used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a kind of half chivalry in his present purpose that nerved and supported him.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading Worthy reader, you are neither weak of purpose nor undecided in action; as little are you easily moved by soft influences, when aided by long eyelashes.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading It was like a knight-errant of old setting out to confront a peril at the behest of his lady-love; but against this animating conviction there arose that besetting sin of small minds,--a sense of distrust,--a lurking suspicion that he might be, all this while, nothing but the dupe of a very artful woman.
aidedadjectiveUS /ˈeɪdəd/
having help; often used as a combining form
From this reading Worthy reader, you are neither weak of purpose nor undecided in action; as little are you easily moved by soft influences, when aided by long eyelashes.
(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 It was like a knight-errant of old setting out to confront a peril at the behest of his lady-love; but against this animating conviction there arose that besetting sin of small minds,--a sense of distrust,--a lurking suspicion that he might be, all this while, nothing but the dupe of a very artful woman.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was a kind of half chivalry in his present purpose that nerved and supported him.
animatingadjectiveUS /ˌænəˈmeɪtɪŋɡ/
giving spirit and vivacity
From this reading It was like a knight-errant of old setting out to confront a peril at the behest of his lady-love; but against this animating conviction there arose that besetting sin of small minds,--a sense of distrust,--a lurking suspicion that he might be, all this while, nothing but the dupe of a very artful woman.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Worthy reader, you are neither weak of purpose nor undecided in action; as little are you easily moved by soft influences, when aided by long eyelashes.
inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading It was like a knight-errant of old setting out to confront a peril at the behest of his lady-love; but against this animating conviction there arose that besetting sin of small minds,--a sense of distrust,--a lurking suspicion that he might be, all this while, nothing but the dupe of a very artful woman.
artfuladjectiveUS /ˈɑːrtfəl/
not straightforward or candid; giving a false appearance of frankness
From this reading It was like a knight-errant of old setting out to confront a peril at the behest of his lady-love; but against this animating conviction there arose that besetting sin of small minds,--a sense of distrust,--a lurking suspicion that he might be, all this while, nothing but the dupe of a very artful woman.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Worthy reader, you are neither weak of purpose nor undecided in action; as little are you easily moved by soft influences, when aided by long eyelashes.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was like a knight-errant of old setting out to confront a peril at the behest of his lady-love; but against this animating conviction there arose that besetting sin of small minds,--a sense of distrust,--a lurking suspicion that he might be, all this while, nothing but the dupe of a very artful woman.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was like a knight-errant of old setting out to confront a peril at the behest of his lady-love; but against this animating conviction there arose that besetting sin of small minds,--a sense of distrust,--a lurking suspicion that he might be, all this while, nothing but the dupe of a very artful woman.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But had you been so, it would have been no difficult effort for you to comprehend the state of mind in which Captain Martin repaired to his room to make preparation for his journey.
behestnounUS /bɪˈhest/
an authoritative command or request
From this reading It was like a knight-errant of old setting out to confront a peril at the behest of his lady-love; but against this animating conviction there arose that besetting sin of small minds,--a sense of distrust,--a lurking suspicion that he might be, all this while, nothing but the dupe of a very artful woman.
besettingverbUS /bɪˈsetɪŋ/
inflected form of “beset” — annoy continually or chronically
From this reading It was like a knight-errant of old setting out to confront a peril at the behest of his lady-love; but against this animating conviction there arose that besetting sin of small minds,--a sense of distrust,--a lurking suspicion that he might be, all this while, nothing but the dupe of a very artful woman.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But had you been so, it would have been no difficult effort for you to comprehend the state of mind in which Captain Martin repaired to his room to make preparation for his journey.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Worthy reader, you are neither weak of purpose nor undecided in action; as little are you easily moved by soft influences, when aided by long eyelashes.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading “Who can tell,” said he to himself, “what plan she may have in all this, or what object she may propose to herself in getting _me_ out of the way?
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading But had you been so, it would have been no difficult effort for you to comprehend the state of mind in which Captain Martin repaired to his room to make preparation for his journey.
chivalrynounUS /ˈʃɪvəlri/
courtesy towards women
From this reading There was a kind of half chivalry in his present purpose that nerved and supported him.
comprehendverbUS /ˌkɑːmpriˈhend/
get the meaning of something
From this reading But had you been so, it would have been no difficult effort for you to comprehend the state of mind in which Captain Martin repaired to his room to make preparation for his journey.
confrontverbUS /kənˈfrʌnt/
oppose, as in hostility or a competition
From this reading It was like a knight-errant of old setting out to confront a peril at the behest of his lady-love; but against this animating conviction there arose that besetting sin of small minds,--a sense of distrust,--a lurking suspicion that he might be, all this while, nothing but the dupe of a very artful woman.
an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence
From this reading It was like a knight-errant of old setting out to confront a peril at the behest of his lady-love; but against this animating conviction there arose that besetting sin of small minds,--a sense of distrust,--a lurking suspicion that he might be, all this while, nothing but the dupe of a very artful woman.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading But had you been so, it would have been no difficult effort for you to comprehend the state of mind in which Captain Martin repaired to his room to make preparation for his journey.
distrustnounUS /dɪˈstrʌst/
doubt about someone's honesty
From this reading It was like a knight-errant of old setting out to confront a peril at the behest of his lady-love; but against this animating conviction there arose that besetting sin of small minds,--a sense of distrust,--a lurking suspicion that he might be, all this while, nothing but the dupe of a very artful woman.
dupeverbUS /duːp/
fool or hoax
From this reading It was like a knight-errant of old setting out to confront a peril at the behest of his lady-love; but against this animating conviction there arose that besetting sin of small minds,--a sense of distrust,--a lurking suspicion that he might be, all this while, nothing but the dupe of a very artful woman.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading Worthy reader, you are neither weak of purpose nor undecided in action; as little are you easily moved by soft influences, when aided by long eyelashes.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading But had you been so, it would have been no difficult effort for you to comprehend the state of mind in which Captain Martin repaired to his room to make preparation for his journey.
eyelashesnounUS /ˈaɪlæʃɪz/
plural of “eyelash” — any of the short curved hairs that grow from the edges of the eyelids
From this reading Worthy reader, you are neither weak of purpose nor undecided in action; as little are you easily moved by soft influences, when aided by long eyelashes.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But had you been so, it would have been no difficult effort for you to comprehend the state of mind in which Captain Martin repaired to his room to make preparation for his journey.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading “Who can tell,” said he to himself, “what plan she may have in all this, or what object she may propose to herself in getting _me_ out of the way?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But had you been so, it would have been no difficult effort for you to comprehend the state of mind in which Captain Martin repaired to his room to make preparation for his journey.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading There was a kind of half chivalry in his present purpose that nerved and supported him.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But had you been so, it would have been no difficult effort for you to comprehend the state of mind in which Captain Martin repaired to his room to make preparation for his journey.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was like a knight-errant of old setting out to confront a peril at the behest of his lady-love; but against this animating conviction there arose that besetting sin of small minds,--a sense of distrust,--a lurking suspicion that he might be, all this while, nothing but the dupe of a very artful woman.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading “Who can tell,” said he to himself, “what plan she may have in all this, or what object she may propose to herself in getting _me_ out of the way?
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There was a kind of half chivalry in his present purpose that nerved and supported him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading “Who can tell,” said he to himself, “what plan she may have in all this, or what object she may propose to herself in getting _me_ out of the way?
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But had you been so, it would have been no difficult effort for you to comprehend the state of mind in which Captain Martin repaired to his room to make preparation for his journey.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Worthy reader, you are neither weak of purpose nor undecided in action; as little are you easily moved by soft influences, when aided by long eyelashes.
influencesnounUS /ˈɪnfluːənsɪz/
plural of “influence” — a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc
From this reading Worthy reader, you are neither weak of purpose nor undecided in action; as little are you easily moved by soft influences, when aided by long eyelashes.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But had you been so, it would have been no difficult effort for you to comprehend the state of mind in which Captain Martin repaired to his room to make preparation for his journey.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading But had you been so, it would have been no difficult effort for you to comprehend the state of mind in which Captain Martin repaired to his room to make preparation for his journey.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading There was a kind of half chivalry in his present purpose that nerved and supported him.
knight-errantnoun
a wandering knight travelling in search of adventure
From this reading It was like a knight-errant of old setting out to confront a peril at the behest of his lady-love; but against this animating conviction there arose that besetting sin of small minds,--a sense of distrust,--a lurking suspicion that he might be, all this while, nothing but the dupe of a very artful woman.
lady-love
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was like a knight-errant of old setting out to confront a peril at the behest of his lady-love; but against this animating conviction there arose that besetting sin of small minds,--a sense of distrust,--a lurking suspicion that he might be, all this while, nothing but the dupe of a very artful woman.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It was like a knight-errant of old setting out to confront a peril at the behest of his lady-love; but against this animating conviction there arose that besetting sin of small minds,--a sense of distrust,--a lurking suspicion that he might be, all this while, nothing but the dupe of a very artful woman.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Worthy reader, you are neither weak of purpose nor undecided in action; as little are you easily moved by soft influences, when aided by long eyelashes.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Worthy reader, you are neither weak of purpose nor undecided in action; as little are you easily moved by soft influences, when aided by long eyelashes.
lurkingverbUS /ˈlɜːrkɪŋ/
-ing form of “lurk” — lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner
From this reading It was like a knight-errant of old setting out to confront a peril at the behest of his lady-love; but against this animating conviction there arose that besetting sin of small minds,--a sense of distrust,--a lurking suspicion that he might be, all this while, nothing but the dupe of a very artful woman.
engage in
From this reading But had you been so, it would have been no difficult effort for you to comprehend the state of mind in which Captain Martin repaired to his room to make preparation for his journey.
French bishop who is a patron saint of France (died in 397)
From this reading But had you been so, it would have been no difficult effort for you to comprehend the state of mind in which Captain Martin repaired to his room to make preparation for his journey.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading “Who can tell,” said he to himself, “what plan she may have in all this, or what object she may propose to herself in getting _me_ out of the way?
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Who can tell,” said he to himself, “what plan she may have in all this, or what object she may propose to herself in getting _me_ out of the way?
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading It was like a knight-errant of old setting out to confront a peril at the behest of his lady-love; but against this animating conviction there arose that besetting sin of small minds,--a sense of distrust,--a lurking suspicion that he might be, all this while, nothing but the dupe of a very artful woman.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading But had you been so, it would have been no difficult effort for you to comprehend the state of mind in which Captain Martin repaired to his room to make preparation for his journey.
plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason
From this reading It was like a knight-errant of old setting out to confront a peril at the behest of his lady-love; but against this animating conviction there arose that besetting sin of small minds,--a sense of distrust,--a lurking suspicion that he might be, all this while, nothing but the dupe of a very artful woman.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading Worthy reader, you are neither weak of purpose nor undecided in action; as little are you easily moved by soft influences, when aided by long eyelashes.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading Worthy reader, you are neither weak of purpose nor undecided in action; as little are you easily moved by soft influences, when aided by long eyelashes.
nerved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a kind of half chivalry in his present purpose that nerved and supported him.
not any; not one
From this reading But had you been so, it would have been no difficult effort for you to comprehend the state of mind in which Captain Martin repaired to his room to make preparation for his journey.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Worthy reader, you are neither weak of purpose nor undecided in action; as little are you easily moved by soft influences, when aided by long eyelashes.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading It was like a knight-errant of old setting out to confront a peril at the behest of his lady-love; but against this animating conviction there arose that besetting sin of small minds,--a sense of distrust,--a lurking suspicion that he might be, all this while, nothing but the dupe of a very artful woman.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading “Who can tell,” said he to himself, “what plan she may have in all this, or what object she may propose to herself in getting _me_ out of the way?
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Worthy reader, you are neither weak of purpose nor undecided in action; as little are you easily moved by soft influences, when aided by long eyelashes.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading It was like a knight-errant of old setting out to confront a peril at the behest of his lady-love; but against this animating conviction there arose that besetting sin of small minds,--a sense of distrust,--a lurking suspicion that he might be, all this while, nothing but the dupe of a very artful woman.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “Who can tell,” said he to himself, “what plan she may have in all this, or what object she may propose to herself in getting _me_ out of the way?
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It was like a knight-errant of old setting out to confront a peril at the behest of his lady-love; but against this animating conviction there arose that besetting sin of small minds,--a sense of distrust,--a lurking suspicion that he might be, all this while, nothing but the dupe of a very artful woman.
perilnounUS /ˈperəl/
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading It was like a knight-errant of old setting out to confront a peril at the behest of his lady-love; but against this animating conviction there arose that besetting sin of small minds,--a sense of distrust,--a lurking suspicion that he might be, all this while, nothing but the dupe of a very artful woman.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading “Who can tell,” said he to himself, “what plan she may have in all this, or what object she may propose to herself in getting _me_ out of the way?
preparationnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃən/
the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading But had you been so, it would have been no difficult effort for you to comprehend the state of mind in which Captain Martin repaired to his room to make preparation for his journey.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading There was a kind of half chivalry in his present purpose that nerved and supported him.
proposeverbUS /prəˈpoʊz/
make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading “Who can tell,” said he to himself, “what plan she may have in all this, or what object she may propose to herself in getting _me_ out of the way?
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading Worthy reader, you are neither weak of purpose nor undecided in action; as little are you easily moved by soft influences, when aided by long eyelashes.
a person who enjoys reading
From this reading Worthy reader, you are neither weak of purpose nor undecided in action; as little are you easily moved by soft influences, when aided by long eyelashes.
repairedverbUS /rɪˈperd/
past form of “repair” — restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken
From this reading But had you been so, it would have been no difficult effort for you to comprehend the state of mind in which Captain Martin repaired to his room to make preparation for his journey.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading But had you been so, it would have been no difficult effort for you to comprehend the state of mind in which Captain Martin repaired to his room to make preparation for his journey.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Who can tell,” said he to himself, “what plan she may have in all this, or what object she may propose to herself in getting _me_ out of the way?
a general conscious awareness
From this reading It was like a knight-errant of old setting out to confront a peril at the behest of his lady-love; but against this animating conviction there arose that besetting sin of small minds,--a sense of distrust,--a lurking suspicion that he might be, all this while, nothing but the dupe of a very artful woman.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading It was like a knight-errant of old setting out to confront a peril at the behest of his lady-love; but against this animating conviction there arose that besetting sin of small minds,--a sense of distrust,--a lurking suspicion that he might be, all this while, nothing but the dupe of a very artful woman.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Who can tell,” said he to himself, “what plan she may have in all this, or what object she may propose to herself in getting _me_ out of the way?
estrangement from god
From this reading It was like a knight-errant of old setting out to confront a peril at the behest of his lady-love; but against this animating conviction there arose that besetting sin of small minds,--a sense of distrust,--a lurking suspicion that he might be, all this while, nothing but the dupe of a very artful woman.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was like a knight-errant of old setting out to confront a peril at the behest of his lady-love; but against this animating conviction there arose that besetting sin of small minds,--a sense of distrust,--a lurking suspicion that he might be, all this while, nothing but the dupe of a very artful woman.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But had you been so, it would have been no difficult effort for you to comprehend the state of mind in which Captain Martin repaired to his room to make preparation for his journey.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading Worthy reader, you are neither weak of purpose nor undecided in action; as little are you easily moved by soft influences, when aided by long eyelashes.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading But had you been so, it would have been no difficult effort for you to comprehend the state of mind in which Captain Martin repaired to his room to make preparation for his journey.
supportedadjectiveUS /səˈpɔːrtɪd/
sustained or maintained by aid (as distinct from physical support)
From this reading There was a kind of half chivalry in his present purpose that nerved and supported him.
an impression that something might be the case
From this reading It was like a knight-errant of old setting out to confront a peril at the behest of his lady-love; but against this animating conviction there arose that besetting sin of small minds,--a sense of distrust,--a lurking suspicion that he might be, all this while, nothing but the dupe of a very artful woman.
express in words
From this reading “Who can tell,” said he to himself, “what plan she may have in all this, or what object she may propose to herself in getting _me_ out of the way?
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was a kind of half chivalry in his present purpose that nerved and supported him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But had you been so, it would have been no difficult effort for you to comprehend the state of mind in which Captain Martin repaired to his room to make preparation for his journey.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a kind of half chivalry in his present purpose that nerved and supported him.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was like a knight-errant of old setting out to confront a peril at the behest of his lady-love; but against this animating conviction there arose that besetting sin of small minds,--a sense of distrust,--a lurking suspicion that he might be, all this while, nothing but the dupe of a very artful woman.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But had you been so, it would have been no difficult effort for you to comprehend the state of mind in which Captain Martin repaired to his room to make preparation for his journey.
undecidedadjectiveUS /ˌʌndɪˈsaɪdɪd/
not brought to a conclusion; subject to further thought
From this reading Worthy reader, you are neither weak of purpose nor undecided in action; as little are you easily moved by soft influences, when aided by long eyelashes.
precisely as stated
From this reading It was like a knight-errant of old setting out to confront a peril at the behest of his lady-love; but against this animating conviction there arose that besetting sin of small minds,--a sense of distrust,--a lurking suspicion that he might be, all this while, nothing but the dupe of a very artful woman.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a kind of half chivalry in his present purpose that nerved and supported him.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading “Who can tell,” said he to himself, “what plan she may have in all this, or what object she may propose to herself in getting _me_ out of the way?
wanting in physical strength
From this reading Worthy reader, you are neither weak of purpose nor undecided in action; as little are you easily moved by soft influences, when aided by long eyelashes.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “Who can tell,” said he to himself, “what plan she may have in all this, or what object she may propose to herself in getting _me_ out of the way?
at the time that
From this reading Worthy reader, you are neither weak of purpose nor undecided in action; as little are you easily moved by soft influences, when aided by long eyelashes.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But had you been so, it would have been no difficult effort for you to comprehend the state of mind in which Captain Martin repaired to his room to make preparation for his journey.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading It was like a knight-errant of old setting out to confront a peril at the behest of his lady-love; but against this animating conviction there arose that besetting sin of small minds,--a sense of distrust,--a lurking suspicion that he might be, all this while, nothing but the dupe of a very artful woman.
which person or people
From this reading “Who can tell,” said he to himself, “what plan she may have in all this, or what object she may propose to herself in getting _me_ out of the way?
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading It was like a knight-errant of old setting out to confront a peril at the behest of his lady-love; but against this animating conviction there arose that besetting sin of small minds,--a sense of distrust,--a lurking suspicion that he might be, all this while, nothing but the dupe of a very artful woman.
Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.
From this reading Worthy reader, you are neither weak of purpose nor undecided in action; as little are you easily moved by soft influences, when aided by long eyelashes.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading But had you been so, it would have been no difficult effort for you to comprehend the state of mind in which Captain Martin repaired to his room to make preparation for his journey.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Worthy reader, you are neither weak of purpose nor undecided in action; as little are you easily moved by soft influences, when aided by long eyelashes.
