used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As her brother Edwin, who was fond of homely imagery, had often observed, she could talk the hind-leg off a donkey.
in actual fact
From this reading “You must be mad, Derek, to dream of handicapping yourself at this vital stage of your career with a wife who not only will not be a help to you, but must actually be a ruinous handicap.
anew
From this reading Lady Underhill, having said all she had to say, recovered her breath and began to say it again.
(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 Lady Underhill, having said all she had to say, recovered her breath and began to say it again.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading I am not blaming you for imagining yourself in love in the first place, though I really should have thought that a man of your strength and character would … However, as I say, I am not blaming you for that.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Lady Underhill, having said all she had to say, recovered her breath and began to say it again.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As her brother Edwin, who was fond of homely imagery, had often observed, she could talk the hind-leg off a donkey.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “You must be mad, Derek, to dream of handicapping yourself at this vital stage of your career with a wife who not only will not be a help to you, but must actually be a ruinous handicap.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “You must be mad, Derek, to dream of handicapping yourself at this vital stage of your career with a wife who not only will not be a help to you, but must actually be a ruinous handicap.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Lady Underhill, having said all she had to say, recovered her breath and began to say it again.
blamingverbUS /ˈbleɪmɪŋ/
-ing form of “blame” — put or pin the blame on
From this reading I am not blaming you for imagining yourself in love in the first place, though I really should have thought that a man of your strength and character would … However, as I say, I am not blaming you for that.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading Lady Underhill, having said all she had to say, recovered her breath and began to say it again.
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading As her brother Edwin, who was fond of homely imagery, had often observed, she could talk the hind-leg off a donkey.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “You must be mad, Derek, to dream of handicapping yourself at this vital stage of your career with a wife who not only will not be a help to you, but must actually be a ruinous handicap.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading “You must be mad, Derek, to dream of handicapping yourself at this vital stage of your career with a wife who not only will not be a help to you, but must actually be a ruinous handicap.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading I am not blaming you for imagining yourself in love in the first place, though I really should have thought that a man of your strength and character would … However, as I say, I am not blaming you for that.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading As her brother Edwin, who was fond of homely imagery, had often observed, she could talk the hind-leg off a donkey.
Derek
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You must be mad, Derek, to dream of handicapping yourself at this vital stage of your career with a wife who not only will not be a help to you, but must actually be a ruinous handicap.
donkeynounUS /ˈdɑːŋki/
the symbol of the Democratic Party; introduced in cartoons by Thomas Nast in 1874
From this reading As her brother Edwin, who was fond of homely imagery, had often observed, she could talk the hind-leg off a donkey.
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading “You must be mad, Derek, to dream of handicapping yourself at this vital stage of your career with a wife who not only will not be a help to you, but must actually be a ruinous handicap.
EdwinnounUS /ˈedwən/
king of Northumbria who was converted to Christianity (585-633)
From this reading As her brother Edwin, who was fond of homely imagery, had often observed, she could talk the hind-leg off a donkey.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading I am not blaming you for imagining yourself in love in the first place, though I really should have thought that a man of your strength and character would … However, as I say, I am not blaming you for that.
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading As her brother Edwin, who was fond of homely imagery, had often observed, she could talk the hind-leg off a donkey.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I am not blaming you for imagining yourself in love in the first place, though I really should have thought that a man of your strength and character would … However, as I say, I am not blaming you for that.
FrequentverbUS /ˈfriːkwənt/
do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of
From this reading Frequent iteration was one of her strongest weapons.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Lady Underhill, having said all she had to say, recovered her breath and began to say it again.
handicapnounUS /ˈhændikæp/
the condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness
From this reading “You must be mad, Derek, to dream of handicapping yourself at this vital stage of your career with a wife who not only will not be a help to you, but must actually be a ruinous handicap.
handicappingverbUS /ˈhændikæpɪŋ/
inflected form of “handicap” — injure permanently
From this reading “You must be mad, Derek, to dream of handicapping yourself at this vital stage of your career with a wife who not only will not be a help to you, but must actually be a ruinous handicap.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I am not blaming you for imagining yourself in love in the first place, though I really should have thought that a man of your strength and character would … However, as I say, I am not blaming you for that.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Lady Underhill, having said all she had to say, recovered her breath and began to say it again.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading “You must be mad, Derek, to dream of handicapping yourself at this vital stage of your career with a wife who not only will not be a help to you, but must actually be a ruinous handicap.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Lady Underhill, having said all she had to say, recovered her breath and began to say it again.
hind-leg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As her brother Edwin, who was fond of homely imagery, had often observed, she could talk the hind-leg off a donkey.
homelyadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊmli/
lacking in physical beauty or proportion
From this reading As her brother Edwin, who was fond of homely imagery, had often observed, she could talk the hind-leg off a donkey.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading I am not blaming you for imagining yourself in love in the first place, though I really should have thought that a man of your strength and character would … However, as I say, I am not blaming you for that.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I am not blaming you for imagining yourself in love in the first place, though I really should have thought that a man of your strength and character would … However, as I say, I am not blaming you for that.
imagerynounUS /ˈɪmədʒri/
the ability to form mental images of things or events
From this reading As her brother Edwin, who was fond of homely imagery, had often observed, she could talk the hind-leg off a donkey.
imaginingverbUS /ˌɪˈmædʒənɪŋ/
-ing form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading I am not blaming you for imagining yourself in love in the first place, though I really should have thought that a man of your strength and character would … However, as I say, I am not blaming you for that.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I am not blaming you for imagining yourself in love in the first place, though I really should have thought that a man of your strength and character would … However, as I say, I am not blaming you for that.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Lady Underhill, having said all she had to say, recovered her breath and began to say it again.
iterationnounUS /ˌɪtərˈeɪʃən/
(computer science) a single execution of a set of instructions that are to be repeated
From this reading Frequent iteration was one of her strongest weapons.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Lady Underhill, having said all she had to say, recovered her breath and began to say it again.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading I am not blaming you for imagining yourself in love in the first place, though I really should have thought that a man of your strength and character would … However, as I say, I am not blaming you for that.
roused to anger
From this reading “You must be mad, Derek, to dream of handicapping yourself at this vital stage of your career with a wife who not only will not be a help to you, but must actually be a ruinous handicap.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading I am not blaming you for imagining yourself in love in the first place, though I really should have thought that a man of your strength and character would … However, as I say, I am not blaming you for that.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading “You must be mad, Derek, to dream of handicapping yourself at this vital stage of your career with a wife who not only will not be a help to you, but must actually be a ruinous handicap.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “You must be mad, Derek, to dream of handicapping yourself at this vital stage of your career with a wife who not only will not be a help to you, but must actually be a ruinous handicap.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading As her brother Edwin, who was fond of homely imagery, had often observed, she could talk the hind-leg off a donkey.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Frequent iteration was one of her strongest weapons.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading As her brother Edwin, who was fond of homely imagery, had often observed, she could talk the hind-leg off a donkey.
many times at short intervals
From this reading As her brother Edwin, who was fond of homely imagery, had often observed, she could talk the hind-leg off a donkey.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Frequent iteration was one of her strongest weapons.
and nothing more
From this reading “You must be mad, Derek, to dream of handicapping yourself at this vital stage of your career with a wife who not only will not be a help to you, but must actually be a ruinous handicap.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading I am not blaming you for imagining yourself in love in the first place, though I really should have thought that a man of your strength and character would … However, as I say, I am not blaming you for that.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading I am not blaming you for imagining yourself in love in the first place, though I really should have thought that a man of your strength and character would … However, as I say, I am not blaming you for that.
freed from illness or injury
From this reading Lady Underhill, having said all she had to say, recovered her breath and began to say it again.
ruinousadjectiveUS /ˈruːənəs/
extremely harmful; bringing physical or financial ruin
From this reading “You must be mad, Derek, to dream of handicapping yourself at this vital stage of your career with a wife who not only will not be a help to you, but must actually be a ruinous handicap.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Lady Underhill, having said all she had to say, recovered her breath and began to say it again.
express in words
From this reading Lady Underhill, having said all she had to say, recovered her breath and began to say it again.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Lady Underhill, having said all she had to say, recovered her breath and began to say it again.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading I am not blaming you for imagining yourself in love in the first place, though I really should have thought that a man of your strength and character would … However, as I say, I am not blaming you for that.
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading “You must be mad, Derek, to dream of handicapping yourself at this vital stage of your career with a wife who not only will not be a help to you, but must actually be a ruinous handicap.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading I am not blaming you for imagining yourself in love in the first place, though I really should have thought that a man of your strength and character would … However, as I say, I am not blaming you for that.
strongestadjectiveUS /ˈstrɔːŋɡəst/
superlative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Frequent iteration was one of her strongest weapons.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading As her brother Edwin, who was fond of homely imagery, had often observed, she could talk the hind-leg off a donkey.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I am not blaming you for imagining yourself in love in the first place, though I really should have thought that a man of your strength and character would … However, as I say, I am not blaming you for that.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As her brother Edwin, who was fond of homely imagery, had often observed, she could talk the hind-leg off a donkey.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “You must be mad, Derek, to dream of handicapping yourself at this vital stage of your career with a wife who not only will not be a help to you, but must actually be a ruinous handicap.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading I am not blaming you for imagining yourself in love in the first place, though I really should have thought that a man of your strength and character would … However, as I say, I am not blaming you for that.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading I am not blaming you for imagining yourself in love in the first place, though I really should have thought that a man of your strength and character would … However, as I say, I am not blaming you for that.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Lady Underhill, having said all she had to say, recovered her breath and began to say it again.
Underhill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Underhill, having said all she had to say, recovered her breath and began to say it again.
vitaladjectiveUS /ˈvaɪtəl/
urgently needed; absolutely necessary
From this reading “You must be mad, Derek, to dream of handicapping yourself at this vital stage of your career with a wife who not only will not be a help to you, but must actually be a ruinous handicap.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Frequent iteration was one of her strongest weapons.
weaponsnounUS /ˈwepənz/
plural of “weapon” — any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting
From this reading Frequent iteration was one of her strongest weapons.
which person or people
From this reading As her brother Edwin, who was fond of homely imagery, had often observed, she could talk the hind-leg off a donkey.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading “You must be mad, Derek, to dream of handicapping yourself at this vital stage of your career with a wife who not only will not be a help to you, but must actually be a ruinous handicap.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “You must be mad, Derek, to dream of handicapping yourself at this vital stage of your career with a wife who not only will not be a help to you, but must actually be a ruinous handicap.
in the company of; together with
From this reading “You must be mad, Derek, to dream of handicapping yourself at this vital stage of your career with a wife who not only will not be a help to you, but must actually be a ruinous handicap.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I am not blaming you for imagining yourself in love in the first place, though I really should have thought that a man of your strength and character would … However, as I say, I am not blaming you for that.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “You must be mad, Derek, to dream of handicapping yourself at this vital stage of your career with a wife who not only will not be a help to you, but must actually be a ruinous handicap.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “You must be mad, Derek, to dream of handicapping yourself at this vital stage of your career with a wife who not only will not be a help to you, but must actually be a ruinous handicap.
used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action
From this reading “You must be mad, Derek, to dream of handicapping yourself at this vital stage of your career with a wife who not only will not be a help to you, but must actually be a ruinous handicap.
