used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "If you can get employment in England which would justify you in marrying a penniless, inexperienced, fragile girl like Betty Morion, do so.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There shall be no scandal about it in the family, but I entirely wash my hands of any and all responsibility in the matter."
anew
From this reading "You have over and over again begged me to retire altogether, and--and promised to make my doing so possible, though you know I would never have led an idle life at home or anywhere."
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading There shall be no scandal about it in the family, but I entirely wash my hands of any and all responsibility in the matter."
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading "But, mother," said poor Horace, almost stunned by her words.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading "You have over and over again begged me to retire altogether, and--and promised to make my doing so possible, though you know I would never have led an idle life at home or anywhere."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "You have over and over again begged me to retire altogether, and--and promised to make my doing so possible, though you know I would never have led an idle life at home or anywhere."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "You have over and over again begged me to retire altogether, and--and promised to make my doing so possible, though you know I would never have led an idle life at home or anywhere."
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading There shall be no scandal about it in the family, but I entirely wash my hands of any and all responsibility in the matter."
at or in or to any place
From this reading "You have over and over again begged me to retire altogether, and--and promised to make my doing so possible, though you know I would never have led an idle life at home or anywhere."
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "You have over and over again begged me to retire altogether, and--and promised to make my doing so possible, though you know I would never have led an idle life at home or anywhere."
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There shall be no scandal about it in the family, but I entirely wash my hands of any and all responsibility in the matter."
inflected form of “beg” — call upon in supplication; entreat
From this reading "You have over and over again begged me to retire altogether, and--and promised to make my doing so possible, though you know I would never have led an idle life at home or anywhere."
Betty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "If you can get employment in England which would justify you in marrying a penniless, inexperienced, fragile girl like Betty Morion, do so.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "But, mother," said poor Horace, almost stunned by her words.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "But, mother," said poor Horace, almost stunned by her words.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "If you can get employment in England which would justify you in marrying a penniless, inexperienced, fragile girl like Betty Morion, do so.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading "I have never promised, nor dreamt of promising, material help towards your making an undesirable marriage," was the cold reply.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "If you can get employment in England which would justify you in marrying a penniless, inexperienced, fragile girl like Betty Morion, do so.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading "You have over and over again begged me to retire altogether, and--and promised to make my doing so possible, though you know I would never have led an idle life at home or anywhere."
dreamtverbUS /drɛmt/
Experienced dreams during sleep.
From this reading "I have never promised, nor dreamt of promising, material help towards your making an undesirable marriage," was the cold reply.
employmentnounUS /emˈplɔɪmənt/
the state of being employed or having a job
From this reading "If you can get employment in England which would justify you in marrying a penniless, inexperienced, fragile girl like Betty Morion, do so.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading "If you can get employment in England which would justify you in marrying a penniless, inexperienced, fragile girl like Betty Morion, do so.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading There shall be no scandal about it in the family, but I entirely wash my hands of any and all responsibility in the matter."
a social unit living together
From this reading There shall be no scandal about it in the family, but I entirely wash my hands of any and all responsibility in the matter."
fragileadjectiveUS /ˈfrædʒəl/
easily broken or damaged or destroyed
From this reading "If you can get employment in England which would justify you in marrying a penniless, inexperienced, fragile girl like Betty Morion, do so.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading "If you can get employment in England which would justify you in marrying a penniless, inexperienced, fragile girl like Betty Morion, do so.
a young female
From this reading "If you can get employment in England which would justify you in marrying a penniless, inexperienced, fragile girl like Betty Morion, do so.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading There shall be no scandal about it in the family, but I entirely wash my hands of any and all responsibility in the matter."
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "You have over and over again begged me to retire altogether, and--and promised to make my doing so possible, though you know I would never have led an idle life at home or anywhere."
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading "I have never promised, nor dreamt of promising, material help towards your making an undesirable marriage," was the cold reply.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "But, mother," said poor Horace, almost stunned by her words.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading "You have over and over again begged me to retire altogether, and--and promised to make my doing so possible, though you know I would never have led an idle life at home or anywhere."
HoracenounUS /ˈhɔːrəs/
Roman lyric poet said to have influenced English poetry (65-8 BC)
From this reading "But, mother," said poor Horace, almost stunned by her words.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "You have over and over again begged me to retire altogether, and--and promised to make my doing so possible, though you know I would never have led an idle life at home or anywhere."
not in action or at work
From this reading "You have over and over again begged me to retire altogether, and--and promised to make my doing so possible, though you know I would never have led an idle life at home or anywhere."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "If you can get employment in England which would justify you in marrying a penniless, inexperienced, fragile girl like Betty Morion, do so.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "If you can get employment in England which would justify you in marrying a penniless, inexperienced, fragile girl like Betty Morion, do so.
inexperiencedadjectiveUS /ɪnɪkˈspɪriənst/
lacking practical experience or training
From this reading "If you can get employment in England which would justify you in marrying a penniless, inexperienced, fragile girl like Betty Morion, do so.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There shall be no scandal about it in the family, but I entirely wash my hands of any and all responsibility in the matter."
justifyverbUS /ˈdʒʌstəfaɪ/
show to be right by providing justification or proof
From this reading "If you can get employment in England which would justify you in marrying a penniless, inexperienced, fragile girl like Betty Morion, do so.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "You have over and over again begged me to retire altogether, and--and promised to make my doing so possible, though you know I would never have led an idle life at home or anywhere."
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading "You have over and over again begged me to retire altogether, and--and promised to make my doing so possible, though you know I would never have led an idle life at home or anywhere."
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading "You have over and over again begged me to retire altogether, and--and promised to make my doing so possible, though you know I would never have led an idle life at home or anywhere."
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "If you can get employment in England which would justify you in marrying a penniless, inexperienced, fragile girl like Betty Morion, do so.
engage in
From this reading "You have over and over again begged me to retire altogether, and--and promised to make my doing so possible, though you know I would never have led an idle life at home or anywhere."
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading "I have never promised, nor dreamt of promising, material help towards your making an undesirable marriage," was the cold reply.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading "I have never promised, nor dreamt of promising, material help towards your making an undesirable marriage," was the cold reply.
marryingverbUS /ˈmeriɪŋ/
-ing form of “marry” — take in marriage
From this reading "If you can get employment in England which would justify you in marrying a penniless, inexperienced, fragile girl like Betty Morion, do so.
concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests
From this reading "I have never promised, nor dreamt of promising, material help towards your making an undesirable marriage," was the cold reply.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading There shall be no scandal about it in the family, but I entirely wash my hands of any and all responsibility in the matter."
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "You have over and over again begged me to retire altogether, and--and promised to make my doing so possible, though you know I would never have led an idle life at home or anywhere."
Morionnoun
a metal helmet worn by common soldiers in the 16th century
From this reading "If you can get employment in England which would justify you in marrying a penniless, inexperienced, fragile girl like Betty Morion, do so.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading "But, mother," said poor Horace, almost stunned by her words.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "You have over and over again begged me to retire altogether, and--and promised to make my doing so possible, though you know I would never have led an idle life at home or anywhere."
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading "You have over and over again begged me to retire altogether, and--and promised to make my doing so possible, though you know I would never have led an idle life at home or anywhere."
not any; not one
From this reading There shall be no scandal about it in the family, but I entirely wash my hands of any and all responsibility in the matter."
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading "I have never promised, nor dreamt of promising, material help towards your making an undesirable marriage," was the cold reply.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "I have never promised, nor dreamt of promising, material help towards your making an undesirable marriage," was the cold reply.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "You have over and over again begged me to retire altogether, and--and promised to make my doing so possible, though you know I would never have led an idle life at home or anywhere."
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading "You have over and over again begged me to retire altogether, and--and promised to make my doing so possible, though you know I would never have led an idle life at home or anywhere."
pennilessadjectiveUS /ˈpeniləs/
not having enough money to pay for necessities
From this reading "If you can get employment in England which would justify you in marrying a penniless, inexperienced, fragile girl like Betty Morion, do so.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading "But, mother," said poor Horace, almost stunned by her words.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading "You have over and over again begged me to retire altogether, and--and promised to make my doing so possible, though you know I would never have led an idle life at home or anywhere."
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading "You have over and over again begged me to retire altogether, and--and promised to make my doing so possible, though you know I would never have led an idle life at home or anywhere."
promisingadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːməsɪŋ/
showing possibility of achievement or excellence
From this reading "I have never promised, nor dreamt of promising, material help towards your making an undesirable marriage," was the cold reply.
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading "I have never promised, nor dreamt of promising, material help towards your making an undesirable marriage," was the cold reply.
responsibilitynounUS /riˌspɑːnsəˈbɪləti/
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading There shall be no scandal about it in the family, but I entirely wash my hands of any and all responsibility in the matter."
retireverbUS /rɪˈtaɪr/
go into retirement; stop performing one's work or withdraw from one's position
From this reading "You have over and over again begged me to retire altogether, and--and promised to make my doing so possible, though you know I would never have led an idle life at home or anywhere."
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "But, mother," said poor Horace, almost stunned by her words.
scandalnounUS /ˈskændəl/
disgraceful gossip about the private lives of other people
From this reading There shall be no scandal about it in the family, but I entirely wash my hands of any and all responsibility in the matter."
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading There shall be no scandal about it in the family, but I entirely wash my hands of any and all responsibility in the matter."
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "You have over and over again begged me to retire altogether, and--and promised to make my doing so possible, though you know I would never have led an idle life at home or anywhere."
stunnedadjectiveUS /stʌnd/
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading "But, mother," said poor Horace, almost stunned by her words.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "I have never promised, nor dreamt of promising, material help towards your making an undesirable marriage," was the cold reply.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There shall be no scandal about it in the family, but I entirely wash my hands of any and all responsibility in the matter."
in spite of the fact that
From this reading "You have over and over again begged me to retire altogether, and--and promised to make my doing so possible, though you know I would never have led an idle life at home or anywhere."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "You have over and over again begged me to retire altogether, and--and promised to make my doing so possible, though you know I would never have led an idle life at home or anywhere."
in the direction of
From this reading "I have never promised, nor dreamt of promising, material help towards your making an undesirable marriage," was the cold reply.
undesirableadjectiveUS /ˌʌndɪˈzaɪrəbəl/
not wanted
From this reading "I have never promised, nor dreamt of promising, material help towards your making an undesirable marriage," was the cold reply.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I have never promised, nor dreamt of promising, material help towards your making an undesirable marriage," was the cold reply.
washverbUS /wɑːʃ/
clean with some chemical process
From this reading There shall be no scandal about it in the family, but I entirely wash my hands of any and all responsibility in the matter."
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "If you can get employment in England which would justify you in marrying a penniless, inexperienced, fragile girl like Betty Morion, do so.
the words that are spoken
From this reading "But, mother," said poor Horace, almost stunned by her words.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "You have over and over again begged me to retire altogether, and--and promised to make my doing so possible, though you know I would never have led an idle life at home or anywhere."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You have over and over again begged me to retire altogether, and--and promised to make my doing so possible, though you know I would never have led an idle life at home or anywhere."
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I have never promised, nor dreamt of promising, material help towards your making an undesirable marriage," was the cold reply.
