used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mr. Capt was a very superior servant, but like most servants he was innately curious.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Curiosity is not, as is popularly supposed, the private and peculiar failing of the female sex.
Ann
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If Bluebeard had confided the key of the Blue closet to any one of his servants, we may rely upon it that they would have been just as certain to have investigated the contents, as the nameless, but indiscreet, lady, whose sister's name was Ann.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading If Bluebeard had confided the key of the Blue closet to any one of his servants, we may rely upon it that they would have been just as certain to have investigated the contents, as the nameless, but indiscreet, lady, whose sister's name was Ann.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Curiosity is not, as is popularly supposed, the private and peculiar failing of the female sex.
a container that is usually woven and has handles
From this reading Most men tear up their letters ere they consign them to the waste-paper basket; the wiser and more suspicious portion of the human race burn them.
BEECHnounUS /biːtʃ/
any of several large deciduous trees with rounded spreading crowns and smooth grey bark and small sweet edible triangular nuts enclosed in burs; north temperate regions
From this reading THE HOLLOW BEECH TREE.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading If Bluebeard had confided the key of the Blue closet to any one of his servants, we may rely upon it that they would have been just as certain to have investigated the contents, as the nameless, but indiscreet, lady, whose sister's name was Ann.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading If Bluebeard had confided the key of the Blue closet to any one of his servants, we may rely upon it that they would have been just as certain to have investigated the contents, as the nameless, but indiscreet, lady, whose sister's name was Ann.
BluebeardnounUS /ˈbluːbiːrd/
(fairytale) a monstrous villain who marries seven women; he kills the first six for disobedience
From this reading If Bluebeard had confided the key of the Blue closet to any one of his servants, we may rely upon it that they would have been just as certain to have investigated the contents, as the nameless, but indiscreet, lady, whose sister's name was Ann.
To consume or be consumed by fire.
From this reading Most men tear up their letters ere they consign them to the waste-paper basket; the wiser and more suspicious portion of the human race burn them.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading If Bluebeard had confided the key of the Blue closet to any one of his servants, we may rely upon it that they would have been just as certain to have investigated the contents, as the nameless, but indiscreet, lady, whose sister's name was Ann.
Capt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Capt was a very superior servant, but like most servants he was innately curious.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading If Bluebeard had confided the key of the Blue closet to any one of his servants, we may rely upon it that they would have been just as certain to have investigated the contents, as the nameless, but indiscreet, lady, whose sister's name was Ann.
closetnounUS /ˈklɑːzət/
a small room (or recess) or cabinet used for storage space
From this reading If Bluebeard had confided the key of the Blue closet to any one of his servants, we may rely upon it that they would have been just as certain to have investigated the contents, as the nameless, but indiscreet, lady, whose sister's name was Ann.
confidedverbUS /kənˈfaɪdɪd/
past form of “confide” — reveal in private; tell confidentially
From this reading If Bluebeard had confided the key of the Blue closet to any one of his servants, we may rely upon it that they would have been just as certain to have investigated the contents, as the nameless, but indiscreet, lady, whose sister's name was Ann.
consignverbUS /kənˈsaɪn/
commit forever; commit irrevocably
From this reading Most men tear up their letters ere they consign them to the waste-paper basket; the wiser and more suspicious portion of the human race burn them.
(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something
From this reading If Bluebeard had confided the key of the Blue closet to any one of his servants, we may rely upon it that they would have been just as certain to have investigated the contents, as the nameless, but indiscreet, lady, whose sister's name was Ann.
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading Curiosity is not, as is popularly supposed, the private and peculiar failing of the female sex.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading Mr. Capt was a very superior servant, but like most servants he was innately curious.
an old word for “before”
From this reading Most men tear up their letters ere they consign them to the waste-paper basket; the wiser and more suspicious portion of the human race burn them.
failingnounUS /ˈfeɪlɪŋ/
a flaw or weak point
From this reading Curiosity is not, as is popularly supposed, the private and peculiar failing of the female sex.
being the sex (of plant or animal) that produces fertilizable gametes (ova) from which offspring develop
From this reading Curiosity is not, as is popularly supposed, the private and peculiar failing of the female sex.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading If Bluebeard had confided the key of the Blue closet to any one of his servants, we may rely upon it that they would have been just as certain to have investigated the contents, as the nameless, but indiscreet, lady, whose sister's name was Ann.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If Bluebeard had confided the key of the Blue closet to any one of his servants, we may rely upon it that they would have been just as certain to have investigated the contents, as the nameless, but indiscreet, lady, whose sister's name was Ann.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mr. Capt was a very superior servant, but like most servants he was innately curious.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading If Bluebeard had confided the key of the Blue closet to any one of his servants, we may rely upon it that they would have been just as certain to have investigated the contents, as the nameless, but indiscreet, lady, whose sister's name was Ann.
not solid; having a space or gap or cavity
From this reading THE HOLLOW BEECH TREE.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading Most men tear up their letters ere they consign them to the waste-paper basket; the wiser and more suspicious portion of the human race burn them.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If Bluebeard had confided the key of the Blue closet to any one of his servants, we may rely upon it that they would have been just as certain to have investigated the contents, as the nameless, but indiscreet, lady, whose sister's name was Ann.
indiscreetadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈskriːt/
lacking discretion; injudicious
From this reading If Bluebeard had confided the key of the Blue closet to any one of his servants, we may rely upon it that they would have been just as certain to have investigated the contents, as the nameless, but indiscreet, lady, whose sister's name was Ann.
innatelyadverbUS /ˌɪˈneɪtli/
in an innate manner
From this reading Mr. Capt was a very superior servant, but like most servants he was innately curious.
investigatedverbUS /ˌɪnˈvestəɡeɪtəd/
past form of “investigate” — investigate scientifically
From this reading If Bluebeard had confided the key of the Blue closet to any one of his servants, we may rely upon it that they would have been just as certain to have investigated the contents, as the nameless, but indiscreet, lady, whose sister's name was Ann.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Curiosity is not, as is popularly supposed, the private and peculiar failing of the female sex.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If Bluebeard had confided the key of the Blue closet to any one of his servants, we may rely upon it that they would have been just as certain to have investigated the contents, as the nameless, but indiscreet, lady, whose sister's name was Ann.
and nothing more
From this reading If Bluebeard had confided the key of the Blue closet to any one of his servants, we may rely upon it that they would have been just as certain to have investigated the contents, as the nameless, but indiscreet, lady, whose sister's name was Ann.
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading If Bluebeard had confided the key of the Blue closet to any one of his servants, we may rely upon it that they would have been just as certain to have investigated the contents, as the nameless, but indiscreet, lady, whose sister's name was Ann.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading If Bluebeard had confided the key of the Blue closet to any one of his servants, we may rely upon it that they would have been just as certain to have investigated the contents, as the nameless, but indiscreet, lady, whose sister's name was Ann.
the literary culture
From this reading Most men tear up their letters ere they consign them to the waste-paper basket; the wiser and more suspicious portion of the human race burn them.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Mr. Capt was a very superior servant, but like most servants he was innately curious.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading If Bluebeard had confided the key of the Blue closet to any one of his servants, we may rely upon it that they would have been just as certain to have investigated the contents, as the nameless, but indiscreet, lady, whose sister's name was Ann.
the force of workers available
From this reading Most men tear up their letters ere they consign them to the waste-paper basket; the wiser and more suspicious portion of the human race burn them.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Most men tear up their letters ere they consign them to the waste-paper basket; the wiser and more suspicious portion of the human race burn them.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Most men tear up their letters ere they consign them to the waste-paper basket; the wiser and more suspicious portion of the human race burn them.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Capt was a very superior servant, but like most servants he was innately curious.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading If Bluebeard had confided the key of the Blue closet to any one of his servants, we may rely upon it that they would have been just as certain to have investigated the contents, as the nameless, but indiscreet, lady, whose sister's name was Ann.
namelessadjectiveUS /ˈneɪm.ləs/
Having no name, or having a name that is kept secret or unknown.
From this reading If Bluebeard had confided the key of the Blue closet to any one of his servants, we may rely upon it that they would have been just as certain to have investigated the contents, as the nameless, but indiscreet, lady, whose sister's name was Ann.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Curiosity is not, as is popularly supposed, the private and peculiar failing of the female sex.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Curiosity is not, as is popularly supposed, the private and peculiar failing of the female sex.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading If Bluebeard had confided the key of the Blue closet to any one of his servants, we may rely upon it that they would have been just as certain to have investigated the contents, as the nameless, but indiscreet, lady, whose sister's name was Ann.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading Curiosity is not, as is popularly supposed, the private and peculiar failing of the female sex.
popularlyadverbUS /ˈpɑːpjələrli/
among the people
From this reading Curiosity is not, as is popularly supposed, the private and peculiar failing of the female sex.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Most men tear up their letters ere they consign them to the waste-paper basket; the wiser and more suspicious portion of the human race burn them.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading Curiosity is not, as is popularly supposed, the private and peculiar failing of the female sex.
any competition
From this reading Most men tear up their letters ere they consign them to the waste-paper basket; the wiser and more suspicious portion of the human race burn them.
relyverbUS /rɪˈlaɪ/
have faith or confidence in
From this reading If Bluebeard had confided the key of the Blue closet to any one of his servants, we may rely upon it that they would have been just as certain to have investigated the contents, as the nameless, but indiscreet, lady, whose sister's name was Ann.
a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading Mr. Capt was a very superior servant, but like most servants he was innately curious.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading If Bluebeard had confided the key of the Blue closet to any one of his servants, we may rely upon it that they would have been just as certain to have investigated the contents, as the nameless, but indiscreet, lady, whose sister's name was Ann.
activities associated with sexual intercourse
From this reading Curiosity is not, as is popularly supposed, the private and peculiar failing of the female sex.
sister'snounUS /ˈsɪstərz/
possessive form of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading If Bluebeard had confided the key of the Blue closet to any one of his servants, we may rely upon it that they would have been just as certain to have investigated the contents, as the nameless, but indiscreet, lady, whose sister's name was Ann.
of high or superior quality or performance
From this reading Mr. Capt was a very superior servant, but like most servants he was innately curious.
required or under orders
From this reading Curiosity is not, as is popularly supposed, the private and peculiar failing of the female sex.
suspiciousadjectiveUS /səˈspɪʃəs/
openly distrustful and unwilling to confide
From this reading Most men tear up their letters ere they consign them to the waste-paper basket; the wiser and more suspicious portion of the human race burn them.
separate or cause to separate abruptly
From this reading Most men tear up their letters ere they consign them to the waste-paper basket; the wiser and more suspicious portion of the human race burn them.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading If Bluebeard had confided the key of the Blue closet to any one of his servants, we may rely upon it that they would have been just as certain to have investigated the contents, as the nameless, but indiscreet, lady, whose sister's name was Ann.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HOLLOW BEECH TREE.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Most men tear up their letters ere they consign them to the waste-paper basket; the wiser and more suspicious portion of the human race burn them.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Most men tear up their letters ere they consign them to the waste-paper basket; the wiser and more suspicious portion of the human race burn them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Most men tear up their letters ere they consign them to the waste-paper basket; the wiser and more suspicious portion of the human race burn them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Most men tear up their letters ere they consign them to the waste-paper basket; the wiser and more suspicious portion of the human race burn them.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading THE HOLLOW BEECH TREE.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Most men tear up their letters ere they consign them to the waste-paper basket; the wiser and more suspicious portion of the human race burn them.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading If Bluebeard had confided the key of the Blue closet to any one of his servants, we may rely upon it that they would have been just as certain to have investigated the contents, as the nameless, but indiscreet, lady, whose sister's name was Ann.
precisely as stated
From this reading Mr. Capt was a very superior servant, but like most servants he was innately curious.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If Bluebeard had confided the key of the Blue closet to any one of his servants, we may rely upon it that they would have been just as certain to have investigated the contents, as the nameless, but indiscreet, lady, whose sister's name was Ann.
waste-paper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most men tear up their letters ere they consign them to the waste-paper basket; the wiser and more suspicious portion of the human race burn them.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading If Bluebeard had confided the key of the Blue closet to any one of his servants, we may rely upon it that they would have been just as certain to have investigated the contents, as the nameless, but indiscreet, lady, whose sister's name was Ann.
belonging to which person
From this reading If Bluebeard had confided the key of the Blue closet to any one of his servants, we may rely upon it that they would have been just as certain to have investigated the contents, as the nameless, but indiscreet, lady, whose sister's name was Ann.
wiseradjectiveUS /ˈwaɪzər/
comparative of “wise” — having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading Most men tear up their letters ere they consign them to the waste-paper basket; the wiser and more suspicious portion of the human race burn them.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If Bluebeard had confided the key of the Blue closet to any one of his servants, we may rely upon it that they would have been just as certain to have investigated the contents, as the nameless, but indiscreet, lady, whose sister's name was Ann.
