used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She knew when she could tell him a thing and when she couldn't.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading That happened to be his customary and rather unfair method of conquering her when an argument was going against him, not for want of logic on his part, but because it was easier to express himself with his ears closed than with them open.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading That happened to be his customary and rather unfair method of conquering her when an argument was going against him, not for want of logic on his part, but because it was easier to express himself with his ears closed than with them open.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She knew when she could tell him a thing and when she couldn't.
a fact or assertion offered as evidence that something is true
From this reading That happened to be his customary and rather unfair method of conquering her when an argument was going against him, not for want of logic on his part, but because it was easier to express himself with his ears closed than with them open.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "I know I can't," said his wife, quite as positively.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading That happened to be his customary and rather unfair method of conquering her when an argument was going against him, not for want of logic on his part, but because it was easier to express himself with his ears closed than with them open.
for the reason that
From this reading That happened to be his customary and rather unfair method of conquering her when an argument was going against him, not for want of logic on his part, but because it was easier to express himself with his ears closed than with them open.
Blithers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "My dear," said Mr. Blithers, with decision, "you can't tell me."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading That happened to be his customary and rather unfair method of conquering her when an argument was going against him, not for want of logic on his part, but because it was easier to express himself with his ears closed than with them open.
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "My dear," said Mr. Blithers, with decision, "you can't tell me."
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading That happened to be his customary and rather unfair method of conquering her when an argument was going against him, not for want of logic on his part, but because it was easier to express himself with his ears closed than with them open.
conqueringnounUS /ˈkɑːŋkərɪŋ/
the act of conquering
From this reading That happened to be his customary and rather unfair method of conquering her when an argument was going against him, not for want of logic on his part, but because it was easier to express himself with his ears closed than with them open.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She knew when she could tell him a thing and when she couldn't.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She knew when she could tell him a thing and when she couldn't.
customaryadjectiveUS /ˈkʌstəmeri/
in accordance with convention or custom
From this reading That happened to be his customary and rather unfair method of conquering her when an argument was going against him, not for want of logic on his part, but because it was easier to express himself with his ears closed than with them open.
dearly loved
From this reading "My dear," said Mr. Blithers, with decision, "you can't tell me."
the act of making up your mind about something
From this reading "My dear," said Mr. Blithers, with decision, "you can't tell me."
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading It was quite impossible to impart information to Mr. Blithers when he had the tips of two resolute fingers embedded in his ears.
easieradjectiveUS /ˈiːziər/
comparative of “easy” — posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading That happened to be his customary and rather unfair method of conquering her when an argument was going against him, not for want of logic on his part, but because it was easier to express himself with his ears closed than with them open.
embeddedadjectiveUS /emˈbedɪd/
enclosed firmly in a surrounding mass
From this reading It was quite impossible to impart information to Mr. Blithers when he had the tips of two resolute fingers embedded in his ears.
give expression to
From this reading That happened to be his customary and rather unfair method of conquering her when an argument was going against him, not for want of logic on his part, but because it was easier to express himself with his ears closed than with them open.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading It was quite impossible to impart information to Mr. Blithers when he had the tips of two resolute fingers embedded in his ears.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading That happened to be his customary and rather unfair method of conquering her when an argument was going against him, not for want of logic on his part, but because it was easier to express himself with his ears closed than with them open.
the act of departing
From this reading That happened to be his customary and rather unfair method of conquering her when an argument was going against him, not for want of logic on his part, but because it was easier to express himself with his ears closed than with them open.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was quite impossible to impart information to Mr. Blithers when he had the tips of two resolute fingers embedded in his ears.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading That happened to be his customary and rather unfair method of conquering her when an argument was going against him, not for want of logic on his part, but because it was easier to express himself with his ears closed than with them open.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was quite impossible to impart information to Mr. Blithers when he had the tips of two resolute fingers embedded in his ears.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading That happened to be his customary and rather unfair method of conquering her when an argument was going against him, not for want of logic on his part, but because it was easier to express himself with his ears closed than with them open.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She knew when she could tell him a thing and when she couldn't.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading That happened to be his customary and rather unfair method of conquering her when an argument was going against him, not for want of logic on his part, but because it was easier to express himself with his ears closed than with them open.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "I know I can't," said his wife, quite as positively.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I know I can't," said his wife, quite as positively.
impartverbUS /ˌɪmˈpɑːrt/
transmit (knowledge or skills)
From this reading It was quite impossible to impart information to Mr. Blithers when he had the tips of two resolute fingers embedded in his ears.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading It was quite impossible to impart information to Mr. Blithers when he had the tips of two resolute fingers embedded in his ears.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was quite impossible to impart information to Mr. Blithers when he had the tips of two resolute fingers embedded in his ears.
a message received and understood
From this reading It was quite impossible to impart information to Mr. Blithers when he had the tips of two resolute fingers embedded in his ears.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was quite impossible to impart information to Mr. Blithers when he had the tips of two resolute fingers embedded in his ears.
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 She knew when she could tell him a thing and when she couldn't.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "I know I can't," said his wife, quite as positively.
logicnounUS /ˈlɑːdʒɪk/
the branch of philosophy that analyzes inference
From this reading That happened to be his customary and rather unfair method of conquering her when an argument was going against him, not for want of logic on his part, but because it was easier to express himself with his ears closed than with them open.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "My dear," said Mr. Blithers, with decision, "you can't tell me."
a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)
From this reading That happened to be his customary and rather unfair method of conquering her when an argument was going against him, not for want of logic on his part, but because it was easier to express himself with his ears closed than with them open.
a form of address for a man
From this reading "My dear," said Mr. Blithers, with decision, "you can't tell me."
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "My dear," said Mr. Blithers, with decision, "you can't tell me."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading That happened to be his customary and rather unfair method of conquering her when an argument was going against him, not for want of logic on his part, but because it was easier to express himself with his ears closed than with them open.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was quite impossible to impart information to Mr. Blithers when he had the tips of two resolute fingers embedded in his ears.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading That happened to be his customary and rather unfair method of conquering her when an argument was going against him, not for want of logic on his part, but because it was easier to express himself with his ears closed than with them open.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading That happened to be his customary and rather unfair method of conquering her when an argument was going against him, not for want of logic on his part, but because it was easier to express himself with his ears closed than with them open.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading That happened to be his customary and rather unfair method of conquering her when an argument was going against him, not for want of logic on his part, but because it was easier to express himself with his ears closed than with them open.
positivelyadverbUS /ˈpɑːzətɪvli/
extremely
From this reading "I know I can't," said his wife, quite as positively.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading "I know I can't," said his wife, quite as positively.
on the contrary
From this reading That happened to be his customary and rather unfair method of conquering her when an argument was going against him, not for want of logic on his part, but because it was easier to express himself with his ears closed than with them open.
resoluteadjectiveUS /ˈrezəluːt/
firm in purpose or belief; characterized by firmness and determination
From this reading It was quite impossible to impart information to Mr. Blithers when he had the tips of two resolute fingers embedded in his ears.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "My dear," said Mr. Blithers, with decision, "you can't tell me."
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She knew when she could tell him a thing and when she couldn't.
express in words
From this reading "My dear," said Mr. Blithers, with decision, "you can't tell me."
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading That happened to be his customary and rather unfair method of conquering her when an argument was going against him, not for want of logic on his part, but because it was easier to express himself with his ears closed than with them open.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That happened to be his customary and rather unfair method of conquering her when an argument was going against him, not for want of logic on his part, but because it was easier to express himself with his ears closed than with them open.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was quite impossible to impart information to Mr. Blithers when he had the tips of two resolute fingers embedded in his ears.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading That happened to be his customary and rather unfair method of conquering her when an argument was going against him, not for want of logic on his part, but because it was easier to express himself with his ears closed than with them open.
a special situation
From this reading She knew when she could tell him a thing and when she couldn't.
tipsnounUS /tɪps/
plural of “tip” — the extreme end of something; especially something pointed
From this reading It was quite impossible to impart information to Mr. Blithers when he had the tips of two resolute fingers embedded in his ears.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was quite impossible to impart information to Mr. Blithers when he had the tips of two resolute fingers embedded in his ears.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It was quite impossible to impart information to Mr. Blithers when he had the tips of two resolute fingers embedded in his ears.
unfairadjectiveUS /ənˈfer/
not fair; marked by injustice or partiality or deception
From this reading That happened to be his customary and rather unfair method of conquering her when an argument was going against him, not for want of logic on his part, but because it was easier to express himself with his ears closed than with them open.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading That happened to be his customary and rather unfair method of conquering her when an argument was going against him, not for want of logic on his part, but because it was easier to express himself with his ears closed than with them open.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was quite impossible to impart information to Mr. Blithers when he had the tips of two resolute fingers embedded in his ears.
at the time that
From this reading She knew when she could tell him a thing and when she couldn't.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading "I know I can't," said his wife, quite as positively.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "My dear," said Mr. Blithers, with decision, "you can't tell me."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "My dear," said Mr. Blithers, with decision, "you can't tell me."
