used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
admirernounUS /ædˈmaɪrər/
a person who backs a politician or a team etc.
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading With the air and smile of one who was dealing with a testy and unreasonable child, she proceeded to argue the matter with him.
(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 He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading But what was his astonishment to find that this uneducated girl, with nothing but her animal cunning, was more than a match for all his culture, and was prepared to defend her conduct out and out.
argueverbUS /ˈɑːrɡjuː/
present reasons and arguments
From this reading With the air and smile of one who was dealing with a testy and unreasonable child, she proceeded to argue the matter with him.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading But what was his astonishment to find that this uneducated girl, with nothing but her animal cunning, was more than a match for all his culture, and was prepared to defend her conduct out and out.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
terminate
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But what was his astonishment to find that this uneducated girl, with nothing but her animal cunning, was more than a match for all his culture, and was prepared to defend her conduct out and out.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
a young person of either sex
From this reading With the air and smile of one who was dealing with a testy and unreasonable child, she proceeded to argue the matter with him.
pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading He spoke with great vehemence and determination, and expected to see her completely overwhelmed with shame and confusion.
direct the course of; manage or control
From this reading But what was his astonishment to find that this uneducated girl, with nothing but her animal cunning, was more than a match for all his culture, and was prepared to defend her conduct out and out.
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading He spoke with great vehemence and determination, and expected to see her completely overwhelmed with shame and confusion.
correspondencenounUS /ˌkɔːrəˈspɑːndəns/
communication by the exchange of letters
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
culturenounUS /ˈkʌltʃər/
a particular society at a particular time and place
From this reading But what was his astonishment to find that this uneducated girl, with nothing but her animal cunning, was more than a match for all his culture, and was prepared to defend her conduct out and out.
cunningadjectiveUS /ˈkʌnɪŋ/
attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness
From this reading But what was his astonishment to find that this uneducated girl, with nothing but her animal cunning, was more than a match for all his culture, and was prepared to defend her conduct out and out.
dealingnounUS /ˈdiːlɪŋ/
method or manner of conduct in relation to others
From this reading With the air and smile of one who was dealing with a testy and unreasonable child, she proceeded to argue the matter with him.
defendverbUS /dɪˈfend/
argue or speak in defense of
From this reading But what was his astonishment to find that this uneducated girl, with nothing but her animal cunning, was more than a match for all his culture, and was prepared to defend her conduct out and out.
past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
deplorableadjectiveUS /dɪˈplɔːrəbəl/
bad; unfortunate
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
determinationnounUS /dɪˌtɜːrməˈneɪʃən/
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading He spoke with great vehemence and determination, and expected to see her completely overwhelmed with shame and confusion.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading He spoke with great vehemence and determination, and expected to see her completely overwhelmed with shame and confusion.
exposedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspoʊzd/
with no protection or shield
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)
From this reading Malcolm lost no time in giving vent to his feelings.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading But what was his astonishment to find that this uneducated girl, with nothing but her animal cunning, was more than a match for all his culture, and was prepared to defend her conduct out and out.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
a young female
From this reading But what was his astonishment to find that this uneducated girl, with nothing but her animal cunning, was more than a match for all his culture, and was prepared to defend her conduct out and out.
the act of giving
From this reading Malcolm lost no time in giving vent to his feelings.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading He spoke with great vehemence and determination, and expected to see her completely overwhelmed with shame and confusion.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
Harker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Malcolm lost no time in giving vent to his feelings.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Malcolm lost no time in giving vent to his feelings.
insultnounUS /ˌɪnˈsʌlt/
a rude expression intended to offend or hurt
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading Malcolm lost no time in giving vent to his feelings.
Malcolm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Malcolm lost no time in giving vent to his feelings.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
From this reading But what was his astonishment to find that this uneducated girl, with nothing but her animal cunning, was more than a match for all his culture, and was prepared to defend her conduct out and out.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading With the air and smile of one who was dealing with a testy and unreasonable child, she proceeded to argue the matter with him.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But what was his astonishment to find that this uneducated girl, with nothing but her animal cunning, was more than a match for all his culture, and was prepared to defend her conduct out and out.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
not any; not one
From this reading Malcolm lost no time in giving vent to his feelings.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading But what was his astonishment to find that this uneducated girl, with nothing but her animal cunning, was more than a match for all his culture, and was prepared to defend her conduct out and out.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
on one occasion
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading With the air and smile of one who was dealing with a testy and unreasonable child, she proceeded to argue the matter with him.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading But what was his astonishment to find that this uneducated girl, with nothing but her animal cunning, was more than a match for all his culture, and was prepared to defend her conduct out and out.
overwhelmedverbUS /ˌoʊvərˈwelmd/
past form of “overwhelm” — overcome, as with emotions or perceptual stimuli
From this reading He spoke with great vehemence and determination, and expected to see her completely overwhelmed with shame and confusion.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading But what was his astonishment to find that this uneducated girl, with nothing but her animal cunning, was more than a match for all his culture, and was prepared to defend her conduct out and out.
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading With the air and smile of one who was dealing with a testy and unreasonable child, she proceeded to argue the matter with him.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
reportsnounUS /rɪˈpɔːrts/
plural of “report” — a written document describing the findings of some individual or group
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He spoke with great vehemence and determination, and expected to see her completely overwhelmed with shame and confusion.
a painful emotion resulting from an awareness of inadequacy or guilt
From this reading He spoke with great vehemence and determination, and expected to see her completely overwhelmed with shame and confusion.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading With the air and smile of one who was dealing with a testy and unreasonable child, she proceeded to argue the matter with him.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading He spoke with great vehemence and determination, and expected to see her completely overwhelmed with shame and confusion.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
testyadjectiveUS /ˈtesti/
easily irritated or annoyed
From this reading With the air and smile of one who was dealing with a testy and unreasonable child, she proceeded to argue the matter with him.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But what was his astonishment to find that this uneducated girl, with nothing but her animal cunning, was more than a match for all his culture, and was prepared to defend her conduct out and out.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Malcolm lost no time in giving vent to his feelings.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Malcolm lost no time in giving vent to his feelings.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
uneducatedadjectiveUS /əˈnedʒʊkeɪtɪd/
not having a good education
From this reading But what was his astonishment to find that this uneducated girl, with nothing but her animal cunning, was more than a match for all his culture, and was prepared to defend her conduct out and out.
unreasonableadjectiveUS /ənˈriːznəbəl/
not reasonable; not showing good judgment
From this reading With the air and smile of one who was dealing with a testy and unreasonable child, she proceeded to argue the matter with him.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
vehemencenounUS /ˈviːəməns/
intensity or forcefulness of expression
From this reading He spoke with great vehemence and determination, and expected to see her completely overwhelmed with shame and confusion.
ventnounUS /vent/
a hole for the escape of gas or air
From this reading Malcolm lost no time in giving vent to his feelings.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But what was his astonishment to find that this uneducated girl, with nothing but her animal cunning, was more than a match for all his culture, and was prepared to defend her conduct out and out.
which person or people
From this reading With the air and smile of one who was dealing with a testy and unreasonable child, she proceeded to argue the matter with him.
belonging to which person
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)
From this reading He told her the reports that had reached him; he exposed the deplorable character of Harker; he demanded that she should break off all correspondence with this man whose touch was an insult to a woman; and he wound up by saying that she must, on the spot, and once for all, choose between him and this new admirer.
