used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading And in truth Aubrey Playford was one of those men whose chivalry is but skin-deep: it is merely the veneer of their education and breeding, the mask which covers a malignant and unscrupulous soul.
(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with
From this reading The man could be trusted to act according to the recognized codes of honour and propriety so long as his own interest and feelings were not deeply touched; when passion, developing into a spirit of vindictiveness, clashed with the code, the mask shrivelled away and the real man showed his face.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading The man could be trusted to act according to the recognized codes of honour and propriety so long as his own interest and feelings were not deeply touched; when passion, developing into a spirit of vindictiveness, clashed with the code, the mask shrivelled away and the real man showed his face.
admirer's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her instinctive judgment of her unwelcome admirer’s character had surely prepared her for this.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading THE FIERY ORDEAL Before many days had passed Countess Alexia had reason to know that the enemy she had made and defied was at work against her.
AlexianounUS /əˈleksiə/
inability to perceive written words
From this reading THE FIERY ORDEAL Before many days had passed Countess Alexia had reason to know that the enemy she had made and defied was at work against her.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE FIERY ORDEAL Before many days had passed Countess Alexia had reason to know that the enemy she had made and defied was at work against her.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The man could be trusted to act according to the recognized codes of honour and propriety so long as his own interest and feelings were not deeply touched; when passion, developing into a spirit of vindictiveness, clashed with the code, the mask shrivelled away and the real man showed his face.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE FIERY ORDEAL Before many days had passed Countess Alexia had reason to know that the enemy she had made and defied was at work against her.
Aubrey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And in truth Aubrey Playford was one of those men whose chivalry is but skin-deep: it is merely the veneer of their education and breeding, the mask which covers a malignant and unscrupulous soul.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The man could be trusted to act according to the recognized codes of honour and propriety so long as his own interest and feelings were not deeply touched; when passion, developing into a spirit of vindictiveness, clashed with the code, the mask shrivelled away and the real man showed his face.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The man could be trusted to act according to the recognized codes of honour and propriety so long as his own interest and feelings were not deeply touched; when passion, developing into a spirit of vindictiveness, clashed with the code, the mask shrivelled away and the real man showed his face.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading THE FIERY ORDEAL Before many days had passed Countess Alexia had reason to know that the enemy she had made and defied was at work against her.
breedingnounUS /ˈbriːdɪŋ/
elegance by virtue of fineness of manner and expression
From this reading And in truth Aubrey Playford was one of those men whose chivalry is but skin-deep: it is merely the veneer of their education and breeding, the mask which covers a malignant and unscrupulous soul.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading And in truth Aubrey Playford was one of those men whose chivalry is but skin-deep: it is merely the veneer of their education and breeding, the mask which covers a malignant and unscrupulous soul.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading Her instinctive judgment of her unwelcome admirer’s character had surely prepared her for this.
chivalrynounUS /ˈʃɪvəlri/
courtesy towards women
From this reading And in truth Aubrey Playford was one of those men whose chivalry is but skin-deep: it is merely the veneer of their education and breeding, the mask which covers a malignant and unscrupulous soul.
clashedverbUS /klæʃt/
past form of “clash” — crash together with violent impact
From this reading The man could be trusted to act according to the recognized codes of honour and propriety so long as his own interest and feelings were not deeply touched; when passion, developing into a spirit of vindictiveness, clashed with the code, the mask shrivelled away and the real man showed his face.
codenounUS /koʊd/
a set of rules or principles or laws (especially written ones)
From this reading The man could be trusted to act according to the recognized codes of honour and propriety so long as his own interest and feelings were not deeply touched; when passion, developing into a spirit of vindictiveness, clashed with the code, the mask shrivelled away and the real man showed his face.
codesnounUS /koʊdz/
plural of “code” — a set of rules or principles or laws (especially written ones)
From this reading The man could be trusted to act according to the recognized codes of honour and propriety so long as his own interest and feelings were not deeply touched; when passion, developing into a spirit of vindictiveness, clashed with the code, the mask shrivelled away and the real man showed his face.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The man could be trusted to act according to the recognized codes of honour and propriety so long as his own interest and feelings were not deeply touched; when passion, developing into a spirit of vindictiveness, clashed with the code, the mask shrivelled away and the real man showed his face.
female equivalent of a count or earl
From this reading THE FIERY ORDEAL Before many days had passed Countess Alexia had reason to know that the enemy she had made and defied was at work against her.
coversnounUS /ˈkʌvərz/
plural of “cover” — a covering that serves to conceal or shelter something
From this reading And in truth Aubrey Playford was one of those men whose chivalry is but skin-deep: it is merely the veneer of their education and breeding, the mask which covers a malignant and unscrupulous soul.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading THE FIERY ORDEAL Before many days had passed Countess Alexia had reason to know that the enemy she had made and defied was at work against her.
to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading The man could be trusted to act according to the recognized codes of honour and propriety so long as his own interest and feelings were not deeply touched; when passion, developing into a spirit of vindictiveness, clashed with the code, the mask shrivelled away and the real man showed his face.
defiedverbUS /dɪˈfaɪd/
inflected form of “defy” — resist or confront with resistance
From this reading THE FIERY ORDEAL Before many days had passed Countess Alexia had reason to know that the enemy she had made and defied was at work against her.
developingadjectiveUS /dɪˈveləpɪŋ/
relating to societies in which capital needed to industrialize is in short supply
From this reading The man could be trusted to act according to the recognized codes of honour and propriety so long as his own interest and feelings were not deeply touched; when passion, developing into a spirit of vindictiveness, clashed with the code, the mask shrivelled away and the real man showed his face.
the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill
From this reading And in truth Aubrey Playford was one of those men whose chivalry is but skin-deep: it is merely the veneer of their education and breeding, the mask which covers a malignant and unscrupulous soul.
an opposing military force
From this reading THE FIERY ORDEAL Before many days had passed Countess Alexia had reason to know that the enemy she had made and defied was at work against her.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The man could be trusted to act according to the recognized codes of honour and propriety so long as his own interest and feelings were not deeply touched; when passion, developing into a spirit of vindictiveness, clashed with the code, the mask shrivelled away and the real man showed his face.
emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)
From this reading The man could be trusted to act according to the recognized codes of honour and propriety so long as his own interest and feelings were not deeply touched; when passion, developing into a spirit of vindictiveness, clashed with the code, the mask shrivelled away and the real man showed his face.
FIERYadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪəri/
characterized by intense emotion
From this reading THE FIERY ORDEAL Before many days had passed Countess Alexia had reason to know that the enemy she had made and defied was at work against her.
start firing a weapon
From this reading But in this matter he had worked quietly, unostentatiously, knowing well how small a spark of scandal it takes to kindle a great fire.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Her instinctive judgment of her unwelcome admirer’s character had surely prepared her for this.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading But in this matter he had worked quietly, unostentatiously, knowing well how small a spark of scandal it takes to kindle a great fire.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE FIERY ORDEAL Before many days had passed Countess Alexia had reason to know that the enemy she had made and defied was at work against her.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But in this matter he had worked quietly, unostentatiously, knowing well how small a spark of scandal it takes to kindle a great fire.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE FIERY ORDEAL Before many days had passed Countess Alexia had reason to know that the enemy she had made and defied was at work against her.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The man could be trusted to act according to the recognized codes of honour and propriety so long as his own interest and feelings were not deeply touched; when passion, developing into a spirit of vindictiveness, clashed with the code, the mask shrivelled away and the real man showed his face.
the state of being honored
From this reading The man could be trusted to act according to the recognized codes of honour and propriety so long as his own interest and feelings were not deeply touched; when passion, developing into a spirit of vindictiveness, clashed with the code, the mask shrivelled away and the real man showed his face.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in this matter he had worked quietly, unostentatiously, knowing well how small a spark of scandal it takes to kindle a great fire.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading And in truth Aubrey Playford was one of those men whose chivalry is but skin-deep: it is merely the veneer of their education and breeding, the mask which covers a malignant and unscrupulous soul.
instinctiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪv/
unthinking; prompted by (or as if by) instinct
From this reading Her instinctive judgment of her unwelcome admirer’s character had surely prepared her for this.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading The man could be trusted to act according to the recognized codes of honour and propriety so long as his own interest and feelings were not deeply touched; when passion, developing into a spirit of vindictiveness, clashed with the code, the mask shrivelled away and the real man showed his face.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The man could be trusted to act according to the recognized codes of honour and propriety so long as his own interest and feelings were not deeply touched; when passion, developing into a spirit of vindictiveness, clashed with the code, the mask shrivelled away and the real man showed his face.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And in truth Aubrey Playford was one of those men whose chivalry is but skin-deep: it is merely the veneer of their education and breeding, the mask which covers a malignant and unscrupulous soul.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading And in truth Aubrey Playford was one of those men whose chivalry is but skin-deep: it is merely the veneer of their education and breeding, the mask which covers a malignant and unscrupulous soul.
an opinion formed by judging something
From this reading Her instinctive judgment of her unwelcome admirer’s character had surely prepared her for this.
kindleverbUS /ˈkɪndəl/
catch fire
From this reading But in this matter he had worked quietly, unostentatiously, knowing well how small a spark of scandal it takes to kindle a great fire.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading THE FIERY ORDEAL Before many days had passed Countess Alexia had reason to know that the enemy she had made and defied was at work against her.
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading But in this matter he had worked quietly, unostentatiously, knowing well how small a spark of scandal it takes to kindle a great fire.
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 The man could be trusted to act according to the recognized codes of honour and propriety so long as his own interest and feelings were not deeply touched; when passion, developing into a spirit of vindictiveness, clashed with the code, the mask shrivelled away and the real man showed his face.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading THE FIERY ORDEAL Before many days had passed Countess Alexia had reason to know that the enemy she had made and defied was at work against her.
malignantadjectiveUS /məˈlɪɡnənt/
dangerous to health; characterized by progressive and uncontrolled growth (especially of a tumor)
From this reading And in truth Aubrey Playford was one of those men whose chivalry is but skin-deep: it is merely the veneer of their education and breeding, the mask which covers a malignant and unscrupulous soul.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The man could be trusted to act according to the recognized codes of honour and propriety so long as his own interest and feelings were not deeply touched; when passion, developing into a spirit of vindictiveness, clashed with the code, the mask shrivelled away and the real man showed his face.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading THE FIERY ORDEAL Before many days had passed Countess Alexia had reason to know that the enemy she had made and defied was at work against her.
maskverbUS /mæsk/
hide under a false appearance
From this reading And in truth Aubrey Playford was one of those men whose chivalry is but skin-deep: it is merely the veneer of their education and breeding, the mask which covers a malignant and unscrupulous soul.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading But in this matter he had worked quietly, unostentatiously, knowing well how small a spark of scandal it takes to kindle a great fire.
the force of workers available
From this reading And in truth Aubrey Playford was one of those men whose chivalry is but skin-deep: it is merely the veneer of their education and breeding, the mask which covers a malignant and unscrupulous soul.
and nothing more
From this reading And in truth Aubrey Playford was one of those men whose chivalry is but skin-deep: it is merely the veneer of their education and breeding, the mask which covers a malignant and unscrupulous soul.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The man could be trusted to act according to the recognized codes of honour and propriety so long as his own interest and feelings were not deeply touched; when passion, developing into a spirit of vindictiveness, clashed with the code, the mask shrivelled away and the real man showed his face.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Her instinctive judgment of her unwelcome admirer’s character had surely prepared her for this.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading And in truth Aubrey Playford was one of those men whose chivalry is but skin-deep: it is merely the veneer of their education and breeding, the mask which covers a malignant and unscrupulous soul.
ORDEALnounUS /ɔːrˈdiːl/
a severe or trying experience
From this reading THE FIERY ORDEAL Before many days had passed Countess Alexia had reason to know that the enemy she had made and defied was at work against her.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The man could be trusted to act according to the recognized codes of honour and propriety so long as his own interest and feelings were not deeply touched; when passion, developing into a spirit of vindictiveness, clashed with the code, the mask shrivelled away and the real man showed his face.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading THE FIERY ORDEAL Before many days had passed Countess Alexia had reason to know that the enemy she had made and defied was at work against her.
a strong feeling or emotion
From this reading The man could be trusted to act according to the recognized codes of honour and propriety so long as his own interest and feelings were not deeply touched; when passion, developing into a spirit of vindictiveness, clashed with the code, the mask shrivelled away and the real man showed his face.
Playford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And in truth Aubrey Playford was one of those men whose chivalry is but skin-deep: it is merely the veneer of their education and breeding, the mask which covers a malignant and unscrupulous soul.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading Her instinctive judgment of her unwelcome admirer’s character had surely prepared her for this.
proprietynounUS /prəˈpraɪəti/
correct or appropriate behavior
From this reading The man could be trusted to act according to the recognized codes of honour and propriety so long as his own interest and feelings were not deeply touched; when passion, developing into a spirit of vindictiveness, clashed with the code, the mask shrivelled away and the real man showed his face.
with low volume
From this reading But in this matter he had worked quietly, unostentatiously, knowing well how small a spark of scandal it takes to kindle a great fire.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading The man could be trusted to act according to the recognized codes of honour and propriety so long as his own interest and feelings were not deeply touched; when passion, developing into a spirit of vindictiveness, clashed with the code, the mask shrivelled away and the real man showed his face.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading THE FIERY ORDEAL Before many days had passed Countess Alexia had reason to know that the enemy she had made and defied was at work against her.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading The man could be trusted to act according to the recognized codes of honour and propriety so long as his own interest and feelings were not deeply touched; when passion, developing into a spirit of vindictiveness, clashed with the code, the mask shrivelled away and the real man showed his face.
scandalnounUS /ˈskændəl/
disgraceful gossip about the private lives of other people
From this reading But in this matter he had worked quietly, unostentatiously, knowing well how small a spark of scandal it takes to kindle a great fire.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE FIERY ORDEAL Before many days had passed Countess Alexia had reason to know that the enemy she had made and defied was at work against her.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The man could be trusted to act according to the recognized codes of honour and propriety so long as his own interest and feelings were not deeply touched; when passion, developing into a spirit of vindictiveness, clashed with the code, the mask shrivelled away and the real man showed his face.
shrivelledadjective
(used especially of vegetation) having lost all moisture
From this reading The man could be trusted to act according to the recognized codes of honour and propriety so long as his own interest and feelings were not deeply touched; when passion, developing into a spirit of vindictiveness, clashed with the code, the mask shrivelled away and the real man showed his face.
skin-deepadjective
penetrating no deeper than the skin: "her beauty is only skin-deep"
From this reading And in truth Aubrey Playford was one of those men whose chivalry is but skin-deep: it is merely the veneer of their education and breeding, the mask which covers a malignant and unscrupulous soul.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading But in this matter he had worked quietly, unostentatiously, knowing well how small a spark of scandal it takes to kindle a great fire.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The man could be trusted to act according to the recognized codes of honour and propriety so long as his own interest and feelings were not deeply touched; when passion, developing into a spirit of vindictiveness, clashed with the code, the mask shrivelled away and the real man showed his face.
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading And in truth Aubrey Playford was one of those men whose chivalry is but skin-deep: it is merely the veneer of their education and breeding, the mask which covers a malignant and unscrupulous soul.
sparknounUS /spɑːrk/
a momentary flash of light
From this reading But in this matter he had worked quietly, unostentatiously, knowing well how small a spark of scandal it takes to kindle a great fire.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading The man could be trusted to act according to the recognized codes of honour and propriety so long as his own interest and feelings were not deeply touched; when passion, developing into a spirit of vindictiveness, clashed with the code, the mask shrivelled away and the real man showed his face.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Her instinctive judgment of her unwelcome admirer’s character had surely prepared her for this.
plural of “take” — the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property
From this reading But in this matter he had worked quietly, unostentatiously, knowing well how small a spark of scandal it takes to kindle a great fire.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE FIERY ORDEAL Before many days had passed Countess Alexia had reason to know that the enemy she had made and defied was at work against her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FIERY ORDEAL Before many days had passed Countess Alexia had reason to know that the enemy she had made and defied was at work against her.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading And in truth Aubrey Playford was one of those men whose chivalry is but skin-deep: it is merely the veneer of their education and breeding, the mask which covers a malignant and unscrupulous soul.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Her instinctive judgment of her unwelcome admirer’s character had surely prepared her for this.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading And in truth Aubrey Playford was one of those men whose chivalry is but skin-deep: it is merely the veneer of their education and breeding, the mask which covers a malignant and unscrupulous soul.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE FIERY ORDEAL Before many days had passed Countess Alexia had reason to know that the enemy she had made and defied was at work against her.
having come into contact
From this reading The man could be trusted to act according to the recognized codes of honour and propriety so long as his own interest and feelings were not deeply touched; when passion, developing into a spirit of vindictiveness, clashed with the code, the mask shrivelled away and the real man showed his face.
trustedadjectiveUS /ˈtrʌstɪd/
(of persons) worthy of trust or confidence
From this reading The man could be trusted to act according to the recognized codes of honour and propriety so long as his own interest and feelings were not deeply touched; when passion, developing into a spirit of vindictiveness, clashed with the code, the mask shrivelled away and the real man showed his face.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading And in truth Aubrey Playford was one of those men whose chivalry is but skin-deep: it is merely the veneer of their education and breeding, the mask which covers a malignant and unscrupulous soul.
unostentatiously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in this matter he had worked quietly, unostentatiously, knowing well how small a spark of scandal it takes to kindle a great fire.
unscrupulousadjectiveUS /ənˈskruːpjələs/
without scruples or principles
From this reading And in truth Aubrey Playford was one of those men whose chivalry is but skin-deep: it is merely the veneer of their education and breeding, the mask which covers a malignant and unscrupulous soul.
unwelcomeadjectiveUS /ənˈwelkəm/
not welcome; not giving pleasure or received with pleasure
From this reading Her instinctive judgment of her unwelcome admirer’s character had surely prepared her for this.
veneernounUS /vəˈnɪr/
coating consisting of a thin layer of superior wood glued to a base of inferior wood
From this reading And in truth Aubrey Playford was one of those men whose chivalry is but skin-deep: it is merely the veneer of their education and breeding, the mask which covers a malignant and unscrupulous soul.
vindictivenessnounUS /vɪnˈdɪktɪvnəs/
a malevolent desire for revenge
From this reading The man could be trusted to act according to the recognized codes of honour and propriety so long as his own interest and feelings were not deeply touched; when passion, developing into a spirit of vindictiveness, clashed with the code, the mask shrivelled away and the real man showed his face.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE FIERY ORDEAL Before many days had passed Countess Alexia had reason to know that the enemy she had made and defied was at work against her.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading But in this matter he had worked quietly, unostentatiously, knowing well how small a spark of scandal it takes to kindle a great fire.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The man could be trusted to act according to the recognized codes of honour and propriety so long as his own interest and feelings were not deeply touched; when passion, developing into a spirit of vindictiveness, clashed with the code, the mask shrivelled away and the real man showed his face.
at the time that
From this reading The man could be trusted to act according to the recognized codes of honour and propriety so long as his own interest and feelings were not deeply touched; when passion, developing into a spirit of vindictiveness, clashed with the code, the mask shrivelled away and the real man showed his face.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading And in truth Aubrey Playford was one of those men whose chivalry is but skin-deep: it is merely the veneer of their education and breeding, the mask which covers a malignant and unscrupulous soul.
belonging to which person
From this reading And in truth Aubrey Playford was one of those men whose chivalry is but skin-deep: it is merely the veneer of their education and breeding, the mask which covers a malignant and unscrupulous soul.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The man could be trusted to act according to the recognized codes of honour and propriety so long as his own interest and feelings were not deeply touched; when passion, developing into a spirit of vindictiveness, clashed with the code, the mask shrivelled away and the real man showed his face.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading THE FIERY ORDEAL Before many days had passed Countess Alexia had reason to know that the enemy she had made and defied was at work against her.
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading But in this matter he had worked quietly, unostentatiously, knowing well how small a spark of scandal it takes to kindle a great fire.
