used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The conviction that she was bad-tempered had begun to enter her mind as it were without rapping, and with the air of a familiar.
(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 A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
answersnounUS /ˈænsərz/
plural of “answer” — a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading Oftener still, perhaps, she caught her tongue framing impatient or even petulant answers to her mother, to her mother’s friends, to everybody, in truth, save her sister Ethel.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The conviction that she was bad-tempered had begun to enter her mind as it were without rapping, and with the air of a familiar.
bad-temperedadjective
annoyed and irritable
From this reading The conviction that she was bad-tempered had begun to enter her mind as it were without rapping, and with the air of a familiar.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The conviction that she was bad-tempered had begun to enter her mind as it were without rapping, and with the air of a familiar.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading Oftener still, perhaps, she caught her tongue framing impatient or even petulant answers to her mother, to her mother’s friends, to everybody, in truth, save her sister Ethel.
commitverbUS /kəˈmɪt/
perform an act, usually with a negative connotation
From this reading Not infrequently she found herself in the mood to think, “Now I realize how rich girls must feel when they commit themselves to entering a convent.”
conventnounUS /ˈkɑːnvənt/
a religious residence especially for nuns
From this reading Not infrequently she found herself in the mood to think, “Now I realize how rich girls must feel when they commit themselves to entering a convent.”
an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence
From this reading The conviction that she was bad-tempered had begun to enter her mind as it were without rapping, and with the air of a familiar.
defiedverbUS /dɪˈfaɪd/
inflected form of “defy” — resist or confront with resistance
From this reading Kate Minster defied the rules, and moped.
disquietingadjectiveUS /dɪˈskwaɪətɪŋ/
causing mental discomfort
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
plural of “dollar” — the basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 cents
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
to come or go into
From this reading The conviction that she was bad-tempered had begun to enter her mind as it were without rapping, and with the air of a familiar.
a movement into or inward
From this reading Not infrequently she found herself in the mood to think, “Now I realize how rich girls must feel when they commit themselves to entering a convent.”
Ethel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oftener still, perhaps, she caught her tongue framing impatient or even petulant answers to her mother, to her mother’s friends, to everybody, in truth, save her sister Ethel.
divisible by two
From this reading Oftener still, perhaps, she caught her tongue framing impatient or even petulant answers to her mother, to her mother’s friends, to everybody, in truth, save her sister Ethel.
every person
From this reading Oftener still, perhaps, she caught her tongue framing impatient or even petulant answers to her mother, to her mother’s friends, to everybody, in truth, save her sister Ethel.
well known or easily recognized
From this reading The conviction that she was bad-tempered had begun to enter her mind as it were without rapping, and with the air of a familiar.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading Not infrequently she found herself in the mood to think, “Now I realize how rich girls must feel when they commit themselves to entering a convent.”
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
set up or found
From this reading Not infrequently she found herself in the mood to think, “Now I realize how rich girls must feel when they commit themselves to entering a convent.”
framingnounUS /ˈfreɪmɪŋ/
formulation of the plans and important details
From this reading Oftener still, perhaps, she caught her tongue framing impatient or even petulant answers to her mother, to her mother’s friends, to everybody, in truth, save her sister Ethel.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Oftener still, perhaps, she caught her tongue framing impatient or even petulant answers to her mother, to her mother’s friends, to everybody, in truth, save her sister Ethel.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading Not infrequently she found herself in the mood to think, “Now I realize how rich girls must feel when they commit themselves to entering a convent.”
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The conviction that she was bad-tempered had begun to enter her mind as it were without rapping, and with the air of a familiar.
a healthy state of wellbeing free from disease
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Not infrequently she found herself in the mood to think, “Now I realize how rich girls must feel when they commit themselves to entering a convent.”
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not infrequently she found herself in the mood to think, “Now I realize how rich girls must feel when they commit themselves to entering a convent.”
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Not infrequently she found herself in the mood to think, “Now I realize how rich girls must feel when they commit themselves to entering a convent.”
restless or short-tempered under delay or opposition
From this reading Oftener still, perhaps, she caught her tongue framing impatient or even petulant answers to her mother, to her mother’s friends, to everybody, in truth, save her sister Ethel.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
infrequentlyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈfriːkwəntli/
not many times
From this reading Not infrequently she found herself in the mood to think, “Now I realize how rich girls must feel when they commit themselves to entering a convent.”
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The conviction that she was bad-tempered had begun to enter her mind as it were without rapping, and with the air of a familiar.
Kate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Kate Minster defied the rules, and moped.
malesnounUS /meɪlz/
plural of “male” — an animal that produces gametes (spermatozoa) that can fertilize female gametes
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
millionnounUS /ˈmɪljən/
the number that is represented as a one followed by 6 zeros
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading The conviction that she was bad-tempered had begun to enter her mind as it were without rapping, and with the air of a familiar.
MinsternounUS /ˈmɪnstər/
any of certain cathedrals and large churches; originally connected to a monastery
From this reading Kate Minster defied the rules, and moped.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading Not infrequently she found herself in the mood to think, “Now I realize how rich girls must feel when they commit themselves to entering a convent.”
mopednounUS /moʊpt/
a motorbike that can be pedaled or driven by a low-powered gasoline engine
From this reading Kate Minster defied the rules, and moped.
in addition to what has just been said
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Oftener still, perhaps, she caught her tongue framing impatient or even petulant answers to her mother, to her mother’s friends, to everybody, in truth, save her sister Ethel.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Oftener still, perhaps, she caught her tongue framing impatient or even petulant answers to her mother, to her mother’s friends, to everybody, in truth, save her sister Ethel.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Not infrequently she found herself in the mood to think, “Now I realize how rich girls must feel when they commit themselves to entering a convent.”
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Not infrequently she found herself in the mood to think, “Now I realize how rich girls must feel when they commit themselves to entering a convent.”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
OfteneradverbUS /ˈɔːfənər/
more often or more frequently
From this reading Oftener still, perhaps, she caught her tongue framing impatient or even petulant answers to her mother, to her mother’s friends, to everybody, in truth, save her sister Ethel.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Oftener still, perhaps, she caught her tongue framing impatient or even petulant answers to her mother, to her mother’s friends, to everybody, in truth, save her sister Ethel.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
by chance
From this reading Oftener still, perhaps, she caught her tongue framing impatient or even petulant answers to her mother, to her mother’s friends, to everybody, in truth, save her sister Ethel.
concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
petulantadjectiveUS /ˈpetʃələnt/
easily irritated or annoyed
From this reading Oftener still, perhaps, she caught her tongue framing impatient or even petulant answers to her mother, to her mother’s friends, to everybody, in truth, save her sister Ethel.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
preferencenounUS /ˈprefərəns/
a strong liking
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
rappingverbUS /ˈræpɪŋ/
inflected form of “rap” — strike sharply
From this reading The conviction that she was bad-tempered had begun to enter her mind as it were without rapping, and with the air of a familiar.
be fully aware or cognizant of
From this reading Not infrequently she found herself in the mood to think, “Now I realize how rich girls must feel when they commit themselves to entering a convent.”
possessing material wealth
From this reading Not infrequently she found herself in the mood to think, “Now I realize how rich girls must feel when they commit themselves to entering a convent.”
precisely, exactly
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
rulesnounUS /ruːlz/
plural of “rule” — a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
except for; apart from
From this reading Oftener still, perhaps, she caught her tongue framing impatient or even petulant answers to her mother, to her mother’s friends, to everybody, in truth, save her sister Ethel.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Not infrequently she found herself in the mood to think, “Now I realize how rich girls must feel when they commit themselves to entering a convent.”
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading Oftener still, perhaps, she caught her tongue framing impatient or even petulant answers to her mother, to her mother’s friends, to everybody, in truth, save her sister Ethel.
not in physical motion
From this reading Oftener still, perhaps, she caught her tongue framing impatient or even petulant answers to her mother, to her mother’s friends, to everybody, in truth, save her sister Ethel.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The conviction that she was bad-tempered had begun to enter her mind as it were without rapping, and with the air of a familiar.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Not infrequently she found herself in the mood to think, “Now I realize how rich girls must feel when they commit themselves to entering a convent.”
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Not infrequently she found herself in the mood to think, “Now I realize how rich girls must feel when they commit themselves to entering a convent.”
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Not infrequently she found herself in the mood to think, “Now I realize how rich girls must feel when they commit themselves to entering a convent.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity
From this reading Oftener still, perhaps, she caught her tongue framing impatient or even petulant answers to her mother, to her mother’s friends, to everybody, in truth, save her sister Ethel.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading Oftener still, perhaps, she caught her tongue framing impatient or even petulant answers to her mother, to her mother’s friends, to everybody, in truth, save her sister Ethel.
twenty-thirdadjective
coming next after the twenty-second in position
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
untroubledadjectiveUS /ənˈtrʌbəld/
not beset by troubles or disturbance or distress
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The conviction that she was bad-tempered had begun to enter her mind as it were without rapping, and with the air of a familiar.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The conviction that she was bad-tempered had begun to enter her mind as it were without rapping, and with the air of a familiar.
at the time that
From this reading Not infrequently she found herself in the mood to think, “Now I realize how rich girls must feel when they commit themselves to entering a convent.”
which person or people
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The conviction that she was bad-tempered had begun to enter her mind as it were without rapping, and with the air of a familiar.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The conviction that she was bad-tempered had begun to enter her mind as it were without rapping, and with the air of a familiar.
witsnounUS /wɪts/
the basic human power of intelligent thought and perception
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading A YOUNG woman who is in her twenty-third year, who is possessed of bright wits, perfect health, great personal beauty, and a fortune of nearly a million of dollars in her own right, and who moreover is untroubled by a disquieting preference for any single individual in the whole army of males, ought not, by all the rules, to be unhappy.
