used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It certainly was not an easy task to come to a conclusion about Miss Pearl.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It certainly was not an easy task to come to a conclusion about Miss Pearl.
admireverbUS /ædˈmaɪr/
feel admiration for
From this reading He might certainly admire Miss Pearl for her calm maternal beauty, but Shawe was satisfied that he could not possibly tolerate such a milk-and-water character.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading But Sir Joseph was not a prim, conventional man after the style of a suburban clerk, but a clever individual who knew how to use his brains.
amiableadjectiveUS /ˈeɪmiəbəl/
disposed to please
From this reading Ralph took her for a beautiful, amiable, stupid woman, narrowed by her early training into a perfect specimen of what a wife should be--that is, a wife to an ordinary British Philistine.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It certainly was not an easy task to come to a conclusion about Miss Pearl.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Ralph took her for a beautiful, amiable, stupid woman, narrowed by her early training into a perfect specimen of what a wife should be--that is, a wife to an ordinary British Philistine.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading Ralph took her for a beautiful, amiable, stupid woman, narrowed by her early training into a perfect specimen of what a wife should be--that is, a wife to an ordinary British Philistine.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading He might certainly admire Miss Pearl for her calm maternal beauty, but Shawe was satisfied that he could not possibly tolerate such a milk-and-water character.
brainsnounUS /breɪnz/
plural of “brain” — that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading But Sir Joseph was not a prim, conventional man after the style of a suburban clerk, but a clever individual who knew how to use his brains.
Branwin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Pearl was more suitable to be the wife of a Sunday-school teacher than the second Lady Branwin.
the people of Great Britain
From this reading Ralph took her for a beautiful, amiable, stupid woman, narrowed by her early training into a perfect specimen of what a wife should be--that is, a wife to an ordinary British Philistine.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Sir Joseph was not a prim, conventional man after the style of a suburban clerk, but a clever individual who knew how to use his brains.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Ralph took her for a beautiful, amiable, stupid woman, narrowed by her early training into a perfect specimen of what a wife should be--that is, a wife to an ordinary British Philistine.
make calm or still
From this reading He might certainly admire Miss Pearl for her calm maternal beauty, but Shawe was satisfied that he could not possibly tolerate such a milk-and-water character.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading It certainly was not an easy task to come to a conclusion about Miss Pearl.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading He might certainly admire Miss Pearl for her calm maternal beauty, but Shawe was satisfied that he could not possibly tolerate such a milk-and-water character.
an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading But Sir Joseph was not a prim, conventional man after the style of a suburban clerk, but a clever individual who knew how to use his brains.
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
From this reading But Sir Joseph was not a prim, conventional man after the style of a suburban clerk, but a clever individual who knew how to use his brains.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading It certainly was not an easy task to come to a conclusion about Miss Pearl.
a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration
From this reading It certainly was not an easy task to come to a conclusion about Miss Pearl.
conventionaladjectiveUS /kənˈvenʃənəl/
following accepted customs and proprieties
From this reading But Sir Joseph was not a prim, conventional man after the style of a suburban clerk, but a clever individual who knew how to use his brains.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He might certainly admire Miss Pearl for her calm maternal beauty, but Shawe was satisfied that he could not possibly tolerate such a milk-and-water character.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Ralph took her for a beautiful, amiable, stupid woman, narrowed by her early training into a perfect specimen of what a wife should be--that is, a wife to an ordinary British Philistine.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading It certainly was not an easy task to come to a conclusion about Miss Pearl.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Ralph took her for a beautiful, amiable, stupid woman, narrowed by her early training into a perfect specimen of what a wife should be--that is, a wife to an ordinary British Philistine.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He might certainly admire Miss Pearl for her calm maternal beauty, but Shawe was satisfied that he could not possibly tolerate such a milk-and-water character.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Ralph took her for a beautiful, amiable, stupid woman, narrowed by her early training into a perfect specimen of what a wife should be--that is, a wife to an ordinary British Philistine.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But Sir Joseph was not a prim, conventional man after the style of a suburban clerk, but a clever individual who knew how to use his brains.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Sir Joseph was not a prim, conventional man after the style of a suburban clerk, but a clever individual who knew how to use his brains.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading But Sir Joseph was not a prim, conventional man after the style of a suburban clerk, but a clever individual who knew how to use his brains.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Ralph took her for a beautiful, amiable, stupid woman, narrowed by her early training into a perfect specimen of what a wife should be--that is, a wife to an ordinary British Philistine.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Ralph took her for a beautiful, amiable, stupid woman, narrowed by her early training into a perfect specimen of what a wife should be--that is, a wife to an ordinary British Philistine.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It certainly was not an easy task to come to a conclusion about Miss Pearl.
leader of the Nez Perce in their retreat from United States troops (1840-1904)
From this reading But Sir Joseph was not a prim, conventional man after the style of a suburban clerk, but a clever individual who knew how to use his brains.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading But Sir Joseph was not a prim, conventional man after the style of a suburban clerk, but a clever individual who knew how to use his brains.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Miss Pearl was more suitable to be the wife of a Sunday-school teacher than the second Lady Branwin.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading But Sir Joseph was not a prim, conventional man after the style of a suburban clerk, but a clever individual who knew how to use his brains.
maternaladjectiveUS /məˈtɜːrnəl/
characteristic of a mother
From this reading He might certainly admire Miss Pearl for her calm maternal beauty, but Shawe was satisfied that he could not possibly tolerate such a milk-and-water character.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He might certainly admire Miss Pearl for her calm maternal beauty, but Shawe was satisfied that he could not possibly tolerate such a milk-and-water character.
milk-and-water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He might certainly admire Miss Pearl for her calm maternal beauty, but Shawe was satisfied that he could not possibly tolerate such a milk-and-water character.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading It certainly was not an easy task to come to a conclusion about Miss Pearl.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Miss Pearl was more suitable to be the wife of a Sunday-school teacher than the second Lady Branwin.
narrowedadjectiveUS /ˈneroʊd/
reduced in size as by squeezing together
From this reading Ralph took her for a beautiful, amiable, stupid woman, narrowed by her early training into a perfect specimen of what a wife should be--that is, a wife to an ordinary British Philistine.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It certainly was not an easy task to come to a conclusion about Miss Pearl.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Ralph took her for a beautiful, amiable, stupid woman, narrowed by her early training into a perfect specimen of what a wife should be--that is, a wife to an ordinary British Philistine.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading Ralph took her for a beautiful, amiable, stupid woman, narrowed by her early training into a perfect specimen of what a wife should be--that is, a wife to an ordinary British Philistine.
PearlnounUS /pɜːrl/
a smooth lustrous round structure inside the shell of a clam or oyster; much valued as a jewel
From this reading It certainly was not an easy task to come to a conclusion about Miss Pearl.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading Ralph took her for a beautiful, amiable, stupid woman, narrowed by her early training into a perfect specimen of what a wife should be--that is, a wife to an ordinary British Philistine.
PhilistinenounUS /ˈfɪləstiːn/
a person who is uninterested in intellectual pursuits
From this reading Ralph took her for a beautiful, amiable, stupid woman, narrowed by her early training into a perfect specimen of what a wife should be--that is, a wife to an ordinary British Philistine.
by chance
From this reading He might certainly admire Miss Pearl for her calm maternal beauty, but Shawe was satisfied that he could not possibly tolerate such a milk-and-water character.
primverbUS /prɪm/
assume a prim appearance
From this reading But Sir Joseph was not a prim, conventional man after the style of a suburban clerk, but a clever individual who knew how to use his brains.
Ralph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ralph took her for a beautiful, amiable, stupid woman, narrowed by her early training into a perfect specimen of what a wife should be--that is, a wife to an ordinary British Philistine.
filled with satisfaction
From this reading He might certainly admire Miss Pearl for her calm maternal beauty, but Shawe was satisfied that he could not possibly tolerate such a milk-and-water character.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading Miss Pearl was more suitable to be the wife of a Sunday-school teacher than the second Lady Branwin.
Shawe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He might certainly admire Miss Pearl for her calm maternal beauty, but Shawe was satisfied that he could not possibly tolerate such a milk-and-water character.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Ralph took her for a beautiful, amiable, stupid woman, narrowed by her early training into a perfect specimen of what a wife should be--that is, a wife to an ordinary British Philistine.
term of address for a man
From this reading But Sir Joseph was not a prim, conventional man after the style of a suburban clerk, but a clever individual who knew how to use his brains.
specimennounUS /ˈspesəmən/
an example regarded as typical of its class
From this reading Ralph took her for a beautiful, amiable, stupid woman, narrowed by her early training into a perfect specimen of what a wife should be--that is, a wife to an ordinary British Philistine.
lacking or marked by lack of intellectual acuity
From this reading Ralph took her for a beautiful, amiable, stupid woman, narrowed by her early training into a perfect specimen of what a wife should be--that is, a wife to an ordinary British Philistine.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading But Sir Joseph was not a prim, conventional man after the style of a suburban clerk, but a clever individual who knew how to use his brains.
suburbanadjectiveUS /səˈbɜːrbən/
relating to or characteristic of or situated in suburbs
From this reading But Sir Joseph was not a prim, conventional man after the style of a suburban clerk, but a clever individual who knew how to use his brains.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading He might certainly admire Miss Pearl for her calm maternal beauty, but Shawe was satisfied that he could not possibly tolerate such a milk-and-water character.
suitableadjectiveUS /ˈsuːtəbəl/
meant or adapted for an occasion or use
From this reading Miss Pearl was more suitable to be the wife of a Sunday-school teacher than the second Lady Branwin.
Sunday-school
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Pearl was more suitable to be the wife of a Sunday-school teacher than the second Lady Branwin.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading It certainly was not an easy task to come to a conclusion about Miss Pearl.
a person whose occupation is teaching
From this reading Miss Pearl was more suitable to be the wife of a Sunday-school teacher than the second Lady Branwin.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Miss Pearl was more suitable to be the wife of a Sunday-school teacher than the second Lady Branwin.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Ralph took her for a beautiful, amiable, stupid woman, narrowed by her early training into a perfect specimen of what a wife should be--that is, a wife to an ordinary British Philistine.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But Sir Joseph was not a prim, conventional man after the style of a suburban clerk, but a clever individual who knew how to use his brains.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It certainly was not an easy task to come to a conclusion about Miss Pearl.
tolerateverbUS /ˈtɑːləreɪt/
put up with something or somebody unpleasant
From this reading He might certainly admire Miss Pearl for her calm maternal beauty, but Shawe was satisfied that he could not possibly tolerate such a milk-and-water character.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Ralph took her for a beautiful, amiable, stupid woman, narrowed by her early training into a perfect specimen of what a wife should be--that is, a wife to an ordinary British Philistine.
trainingnounUS /ˈtreɪnɪŋ/
activity leading to skilled behavior
From this reading Ralph took her for a beautiful, amiable, stupid woman, narrowed by her early training into a perfect specimen of what a wife should be--that is, a wife to an ordinary British Philistine.
the act of using
From this reading But Sir Joseph was not a prim, conventional man after the style of a suburban clerk, but a clever individual who knew how to use his brains.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It certainly was not an easy task to come to a conclusion about Miss Pearl.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Ralph took her for a beautiful, amiable, stupid woman, narrowed by her early training into a perfect specimen of what a wife should be--that is, a wife to an ordinary British Philistine.
which person or people
From this reading But Sir Joseph was not a prim, conventional man after the style of a suburban clerk, but a clever individual who knew how to use his brains.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Ralph took her for a beautiful, amiable, stupid woman, narrowed by her early training into a perfect specimen of what a wife should be--that is, a wife to an ordinary British Philistine.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Ralph took her for a beautiful, amiable, stupid woman, narrowed by her early training into a perfect specimen of what a wife should be--that is, a wife to an ordinary British Philistine.
