used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It is entirely out of place in courts, and certainly a happy mediocrity is the soil in which flourish the domestic virtues.
allowancenounUS /əˈlaʊəns/
an amount allowed or granted (as during a given period)
From this reading No doubt allowance may be made for the vagaries of genius, but none the less do I rejoice that this, my first meeting with uncommon talent, was also the last.
in addition
From this reading No doubt allowance may be made for the vagaries of genius, but none the less do I rejoice that this, my first meeting with uncommon talent, was also the last.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It is entirely out of place in courts, and certainly a happy mediocrity is the soil in which flourish the domestic virtues.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Though I defend not Colonel Digby it is possible he showed his judgment if not his delicacy in his retreat, it being very difficult for him or any man to preserve in Miss Burney's company that sense of superiority which is so essential to matrimonial peace.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading No doubt allowance may be made for the vagaries of genius, but none the less do I rejoice that this, my first meeting with uncommon talent, was also the last.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Though I defend not Colonel Digby it is possible he showed his judgment if not his delicacy in his retreat, it being very difficult for him or any man to preserve in Miss Burney's company that sense of superiority which is so essential to matrimonial peace.
Burney's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though I defend not Colonel Digby it is possible he showed his judgment if not his delicacy in his retreat, it being very difficult for him or any man to preserve in Miss Burney's company that sense of superiority which is so essential to matrimonial peace.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading No doubt allowance may be made for the vagaries of genius, but none the less do I rejoice that this, my first meeting with uncommon talent, was also the last.
candidadjectiveUS /ˈkændəd/
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading To be candid, what we do not understand is feared rather than loved.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading It is entirely out of place in courts, and certainly a happy mediocrity is the soil in which flourish the domestic virtues.
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading Though I defend not Colonel Digby it is possible he showed his judgment if not his delicacy in his retreat, it being very difficult for him or any man to preserve in Miss Burney's company that sense of superiority which is so essential to matrimonial peace.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading Though I defend not Colonel Digby it is possible he showed his judgment if not his delicacy in his retreat, it being very difficult for him or any man to preserve in Miss Burney's company that sense of superiority which is so essential to matrimonial peace.
courtsnounUS /kɔːrts/
plural of “court” — an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading It is entirely out of place in courts, and certainly a happy mediocrity is the soil in which flourish the domestic virtues.
argue or speak in defense of
From this reading Though I defend not Colonel Digby it is possible he showed his judgment if not his delicacy in his retreat, it being very difficult for him or any man to preserve in Miss Burney's company that sense of superiority which is so essential to matrimonial peace.
delicacynounUS /ˈdeləkəsi/
the quality of being beautiful and delicate in appearance
From this reading Though I defend not Colonel Digby it is possible he showed his judgment if not his delicacy in his retreat, it being very difficult for him or any man to preserve in Miss Burney's company that sense of superiority which is so essential to matrimonial peace.
demeanournounUS /dɪˈmiːnər/
(behavioral attributes) the way a person behaves toward other people
From this reading There was that in her eye which, if suddenly surprised, indicated satire; there was that in her demeanour which hinted depths which might or might not be soothing.
(plural) the deepest and most remote part
From this reading There was that in her eye which, if suddenly surprised, indicated satire; there was that in her demeanour which hinted depths which might or might not be soothing.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Though I defend not Colonel Digby it is possible he showed his judgment if not his delicacy in his retreat, it being very difficult for him or any man to preserve in Miss Burney's company that sense of superiority which is so essential to matrimonial peace.
Digby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though I defend not Colonel Digby it is possible he showed his judgment if not his delicacy in his retreat, it being very difficult for him or any man to preserve in Miss Burney's company that sense of superiority which is so essential to matrimonial peace.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading No doubt allowance may be made for the vagaries of genius, but none the less do I rejoice that this, my first meeting with uncommon talent, was also the last.
of concern to or concerning the internal affairs of a nation
From this reading It is entirely out of place in courts, and certainly a happy mediocrity is the soil in which flourish the domestic virtues.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading No doubt allowance may be made for the vagaries of genius, but none the less do I rejoice that this, my first meeting with uncommon talent, was also the last.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading It is entirely out of place in courts, and certainly a happy mediocrity is the soil in which flourish the domestic virtues.
essentialadjectiveUS /eˈsenʃəl/
absolutely necessary; vitally necessary
From this reading Though I defend not Colonel Digby it is possible he showed his judgment if not his delicacy in his retreat, it being very difficult for him or any man to preserve in Miss Burney's company that sense of superiority which is so essential to matrimonial peace.
the organ of sight
From this reading There was that in her eye which, if suddenly surprised, indicated satire; there was that in her demeanour which hinted depths which might or might not be soothing.
past form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading To be candid, what we do not understand is feared rather than loved.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading No doubt allowance may be made for the vagaries of genius, but none the less do I rejoice that this, my first meeting with uncommon talent, was also the last.
flourishverbUS /ˈflɜːrɪʃ/
grow vigorously
From this reading It is entirely out of place in courts, and certainly a happy mediocrity is the soil in which flourish the domestic virtues.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading No doubt allowance may be made for the vagaries of genius, but none the less do I rejoice that this, my first meeting with uncommon talent, was also the last.
someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality
From this reading No doubt allowance may be made for the vagaries of genius, but none the less do I rejoice that this, my first meeting with uncommon talent, was also the last.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading It is entirely out of place in courts, and certainly a happy mediocrity is the soil in which flourish the domestic virtues.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Though I defend not Colonel Digby it is possible he showed his judgment if not his delicacy in his retreat, it being very difficult for him or any man to preserve in Miss Burney's company that sense of superiority which is so essential to matrimonial peace.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading There was that in her eye which, if suddenly surprised, indicated satire; there was that in her demeanour which hinted depths which might or might not be soothing.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Though I defend not Colonel Digby it is possible he showed his judgment if not his delicacy in his retreat, it being very difficult for him or any man to preserve in Miss Burney's company that sense of superiority which is so essential to matrimonial peace.
hintedverbUS /ˈhɪntəd/
past form of “hint” — drop a hint; intimate by a hint
From this reading There was that in her eye which, if suddenly surprised, indicated satire; there was that in her demeanour which hinted depths which might or might not be soothing.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Though I defend not Colonel Digby it is possible he showed his judgment if not his delicacy in his retreat, it being very difficult for him or any man to preserve in Miss Burney's company that sense of superiority which is so essential to matrimonial peace.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading No doubt allowance may be made for the vagaries of genius, but none the less do I rejoice that this, my first meeting with uncommon talent, was also the last.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Though I defend not Colonel Digby it is possible he showed his judgment if not his delicacy in his retreat, it being very difficult for him or any man to preserve in Miss Burney's company that sense of superiority which is so essential to matrimonial peace.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It is entirely out of place in courts, and certainly a happy mediocrity is the soil in which flourish the domestic virtues.
indicatedverbUS /ˈɪndəkeɪtəd/
past form of “indicate” — be a signal for or a symptom of
From this reading There was that in her eye which, if suddenly surprised, indicated satire; there was that in her demeanour which hinted depths which might or might not be soothing.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is entirely out of place in courts, and certainly a happy mediocrity is the soil in which flourish the domestic virtues.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is entirely out of place in courts, and certainly a happy mediocrity is the soil in which flourish the domestic virtues.
an opinion formed by judging something
From this reading Though I defend not Colonel Digby it is possible he showed his judgment if not his delicacy in his retreat, it being very difficult for him or any man to preserve in Miss Burney's company that sense of superiority which is so essential to matrimonial peace.
immediately past
From this reading No doubt allowance may be made for the vagaries of genius, but none the less do I rejoice that this, my first meeting with uncommon talent, was also the last.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading No doubt allowance may be made for the vagaries of genius, but none the less do I rejoice that this, my first meeting with uncommon talent, was also the last.
held dear
From this reading To be candid, what we do not understand is feared rather than loved.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading No doubt allowance may be made for the vagaries of genius, but none the less do I rejoice that this, my first meeting with uncommon talent, was also the last.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Though I defend not Colonel Digby it is possible he showed his judgment if not his delicacy in his retreat, it being very difficult for him or any man to preserve in Miss Burney's company that sense of superiority which is so essential to matrimonial peace.
matrimonialadjectiveUS /ˌmætrəˈmoʊniəl/
of or relating to the state of marriage
From this reading Though I defend not Colonel Digby it is possible he showed his judgment if not his delicacy in his retreat, it being very difficult for him or any man to preserve in Miss Burney's company that sense of superiority which is so essential to matrimonial peace.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading No doubt allowance may be made for the vagaries of genius, but none the less do I rejoice that this, my first meeting with uncommon talent, was also the last.
mediocritynounUS /ˌmiːdiˈɑːkrəti/
ordinariness as a consequence of being average and not outstanding
From this reading It is entirely out of place in courts, and certainly a happy mediocrity is the soil in which flourish the domestic virtues.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading No doubt allowance may be made for the vagaries of genius, but none the less do I rejoice that this, my first meeting with uncommon talent, was also the last.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading There was that in her eye which, if suddenly surprised, indicated satire; there was that in her demeanour which hinted depths which might or might not be soothing.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Though I defend not Colonel Digby it is possible he showed his judgment if not his delicacy in his retreat, it being very difficult for him or any man to preserve in Miss Burney's company that sense of superiority which is so essential to matrimonial peace.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading No doubt allowance may be made for the vagaries of genius, but none the less do I rejoice that this, my first meeting with uncommon talent, was also the last.
not any; not one
From this reading No doubt allowance may be made for the vagaries of genius, but none the less do I rejoice that this, my first meeting with uncommon talent, was also the last.
not one, and not any
From this reading No doubt allowance may be made for the vagaries of genius, but none the less do I rejoice that this, my first meeting with uncommon talent, was also the last.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Though I defend not Colonel Digby it is possible he showed his judgment if not his delicacy in his retreat, it being very difficult for him or any man to preserve in Miss Burney's company that sense of superiority which is so essential to matrimonial peace.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading No doubt allowance may be made for the vagaries of genius, but none the less do I rejoice that this, my first meeting with uncommon talent, was also the last.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Though I defend not Colonel Digby it is possible he showed his judgment if not his delicacy in his retreat, it being very difficult for him or any man to preserve in Miss Burney's company that sense of superiority which is so essential to matrimonial peace.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It is entirely out of place in courts, and certainly a happy mediocrity is the soil in which flourish the domestic virtues.
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading Though I defend not Colonel Digby it is possible he showed his judgment if not his delicacy in his retreat, it being very difficult for him or any man to preserve in Miss Burney's company that sense of superiority which is so essential to matrimonial peace.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading It is entirely out of place in courts, and certainly a happy mediocrity is the soil in which flourish the domestic virtues.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading Though I defend not Colonel Digby it is possible he showed his judgment if not his delicacy in his retreat, it being very difficult for him or any man to preserve in Miss Burney's company that sense of superiority which is so essential to matrimonial peace.
preserveverbUS /prəˈzɜːrv/
keep or maintain in unaltered condition; cause to remain or last
From this reading Though I defend not Colonel Digby it is possible he showed his judgment if not his delicacy in his retreat, it being very difficult for him or any man to preserve in Miss Burney's company that sense of superiority which is so essential to matrimonial peace.
on the contrary
From this reading To be candid, what we do not understand is feared rather than loved.
rejoiceverbUS /rɪˈdʒɔɪs/
feel happiness or joy
From this reading No doubt allowance may be made for the vagaries of genius, but none the less do I rejoice that this, my first meeting with uncommon talent, was also the last.
(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat
From this reading Though I defend not Colonel Digby it is possible he showed his judgment if not his delicacy in his retreat, it being very difficult for him or any man to preserve in Miss Burney's company that sense of superiority which is so essential to matrimonial peace.
satirenounUS /ˈsætaɪər/
witty language used to convey insults or scorn
From this reading There was that in her eye which, if suddenly surprised, indicated satire; there was that in her demeanour which hinted depths which might or might not be soothing.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading Though I defend not Colonel Digby it is possible he showed his judgment if not his delicacy in his retreat, it being very difficult for him or any man to preserve in Miss Burney's company that sense of superiority which is so essential to matrimonial peace.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Though I defend not Colonel Digby it is possible he showed his judgment if not his delicacy in his retreat, it being very difficult for him or any man to preserve in Miss Burney's company that sense of superiority which is so essential to matrimonial peace.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Though I defend not Colonel Digby it is possible he showed his judgment if not his delicacy in his retreat, it being very difficult for him or any man to preserve in Miss Burney's company that sense of superiority which is so essential to matrimonial peace.
the state of being covered with unclean things
From this reading It is entirely out of place in courts, and certainly a happy mediocrity is the soil in which flourish the domestic virtues.
soothingadjectiveUS /ˈsuːðɪŋ/
affording physical relief
From this reading There was that in her eye which, if suddenly surprised, indicated satire; there was that in her demeanour which hinted depths which might or might not be soothing.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading There was that in her eye which, if suddenly surprised, indicated satire; there was that in her demeanour which hinted depths which might or might not be soothing.
superioritynounUS /ˌsuːpɪriˈɔːrɪti/
the quality of being superior
From this reading Though I defend not Colonel Digby it is possible he showed his judgment if not his delicacy in his retreat, it being very difficult for him or any man to preserve in Miss Burney's company that sense of superiority which is so essential to matrimonial peace.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading There was that in her eye which, if suddenly surprised, indicated satire; there was that in her demeanour which hinted depths which might or might not be soothing.
talentnounUS /ˈtælənt/
natural abilities or qualities
From this reading No doubt allowance may be made for the vagaries of genius, but none the less do I rejoice that this, my first meeting with uncommon talent, was also the last.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading To be candid, what we do not understand is feared rather than loved.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading No doubt allowance may be made for the vagaries of genius, but none the less do I rejoice that this, my first meeting with uncommon talent, was also the last.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading No doubt allowance may be made for the vagaries of genius, but none the less do I rejoice that this, my first meeting with uncommon talent, was also the last.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was that in her eye which, if suddenly surprised, indicated satire; there was that in her demeanour which hinted depths which might or might not be soothing.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading No doubt allowance may be made for the vagaries of genius, but none the less do I rejoice that this, my first meeting with uncommon talent, was also the last.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Though I defend not Colonel Digby it is possible he showed his judgment if not his delicacy in his retreat, it being very difficult for him or any man to preserve in Miss Burney's company that sense of superiority which is so essential to matrimonial peace.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Though I defend not Colonel Digby it is possible he showed his judgment if not his delicacy in his retreat, it being very difficult for him or any man to preserve in Miss Burney's company that sense of superiority which is so essential to matrimonial peace.
uncommonadjectiveUS /ənˈkɑːmən/
not common or ordinarily encountered; unusually great in amount or remarkable in character or kind
From this reading No doubt allowance may be made for the vagaries of genius, but none the less do I rejoice that this, my first meeting with uncommon talent, was also the last.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading To be candid, what we do not understand is feared rather than loved.
vagariesnounUS /ˈveɪɡəriz/
plural of “vagary” — an unexpected and inexplicable change in something (in a situation or a person's behavior, etc.)
From this reading No doubt allowance may be made for the vagaries of genius, but none the less do I rejoice that this, my first meeting with uncommon talent, was also the last.
precisely as stated
From this reading Though I defend not Colonel Digby it is possible he showed his judgment if not his delicacy in his retreat, it being very difficult for him or any man to preserve in Miss Burney's company that sense of superiority which is so essential to matrimonial peace.
virtuesnounUS /ˈvɜːrtʃuːz/
plural of “virtue” — the quality of doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong
From this reading It is entirely out of place in courts, and certainly a happy mediocrity is the soil in which flourish the domestic virtues.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading No doubt allowance may be made for the vagaries of genius, but none the less do I rejoice that this, my first meeting with uncommon talent, was also the last.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading To be candid, what we do not understand is feared rather than loved.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading To be candid, what we do not understand is feared rather than loved.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It is entirely out of place in courts, and certainly a happy mediocrity is the soil in which flourish the domestic virtues.
in the company of; together with
From this reading No doubt allowance may be made for the vagaries of genius, but none the less do I rejoice that this, my first meeting with uncommon talent, was also the last.
