used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "That was a terribly modern accusation for you to make, Terry, just as if loyalties and affections were ostrich-plumes and ermine to be worn or discarded with the fashion."
accusationnounUS /ˌækjəˈzeɪʃən/
a formal charge of wrongdoing brought against a person; the act of imputing blame or guilt
From this reading "That was a terribly modern accusation for you to make, Terry, just as if loyalties and affections were ostrich-plumes and ermine to be worn or discarded with the fashion."
adoptingverbUS /əˈdɑːptɪŋ/
-ing form of “adopt” — choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans
From this reading Then he reined himself in, for he suddenly realized that he was unconsciously adopting the tones of an elder.
affectionsnounUS /əˈfekʃənz/
plural of “affection” — a positive feeling of liking
From this reading "That was a terribly modern accusation for you to make, Terry, just as if loyalties and affections were ostrich-plumes and ermine to be worn or discarded with the fashion."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Then he reined himself in, for he suddenly realized that he was unconsciously adopting the tones of an elder.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "That was a terribly modern accusation for you to make, Terry, just as if loyalties and affections were ostrich-plumes and ermine to be worn or discarded with the fashion."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "That was a terribly modern accusation for you to make, Terry, just as if loyalties and affections were ostrich-plumes and ermine to be worn or discarded with the fashion."
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "That was a terribly modern accusation for you to make, Terry, just as if loyalties and affections were ostrich-plumes and ermine to be worn or discarded with the fashion."
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading You can't make me believe that."
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You can't make me believe that."
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading "Not care for her--his own wife!
discardedadjectiveUS /dɪˈskɑːrdɪd/
thrown away
From this reading "That was a terribly modern accusation for you to make, Terry, just as if loyalties and affections were ostrich-plumes and ermine to be worn or discarded with the fashion."
a person who is older than you are
From this reading Then he reined himself in, for he suddenly realized that he was unconsciously adopting the tones of an elder.
erminenounUS /ˈɜːrmən/
the expensive white fur of the ermine
From this reading "That was a terribly modern accusation for you to make, Terry, just as if loyalties and affections were ostrich-plumes and ermine to be worn or discarded with the fashion."
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading "That was a terribly modern accusation for you to make, Terry, just as if loyalties and affections were ostrich-plumes and ermine to be worn or discarded with the fashion."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Not care for her--his own wife!
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then he reined himself in, for he suddenly realized that he was unconsciously adopting the tones of an elder.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "Not care for her--his own wife!
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Then he reined himself in, for he suddenly realized that he was unconsciously adopting the tones of an elder.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Not care for her--his own wife!
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "That was a terribly modern accusation for you to make, Terry, just as if loyalties and affections were ostrich-plumes and ermine to be worn or discarded with the fashion."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Then he reined himself in, for he suddenly realized that he was unconsciously adopting the tones of an elder.
and nothing more
From this reading "That was a terribly modern accusation for you to make, Terry, just as if loyalties and affections were ostrich-plumes and ermine to be worn or discarded with the fashion."
loyaltiesnounUS /ˈlɔɪəltiz/
plural of “loyalty” — the quality of being loyal
From this reading "That was a terribly modern accusation for you to make, Terry, just as if loyalties and affections were ostrich-plumes and ermine to be worn or discarded with the fashion."
engage in
From this reading You can't make me believe that."
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading You can't make me believe that."
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
From this reading "That was a terribly modern accusation for you to make, Terry, just as if loyalties and affections were ostrich-plumes and ermine to be worn or discarded with the fashion."
a message that seems to convey no meaning
From this reading Nonsense!
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Not care for her--his own wife!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Then he reined himself in, for he suddenly realized that he was unconsciously adopting the tones of an elder.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "That was a terribly modern accusation for you to make, Terry, just as if loyalties and affections were ostrich-plumes and ermine to be worn or discarded with the fashion."
ostrich-plumes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "That was a terribly modern accusation for you to make, Terry, just as if loyalties and affections were ostrich-plumes and ermine to be worn or discarded with the fashion."
have ownership or possession of
From this reading "Not care for her--his own wife!
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading Then he reined himself in, for he suddenly realized that he was unconsciously adopting the tones of an elder.
reinedverbUS /reɪnd/
past form of “rein” — control and direct with or as if by reins
From this reading Then he reined himself in, for he suddenly realized that he was unconsciously adopting the tones of an elder.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Then he reined himself in, for he suddenly realized that he was unconsciously adopting the tones of an elder.
terriblyadverbUS /ˈterəbli/
used as intensifiers
From this reading "That was a terribly modern accusation for you to make, Terry, just as if loyalties and affections were ostrich-plumes and ermine to be worn or discarded with the fashion."
TerrynounUS /ˈteri/
English actress (1847-1928)
From this reading "That was a terribly modern accusation for you to make, Terry, just as if loyalties and affections were ostrich-plumes and ermine to be worn or discarded with the fashion."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading You can't make me believe that."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Then he reined himself in, for he suddenly realized that he was unconsciously adopting the tones of an elder.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then he reined himself in, for he suddenly realized that he was unconsciously adopting the tones of an elder.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "That was a terribly modern accusation for you to make, Terry, just as if loyalties and affections were ostrich-plumes and ermine to be worn or discarded with the fashion."
plural of “tone” — the quality of a person's voice
From this reading Then he reined himself in, for he suddenly realized that he was unconsciously adopting the tones of an elder.
unconsciouslyadverbUS /ˌʌnˈkɑːnʃəsli/
without awareness
From this reading Then he reined himself in, for he suddenly realized that he was unconsciously adopting the tones of an elder.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Then he reined himself in, for he suddenly realized that he was unconsciously adopting the tones of an elder.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "That was a terribly modern accusation for you to make, Terry, just as if loyalties and affections were ostrich-plumes and ermine to be worn or discarded with the fashion."
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading "Not care for her--his own wife!
in the company of; together with
From this reading "That was a terribly modern accusation for you to make, Terry, just as if loyalties and affections were ostrich-plumes and ermine to be worn or discarded with the fashion."
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading "That was a terribly modern accusation for you to make, Terry, just as if loyalties and affections were ostrich-plumes and ermine to be worn or discarded with the fashion."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading You can't make me believe that."
