used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE SIR JOSEPH RAYNER, as a solicitor, was at the very head of his profession, and was supposed to be trusted with more family secrets than any other man in England.
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE SIR JOSEPH RAYNER, as a solicitor, was at the very head of his profession, and was supposed to be trusted with more family secrets than any other man in England.
a proposal for an appropriate course of action
From this reading Erring husbands, and wives deeply wronged, sought his advice, and to the husbands he was a man of the world, and to the wives a sympathetic counsellor, always against the extreme remedy of the divorce courts.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Erring husbands, and wives deeply wronged, sought his advice, and to the husbands he was a man of the world, and to the wives a sympathetic counsellor, always against the extreme remedy of the divorce courts.
allowancesnounUS /əˈlaʊənsɪz/
plural of “allowance” — an amount allowed or granted (as during a given period)
From this reading To prodigal sons he was the dispenser of paternal allowances, and to the men caught in the toils of the blackmailer he was like a delivering providence.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Erring husbands, and wives deeply wronged, sought his advice, and to the husbands he was a man of the world, and to the wives a sympathetic counsellor, always against the extreme remedy of the divorce courts.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE SIR JOSEPH RAYNER, as a solicitor, was at the very head of his profession, and was supposed to be trusted with more family secrets than any other man in England.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE SIR JOSEPH RAYNER, as a solicitor, was at the very head of his profession, and was supposed to be trusted with more family secrets than any other man in England.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE SIR JOSEPH RAYNER, as a solicitor, was at the very head of his profession, and was supposed to be trusted with more family secrets than any other man in England.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE SIR JOSEPH RAYNER, as a solicitor, was at the very head of his profession, and was supposed to be trusted with more family secrets than any other man in England.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE SIR JOSEPH RAYNER, as a solicitor, was at the very head of his profession, and was supposed to be trusted with more family secrets than any other man in England.
avertedverbUS /əˈvɜːrtɪd/
past form of “avert” — prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening
From this reading The confidence in him was extraordinary, but no one could be found to urge that it was not merited, and it was notorious that he had averted more scandals and saved more reputations than any other half dozen men in his profession.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE SIR JOSEPH RAYNER, as a solicitor, was at the very head of his profession, and was supposed to be trusted with more family secrets than any other man in England.
blackmailernoun
a criminal who extorts money from someone by threatening to expose embarrassing information about them
From this reading To prodigal sons he was the dispenser of paternal allowances, and to the men caught in the toils of the blackmailer he was like a delivering providence.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The confidence in him was extraordinary, but no one could be found to urge that it was not merited, and it was notorious that he had averted more scandals and saved more reputations than any other half dozen men in his profession.
cabinetnounUS /ˈkæbənət/
a piece of furniture resembling a cupboard with doors and shelves and drawers; for storage or display
From this reading As a family solicitor he was unsurpassed, discreet as a cabinet minister at question time, and as secret as the grave.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading To prodigal sons he was the dispenser of paternal allowances, and to the men caught in the toils of the blackmailer he was like a delivering providence.
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading The confidence in him was extraordinary, but no one could be found to urge that it was not merited, and it was notorious that he had averted more scandals and saved more reputations than any other half dozen men in his profession.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The confidence in him was extraordinary, but no one could be found to urge that it was not merited, and it was notorious that he had averted more scandals and saved more reputations than any other half dozen men in his profession.
counsellornounUS /ˈkaʊnsələr/
someone who has supervisory duties at a summer camp
From this reading Erring husbands, and wives deeply wronged, sought his advice, and to the husbands he was a man of the world, and to the wives a sympathetic counsellor, always against the extreme remedy of the divorce courts.
courtsnounUS /kɔːrts/
plural of “court” — an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading Erring husbands, and wives deeply wronged, sought his advice, and to the husbands he was a man of the world, and to the wives a sympathetic counsellor, always against the extreme remedy of the divorce courts.
to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading Erring husbands, and wives deeply wronged, sought his advice, and to the husbands he was a man of the world, and to the wives a sympathetic counsellor, always against the extreme remedy of the divorce courts.
deliveringverbUS /dɪˈlɪvərɪŋ/
-ing form of “deliver” — deliver (a speech, oration, or idea)
From this reading To prodigal sons he was the dispenser of paternal allowances, and to the men caught in the toils of the blackmailer he was like a delivering providence.
discreetadjectiveUS /dɪˈskriːt/
marked by prudence or modesty and wise self-restraint
From this reading As a family solicitor he was unsurpassed, discreet as a cabinet minister at question time, and as secret as the grave.
dispensernounUS /dɪˈspensər/
a container so designed that the contents can be used in prescribed amounts
From this reading To prodigal sons he was the dispenser of paternal allowances, and to the men caught in the toils of the blackmailer he was like a delivering providence.
divorceverbUS /dɪˈvɔːrs/
part; cease or break association with
From this reading Erring husbands, and wives deeply wronged, sought his advice, and to the husbands he was a man of the world, and to the wives a sympathetic counsellor, always against the extreme remedy of the divorce courts.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading The confidence in him was extraordinary, but no one could be found to urge that it was not merited, and it was notorious that he had averted more scandals and saved more reputations than any other half dozen men in his profession.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE SIR JOSEPH RAYNER, as a solicitor, was at the very head of his profession, and was supposed to be trusted with more family secrets than any other man in England.
ErringadjectiveUS /ˈerɪŋ/
capable of making an error
From this reading Erring husbands, and wives deeply wronged, sought his advice, and to the husbands he was a man of the world, and to the wives a sympathetic counsellor, always against the extreme remedy of the divorce courts.
beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable
From this reading The confidence in him was extraordinary, but no one could be found to urge that it was not merited, and it was notorious that he had averted more scandals and saved more reputations than any other half dozen men in his profession.
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading Erring husbands, and wives deeply wronged, sought his advice, and to the husbands he was a man of the world, and to the wives a sympathetic counsellor, always against the extreme remedy of the divorce courts.
a social unit living together
From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE SIR JOSEPH RAYNER, as a solicitor, was at the very head of his profession, and was supposed to be trusted with more family secrets than any other man in England.
set up or found
From this reading The confidence in him was extraordinary, but no one could be found to urge that it was not merited, and it was notorious that he had averted more scandals and saved more reputations than any other half dozen men in his profession.
death of a person
From this reading As a family solicitor he was unsurpassed, discreet as a cabinet minister at question time, and as secret as the grave.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The confidence in him was extraordinary, but no one could be found to urge that it was not merited, and it was notorious that he had averted more scandals and saved more reputations than any other half dozen men in his profession.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The confidence in him was extraordinary, but no one could be found to urge that it was not merited, and it was notorious that he had averted more scandals and saved more reputations than any other half dozen men in his profession.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The confidence in him was extraordinary, but no one could be found to urge that it was not merited, and it was notorious that he had averted more scandals and saved more reputations than any other half dozen men in his profession.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE SIR JOSEPH RAYNER, as a solicitor, was at the very head of his profession, and was supposed to be trusted with more family secrets than any other man in England.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The confidence in him was extraordinary, but no one could be found to urge that it was not merited, and it was notorious that he had averted more scandals and saved more reputations than any other half dozen men in his profession.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE SIR JOSEPH RAYNER, as a solicitor, was at the very head of his profession, and was supposed to be trusted with more family secrets than any other man in England.
husbandsnounUS /ˈhʌzbəndz/
plural of “husband” — a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Erring husbands, and wives deeply wronged, sought his advice, and to the husbands he was a man of the world, and to the wives a sympathetic counsellor, always against the extreme remedy of the divorce courts.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE SIR JOSEPH RAYNER, as a solicitor, was at the very head of his profession, and was supposed to be trusted with more family secrets than any other man in England.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The confidence in him was extraordinary, but no one could be found to urge that it was not merited, and it was notorious that he had averted more scandals and saved more reputations than any other half dozen men in his profession.
leader of the Nez Perce in their retreat from United States troops (1840-1904)
From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE SIR JOSEPH RAYNER, as a solicitor, was at the very head of his profession, and was supposed to be trusted with more family secrets than any other man in England.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading To prodigal sons he was the dispenser of paternal allowances, and to the men caught in the toils of the blackmailer he was like a delivering providence.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE SIR JOSEPH RAYNER, as a solicitor, was at the very head of his profession, and was supposed to be trusted with more family secrets than any other man in England.
the force of workers available
From this reading The confidence in him was extraordinary, but no one could be found to urge that it was not merited, and it was notorious that he had averted more scandals and saved more reputations than any other half dozen men in his profession.
meritedadjectiveUS /ˈmerɪtɪd/
properly deserved
From this reading The confidence in him was extraordinary, but no one could be found to urge that it was not merited, and it was notorious that he had averted more scandals and saved more reputations than any other half dozen men in his profession.
a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading As a family solicitor he was unsurpassed, discreet as a cabinet minister at question time, and as secret as the grave.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE SIR JOSEPH RAYNER, as a solicitor, was at the very head of his profession, and was supposed to be trusted with more family secrets than any other man in England.
not any; not one
From this reading The confidence in him was extraordinary, but no one could be found to urge that it was not merited, and it was notorious that he had averted more scandals and saved more reputations than any other half dozen men in his profession.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The confidence in him was extraordinary, but no one could be found to urge that it was not merited, and it was notorious that he had averted more scandals and saved more reputations than any other half dozen men in his profession.
notoriousadjectiveUS /noʊˈtɔːriəs/
known widely and usually unfavorably
From this reading The confidence in him was extraordinary, but no one could be found to urge that it was not merited, and it was notorious that he had averted more scandals and saved more reputations than any other half dozen men in his profession.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE SIR JOSEPH RAYNER, as a solicitor, was at the very head of his profession, and was supposed to be trusted with more family secrets than any other man in England.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE SIR JOSEPH RAYNER, as a solicitor, was at the very head of his profession, and was supposed to be trusted with more family secrets than any other man in England.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The confidence in him was extraordinary, but no one could be found to urge that it was not merited, and it was notorious that he had averted more scandals and saved more reputations than any other half dozen men in his profession.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE SIR JOSEPH RAYNER, as a solicitor, was at the very head of his profession, and was supposed to be trusted with more family secrets than any other man in England.
paternaladjectiveUS /pəˈtɜːrnəl/
belonging to or inherited from one's father
From this reading To prodigal sons he was the dispenser of paternal allowances, and to the men caught in the toils of the blackmailer he was like a delivering providence.
prodigalnounUS /ˈprɑːdɪɡəl/
a recklessly extravagant consumer
From this reading To prodigal sons he was the dispenser of paternal allowances, and to the men caught in the toils of the blackmailer he was like a delivering providence.
the body of people in a learned occupation
From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE SIR JOSEPH RAYNER, as a solicitor, was at the very head of his profession, and was supposed to be trusted with more family secrets than any other man in England.
providencenounUS /ˈprɑː.və.dəns/
The protective care of God or nature as a spiritual power. (Sự quan phòng, thiên ý phù hộ.)
From this reading To prodigal sons he was the dispenser of paternal allowances, and to the men caught in the toils of the blackmailer he was like a delivering providence.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading As a family solicitor he was unsurpassed, discreet as a cabinet minister at question time, and as secret as the grave.
RAYNER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE SIR JOSEPH RAYNER, as a solicitor, was at the very head of his profession, and was supposed to be trusted with more family secrets than any other man in England.
remedynounUS /ˈremədi/
act of correcting an error or a fault or an evil
From this reading Erring husbands, and wives deeply wronged, sought his advice, and to the husbands he was a man of the world, and to the wives a sympathetic counsellor, always against the extreme remedy of the divorce courts.
reputationsnounUS /ˌrepjəˈteɪʃənz/
plural of “reputation” — the state of being held in high esteem and honor
From this reading The confidence in him was extraordinary, but no one could be found to urge that it was not merited, and it was notorious that he had averted more scandals and saved more reputations than any other half dozen men in his profession.
rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin
From this reading The confidence in him was extraordinary, but no one could be found to urge that it was not merited, and it was notorious that he had averted more scandals and saved more reputations than any other half dozen men in his profession.
scandalsnounUS /ˈskændəlz/
plural of “scandal” — disgraceful gossip about the private lives of other people
From this reading The confidence in him was extraordinary, but no one could be found to urge that it was not merited, and it was notorious that he had averted more scandals and saved more reputations than any other half dozen men in his profession.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading As a family solicitor he was unsurpassed, discreet as a cabinet minister at question time, and as secret as the grave.
secretsnounUS /ˈsiːkrəts/
plural of “secret” — something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on)
From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE SIR JOSEPH RAYNER, as a solicitor, was at the very head of his profession, and was supposed to be trusted with more family secrets than any other man in England.
term of address for a man
From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE SIR JOSEPH RAYNER, as a solicitor, was at the very head of his profession, and was supposed to be trusted with more family secrets than any other man in England.
solicitornounUS /səˈlɪsətər/
a petitioner who solicits contributions or trade or votes
From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE SIR JOSEPH RAYNER, as a solicitor, was at the very head of his profession, and was supposed to be trusted with more family secrets than any other man in England.
plural of “son” — a male human offspring
From this reading To prodigal sons he was the dispenser of paternal allowances, and to the men caught in the toils of the blackmailer he was like a delivering providence.
that is looked for
From this reading Erring husbands, and wives deeply wronged, sought his advice, and to the husbands he was a man of the world, and to the wives a sympathetic counsellor, always against the extreme remedy of the divorce courts.
required or under orders
From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE SIR JOSEPH RAYNER, as a solicitor, was at the very head of his profession, and was supposed to be trusted with more family secrets than any other man in England.
sympatheticadjectiveUS /ˌsɪmpəˈθetɪk/
of or relating to the sympathetic nervous system
From this reading Erring husbands, and wives deeply wronged, sought his advice, and to the husbands he was a man of the world, and to the wives a sympathetic counsellor, always against the extreme remedy of the divorce courts.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE SIR JOSEPH RAYNER, as a solicitor, was at the very head of his profession, and was supposed to be trusted with more family secrets than any other man in England.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The confidence in him was extraordinary, but no one could be found to urge that it was not merited, and it was notorious that he had averted more scandals and saved more reputations than any other half dozen men in his profession.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE SIR JOSEPH RAYNER, as a solicitor, was at the very head of his profession, and was supposed to be trusted with more family secrets than any other man in England.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading As a family solicitor he was unsurpassed, discreet as a cabinet minister at question time, and as secret as the grave.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE SIR JOSEPH RAYNER, as a solicitor, was at the very head of his profession, and was supposed to be trusted with more family secrets than any other man in England.
toilsnounUS /tɔɪlz/
plural of “toil” — productive work (especially physical work done for wages)
From this reading To prodigal sons he was the dispenser of paternal allowances, and to the men caught in the toils of the blackmailer he was like a delivering providence.
trustedadjectiveUS /ˈtrʌstɪd/
(of persons) worthy of trust or confidence
From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE SIR JOSEPH RAYNER, as a solicitor, was at the very head of his profession, and was supposed to be trusted with more family secrets than any other man in England.
unsurpassedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnsərˈpæst/
not capable of being improved on
From this reading As a family solicitor he was unsurpassed, discreet as a cabinet minister at question time, and as secret as the grave.
urgeverbUS /ɜːrdʒ/
force or impel in an indicated direction
From this reading The confidence in him was extraordinary, but no one could be found to urge that it was not merited, and it was notorious that he had averted more scandals and saved more reputations than any other half dozen men in his profession.
precisely as stated
From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE SIR JOSEPH RAYNER, as a solicitor, was at the very head of his profession, and was supposed to be trusted with more family secrets than any other man in England.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE SIR JOSEPH RAYNER, as a solicitor, was at the very head of his profession, and was supposed to be trusted with more family secrets than any other man in England.
in the company of; together with
From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE SIR JOSEPH RAYNER, as a solicitor, was at the very head of his profession, and was supposed to be trusted with more family secrets than any other man in England.
wivesnounUS /waɪvz/
plural of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Erring husbands, and wives deeply wronged, sought his advice, and to the husbands he was a man of the world, and to the wives a sympathetic counsellor, always against the extreme remedy of the divorce courts.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Erring husbands, and wives deeply wronged, sought his advice, and to the husbands he was a man of the world, and to the wives a sympathetic counsellor, always against the extreme remedy of the divorce courts.
wrongedverbUS /rɔːŋd/
past form of “wrong” — treat unjustly; do wrong to
From this reading Erring husbands, and wives deeply wronged, sought his advice, and to the husbands he was a man of the world, and to the wives a sympathetic counsellor, always against the extreme remedy of the divorce courts.
