used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It would be some intrusive woman, he said; some busybody--there were many about--who, thinking she could escape being found out in that way, had thought it a grand opportunity of making mischief.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
angryadjectiveUS /ˈæŋɡri/
feeling or showing anger
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
anonymousadjectiveUS /əˈnɑːnəməs/
having no known name or identity or known source
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
eagerly desirous
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
apologiesnounUS /əˈpɑːlədʒiːz/
plural of “apology” — an expression of regret at having caused trouble for someone
From this reading He made me a great many apologies for his first hasty words.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Mr. Campbell was not to be moved.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading It would be some intrusive woman, he said; some busybody--there were many about--who, thinking she could escape being found out in that way, had thought it a grand opportunity of making mischief.
betrayverbUS /bɪˈtreɪ/
reveal unintentionally
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
busybodynoun
a person who meddles in the affairs of others
From this reading It would be some intrusive woman, he said; some busybody--there were many about--who, thinking she could escape being found out in that way, had thought it a grand opportunity of making mischief.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But he refused to be influenced in any way by this strange communication.
CampbellnounUS /ˈkæmbəl/
United States mythologist (1904-1987)
From this reading Mr. Campbell was not to be moved.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
communicationnounUS /kəˌmjuːnəˈkeɪʃən/
the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information
From this reading But he refused to be influenced in any way by this strange communication.
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
a female human offspring
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
move gently or carefully
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading It would be some intrusive woman, he said; some busybody--there were many about--who, thinking she could escape being found out in that way, had thought it a grand opportunity of making mischief.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading He made me a great many apologies for his first hasty words.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He made me a great many apologies for his first hasty words.
set up or found
From this reading It would be some intrusive woman, he said; some busybody--there were many about--who, thinking she could escape being found out in that way, had thought it a grand opportunity of making mischief.
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading It would be some intrusive woman, he said; some busybody--there were many about--who, thinking she could escape being found out in that way, had thought it a grand opportunity of making mischief.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading He made me a great many apologies for his first hasty words.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It would be some intrusive woman, he said; some busybody--there were many about--who, thinking she could escape being found out in that way, had thought it a grand opportunity of making mischief.
hastyadjectiveUS /ˈheɪsti/
excessively quick
From this reading He made me a great many apologies for his first hasty words.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But he refused to be influenced in any way by this strange communication.
influencedverbUS /ˈɪnfluːənst/
past form of “influence” — have and exert influence or effect
From this reading But he refused to be influenced in any way by this strange communication.
intrusiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtruːsɪv/
tending to intrude (especially upon privacy)
From this reading It would be some intrusive woman, he said; some busybody--there were many about--who, thinking she could escape being found out in that way, had thought it a grand opportunity of making mischief.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading He made me a great many apologies for his first hasty words.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading It would be some intrusive woman, he said; some busybody--there were many about--who, thinking she could escape being found out in that way, had thought it a grand opportunity of making mischief.
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 It would be some intrusive woman, he said; some busybody--there were many about--who, thinking she could escape being found out in that way, had thought it a grand opportunity of making mischief.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
reckless or malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others
From this reading It would be some intrusive woman, he said; some busybody--there were many about--who, thinking she could escape being found out in that way, had thought it a grand opportunity of making mischief.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading Mr. Campbell was not to be moved.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Campbell was not to be moved.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Mr. Campbell was not to be moved.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading It would be some intrusive woman, he said; some busybody--there were many about--who, thinking she could escape being found out in that way, had thought it a grand opportunity of making mischief.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It would be some intrusive woman, he said; some busybody--there were many about--who, thinking she could escape being found out in that way, had thought it a grand opportunity of making mischief.
perplexitynounUS /pərˈpleksəti/
trouble or confusion resulting from complexity
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading But he refused to be influenced in any way by this strange communication.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading It would be some intrusive woman, he said; some busybody--there were many about--who, thinking she could escape being found out in that way, had thought it a grand opportunity of making mischief.
sharedadjectiveUS /ʃerd/
have in common; held or experienced in common
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It would be some intrusive woman, he said; some busybody--there were many about--who, thinking she could escape being found out in that way, had thought it a grand opportunity of making mischief.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading It would be some intrusive woman, he said; some busybody--there were many about--who, thinking she could escape being found out in that way, had thought it a grand opportunity of making mischief.
a male human offspring
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading But he refused to be influenced in any way by this strange communication.
express in words
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
in or at that place or location
From this reading It would be some intrusive woman, he said; some busybody--there were many about--who, thinking she could escape being found out in that way, had thought it a grand opportunity of making mischief.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading It would be some intrusive woman, he said; some busybody--there were many about--who, thinking she could escape being found out in that way, had thought it a grand opportunity of making mischief.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But he refused to be influenced in any way by this strange communication.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading It would be some intrusive woman, he said; some busybody--there were many about--who, thinking she could escape being found out in that way, had thought it a grand opportunity of making mischief.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mr. Campbell was not to be moved.
uneasinessnounUS /ˌʌˈniːzinəs/
feelings of anxiety that make you tense and irritable
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
precisely as stated
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
viewedverbUS /vjuːd/
past form of “view” — deem to be
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mr. Campbell was not to be moved.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading But he refused to be influenced in any way by this strange communication.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It would be some intrusive woman, he said; some busybody--there were many about--who, thinking she could escape being found out in that way, had thought it a grand opportunity of making mischief.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
which person or people
From this reading It would be some intrusive woman, he said; some busybody--there were many about--who, thinking she could escape being found out in that way, had thought it a grand opportunity of making mischief.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading It would be some intrusive woman, he said; some busybody--there were many about--who, thinking she could escape being found out in that way, had thought it a grand opportunity of making mischief.
the words that are spoken
From this reading He made me a great many apologies for his first hasty words.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He was very anxious, angry, and ill at ease; but whether it was that he would not betray to me that the message, which he viewed as an anonymous statement, could cause him any uneasiness, or whether it was perplexity and confusion of mind, or if he really felt a confidence which neither his son nor daughter shared, I cannot tell.
