lose most of the pocket-handkerchiefs she had marked for him in linen thread.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Milly looked after him in a way which, if the makers of traditions concerning wives were not up to their necks in falsehood, must have inspired devotion in the heart of any husband alive.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He needed not to fear delay either from that shirt-button at the back, refractory or on the last thread, or from any other and more insidious trap for the hurrying male.
and nothing more
From this reading Ian only came home just in time to scramble into his evening dress-suit for a dinner at the Fletchers'.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He needed not to fear delay either from that shirt-button at the back, refractory or on the last thread, or from any other and more insidious trap for the hurrying male.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading He needed not to fear delay either from that shirt-button at the back, refractory or on the last thread, or from any other and more insidious trap for the hurrying male.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading That trifles such as this should cause bitterness will seem as absurd to sensible persons as it would to be told that our lives are made up of mere to-morrows--if Shakespeare had not happened to put that in his own memorable way.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading That trifles such as this should cause bitterness will seem as absurd to sensible persons as it would to be told that our lives are made up of mere to-morrows--if Shakespeare had not happened to put that in his own memorable way.
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading That trifles such as this should cause bitterness will seem as absurd to sensible persons as it would to be told that our lives are made up of mere to-morrows--if Shakespeare had not happened to put that in his own memorable way.
pocket-handkerchiefs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had already observed that he had been allowed to lose most of the pocket-handkerchiefs she had marked for him in linen thread.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading That trifles such as this should cause bitterness will seem as absurd to sensible persons as it would to be told that our lives are made up of mere to-morrows--if Shakespeare had not happened to put that in his own memorable way.
refractoryadjectiveUS /rəˈfræktəri/
not responding to treatment
From this reading He needed not to fear delay either from that shirt-button at the back, refractory or on the last thread, or from any other and more insidious trap for the hurrying male.
scrambleverbUS /ˈskræmbəl/
to move hurriedly
From this reading Ian only came home just in time to scramble into his evening dress-suit for a dinner at the Fletchers'.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading That trifles such as this should cause bitterness will seem as absurd to sensible persons as it would to be told that our lives are made up of mere to-morrows--if Shakespeare had not happened to put that in his own memorable way.
showing reason or sound judgment
From this reading That trifles such as this should cause bitterness will seem as absurd to sensible persons as it would to be told that our lives are made up of mere to-morrows--if Shakespeare had not happened to put that in his own memorable way.
ShakespearenounUS /ˈʃeɪkspiːr/
English poet and dramatist considered one of the greatest English writers (1564-1616)
From this reading That trifles such as this should cause bitterness will seem as absurd to sensible persons as it would to be told that our lives are made up of mere to-morrows--if Shakespeare had not happened to put that in his own memorable way.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had already observed that he had been allowed to lose most of the pocket-handkerchiefs she had marked for him in linen thread.
shirt-button
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He needed not to fear delay either from that shirt-button at the back, refractory or on the last thread, or from any other and more insidious trap for the hurrying male.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading That trifles such as this should cause bitterness will seem as absurd to sensible persons as it would to be told that our lives are made up of mere to-morrows--if Shakespeare had not happened to put that in his own memorable way.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading That trifles such as this should cause bitterness will seem as absurd to sensible persons as it would to be told that our lives are made up of mere to-morrows--if Shakespeare had not happened to put that in his own memorable way.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He needed not to fear delay either from that shirt-button at the back, refractory or on the last thread, or from any other and more insidious trap for the hurrying male.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Ian only came home just in time to scramble into his evening dress-suit for a dinner at the Fletchers'.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Milly looked after him in a way which, if the makers of traditions concerning wives were not up to their necks in falsehood, must have inspired devotion in the heart of any husband alive.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading That trifles such as this should cause bitterness will seem as absurd to sensible persons as it would to be told that our lives are made up of mere to-morrows--if Shakespeare had not happened to put that in his own memorable way.
threadverbUS /θred/
to move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course
From this reading He needed not to fear delay either from that shirt-button at the back, refractory or on the last thread, or from any other and more insidious trap for the hurrying male.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Ian only came home just in time to scramble into his evening dress-suit for a dinner at the Fletchers'.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Ian only came home just in time to scramble into his evening dress-suit for a dinner at the Fletchers'.
to-morrows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That trifles such as this should cause bitterness will seem as absurd to sensible persons as it would to be told that our lives are made up of mere to-morrows--if Shakespeare had not happened to put that in his own memorable way.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading That trifles such as this should cause bitterness will seem as absurd to sensible persons as it would to be told that our lives are made up of mere to-morrows--if Shakespeare had not happened to put that in his own memorable way.
traditionsnounUS /trəˈdɪʃənz/
plural of “tradition” — an inherited pattern of thought or action
From this reading Milly looked after him in a way which, if the makers of traditions concerning wives were not up to their necks in falsehood, must have inspired devotion in the heart of any husband alive.
trapnounUS /træp/
a device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned
From this reading He needed not to fear delay either from that shirt-button at the back, refractory or on the last thread, or from any other and more insidious trap for the hurrying male.
triflesnounUS /ˈtraɪfəlz/
plural of “trifle” — a cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorated with nuts, cream, or chocolate
From this reading That trifles such as this should cause bitterness will seem as absurd to sensible persons as it would to be told that our lives are made up of mere to-morrows--if Shakespeare had not happened to put that in his own memorable way.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Milly looked after him in a way which, if the makers of traditions concerning wives were not up to their necks in falsehood, must have inspired devotion in the heart of any husband alive.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Milly looked after him in a way which, if the makers of traditions concerning wives were not up to their necks in falsehood, must have inspired devotion in the heart of any husband alive.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Milly looked after him in a way which, if the makers of traditions concerning wives were not up to their necks in falsehood, must have inspired devotion in the heart of any husband alive.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Milly looked after him in a way which, if the makers of traditions concerning wives were not up to their necks in falsehood, must have inspired devotion in the heart of any husband alive.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading That trifles such as this should cause bitterness will seem as absurd to sensible persons as it would to be told that our lives are made up of mere to-morrows--if Shakespeare had not happened to put that in his own memorable way.
plural of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Milly looked after him in a way which, if the makers of traditions concerning wives were not up to their necks in falsehood, must have inspired devotion in the heart of any husband alive.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading That trifles such as this should cause bitterness will seem as absurd to sensible persons as it would to be told that our lives are made up of mere to-morrows--if Shakespeare had not happened to put that in his own memorable way.
