used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A PORTRAIT.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He was about the middle stature, his figure slender and exceedingly well made: and but for a strong dash of affectation, which marred all that he did and said, his carriage would have been easy and graceful.
the state of being absent
From this reading Two years had passed away since I last beheld my cousin, and during his absence, there had been peace between his father and me.
affectationnounUS /ˌæfekˈteɪʃən/
a deliberate pretense or exaggerated display
From this reading He was about the middle stature, his figure slender and exceedingly well made: and but for a strong dash of affectation, which marred all that he did and said, his carriage would have been easy and graceful.
a positive feeling of liking
From this reading He appeared before me like the evil genius of the house, prepared to renew the old hostility, and I could not meet him with the least show of cordiality and affection.
(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 I am not a good hand at sketching portraits, but the person of my cousin is so fresh in my memory, his image so closely interwoven with all the leading events of my life, that I can scarcely fail in giving a tolerably correct likeness of the original.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading I am not a good hand at sketching portraits, but the person of my cousin is so fresh in my memory, his image so closely interwoven with all the leading events of my life, that I can scarcely fail in giving a tolerably correct likeness of the original.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Two years had passed away since I last beheld my cousin, and during his absence, there had been peace between his father and me.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He appeared before me like the evil genius of the house, prepared to renew the old hostility, and I could not meet him with the least show of cordiality and affection.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I am not a good hand at sketching portraits, but the person of my cousin is so fresh in my memory, his image so closely interwoven with all the leading events of my life, that I can scarcely fail in giving a tolerably correct likeness of the original.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Two years had passed away since I last beheld my cousin, and during his absence, there had been peace between his father and me.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Two years had passed away since I last beheld my cousin, and during his absence, there had been peace between his father and me.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He appeared before me like the evil genius of the house, prepared to renew the old hostility, and I could not meet him with the least show of cordiality and affection.
inflected form of “behold” — see with attention
From this reading Two years had passed away since I last beheld my cousin, and during his absence, there had been peace between his father and me.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Two years had passed away since I last beheld my cousin, and during his absence, there had been peace between his father and me.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I am not a good hand at sketching portraits, but the person of my cousin is so fresh in my memory, his image so closely interwoven with all the leading events of my life, that I can scarcely fail in giving a tolerably correct likeness of the original.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading I am not a good hand at sketching portraits, but the person of my cousin is so fresh in my memory, his image so closely interwoven with all the leading events of my life, that I can scarcely fail in giving a tolerably correct likeness of the original.
a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading He was about the middle stature, his figure slender and exceedingly well made: and but for a strong dash of affectation, which marred all that he did and said, his carriage would have been easy and graceful.
in a close relation or position in time or space
From this reading I am not a good hand at sketching portraits, but the person of my cousin is so fresh in my memory, his image so closely interwoven with all the leading events of my life, that I can scarcely fail in giving a tolerably correct likeness of the original.
cordialitynoun
a cordial disposition
From this reading He appeared before me like the evil genius of the house, prepared to renew the old hostility, and I could not meet him with the least show of cordiality and affection.
make right or correct
From this reading I am not a good hand at sketching portraits, but the person of my cousin is so fresh in my memory, his image so closely interwoven with all the leading events of my life, that I can scarcely fail in giving a tolerably correct likeness of the original.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He appeared before me like the evil genius of the house, prepared to renew the old hostility, and I could not meet him with the least show of cordiality and affection.
the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading Two years had passed away since I last beheld my cousin, and during his absence, there had been peace between his father and me.
dashverbUS /dæʃ/
run or move very quickly or hastily
From this reading He was about the middle stature, his figure slender and exceedingly well made: and but for a strong dash of affectation, which marred all that he did and said, his carriage would have been easy and graceful.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He was about the middle stature, his figure slender and exceedingly well made: and but for a strong dash of affectation, which marred all that he did and said, his carriage would have been easy and graceful.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Two years had passed away since I last beheld my cousin, and during his absence, there had been peace between his father and me.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading He was about the middle stature, his figure slender and exceedingly well made: and but for a strong dash of affectation, which marred all that he did and said, his carriage would have been easy and graceful.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading I am not a good hand at sketching portraits, but the person of my cousin is so fresh in my memory, his image so closely interwoven with all the leading events of my life, that I can scarcely fail in giving a tolerably correct likeness of the original.
morally objectionable behavior
From this reading He appeared before me like the evil genius of the house, prepared to renew the old hostility, and I could not meet him with the least show of cordiality and affection.
to an extreme degree
From this reading He was about the middle stature, his figure slender and exceedingly well made: and but for a strong dash of affectation, which marred all that he did and said, his carriage would have been easy and graceful.
fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading I am not a good hand at sketching portraits, but the person of my cousin is so fresh in my memory, his image so closely interwoven with all the leading events of my life, that I can scarcely fail in giving a tolerably correct likeness of the original.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Two years had passed away since I last beheld my cousin, and during his absence, there had been peace between his father and me.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading He was about the middle stature, his figure slender and exceedingly well made: and but for a strong dash of affectation, which marred all that he did and said, his carriage would have been easy and graceful.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He was about the middle stature, his figure slender and exceedingly well made: and but for a strong dash of affectation, which marred all that he did and said, his carriage would have been easy and graceful.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading I am not a good hand at sketching portraits, but the person of my cousin is so fresh in my memory, his image so closely interwoven with all the leading events of my life, that I can scarcely fail in giving a tolerably correct likeness of the original.
someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality
From this reading He appeared before me like the evil genius of the house, prepared to renew the old hostility, and I could not meet him with the least show of cordiality and affection.
the act of giving
From this reading I am not a good hand at sketching portraits, but the person of my cousin is so fresh in my memory, his image so closely interwoven with all the leading events of my life, that I can scarcely fail in giving a tolerably correct likeness of the original.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading I am not a good hand at sketching portraits, but the person of my cousin is so fresh in my memory, his image so closely interwoven with all the leading events of my life, that I can scarcely fail in giving a tolerably correct likeness of the original.
characterized by beauty of movement, style, form, or execution
From this reading He was about the middle stature, his figure slender and exceedingly well made: and but for a strong dash of affectation, which marred all that he did and said, his carriage would have been easy and graceful.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Two years had passed away since I last beheld my cousin, and during his absence, there had been peace between his father and me.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading I am not a good hand at sketching portraits, but the person of my cousin is so fresh in my memory, his image so closely interwoven with all the leading events of my life, that I can scarcely fail in giving a tolerably correct likeness of the original.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He was about the middle stature, his figure slender and exceedingly well made: and but for a strong dash of affectation, which marred all that he did and said, his carriage would have been easy and graceful.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He appeared before me like the evil genius of the house, prepared to renew the old hostility, and I could not meet him with the least show of cordiality and affection.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He appeared before me like the evil genius of the house, prepared to renew the old hostility, and I could not meet him with the least show of cordiality and affection.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Two years had passed away since I last beheld my cousin, and during his absence, there had been peace between his father and me.
hostilitynounUS /hɑːˈstɪləti/
a hostile (very unfriendly) disposition
From this reading He appeared before me like the evil genius of the house, prepared to renew the old hostility, and I could not meet him with the least show of cordiality and affection.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading He appeared before me like the evil genius of the house, prepared to renew the old hostility, and I could not meet him with the least show of cordiality and affection.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Two years had passed away since I last beheld my cousin, and during his absence, there had been peace between his father and me.
an iconic mental representation
From this reading I am not a good hand at sketching portraits, but the person of my cousin is so fresh in my memory, his image so closely interwoven with all the leading events of my life, that I can scarcely fail in giving a tolerably correct likeness of the original.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I am not a good hand at sketching portraits, but the person of my cousin is so fresh in my memory, his image so closely interwoven with all the leading events of my life, that I can scarcely fail in giving a tolerably correct likeness of the original.
interwovenadjectiveUS /ˌɪntərˈwoʊvən/
linked or locked closely together as by dovetailing
From this reading I am not a good hand at sketching portraits, but the person of my cousin is so fresh in my memory, his image so closely interwoven with all the leading events of my life, that I can scarcely fail in giving a tolerably correct likeness of the original.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I am not a good hand at sketching portraits, but the person of my cousin is so fresh in my memory, his image so closely interwoven with all the leading events of my life, that I can scarcely fail in giving a tolerably correct likeness of the original.
immediately past
From this reading Two years had passed away since I last beheld my cousin, and during his absence, there had been peace between his father and me.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading I am not a good hand at sketching portraits, but the person of my cousin is so fresh in my memory, his image so closely interwoven with all the leading events of my life, that I can scarcely fail in giving a tolerably correct likeness of the original.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading He appeared before me like the evil genius of the house, prepared to renew the old hostility, and I could not meet him with the least show of cordiality and affection.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading I am not a good hand at sketching portraits, but the person of my cousin is so fresh in my memory, his image so closely interwoven with all the leading events of my life, that I can scarcely fail in giving a tolerably correct likeness of the original.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He appeared before me like the evil genius of the house, prepared to renew the old hostility, and I could not meet him with the least show of cordiality and affection.
likenessnounUS /ˈlaɪknəs/
similarity in appearance or character or nature between persons or things
From this reading I am not a good hand at sketching portraits, but the person of my cousin is so fresh in my memory, his image so closely interwoven with all the leading events of my life, that I can scarcely fail in giving a tolerably correct likeness of the original.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading He was about the middle stature, his figure slender and exceedingly well made: and but for a strong dash of affectation, which marred all that he did and said, his carriage would have been easy and graceful.
marredadjectiveUS /mɑːrd/
blemished by injury or rough wear
From this reading He was about the middle stature, his figure slender and exceedingly well made: and but for a strong dash of affectation, which marred all that he did and said, his carriage would have been easy and graceful.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Two years had passed away since I last beheld my cousin, and during his absence, there had been peace between his father and me.
come together
From this reading He appeared before me like the evil genius of the house, prepared to renew the old hostility, and I could not meet him with the least show of cordiality and affection.
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading I am not a good hand at sketching portraits, but the person of my cousin is so fresh in my memory, his image so closely interwoven with all the leading events of my life, that I can scarcely fail in giving a tolerably correct likeness of the original.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading He was about the middle stature, his figure slender and exceedingly well made: and but for a strong dash of affectation, which marred all that he did and said, his carriage would have been easy and graceful.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Two years had passed away since I last beheld my cousin, and during his absence, there had been peace between his father and me.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He appeared before me like the evil genius of the house, prepared to renew the old hostility, and I could not meet him with the least show of cordiality and affection.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He appeared before me like the evil genius of the house, prepared to renew the old hostility, and I could not meet him with the least show of cordiality and affection.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He appeared before me like the evil genius of the house, prepared to renew the old hostility, and I could not meet him with the least show of cordiality and affection.
preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed
From this reading I am not a good hand at sketching portraits, but the person of my cousin is so fresh in my memory, his image so closely interwoven with all the leading events of my life, that I can scarcely fail in giving a tolerably correct likeness of the original.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Two years had passed away since I last beheld my cousin, and during his absence, there had been peace between his father and me.
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading Two years had passed away since I last beheld my cousin, and during his absence, there had been peace between his father and me.
a human being
From this reading I am not a good hand at sketching portraits, but the person of my cousin is so fresh in my memory, his image so closely interwoven with all the leading events of my life, that I can scarcely fail in giving a tolerably correct likeness of the original.
a word picture of a person's appearance and character
From this reading A PORTRAIT.
portraitsnounUS /ˈpɔːrtrəts/
plural of “portrait” — a word picture of a person's appearance and character
From this reading I am not a good hand at sketching portraits, but the person of my cousin is so fresh in my memory, his image so closely interwoven with all the leading events of my life, that I can scarcely fail in giving a tolerably correct likeness of the original.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading He appeared before me like the evil genius of the house, prepared to renew the old hostility, and I could not meet him with the least show of cordiality and affection.
renewverbUS /rɪˈnuː/
reestablish on a new, usually improved, basis or make new or like new
From this reading He appeared before me like the evil genius of the house, prepared to renew the old hostility, and I could not meet him with the least show of cordiality and affection.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading He was about the middle stature, his figure slender and exceedingly well made: and but for a strong dash of affectation, which marred all that he did and said, his carriage would have been easy and graceful.
only a very short time before
From this reading I am not a good hand at sketching portraits, but the person of my cousin is so fresh in my memory, his image so closely interwoven with all the leading events of my life, that I can scarcely fail in giving a tolerably correct likeness of the original.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading He appeared before me like the evil genius of the house, prepared to renew the old hostility, and I could not meet him with the least show of cordiality and affection.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Two years had passed away since I last beheld my cousin, and during his absence, there had been peace between his father and me.
sketchingverbUS /ˈsketʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “sketch” — make a sketch of
From this reading I am not a good hand at sketching portraits, but the person of my cousin is so fresh in my memory, his image so closely interwoven with all the leading events of my life, that I can scarcely fail in giving a tolerably correct likeness of the original.
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading He was about the middle stature, his figure slender and exceedingly well made: and but for a strong dash of affectation, which marred all that he did and said, his carriage would have been easy and graceful.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I am not a good hand at sketching portraits, but the person of my cousin is so fresh in my memory, his image so closely interwoven with all the leading events of my life, that I can scarcely fail in giving a tolerably correct likeness of the original.
staturenounUS /ˈstætʃər/
high level of respect gained by impressive development or achievement
From this reading He was about the middle stature, his figure slender and exceedingly well made: and but for a strong dash of affectation, which marred all that he did and said, his carriage would have been easy and graceful.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading He was about the middle stature, his figure slender and exceedingly well made: and but for a strong dash of affectation, which marred all that he did and said, his carriage would have been easy and graceful.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I am not a good hand at sketching portraits, but the person of my cousin is so fresh in my memory, his image so closely interwoven with all the leading events of my life, that I can scarcely fail in giving a tolerably correct likeness of the original.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He appeared before me like the evil genius of the house, prepared to renew the old hostility, and I could not meet him with the least show of cordiality and affection.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Two years had passed away since I last beheld my cousin, and during his absence, there had been peace between his father and me.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He appeared before me like the evil genius of the house, prepared to renew the old hostility, and I could not meet him with the least show of cordiality and affection.
tolerablyadverb
in an acceptable (but not outstanding) manner
From this reading I am not a good hand at sketching portraits, but the person of my cousin is so fresh in my memory, his image so closely interwoven with all the leading events of my life, that I can scarcely fail in giving a tolerably correct likeness of the original.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Two years had passed away since I last beheld my cousin, and during his absence, there had been peace between his father and me.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was about the middle stature, his figure slender and exceedingly well made: and but for a strong dash of affectation, which marred all that he did and said, his carriage would have been easy and graceful.
(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 He was about the middle stature, his figure slender and exceedingly well made: and but for a strong dash of affectation, which marred all that he did and said, his carriage would have been easy and graceful.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He was about the middle stature, his figure slender and exceedingly well made: and but for a strong dash of affectation, which marred all that he did and said, his carriage would have been easy and graceful.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He appeared before me like the evil genius of the house, prepared to renew the old hostility, and I could not meet him with the least show of cordiality and affection.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He was about the middle stature, his figure slender and exceedingly well made: and but for a strong dash of affectation, which marred all that he did and said, his carriage would have been easy and graceful.
a late time of life
From this reading Two years had passed away since I last beheld my cousin, and during his absence, there had been peace between his father and me.
