used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Brought up as I had been, shielded from the ill winds of existence, taught the perfunctory, conventional standards of behavior that suffice for those whose lives are lived according to a little-varying plan, I should have shrunk from further infraction of the law.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading Indeed it is no more than could have been expected had I refused absolutely to lend myself to Barreau’s desperate plan.
highly skilled
From this reading Looking back I marvel at the ridiculous ease with which the thing was accomplished.
(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with
From this reading Brought up as I had been, shielded from the ill winds of existence, taught the perfunctory, conventional standards of behavior that suffice for those whose lives are lived according to a little-varying plan, I should have shrunk from further infraction of the law.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Conscious that I had done no wrong I might have been moved to veto an enterprise that imperiled me, to protest against his drawing me further into his own troublous coil.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Conscious that I had done no wrong I might have been moved to veto an enterprise that imperiled me, to protest against his drawing me further into his own troublous coil.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Brought up as I had been, shielded from the ill winds of existence, taught the perfunctory, conventional standards of behavior that suffice for those whose lives are lived according to a little-varying plan, I should have shrunk from further infraction of the law.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Brought up as I had been, shielded from the ill winds of existence, taught the perfunctory, conventional standards of behavior that suffice for those whose lives are lived according to a little-varying plan, I should have shrunk from further infraction of the law.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Looking back I marvel at the ridiculous ease with which the thing was accomplished.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Looking back I marvel at the ridiculous ease with which the thing was accomplished.
Barreau's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed it is no more than could have been expected had I refused absolutely to lend myself to Barreau’s desperate plan.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Brought up as I had been, shielded from the ill winds of existence, taught the perfunctory, conventional standards of behavior that suffice for those whose lives are lived according to a little-varying plan, I should have shrunk from further infraction of the law.
behaviornounUS /bɪˈheɪvjər/
manner of acting or controlling yourself
From this reading Brought up as I had been, shielded from the ill winds of existence, taught the perfunctory, conventional standards of behavior that suffice for those whose lives are lived according to a little-varying plan, I should have shrunk from further infraction of the law.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Brought up as I had been, shielded from the ill winds of existence, taught the perfunctory, conventional standards of behavior that suffice for those whose lives are lived according to a little-varying plan, I should have shrunk from further infraction of the law.
coilnounUS /kɔɪl/
a structure consisting of something wound in a continuous series of loops
From this reading Conscious that I had done no wrong I might have been moved to veto an enterprise that imperiled me, to protest against his drawing me further into his own troublous coil.
intentionally conceived
From this reading Conscious that I had done no wrong I might have been moved to veto an enterprise that imperiled me, to protest against his drawing me further into his own troublous coil.
conventionaladjectiveUS /kənˈvenʃənəl/
following accepted customs and proprieties
From this reading Brought up as I had been, shielded from the ill winds of existence, taught the perfunctory, conventional standards of behavior that suffice for those whose lives are lived according to a little-varying plan, I should have shrunk from further infraction of the law.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Indeed it is no more than could have been expected had I refused absolutely to lend myself to Barreau’s desperate plan.
arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
From this reading Indeed it is no more than could have been expected had I refused absolutely to lend myself to Barreau’s desperate plan.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Still more do I marvel at my own part in it.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Conscious that I had done no wrong I might have been moved to veto an enterprise that imperiled me, to protest against his drawing me further into his own troublous coil.
an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper
From this reading Conscious that I had done no wrong I might have been moved to veto an enterprise that imperiled me, to protest against his drawing me further into his own troublous coil.
move gently or carefully
From this reading Looking back I marvel at the ridiculous ease with which the thing was accomplished.
enterprisenounUS /ˈentərpraɪz/
a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)
From this reading Conscious that I had done no wrong I might have been moved to veto an enterprise that imperiled me, to protest against his drawing me further into his own troublous coil.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading Brought up as I had been, shielded from the ill winds of existence, taught the perfunctory, conventional standards of behavior that suffice for those whose lives are lived according to a little-varying plan, I should have shrunk from further infraction of the law.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading Indeed it is no more than could have been expected had I refused absolutely to lend myself to Barreau’s desperate plan.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Brought up as I had been, shielded from the ill winds of existence, taught the perfunctory, conventional standards of behavior that suffice for those whose lives are lived according to a little-varying plan, I should have shrunk from further infraction of the law.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Brought up as I had been, shielded from the ill winds of existence, taught the perfunctory, conventional standards of behavior that suffice for those whose lives are lived according to a little-varying plan, I should have shrunk from further infraction of the law.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading Brought up as I had been, shielded from the ill winds of existence, taught the perfunctory, conventional standards of behavior that suffice for those whose lives are lived according to a little-varying plan, I should have shrunk from further infraction of the law.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Brought up as I had been, shielded from the ill winds of existence, taught the perfunctory, conventional standards of behavior that suffice for those whose lives are lived according to a little-varying plan, I should have shrunk from further infraction of the law.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Brought up as I had been, shielded from the ill winds of existence, taught the perfunctory, conventional standards of behavior that suffice for those whose lives are lived according to a little-varying plan, I should have shrunk from further infraction of the law.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Conscious that I had done no wrong I might have been moved to veto an enterprise that imperiled me, to protest against his drawing me further into his own troublous coil.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Looking back I marvel at the ridiculous ease with which the thing was accomplished.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading Brought up as I had been, shielded from the ill winds of existence, taught the perfunctory, conventional standards of behavior that suffice for those whose lives are lived according to a little-varying plan, I should have shrunk from further infraction of the law.
imperiledverbUS /ˌɪmˈperəld/
past form of “imperil” — pose a threat to; present a danger to
From this reading Conscious that I had done no wrong I might have been moved to veto an enterprise that imperiled me, to protest against his drawing me further into his own troublous coil.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Still more do I marvel at my own part in it.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Indeed it is no more than could have been expected had I refused absolutely to lend myself to Barreau’s desperate plan.
infractionnounUS /ˌɪnˈfrækʃən/
a crime less serious than a felony
From this reading Brought up as I had been, shielded from the ill winds of existence, taught the perfunctory, conventional standards of behavior that suffice for those whose lives are lived according to a little-varying plan, I should have shrunk from further infraction of the law.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Conscious that I had done no wrong I might have been moved to veto an enterprise that imperiled me, to protest against his drawing me further into his own troublous coil.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Indeed it is no more than could have been expected had I refused absolutely to lend myself to Barreau’s desperate plan.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Still more do I marvel at my own part in it.
the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading Brought up as I had been, shielded from the ill winds of existence, taught the perfunctory, conventional standards of behavior that suffice for those whose lives are lived according to a little-varying plan, I should have shrunk from further infraction of the law.
lendverbUS /lend/
bestow a quality on
From this reading Indeed it is no more than could have been expected had I refused absolutely to lend myself to Barreau’s desperate plan.
little-varying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brought up as I had been, shielded from the ill winds of existence, taught the perfunctory, conventional standards of behavior that suffice for those whose lives are lived according to a little-varying plan, I should have shrunk from further infraction of the law.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Brought up as I had been, shielded from the ill winds of existence, taught the perfunctory, conventional standards of behavior that suffice for those whose lives are lived according to a little-varying plan, I should have shrunk from further infraction of the law.
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Brought up as I had been, shielded from the ill winds of existence, taught the perfunctory, conventional standards of behavior that suffice for those whose lives are lived according to a little-varying plan, I should have shrunk from further infraction of the law.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Looking back I marvel at the ridiculous ease with which the thing was accomplished.
marvelverbUS /ˈmɑːrvəl/
be amazed at
From this reading Looking back I marvel at the ridiculous ease with which the thing was accomplished.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Conscious that I had done no wrong I might have been moved to veto an enterprise that imperiled me, to protest against his drawing me further into his own troublous coil.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Conscious that I had done no wrong I might have been moved to veto an enterprise that imperiled me, to protest against his drawing me further into his own troublous coil.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Still more do I marvel at my own part in it.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading Conscious that I had done no wrong I might have been moved to veto an enterprise that imperiled me, to protest against his drawing me further into his own troublous coil.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Still more do I marvel at my own part in it.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading Indeed it is no more than could have been expected had I refused absolutely to lend myself to Barreau’s desperate plan.
not any; not one
From this reading Indeed it is no more than could have been expected had I refused absolutely to lend myself to Barreau’s desperate plan.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Brought up as I had been, shielded from the ill winds of existence, taught the perfunctory, conventional standards of behavior that suffice for those whose lives are lived according to a little-varying plan, I should have shrunk from further infraction of the law.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Still more do I marvel at my own part in it.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Still more do I marvel at my own part in it.
perfunctoryadjectiveUS /pərˈfʌŋktəri/
hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough
From this reading Brought up as I had been, shielded from the ill winds of existence, taught the perfunctory, conventional standards of behavior that suffice for those whose lives are lived according to a little-varying plan, I should have shrunk from further infraction of the law.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading Brought up as I had been, shielded from the ill winds of existence, taught the perfunctory, conventional standards of behavior that suffice for those whose lives are lived according to a little-varying plan, I should have shrunk from further infraction of the law.
protestnounUS /ˈproʊtest/
a formal and solemn declaration of objection
From this reading Conscious that I had done no wrong I might have been moved to veto an enterprise that imperiled me, to protest against his drawing me further into his own troublous coil.
past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading Indeed it is no more than could have been expected had I refused absolutely to lend myself to Barreau’s desperate plan.
inspiring scornful pity
From this reading Looking back I marvel at the ridiculous ease with which the thing was accomplished.
shieldedadjectiveUS /ˈʃiːldɪd/
(used especially of machinery) protected by a shield to prevent injury
From this reading Brought up as I had been, shielded from the ill winds of existence, taught the perfunctory, conventional standards of behavior that suffice for those whose lives are lived according to a little-varying plan, I should have shrunk from further infraction of the law.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Brought up as I had been, shielded from the ill winds of existence, taught the perfunctory, conventional standards of behavior that suffice for those whose lives are lived according to a little-varying plan, I should have shrunk from further infraction of the law.
shrunkverbUS /ʃrʌŋk/
inflected form of “shrink” — wither, as with a loss of moisture
From this reading Brought up as I had been, shielded from the ill winds of existence, taught the perfunctory, conventional standards of behavior that suffice for those whose lives are lived according to a little-varying plan, I should have shrunk from further infraction of the law.
standardsnounUS /ˈstændərdz/
plural of “standard” — a basis for comparison; a reference point against which other things can be evaluated
From this reading Brought up as I had been, shielded from the ill winds of existence, taught the perfunctory, conventional standards of behavior that suffice for those whose lives are lived according to a little-varying plan, I should have shrunk from further infraction of the law.
not in physical motion
From this reading Still more do I marvel at my own part in it.
sufficeverbUS /səˈfaɪs/
be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity
From this reading Brought up as I had been, shielded from the ill winds of existence, taught the perfunctory, conventional standards of behavior that suffice for those whose lives are lived according to a little-varying plan, I should have shrunk from further infraction of the law.
inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading Brought up as I had been, shielded from the ill winds of existence, taught the perfunctory, conventional standards of behavior that suffice for those whose lives are lived according to a little-varying plan, I should have shrunk from further infraction of the law.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Indeed it is no more than could have been expected had I refused absolutely to lend myself to Barreau’s desperate plan.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Brought up as I had been, shielded from the ill winds of existence, taught the perfunctory, conventional standards of behavior that suffice for those whose lives are lived according to a little-varying plan, I should have shrunk from further infraction of the law.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Looking back I marvel at the ridiculous ease with which the thing was accomplished.
a special situation
From this reading Looking back I marvel at the ridiculous ease with which the thing was accomplished.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Brought up as I had been, shielded from the ill winds of existence, taught the perfunctory, conventional standards of behavior that suffice for those whose lives are lived according to a little-varying plan, I should have shrunk from further infraction of the law.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Brought up as I had been, shielded from the ill winds of existence, taught the perfunctory, conventional standards of behavior that suffice for those whose lives are lived according to a little-varying plan, I should have shrunk from further infraction of the law.
troublousadjective
full of trouble
From this reading Conscious that I had done no wrong I might have been moved to veto an enterprise that imperiled me, to protest against his drawing me further into his own troublous coil.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Brought up as I had been, shielded from the ill winds of existence, taught the perfunctory, conventional standards of behavior that suffice for those whose lives are lived according to a little-varying plan, I should have shrunk from further infraction of the law.
vetoverbUS /ˈviːtoʊ/
vote against; refuse to endorse; refuse to assent
From this reading Conscious that I had done no wrong I might have been moved to veto an enterprise that imperiled me, to protest against his drawing me further into his own troublous coil.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Looking back I marvel at the ridiculous ease with which the thing was accomplished.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Looking back I marvel at the ridiculous ease with which the thing was accomplished.
belonging to which person
From this reading Brought up as I had been, shielded from the ill winds of existence, taught the perfunctory, conventional standards of behavior that suffice for those whose lives are lived according to a little-varying plan, I should have shrunk from further infraction of the law.
plural of “wind” — air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading Brought up as I had been, shielded from the ill winds of existence, taught the perfunctory, conventional standards of behavior that suffice for those whose lives are lived according to a little-varying plan, I should have shrunk from further infraction of the law.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Looking back I marvel at the ridiculous ease with which the thing was accomplished.
not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth
From this reading Conscious that I had done no wrong I might have been moved to veto an enterprise that imperiled me, to protest against his drawing me further into his own troublous coil.
