used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A BIG THING As the widowed rector's only daughter, Dot's occupations were many and various, and it was in consequence no difficult matter to be too deeply engrossed in these occupations to have any time to spare for intercourse with the rector's pupil.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading Dot could be ingenious too, and she evaded him so adroitly that at the end of a week he had abandoned his efforts.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He went about with a certain sternness in those days, but it was not the sternness of the vanquished, rather the dogged patience of the man who is quite sure of ultimate success.
adroitlyadverbUS /əˈdrɔɪtli/
with adroitness; in an adroit manner
From this reading Dot could be ingenious too, and she evaded him so adroitly that at the end of a week he had abandoned his efforts.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading But his ingenuity was all to no purpose.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A BIG THING As the widowed rector's only daughter, Dot's occupations were many and various, and it was in consequence no difficult matter to be too deeply engrossed in these occupations to have any time to spare for intercourse with the rector's pupil.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading A BIG THING As the widowed rector's only daughter, Dot's occupations were many and various, and it was in consequence no difficult matter to be too deeply engrossed in these occupations to have any time to spare for intercourse with the rector's pupil.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A BIG THING As the widowed rector's only daughter, Dot's occupations were many and various, and it was in consequence no difficult matter to be too deeply engrossed in these occupations to have any time to spare for intercourse with the rector's pupil.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Dot could be ingenious too, and she evaded him so adroitly that at the end of a week he had abandoned his efforts.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Her brother had gone back to college, and there was therefore no excuse for the said pupil to linger when his studies were over, though he invented many that would not have borne a very close investigation.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A BIG THING As the widowed rector's only daughter, Dot's occupations were many and various, and it was in consequence no difficult matter to be too deeply engrossed in these occupations to have any time to spare for intercourse with the rector's pupil.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A BIG THING As the widowed rector's only daughter, Dot's occupations were many and various, and it was in consequence no difficult matter to be too deeply engrossed in these occupations to have any time to spare for intercourse with the rector's pupil.
inflected form of “bear” — have
From this reading Her brother had gone back to college, and there was therefore no excuse for the said pupil to linger when his studies were over, though he invented many that would not have borne a very close investigation.
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading Her brother had gone back to college, and there was therefore no excuse for the said pupil to linger when his studies were over, though he invented many that would not have borne a very close investigation.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But his ingenuity was all to no purpose.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading He went about with a certain sternness in those days, but it was not the sternness of the vanquished, rather the dogged patience of the man who is quite sure of ultimate success.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Her brother had gone back to college, and there was therefore no excuse for the said pupil to linger when his studies were over, though he invented many that would not have borne a very close investigation.
the body of faculty and students of a college
From this reading Her brother had gone back to college, and there was therefore no excuse for the said pupil to linger when his studies were over, though he invented many that would not have borne a very close investigation.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading A BIG THING As the widowed rector's only daughter, Dot's occupations were many and various, and it was in consequence no difficult matter to be too deeply engrossed in these occupations to have any time to spare for intercourse with the rector's pupil.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Dot could be ingenious too, and she evaded him so adroitly that at the end of a week he had abandoned his efforts.
a female human offspring
From this reading A BIG THING As the widowed rector's only daughter, Dot's occupations were many and various, and it was in consequence no difficult matter to be too deeply engrossed in these occupations to have any time to spare for intercourse with the rector's pupil.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading He went about with a certain sternness in those days, but it was not the sternness of the vanquished, rather the dogged patience of the man who is quite sure of ultimate success.
to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading A BIG THING As the widowed rector's only daughter, Dot's occupations were many and various, and it was in consequence no difficult matter to be too deeply engrossed in these occupations to have any time to spare for intercourse with the rector's pupil.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading A BIG THING As the widowed rector's only daughter, Dot's occupations were many and various, and it was in consequence no difficult matter to be too deeply engrossed in these occupations to have any time to spare for intercourse with the rector's pupil.
doggedadjectiveUS /dɔːɡd/
stubbornly unyielding
From this reading He went about with a certain sternness in those days, but it was not the sternness of the vanquished, rather the dogged patience of the man who is quite sure of ultimate success.
DotnounUS /dɑːt/
a very small circular shape
From this reading Dot could be ingenious too, and she evaded him so adroitly that at the end of a week he had abandoned his efforts.
Dot's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BIG THING As the widowed rector's only daughter, Dot's occupations were many and various, and it was in consequence no difficult matter to be too deeply engrossed in these occupations to have any time to spare for intercourse with the rector's pupil.
plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Dot could be ingenious too, and she evaded him so adroitly that at the end of a week he had abandoned his efforts.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Dot could be ingenious too, and she evaded him so adroitly that at the end of a week he had abandoned his efforts.
engrossedadjectiveUS /ɪnˈɡroʊst/
giving or marked by complete attention to
From this reading A BIG THING As the widowed rector's only daughter, Dot's occupations were many and various, and it was in consequence no difficult matter to be too deeply engrossed in these occupations to have any time to spare for intercourse with the rector's pupil.
evadedverbUS /ɪˈveɪdɪd/
past form of “evade” — avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
From this reading Dot could be ingenious too, and she evaded him so adroitly that at the end of a week he had abandoned his efforts.
accept an excuse for
From this reading Her brother had gone back to college, and there was therefore no excuse for the said pupil to linger when his studies were over, though he invented many that would not have borne a very close investigation.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A BIG THING As the widowed rector's only daughter, Dot's occupations were many and various, and it was in consequence no difficult matter to be too deeply engrossed in these occupations to have any time to spare for intercourse with the rector's pupil.
destroyed or killed
From this reading Her brother had gone back to college, and there was therefore no excuse for the said pupil to linger when his studies were over, though he invented many that would not have borne a very close investigation.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Her brother had gone back to college, and there was therefore no excuse for the said pupil to linger when his studies were over, though he invented many that would not have borne a very close investigation.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading A BIG THING As the widowed rector's only daughter, Dot's occupations were many and various, and it was in consequence no difficult matter to be too deeply engrossed in these occupations to have any time to spare for intercourse with the rector's pupil.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her brother had gone back to college, and there was therefore no excuse for the said pupil to linger when his studies were over, though he invented many that would not have borne a very close investigation.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her brother had gone back to college, and there was therefore no excuse for the said pupil to linger when his studies were over, though he invented many that would not have borne a very close investigation.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Dot could be ingenious too, and she evaded him so adroitly that at the end of a week he had abandoned his efforts.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Her brother had gone back to college, and there was therefore no excuse for the said pupil to linger when his studies were over, though he invented many that would not have borne a very close investigation.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A BIG THING As the widowed rector's only daughter, Dot's occupations were many and various, and it was in consequence no difficult matter to be too deeply engrossed in these occupations to have any time to spare for intercourse with the rector's pupil.
ingeniousadjectiveUS /ɪnˈdʒiː.ni.əs/
Clever, original, and remarkably inventive in design and execution.
From this reading Dot could be ingenious too, and she evaded him so adroitly that at the end of a week he had abandoned his efforts.
ingenuitynounUS /ˌɪndʒəˈnuːətiː/
the power of creative imagination
From this reading But his ingenuity was all to no purpose.
intercoursenounUS /ˈɪntərkɔːrs/
communication between individuals
From this reading A BIG THING As the widowed rector's only daughter, Dot's occupations were many and various, and it was in consequence no difficult matter to be too deeply engrossed in these occupations to have any time to spare for intercourse with the rector's pupil.
inventedverbUS /ˌɪnˈventəd/
past form of “invent” — come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort
From this reading Her brother had gone back to college, and there was therefore no excuse for the said pupil to linger when his studies were over, though he invented many that would not have borne a very close investigation.
investigationnounUS /ˌɪnvestəˈɡeɪʃən/
an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities
From this reading Her brother had gone back to college, and there was therefore no excuse for the said pupil to linger when his studies were over, though he invented many that would not have borne a very close investigation.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He went about with a certain sternness in those days, but it was not the sternness of the vanquished, rather the dogged patience of the man who is quite sure of ultimate success.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A BIG THING As the widowed rector's only daughter, Dot's occupations were many and various, and it was in consequence no difficult matter to be too deeply engrossed in these occupations to have any time to spare for intercourse with the rector's pupil.
lingerverbUS /ˈlɪŋɡər/
remain present although waning or gradually dying
From this reading Her brother had gone back to college, and there was therefore no excuse for the said pupil to linger when his studies were over, though he invented many that would not have borne a very close investigation.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He went about with a certain sternness in those days, but it was not the sternness of the vanquished, rather the dogged patience of the man who is quite sure of ultimate success.
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 A BIG THING As the widowed rector's only daughter, Dot's occupations were many and various, and it was in consequence no difficult matter to be too deeply engrossed in these occupations to have any time to spare for intercourse with the rector's pupil.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading A BIG THING As the widowed rector's only daughter, Dot's occupations were many and various, and it was in consequence no difficult matter to be too deeply engrossed in these occupations to have any time to spare for intercourse with the rector's pupil.
not any; not one
From this reading A BIG THING As the widowed rector's only daughter, Dot's occupations were many and various, and it was in consequence no difficult matter to be too deeply engrossed in these occupations to have any time to spare for intercourse with the rector's pupil.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Her brother had gone back to college, and there was therefore no excuse for the said pupil to linger when his studies were over, though he invented many that would not have borne a very close investigation.
occupationsnounUS /ˌɑːkjəˈpeɪʃənz/
plural of “occupation” — the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
From this reading A BIG THING As the widowed rector's only daughter, Dot's occupations were many and various, and it was in consequence no difficult matter to be too deeply engrossed in these occupations to have any time to spare for intercourse with the rector's pupil.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Dot could be ingenious too, and she evaded him so adroitly that at the end of a week he had abandoned his efforts.
and nothing more
From this reading A BIG THING As the widowed rector's only daughter, Dot's occupations were many and various, and it was in consequence no difficult matter to be too deeply engrossed in these occupations to have any time to spare for intercourse with the rector's pupil.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Her brother had gone back to college, and there was therefore no excuse for the said pupil to linger when his studies were over, though he invented many that would not have borne a very close investigation.
good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence
From this reading He went about with a certain sternness in those days, but it was not the sternness of the vanquished, rather the dogged patience of the man who is quite sure of ultimate success.
pupilnounUS /ˈpjuːpəl/
a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution
From this reading A BIG THING As the widowed rector's only daughter, Dot's occupations were many and various, and it was in consequence no difficult matter to be too deeply engrossed in these occupations to have any time to spare for intercourse with the rector's pupil.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading But his ingenuity was all to no purpose.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading He went about with a certain sternness in those days, but it was not the sternness of the vanquished, rather the dogged patience of the man who is quite sure of ultimate success.
on the contrary
From this reading He went about with a certain sternness in those days, but it was not the sternness of the vanquished, rather the dogged patience of the man who is quite sure of ultimate success.
rector's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BIG THING As the widowed rector's only daughter, Dot's occupations were many and various, and it was in consequence no difficult matter to be too deeply engrossed in these occupations to have any time to spare for intercourse with the rector's pupil.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Her brother had gone back to college, and there was therefore no excuse for the said pupil to linger when his studies were over, though he invented many that would not have borne a very close investigation.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Dot could be ingenious too, and she evaded him so adroitly that at the end of a week he had abandoned his efforts.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Dot could be ingenious too, and she evaded him so adroitly that at the end of a week he had abandoned his efforts.
refrain from harming
From this reading A BIG THING As the widowed rector's only daughter, Dot's occupations were many and various, and it was in consequence no difficult matter to be too deeply engrossed in these occupations to have any time to spare for intercourse with the rector's pupil.
sternnessnounUS /ˈstɜːrnnəs/
the quality (as of scenery) being grim and gloomy and forbidding
From this reading He went about with a certain sternness in those days, but it was not the sternness of the vanquished, rather the dogged patience of the man who is quite sure of ultimate success.
studiesnounUS /ˈstʌdiz/
plural of “study” — a detailed critical inspection
From this reading Her brother had gone back to college, and there was therefore no excuse for the said pupil to linger when his studies were over, though he invented many that would not have borne a very close investigation.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading He went about with a certain sternness in those days, but it was not the sternness of the vanquished, rather the dogged patience of the man who is quite sure of ultimate success.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading He went about with a certain sternness in those days, but it was not the sternness of the vanquished, rather the dogged patience of the man who is quite sure of ultimate success.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Her brother had gone back to college, and there was therefore no excuse for the said pupil to linger when his studies were over, though he invented many that would not have borne a very close investigation.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A BIG THING As the widowed rector's only daughter, Dot's occupations were many and various, and it was in consequence no difficult matter to be too deeply engrossed in these occupations to have any time to spare for intercourse with the rector's pupil.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Her brother had gone back to college, and there was therefore no excuse for the said pupil to linger when his studies were over, though he invented many that would not have borne a very close investigation.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading Her brother had gone back to college, and there was therefore no excuse for the said pupil to linger when his studies were over, though he invented many that would not have borne a very close investigation.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading A BIG THING As the widowed rector's only daughter, Dot's occupations were many and various, and it was in consequence no difficult matter to be too deeply engrossed in these occupations to have any time to spare for intercourse with the rector's pupil.
a special situation
From this reading A BIG THING As the widowed rector's only daughter, Dot's occupations were many and various, and it was in consequence no difficult matter to be too deeply engrossed in these occupations to have any time to spare for intercourse with the rector's pupil.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading He went about with a certain sternness in those days, but it was not the sternness of the vanquished, rather the dogged patience of the man who is quite sure of ultimate success.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Her brother had gone back to college, and there was therefore no excuse for the said pupil to linger when his studies were over, though he invented many that would not have borne a very close investigation.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading A BIG THING As the widowed rector's only daughter, Dot's occupations were many and various, and it was in consequence no difficult matter to be too deeply engrossed in these occupations to have any time to spare for intercourse with the rector's pupil.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A BIG THING As the widowed rector's only daughter, Dot's occupations were many and various, and it was in consequence no difficult matter to be too deeply engrossed in these occupations to have any time to spare for intercourse with the rector's pupil.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading A BIG THING As the widowed rector's only daughter, Dot's occupations were many and various, and it was in consequence no difficult matter to be too deeply engrossed in these occupations to have any time to spare for intercourse with the rector's pupil.
ultimateadjectiveUS /ˈʌltəmət/
furthest or highest in degree or order; utmost or extreme
From this reading He went about with a certain sternness in those days, but it was not the sternness of the vanquished, rather the dogged patience of the man who is quite sure of ultimate success.
vanquishedverbUS /ˈvæŋkwɪʃt/
past form of “vanquish” — come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading He went about with a certain sternness in those days, but it was not the sternness of the vanquished, rather the dogged patience of the man who is quite sure of ultimate success.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading A BIG THING As the widowed rector's only daughter, Dot's occupations were many and various, and it was in consequence no difficult matter to be too deeply engrossed in these occupations to have any time to spare for intercourse with the rector's pupil.
precisely as stated
From this reading Her brother had gone back to college, and there was therefore no excuse for the said pupil to linger when his studies were over, though he invented many that would not have borne a very close investigation.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A BIG THING As the widowed rector's only daughter, Dot's occupations were many and various, and it was in consequence no difficult matter to be too deeply engrossed in these occupations to have any time to spare for intercourse with the rector's pupil.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Dot could be ingenious too, and she evaded him so adroitly that at the end of a week he had abandoned his efforts.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He went about with a certain sternness in those days, but it was not the sternness of the vanquished, rather the dogged patience of the man who is quite sure of ultimate success.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A BIG THING As the widowed rector's only daughter, Dot's occupations were many and various, and it was in consequence no difficult matter to be too deeply engrossed in these occupations to have any time to spare for intercourse with the rector's pupil.
at the time that
From this reading Her brother had gone back to college, and there was therefore no excuse for the said pupil to linger when his studies were over, though he invented many that would not have borne a very close investigation.
which person or people
From this reading He went about with a certain sternness in those days, but it was not the sternness of the vanquished, rather the dogged patience of the man who is quite sure of ultimate success.
widowedadjectiveUS /ˈwɪdoʊd/
single because of death of the spouse
From this reading A BIG THING As the widowed rector's only daughter, Dot's occupations were many and various, and it was in consequence no difficult matter to be too deeply engrossed in these occupations to have any time to spare for intercourse with the rector's pupil.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A BIG THING As the widowed rector's only daughter, Dot's occupations were many and various, and it was in consequence no difficult matter to be too deeply engrossed in these occupations to have any time to spare for intercourse with the rector's pupil.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Her brother had gone back to college, and there was therefore no excuse for the said pupil to linger when his studies were over, though he invented many that would not have borne a very close investigation.
