used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading He was not likely to believe in any readiness to marry, and would soon be able to talk her round to his view.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He was not likely to believe in any readiness to marry, and would soon be able to talk her round to his view.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He was not likely to believe in any readiness to marry, and would soon be able to talk her round to his view.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading I had scarcely left her before I began to see the thing clearly.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading I had scarcely left her before I began to see the thing clearly.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading He was not likely to believe in any readiness to marry, and would soon be able to talk her round to his view.
bluffingverbUS /ˈblʌfɪŋ/
-ing form of “bluff” — deceive an opponent by a bold bet on an inferior hand with the result that the opponent withdraws a winning hand
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
blundersnounUS /ˈblʌndərz/
plural of “blunder” — an embarrassing mistake
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It had not been difficult to persuade her, but there was von Erstein.
an occurrence of something
From this reading In that case I might whistle for a confession.
without doubt or question
From this reading I had scarcely left her before I began to see the thing clearly.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
confessionnounUS /kənˈfeʃən/
an admission of misdeeds or faults
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
decentadjectiveUS /ˈdiːsənt/
socially or conventionally correct; refined or virtuous
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading It had not been difficult to persuade her, but there was von Erstein.
disastrousadjectiveUS /dɪˈzæstrəs/
(of events) having extremely unfortunate or dire consequences; bringing ruin
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
Erstein
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had not been difficult to persuade her, but there was von Erstein.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In that case I might whistle for a confession.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was not likely to believe in any readiness to marry, and would soon be able to talk her round to his view.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was not likely to believe in any readiness to marry, and would soon be able to talk her round to his view.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I had scarcely left her before I began to see the thing clearly.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was not likely to believe in any readiness to marry, and would soon be able to talk her round to his view.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading I had scarcely left her before I began to see the thing clearly.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading He was not likely to believe in any readiness to marry, and would soon be able to talk her round to his view.
take in marriage
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading In that case I might whistle for a confession.
motivesnounUS /ˈmoʊtɪvz/
plural of “motive” — the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
obtainingverbUS /əbˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “obtain” — come into possession of
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
persuadeverbUS /pərˈsweɪd/
win approval or support for
From this reading It had not been difficult to persuade her, but there was von Erstein.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
promptedverbUS /ˈprɑːmptɪd/
past form of “prompt” — give an incentive for action
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
be shown or be found to be
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
past form of “push” — move with force
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
readinessnounUS /ˈredinəs/
the state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action (especially military action)
From this reading He was not likely to believe in any readiness to marry, and would soon be able to talk her round to his view.
feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading He was not likely to believe in any readiness to marry, and would soon be able to talk her round to his view.
only a very short time before
From this reading I had scarcely left her before I began to see the thing clearly.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading I had scarcely left her before I began to see the thing clearly.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
in the near future
From this reading He was not likely to believe in any readiness to marry, and would soon be able to talk her round to his view.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading He was not likely to believe in any readiness to marry, and would soon be able to talk her round to his view.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
in or at that place or location
From this reading It had not been difficult to persuade her, but there was von Erstein.
a special situation
From this reading I had scarcely left her before I began to see the thing clearly.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading He was not likely to believe in any readiness to marry, and would soon be able to talk her round to his view.
von
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had not been difficult to persuade her, but there was von Erstein.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
whistleverbUS /ˈwɪsəl/
make whistling sounds
From this reading In that case I might whistle for a confession.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK The success of my bluffing offer to marry the woman prompted some regret that the matter had not been pushed home to the point of obtaining her full confession; and it was to prove one of those disastrous blunders which come from decent motives.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He was not likely to believe in any readiness to marry, and would soon be able to talk her round to his view.
