used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
in actual fact
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading AT THE GATES OF PARADISE Many women have advanced the doctrine that the happiest time of life is that of their engagement.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Now, in the case of the young couple whose fortunes we are following, there was plenty of love with excellent wooing; but the engagement had been opposed by the whole tribe of Arundels, so that every time she met her lover it was in open rebellion against her mother.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Now, in the case of the young couple whose fortunes we are following, there was plenty of love with excellent wooing; but the engagement had been opposed by the whole tribe of Arundels, so that every time she met her lover it was in open rebellion against her mother.
Arundels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, in the case of the young couple whose fortunes we are following, there was plenty of love with excellent wooing; but the engagement had been opposed by the whole tribe of Arundels, so that every time she met her lover it was in open rebellion against her mother.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AT THE GATES OF PARADISE Many women have advanced the doctrine that the happiest time of life is that of their engagement.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
for the reason that
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Now, in the case of the young couple whose fortunes we are following, there was plenty of love with excellent wooing; but the engagement had been opposed by the whole tribe of Arundels, so that every time she met her lover it was in open rebellion against her mother.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading But the happiness of it depends upon its being a courtship without obstacles.
a woman who has recently been married
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Now, in the case of the young couple whose fortunes we are following, there was plenty of love with excellent wooing; but the engagement had been opposed by the whole tribe of Arundels, so that every time she met her lover it was in open rebellion against her mother.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
an occurrence of something
From this reading Now, in the case of the young couple whose fortunes we are following, there was plenty of love with excellent wooing; but the engagement had been opposed by the whole tribe of Arundels, so that every time she met her lover it was in open rebellion against her mother.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading Now, in the case of the young couple whose fortunes we are following, there was plenty of love with excellent wooing; but the engagement had been opposed by the whole tribe of Arundels, so that every time she met her lover it was in open rebellion against her mother.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
courtshipnounUS /ˈkɔːrtʃɪp/
a man's courting of a woman; seeking the affections of a woman (usually with the hope of marriage)
From this reading But the happiness of it depends upon its being a courtship without obstacles.
defendedverbUS /dɪˈfendəd/
past form of “defend” — argue or speak in defense of
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
greatly pleasing or entertaining
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
dependsverbUS /dɪˈpendz/
third-person singular of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading But the happiness of it depends upon its being a courtship without obstacles.
doctrinenounUS /ˈdɑːktrən/
a belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school
From this reading AT THE GATES OF PARADISE Many women have advanced the doctrine that the happiest time of life is that of their engagement.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading AT THE GATES OF PARADISE Many women have advanced the doctrine that the happiest time of life is that of their engagement.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Now, in the case of the young couple whose fortunes we are following, there was plenty of love with excellent wooing; but the engagement had been opposed by the whole tribe of Arundels, so that every time she met her lover it was in open rebellion against her mother.
very good; of the highest quality
From this reading Now, in the case of the young couple whose fortunes we are following, there was plenty of love with excellent wooing; but the engagement had been opposed by the whole tribe of Arundels, so that every time she met her lover it was in open rebellion against her mother.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading To go home from a walk with him only to find the silence of resentment at home was not pleasant.
feel or handle with the fingers
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading Now, in the case of the young couple whose fortunes we are following, there was plenty of love with excellent wooing; but the engagement had been opposed by the whole tribe of Arundels, so that every time she met her lover it was in open rebellion against her mother.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
fortunesnounUS /ˈfɔːrtʃənz/
plural of “fortune” — an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading Now, in the case of the young couple whose fortunes we are following, there was plenty of love with excellent wooing; but the engagement had been opposed by the whole tribe of Arundels, so that every time she met her lover it was in open rebellion against her mother.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
United States computer entrepreneur whose software company made him the youngest multi-billionaire in the history of the United States (born in 1955)
From this reading AT THE GATES OF PARADISE Many women have advanced the doctrine that the happiest time of life is that of their engagement.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading To go home from a walk with him only to find the silence of resentment at home was not pleasant.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Now, in the case of the young couple whose fortunes we are following, there was plenty of love with excellent wooing; but the engagement had been opposed by the whole tribe of Arundels, so that every time she met her lover it was in open rebellion against her mother.
happiestadjectiveUS /ˈhæpiəst/
superlative of “happy” — enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading AT THE GATES OF PARADISE Many women have advanced the doctrine that the happiest time of life is that of their engagement.
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading But the happiness of it depends upon its being a courtship without obstacles.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading AT THE GATES OF PARADISE Many women have advanced the doctrine that the happiest time of life is that of their engagement.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Now, in the case of the young couple whose fortunes we are following, there was plenty of love with excellent wooing; but the engagement had been opposed by the whole tribe of Arundels, so that every time she met her lover it was in open rebellion against her mother.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading To go home from a walk with him only to find the silence of resentment at home was not pleasant.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading To go home from a walk with him only to find the silence of resentment at home was not pleasant.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AT THE GATES OF PARADISE Many women have advanced the doctrine that the happiest time of life is that of their engagement.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading But the happiness of it depends upon its being a courtship without obstacles.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading AT THE GATES OF PARADISE Many women have advanced the doctrine that the happiest time of life is that of their engagement.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading Now, in the case of the young couple whose fortunes we are following, there was plenty of love with excellent wooing; but the engagement had been opposed by the whole tribe of Arundels, so that every time she met her lover it was in open rebellion against her mother.
a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
From this reading Now, in the case of the young couple whose fortunes we are following, there was plenty of love with excellent wooing; but the engagement had been opposed by the whole tribe of Arundels, so that every time she met her lover it was in open rebellion against her mother.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading AT THE GATES OF PARADISE Many women have advanced the doctrine that the happiest time of life is that of their engagement.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading Now, in the case of the young couple whose fortunes we are following, there was plenty of love with excellent wooing; but the engagement had been opposed by the whole tribe of Arundels, so that every time she met her lover it was in open rebellion against her mother.
an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Now, in the case of the young couple whose fortunes we are following, there was plenty of love with excellent wooing; but the engagement had been opposed by the whole tribe of Arundels, so that every time she met her lover it was in open rebellion against her mother.
not any; not one
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now, in the case of the young couple whose fortunes we are following, there was plenty of love with excellent wooing; but the engagement had been opposed by the whole tribe of Arundels, so that every time she met her lover it was in open rebellion against her mother.
obstaclesnounUS /ˈɑːbstəkəlz/
plural of “obstacle” — something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted
From this reading But the happiness of it depends upon its being a courtship without obstacles.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AT THE GATES OF PARADISE Many women have advanced the doctrine that the happiest time of life is that of their engagement.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
and nothing more
From this reading To go home from a walk with him only to find the silence of resentment at home was not pleasant.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Now, in the case of the young couple whose fortunes we are following, there was plenty of love with excellent wooing; but the engagement had been opposed by the whole tribe of Arundels, so that every time she met her lover it was in open rebellion against her mother.
opposedadjectiveUS /əˈpoʊzd/
being in opposition or having an opponent
From this reading Now, in the case of the young couple whose fortunes we are following, there was plenty of love with excellent wooing; but the engagement had been opposed by the whole tribe of Arundels, so that every time she met her lover it was in open rebellion against her mother.
PARADISEnounUS /ˈperədaɪs/
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading AT THE GATES OF PARADISE Many women have advanced the doctrine that the happiest time of life is that of their engagement.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading To go home from a walk with him only to find the silence of resentment at home was not pleasant.
a full supply
From this reading Now, in the case of the young couple whose fortunes we are following, there was plenty of love with excellent wooing; but the engagement had been opposed by the whole tribe of Arundels, so that every time she met her lover it was in open rebellion against her mother.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
by chance
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
rebellionnounUS /rɪˈbeljən/
refusal to accept some authority or code or convention
From this reading Now, in the case of the young couple whose fortunes we are following, there was plenty of love with excellent wooing; but the engagement had been opposed by the whole tribe of Arundels, so that every time she met her lover it was in open rebellion against her mother.
resentmentnounUS /rɪˈzentmənt/
a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will
From this reading To go home from a walk with him only to find the silence of resentment at home was not pleasant.
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Now, in the case of the young couple whose fortunes we are following, there was plenty of love with excellent wooing; but the engagement had been opposed by the whole tribe of Arundels, so that every time she met her lover it was in open rebellion against her mother.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading To go home from a walk with him only to find the silence of resentment at home was not pleasant.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Now, in the case of the young couple whose fortunes we are following, there was plenty of love with excellent wooing; but the engagement had been opposed by the whole tribe of Arundels, so that every time she met her lover it was in open rebellion against her mother.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading AT THE GATES OF PARADISE Many women have advanced the doctrine that the happiest time of life is that of their engagement.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AT THE GATES OF PARADISE Many women have advanced the doctrine that the happiest time of life is that of their engagement.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading AT THE GATES OF PARADISE Many women have advanced the doctrine that the happiest time of life is that of their engagement.
a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Now, in the case of the young couple whose fortunes we are following, there was plenty of love with excellent wooing; but the engagement had been opposed by the whole tribe of Arundels, so that every time she met her lover it was in open rebellion against her mother.
a special situation
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading AT THE GATES OF PARADISE Many women have advanced the doctrine that the happiest time of life is that of their engagement.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
tribenounUS /traɪb/
a social division of (usually preliterate) people
From this reading Now, in the case of the young couple whose fortunes we are following, there was plenty of love with excellent wooing; but the engagement had been opposed by the whole tribe of Arundels, so that every time she met her lover it was in open rebellion against her mother.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading But the happiness of it depends upon its being a courtship without obstacles.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading To go home from a walk with him only to find the silence of resentment at home was not pleasant.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Now, in the case of the young couple whose fortunes we are following, there was plenty of love with excellent wooing; but the engagement had been opposed by the whole tribe of Arundels, so that every time she met her lover it was in open rebellion against her mother.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Now, in the case of the young couple whose fortunes we are following, there was plenty of love with excellent wooing; but the engagement had been opposed by the whole tribe of Arundels, so that every time she met her lover it was in open rebellion against her mother.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Now, in the case of the young couple whose fortunes we are following, there was plenty of love with excellent wooing; but the engagement had been opposed by the whole tribe of Arundels, so that every time she met her lover it was in open rebellion against her mother.
belonging to which person
From this reading Now, in the case of the young couple whose fortunes we are following, there was plenty of love with excellent wooing; but the engagement had been opposed by the whole tribe of Arundels, so that every time she met her lover it was in open rebellion against her mother.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Now, in the case of the young couple whose fortunes we are following, there was plenty of love with excellent wooing; but the engagement had been opposed by the whole tribe of Arundels, so that every time she met her lover it was in open rebellion against her mother.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading But the happiness of it depends upon its being a courtship without obstacles.
woman'snounUS /ˈwʊmənz/
possessive form of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading AT THE GATES OF PARADISE Many women have advanced the doctrine that the happiest time of life is that of their engagement.
wooedverbUS /wuːd/
past form of “woo” — seek someone's favor
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
wooingnounUS /ˈwuːɪŋ/
a man's courting of a woman; seeking the affections of a woman (usually with the hope of marriage)
From this reading Now, in the case of the young couple whose fortunes we are following, there was plenty of love with excellent wooing; but the engagement had been opposed by the whole tribe of Arundels, so that every time she met her lover it was in open rebellion against her mother.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Of course no man can possibly understand this theory; but from a woman's point of view it can be defended, because it is for some girls the most delightful thing in the world to be wooed; and until the church service is actually said and the ring is on the finger, the bride is Queen and Mistress; afterwards--not always.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Now, in the case of the young couple whose fortunes we are following, there was plenty of love with excellent wooing; but the engagement had been opposed by the whole tribe of Arundels, so that every time she met her lover it was in open rebellion against her mother.
