used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading MISTRESS AND MAID "Miss Felicity," said Cardington, standing before her with a humorous suggestion in his manner of presenting arms to a superior officer, "I have come to perform what is both a duty and a pleasure; I have come, in short, to--pay my bet."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "You have my sympathy, Mr. Cardington," she returned, "not so much because you have lost the bet, as because you were under the necessity of ending your sentence with such an insignificant word.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading MISTRESS AND MAID "Miss Felicity," said Cardington, standing before her with a humorous suggestion in his manner of presenting arms to a superior officer, "I have come to perform what is both a duty and a pleasure; I have come, in short, to--pay my bet."
weapons considered collectively
From this reading MISTRESS AND MAID "Miss Felicity," said Cardington, standing before her with a humorous suggestion in his manner of presenting arms to a superior officer, "I have come to perform what is both a duty and a pleasure; I have come, in short, to--pay my bet."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "You have my sympathy, Mr. Cardington," she returned, "not so much because you have lost the bet, as because you were under the necessity of ending your sentence with such an insignificant word.
for the reason that
From this reading "You have my sympathy, Mr. Cardington," she returned, "not so much because you have lost the bet, as because you were under the necessity of ending your sentence with such an insignificant word.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading MISTRESS AND MAID "Miss Felicity," said Cardington, standing before her with a humorous suggestion in his manner of presenting arms to a superior officer, "I have come to perform what is both a duty and a pleasure; I have come, in short, to--pay my bet."
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading She was in the best of spirits, and prepared for the exchange of quibbles in which they sometimes indulged.
maintain with or as if with a bet
From this reading MISTRESS AND MAID "Miss Felicity," said Cardington, standing before her with a humorous suggestion in his manner of presenting arms to a superior officer, "I have come to perform what is both a duty and a pleasure; I have come, in short, to--pay my bet."
the two together, not just one
From this reading MISTRESS AND MAID "Miss Felicity," said Cardington, standing before her with a humorous suggestion in his manner of presenting arms to a superior officer, "I have come to perform what is both a duty and a pleasure; I have come, in short, to--pay my bet."
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading With these words he carefully laid a box of candy upon the table.
candynounUS /ˈkændi/
a rich sweet made of flavored sugar and often combined with fruit or nuts
From this reading With these words he carefully laid a box of candy upon the table.
Cardington
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MISTRESS AND MAID "Miss Felicity," said Cardington, standing before her with a humorous suggestion in his manner of presenting arms to a superior officer, "I have come to perform what is both a duty and a pleasure; I have come, in short, to--pay my bet."
taking care or paying attention
From this reading With these words he carefully laid a box of candy upon the table.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading MISTRESS AND MAID "Miss Felicity," said Cardington, standing before her with a humorous suggestion in his manner of presenting arms to a superior officer, "I have come to perform what is both a duty and a pleasure; I have come, in short, to--pay my bet."
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading MISTRESS AND MAID "Miss Felicity," said Cardington, standing before her with a humorous suggestion in his manner of presenting arms to a superior officer, "I have come to perform what is both a duty and a pleasure; I have come, in short, to--pay my bet."
endingnounUS /ˈendɪŋ/
the end of a word (a suffix or inflectional ending or final morpheme)
From this reading "You have my sympathy, Mr. Cardington," she returned, "not so much because you have lost the bet, as because you were under the necessity of ending your sentence with such an insignificant word.
chemical process in which one atom or ion or group changes places with another
From this reading She was in the best of spirits, and prepared for the exchange of quibbles in which they sometimes indulged.
FelicitynounUS /fɪˈlɪsəti/
pleasing and appropriate manner or style (especially manner or style of expression)
From this reading MISTRESS AND MAID "Miss Felicity," said Cardington, standing before her with a humorous suggestion in his manner of presenting arms to a superior officer, "I have come to perform what is both a duty and a pleasure; I have come, in short, to--pay my bet."
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading I saw that you were groping for a polysyllabic finish."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I saw that you were groping for a polysyllabic finish."
gropingadjectiveUS /ˈɡroʊpɪŋ/
acting with uncertainty or hesitance or lack of confidence
From this reading I saw that you were groping for a polysyllabic finish."
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading MISTRESS AND MAID "Miss Felicity," said Cardington, standing before her with a humorous suggestion in his manner of presenting arms to a superior officer, "I have come to perform what is both a duty and a pleasure; I have come, in short, to--pay my bet."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading With these words he carefully laid a box of candy upon the table.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading MISTRESS AND MAID "Miss Felicity," said Cardington, standing before her with a humorous suggestion in his manner of presenting arms to a superior officer, "I have come to perform what is both a duty and a pleasure; I have come, in short, to--pay my bet."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading MISTRESS AND MAID "Miss Felicity," said Cardington, standing before her with a humorous suggestion in his manner of presenting arms to a superior officer, "I have come to perform what is both a duty and a pleasure; I have come, in short, to--pay my bet."
humorousadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmərəs/
full of or characterized by humor
From this reading MISTRESS AND MAID "Miss Felicity," said Cardington, standing before her with a humorous suggestion in his manner of presenting arms to a superior officer, "I have come to perform what is both a duty and a pleasure; I have come, in short, to--pay my bet."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading MISTRESS AND MAID "Miss Felicity," said Cardington, standing before her with a humorous suggestion in his manner of presenting arms to a superior officer, "I have come to perform what is both a duty and a pleasure; I have come, in short, to--pay my bet."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading MISTRESS AND MAID "Miss Felicity," said Cardington, standing before her with a humorous suggestion in his manner of presenting arms to a superior officer, "I have come to perform what is both a duty and a pleasure; I have come, in short, to--pay my bet."
indulgedverbUS /ˌɪnˈdʌldʒd/
past form of “indulge” — give free rein to
From this reading She was in the best of spirits, and prepared for the exchange of quibbles in which they sometimes indulged.
insignificantadjectiveUS /ˌɪnsɪɡˈnjɪfɪkənt/
signifying nothing
From this reading "You have my sympathy, Mr. Cardington," she returned, "not so much because you have lost the bet, as because you were under the necessity of ending your sentence with such an insignificant word.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading MISTRESS AND MAID "Miss Felicity," said Cardington, standing before her with a humorous suggestion in his manner of presenting arms to a superior officer, "I have come to perform what is both a duty and a pleasure; I have come, in short, to--pay my bet."
set down according to a plan
From this reading With these words he carefully laid a box of candy upon the table.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading "You have my sympathy, Mr. Cardington," she returned, "not so much because you have lost the bet, as because you were under the necessity of ending your sentence with such an insignificant word.
a female domestic
From this reading MISTRESS AND MAID "Miss Felicity," said Cardington, standing before her with a humorous suggestion in his manner of presenting arms to a superior officer, "I have come to perform what is both a duty and a pleasure; I have come, in short, to--pay my bet."
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading MISTRESS AND MAID "Miss Felicity," said Cardington, standing before her with a humorous suggestion in his manner of presenting arms to a superior officer, "I have come to perform what is both a duty and a pleasure; I have come, in short, to--pay my bet."
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading MISTRESS AND MAID "Miss Felicity," said Cardington, standing before her with a humorous suggestion in his manner of presenting arms to a superior officer, "I have come to perform what is both a duty and a pleasure; I have come, in short, to--pay my bet."
an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man
From this reading MISTRESS AND MAID "Miss Felicity," said Cardington, standing before her with a humorous suggestion in his manner of presenting arms to a superior officer, "I have come to perform what is both a duty and a pleasure; I have come, in short, to--pay my bet."
a form of address for a man
From this reading "You have my sympathy, Mr. Cardington," she returned, "not so much because you have lost the bet, as because you were under the necessity of ending your sentence with such an insignificant word.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading "You have my sympathy, Mr. Cardington," she returned, "not so much because you have lost the bet, as because you were under the necessity of ending your sentence with such an insignificant word.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading MISTRESS AND MAID "Miss Felicity," said Cardington, standing before her with a humorous suggestion in his manner of presenting arms to a superior officer, "I have come to perform what is both a duty and a pleasure; I have come, in short, to--pay my bet."
the condition of being essential or indispensable
From this reading "You have my sympathy, Mr. Cardington," she returned, "not so much because you have lost the bet, as because you were under the necessity of ending your sentence with such an insignificant word.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "You have my sympathy, Mr. Cardington," she returned, "not so much because you have lost the bet, as because you were under the necessity of ending your sentence with such an insignificant word.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MISTRESS AND MAID "Miss Felicity," said Cardington, standing before her with a humorous suggestion in his manner of presenting arms to a superior officer, "I have come to perform what is both a duty and a pleasure; I have come, in short, to--pay my bet."
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading MISTRESS AND MAID "Miss Felicity," said Cardington, standing before her with a humorous suggestion in his manner of presenting arms to a superior officer, "I have come to perform what is both a duty and a pleasure; I have come, in short, to--pay my bet."
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading MISTRESS AND MAID "Miss Felicity," said Cardington, standing before her with a humorous suggestion in his manner of presenting arms to a superior officer, "I have come to perform what is both a duty and a pleasure; I have come, in short, to--pay my bet."
performverbUS /pərˈfɔːrm/
carry out or perform an action
From this reading MISTRESS AND MAID "Miss Felicity," said Cardington, standing before her with a humorous suggestion in his manner of presenting arms to a superior officer, "I have come to perform what is both a duty and a pleasure; I have come, in short, to--pay my bet."
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading MISTRESS AND MAID "Miss Felicity," said Cardington, standing before her with a humorous suggestion in his manner of presenting arms to a superior officer, "I have come to perform what is both a duty and a pleasure; I have come, in short, to--pay my bet."
polysyllabicadjectiveUS /ˌpɑːliːsɪˈlæbɪk/
having or characterized by words of more than three syllables
From this reading I saw that you were groping for a polysyllabic finish."
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading She was in the best of spirits, and prepared for the exchange of quibbles in which they sometimes indulged.
presentingverbUS /prɪˈzentɪŋ/
-ing form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading MISTRESS AND MAID "Miss Felicity," said Cardington, standing before her with a humorous suggestion in his manner of presenting arms to a superior officer, "I have come to perform what is both a duty and a pleasure; I have come, in short, to--pay my bet."
quibblesnounUS /ˈkwɪbəlz/
plural of “quibble” — an evasion of the point of an argument by raising irrelevant distinctions or objections
From this reading She was in the best of spirits, and prepared for the exchange of quibbles in which they sometimes indulged.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading "You have my sympathy, Mr. Cardington," she returned, "not so much because you have lost the bet, as because you were under the necessity of ending your sentence with such an insignificant word.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading MISTRESS AND MAID "Miss Felicity," said Cardington, standing before her with a humorous suggestion in his manner of presenting arms to a superior officer, "I have come to perform what is both a duty and a pleasure; I have come, in short, to--pay my bet."
cut with a saw
From this reading I saw that you were groping for a polysyllabic finish."
a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language
From this reading "You have my sympathy, Mr. Cardington," she returned, "not so much because you have lost the bet, as because you were under the necessity of ending your sentence with such an insignificant word.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "You have my sympathy, Mr. Cardington," she returned, "not so much because you have lost the bet, as because you were under the necessity of ending your sentence with such an insignificant word.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading MISTRESS AND MAID "Miss Felicity," said Cardington, standing before her with a humorous suggestion in his manner of presenting arms to a superior officer, "I have come to perform what is both a duty and a pleasure; I have come, in short, to--pay my bet."
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "You have my sympathy, Mr. Cardington," she returned, "not so much because you have lost the bet, as because you were under the necessity of ending your sentence with such an insignificant word.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading She was in the best of spirits, and prepared for the exchange of quibbles in which they sometimes indulged.
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading She was in the best of spirits, and prepared for the exchange of quibbles in which they sometimes indulged.
having a supporting base
From this reading MISTRESS AND MAID "Miss Felicity," said Cardington, standing before her with a humorous suggestion in his manner of presenting arms to a superior officer, "I have come to perform what is both a duty and a pleasure; I have come, in short, to--pay my bet."
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading "You have my sympathy, Mr. Cardington," she returned, "not so much because you have lost the bet, as because you were under the necessity of ending your sentence with such an insignificant word.
an idea that is suggested
From this reading MISTRESS AND MAID "Miss Felicity," said Cardington, standing before her with a humorous suggestion in his manner of presenting arms to a superior officer, "I have come to perform what is both a duty and a pleasure; I have come, in short, to--pay my bet."
of high or superior quality or performance
From this reading MISTRESS AND MAID "Miss Felicity," said Cardington, standing before her with a humorous suggestion in his manner of presenting arms to a superior officer, "I have come to perform what is both a duty and a pleasure; I have come, in short, to--pay my bet."
an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion
From this reading "You have my sympathy, Mr. Cardington," she returned, "not so much because you have lost the bet, as because you were under the necessity of ending your sentence with such an insignificant word.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading With these words he carefully laid a box of candy upon the table.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I saw that you were groping for a polysyllabic finish."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading With these words he carefully laid a box of candy upon the table.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading With these words he carefully laid a box of candy upon the table.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was in the best of spirits, and prepared for the exchange of quibbles in which they sometimes indulged.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading MISTRESS AND MAID "Miss Felicity," said Cardington, standing before her with a humorous suggestion in his manner of presenting arms to a superior officer, "I have come to perform what is both a duty and a pleasure; I have come, in short, to--pay my bet."
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading "You have my sympathy, Mr. Cardington," she returned, "not so much because you have lost the bet, as because you were under the necessity of ending your sentence with such an insignificant word.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading With these words he carefully laid a box of candy upon the table.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was in the best of spirits, and prepared for the exchange of quibbles in which they sometimes indulged.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "You have my sympathy, Mr. Cardington," she returned, "not so much because you have lost the bet, as because you were under the necessity of ending your sentence with such an insignificant word.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading MISTRESS AND MAID "Miss Felicity," said Cardington, standing before her with a humorous suggestion in his manner of presenting arms to a superior officer, "I have come to perform what is both a duty and a pleasure; I have come, in short, to--pay my bet."
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She was in the best of spirits, and prepared for the exchange of quibbles in which they sometimes indulged.
in the company of; together with
From this reading MISTRESS AND MAID "Miss Felicity," said Cardington, standing before her with a humorous suggestion in his manner of presenting arms to a superior officer, "I have come to perform what is both a duty and a pleasure; I have come, in short, to--pay my bet."
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading "You have my sympathy, Mr. Cardington," she returned, "not so much because you have lost the bet, as because you were under the necessity of ending your sentence with such an insignificant word.
the words that are spoken
From this reading With these words he carefully laid a box of candy upon the table.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You have my sympathy, Mr. Cardington," she returned, "not so much because you have lost the bet, as because you were under the necessity of ending your sentence with such an insignificant word.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You have my sympathy, Mr. Cardington," she returned, "not so much because you have lost the bet, as because you were under the necessity of ending your sentence with such an insignificant word.
