adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
altogetheradverbUS /ˌɔːltəˈɡeðər/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
AmericanounUS /əˈmerəkə/
North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
answerverbUS /ˈænsər/
react verbally
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
arraynounUS /ərˈeɪ/
an orderly arrangement
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
asksverbUS /æsks/
third-person singular of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
attendingnounUS /əˈtendɪŋ/
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
availedverbUS /əˈveɪld/
past form of “avail” — use to one's advantage
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
beggingnounUS /ˈbeɡɪŋ/
a solicitation for money or food (especially in the street by an apparently penniless person)
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
belatedadjectiveUS /bɪˈleɪtɪd/
after the expected or usual time; delayed
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
bigadjectiveUS /bɪɡ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
Brydon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
comfortnounUS /ˈkʌmfərt/
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
concernsnounUS /kənˈsɜːrnz/
plural of “concern” — something that interests you because it is important or affects you
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
considerableadjectiveUS /kənˈsɪdərəbəl/
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
consistentlyadverbUS /kənˈsɪstəntli/
in a systematic or consistent manner
From this reading Everything was somehow a surprise; and that might be natural when one had so long and so consistently neglected everything, taken pains to give surprises so much margin for play.
couplenounUS /ˈkʌpəl/
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
demandnounUS /dɪˈmænd/
an urgent or peremptory request
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
dispositionnounUS /ˌdɪspəˈzɪʃən/
your usual mood
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
dodgingnounUS /ˈdɑːdʒɪŋ/
nonperformance of something distasteful (as by deceit or trickery) that you are supposed to do
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
exactadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzækt/
Strictly particular and correct.
From this reading He had given them more than thirty years--thirty-three, to be exact; and they now seemed to him to have organised their performance quite on the scale of that licence.
factnounUS /fækt/
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
giveverbUS /ɡɪv/
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Everything was somehow a surprise; and that might be natural when one had so long and so consistently neglected everything, taken pains to give surprises so much margin for play.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading He had given them more than thirty years--thirty-three, to be exact; and they now seemed to him to have organised their performance quite on the scale of that licence.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He had given them more than thirty years--thirty-three, to be exact; and they now seemed to him to have organised their performance quite on the scale of that licence.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had given them more than thirty years--thirty-three, to be exact; and they now seemed to him to have organised their performance quite on the scale of that licence.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
licencenounUS /ˈlaɪsəns/
excessive freedom; lack of due restraint
From this reading He had given them more than thirty years--thirty-three, to be exact; and they now seemed to him to have organised their performance quite on the scale of that licence.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Everything was somehow a surprise; and that might be natural when one had so long and so consistently neglected everything, taken pains to give surprises so much margin for play.
makeverbUS /meɪk/
engage in
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
marginnounUS /ˈmɑːrdʒən/
the boundary line or the area immediately inside the boundary
From this reading Everything was somehow a surprise; and that might be natural when one had so long and so consistently neglected everything, taken pains to give surprises so much margin for play.
matternounUS /ˈmætər/
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
meetverbUS /miːt/
come together
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Everything was somehow a surprise; and that might be natural when one had so long and so consistently neglected everything, taken pains to give surprises so much margin for play.
MissverbUS /mɪs/
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
monthsnounUS /mʌnθs/
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He had given them more than thirty years--thirty-three, to be exact; and they now seemed to him to have organised their performance quite on the scale of that licence.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Everything was somehow a surprise; and that might be natural when one had so long and so consistently neglected everything, taken pains to give surprises so much margin for play.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
naturaladjectiveUS /ˈnætʃərəl/
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading Everything was somehow a surprise; and that might be natural when one had so long and so consistently neglected everything, taken pains to give surprises so much margin for play.
neglectedadjectiveUS /nəˈɡlektəd/
disregarded
From this reading Everything was somehow a surprise; and that might be natural when one had so long and so consistently neglected everything, taken pains to give surprises so much margin for play.
nonsensenounUS /ˈnɑːnsens/
a message that seems to convey no meaning
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
occasionnounUS /əˈkeɪʒən/
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
offadverbUS /ɔːf/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
organisedadjective
being a member of or formed into a labor union
From this reading He had given them more than thirty years--thirty-three, to be exact; and they now seemed to him to have organised their performance quite on the scale of that licence.
painsnounUS /peɪnz/
an effortful attempt to attain a goal
From this reading Everything was somehow a surprise; and that might be natural when one had so long and so consistently neglected everything, taken pains to give surprises so much margin for play.
performancenounUS /pərˈfɔːrməns/
a dramatic or musical entertainment
From this reading He had given them more than thirty years--thirty-three, to be exact; and they now seemed to him to have organised their performance quite on the scale of that licence.
placenounUS /pleɪs/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
playverbUS /pleɪ/
participate in games or sport
From this reading Everything was somehow a surprise; and that might be natural when one had so long and so consistently neglected everything, taken pains to give surprises so much margin for play.
possibleadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːsəbəl/
capable of happening or existing
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
presentedverbUS /priˈzentɪd/
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
promptlyadverbUS /ˈprɑːmptli/
with little or no delay
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
puttingnounUS /ˈpʌtɪŋ/
hitting a golf ball that is on the green using a putter
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
questionverbUS /ˈkwestʃən/
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading He had given them more than thirty years--thirty-three, to be exact; and they now seemed to him to have organised their performance quite on the scale of that licence.
ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/
on the contrary
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
reallyadverbUS /ˈrɪli/
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
resourcenounUS /ˈriːsɔːrs/
available source of wealth; a new or reserve supply that can be drawn upon when needed
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
returnverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrn/
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
scalenounUS /skeɪl/
an ordered reference standard
From this reading He had given them more than thirty years--thirty-three, to be exact; and they now seemed to him to have organised their performance quite on the scale of that licence.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He had given them more than thirty years--thirty-three, to be exact; and they now seemed to him to have organised their performance quite on the scale of that licence.
sillyadjectiveUS /ˈsɪli/
ludicrous, foolish
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
situationnounUS /ˌsɪtʃuːˈeɪʃən/
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
somehowadverbUS /ˈsʌmhaʊ/
in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means
From this reading Everything was somehow a surprise; and that might be natural when one had so long and so consistently neglected everything, taken pains to give surprises so much margin for play.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
SpencernounUS /ˈspensər/
English philosopher and sociologist who applied the theory of natural selection to human societies (1820-1903)
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
stand-and-deliver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
Staverton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
strangelyadverbUS /ˈstreɪndʒli/
in a strange manner
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
subjectnounUS /səbˈdʒekt/
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
supportnounUS /səˈpɔːrt/
the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
surprisenounUS /sərˈpraɪz/
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading Everything was somehow a surprise; and that might be natural when one had so long and so consistently neglected everything, taken pains to give surprises so much margin for play.
surprisesnounUS /sərˈpraɪzɪz/
plural of “surprise” — the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
talkverbUS /tɔːk/
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
talkingnounUS /ˈtɔːkɪŋ/
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He had given them more than thirty years--thirty-three, to be exact; and they now seemed to him to have organised their performance quite on the scale of that licence.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He had given them more than thirty years--thirty-three, to be exact; and they now seemed to him to have organised their performance quite on the scale of that licence.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had given them more than thirty years--thirty-three, to be exact; and they now seemed to him to have organised their performance quite on the scale of that licence.
thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
thirtynounUS /ˈθɜːrdiː/
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three
From this reading He had given them more than thirty years--thirty-three, to be exact; and they now seemed to him to have organised their performance quite on the scale of that licence.
thirty-threeadjective
being three more than thirty
From this reading He had given them more than thirty years--thirty-three, to be exact; and they now seemed to him to have organised their performance quite on the scale of that licence.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
thoughtsnounUS /θɔːts/
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
unattenuated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
wentverbUS /went/
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Everything was somehow a surprise; and that might be natural when one had so long and so consistently neglected everything, taken pains to give surprises so much margin for play.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
wouldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/
a late time of life
From this reading He had given them more than thirty years--thirty-three, to be exact; and they now seemed to him to have organised their performance quite on the scale of that licence.
