used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A woman has no more formidable rival than her idea in the head of an imaginative young man, and Maurice Durant had been rash enough to fall in love with Miss Tancred before sight.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading When the Colonel asked him down to Coton Manor for a fortnight, he accepted the invitation (with much pleasure) by return, and lay awake half the night with joyous anticipation.
(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 INLAND I Unspeakable, unlikable, worse than all, unsketchable.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A woman has no more formidable rival than her idea in the head of an imaginative young man, and Maurice Durant had been rash enough to fall in love with Miss Tancred before sight.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A woman has no more formidable rival than her idea in the head of an imaginative young man, and Maurice Durant had been rash enough to fall in love with Miss Tancred before sight.
anticipationnounUS /ænˌtɪsəˈpeɪʃən/
an expectation
From this reading When the Colonel asked him down to Coton Manor for a fortnight, he accepted the invitation (with much pleasure) by return, and lay awake half the night with joyous anticipation.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading When the Colonel asked him down to Coton Manor for a fortnight, he accepted the invitation (with much pleasure) by return, and lay awake half the night with joyous anticipation.
awakeadjectiveUS /əˈweɪk/
not in a state of sleep; completely conscious
From this reading When the Colonel asked him down to Coton Manor for a fortnight, he accepted the invitation (with much pleasure) by return, and lay awake half the night with joyous anticipation.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A woman has no more formidable rival than her idea in the head of an imaginative young man, and Maurice Durant had been rash enough to fall in love with Miss Tancred before sight.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A woman has no more formidable rival than her idea in the head of an imaginative young man, and Maurice Durant had been rash enough to fall in love with Miss Tancred before sight.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading He was in the train steaming into the Midlands before he realized that he knew nothing of his host beyond a vague family tradition.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading When the Colonel asked him down to Coton Manor for a fortnight, he accepted the invitation (with much pleasure) by return, and lay awake half the night with joyous anticipation.
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading When the Colonel asked him down to Coton Manor for a fortnight, he accepted the invitation (with much pleasure) by return, and lay awake half the night with joyous anticipation.
Coton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the Colonel asked him down to Coton Manor for a fortnight, he accepted the invitation (with much pleasure) by return, and lay awake half the night with joyous anticipation.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading When the Colonel asked him down to Coton Manor for a fortnight, he accepted the invitation (with much pleasure) by return, and lay awake half the night with joyous anticipation.
DurantnounUS /ˈdʊrənt/
United States historian (1885-1981)
From this reading A woman has no more formidable rival than her idea in the head of an imaginative young man, and Maurice Durant had been rash enough to fall in love with Miss Tancred before sight.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading A woman has no more formidable rival than her idea in the head of an imaginative young man, and Maurice Durant had been rash enough to fall in love with Miss Tancred before sight.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading He was rash in everything.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading A woman has no more formidable rival than her idea in the head of an imaginative young man, and Maurice Durant had been rash enough to fall in love with Miss Tancred before sight.
a social unit living together
From this reading He was in the train steaming into the Midlands before he realized that he knew nothing of his host beyond a vague family tradition.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When the Colonel asked him down to Coton Manor for a fortnight, he accepted the invitation (with much pleasure) by return, and lay awake half the night with joyous anticipation.
formidableadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmədəbəl/
extremely impressive in strength or excellence
From this reading A woman has no more formidable rival than her idea in the head of an imaginative young man, and Maurice Durant had been rash enough to fall in love with Miss Tancred before sight.
fortnightnounUS /ˈfɔːrtnaɪt/
a period of fourteen consecutive days
From this reading When the Colonel asked him down to Coton Manor for a fortnight, he accepted the invitation (with much pleasure) by return, and lay awake half the night with joyous anticipation.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A woman has no more formidable rival than her idea in the head of an imaginative young man, and Maurice Durant had been rash enough to fall in love with Miss Tancred before sight.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading When the Colonel asked him down to Coton Manor for a fortnight, he accepted the invitation (with much pleasure) by return, and lay awake half the night with joyous anticipation.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A woman has no more formidable rival than her idea in the head of an imaginative young man, and Maurice Durant had been rash enough to fall in love with Miss Tancred before sight.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was rash in everything.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading A woman has no more formidable rival than her idea in the head of an imaginative young man, and Maurice Durant had been rash enough to fall in love with Miss Tancred before sight.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A woman has no more formidable rival than her idea in the head of an imaginative young man, and Maurice Durant had been rash enough to fall in love with Miss Tancred before sight.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When the Colonel asked him down to Coton Manor for a fortnight, he accepted the invitation (with much pleasure) by return, and lay awake half the night with joyous anticipation.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was in the train steaming into the Midlands before he realized that he knew nothing of his host beyond a vague family tradition.
a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
From this reading He was in the train steaming into the Midlands before he realized that he knew nothing of his host beyond a vague family tradition.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading INLAND I Unspeakable, unlikable, worse than all, unsketchable.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading A woman has no more formidable rival than her idea in the head of an imaginative young man, and Maurice Durant had been rash enough to fall in love with Miss Tancred before sight.
imaginativeadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈmædʒənətɪv/
(used of persons or artifacts) marked by independence and creativity in thought or action
From this reading A woman has no more formidable rival than her idea in the head of an imaginative young man, and Maurice Durant had been rash enough to fall in love with Miss Tancred before sight.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A woman has no more formidable rival than her idea in the head of an imaginative young man, and Maurice Durant had been rash enough to fall in love with Miss Tancred before sight.
INLANDadjectiveUS /ˈɪnlænd/
situated away from an area's coast or border
From this reading INLAND I Unspeakable, unlikable, worse than all, unsketchable.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He was in the train steaming into the Midlands before he realized that he knew nothing of his host beyond a vague family tradition.
a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something
From this reading When the Colonel asked him down to Coton Manor for a fortnight, he accepted the invitation (with much pleasure) by return, and lay awake half the night with joyous anticipation.
joyousadjectiveUS /ˈdʒɔɪəs/
full of or characterized by joy
From this reading When the Colonel asked him down to Coton Manor for a fortnight, he accepted the invitation (with much pleasure) by return, and lay awake half the night with joyous anticipation.
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 He was in the train steaming into the Midlands before he realized that he knew nothing of his host beyond a vague family tradition.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading When the Colonel asked him down to Coton Manor for a fortnight, he accepted the invitation (with much pleasure) by return, and lay awake half the night with joyous anticipation.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading A woman has no more formidable rival than her idea in the head of an imaginative young man, and Maurice Durant had been rash enough to fall in love with Miss Tancred before sight.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading A woman has no more formidable rival than her idea in the head of an imaginative young man, and Maurice Durant had been rash enough to fall in love with Miss Tancred before sight.
ManornounUS /ˈmænər/
the mansion of a lord or wealthy person
From this reading When the Colonel asked him down to Coton Manor for a fortnight, he accepted the invitation (with much pleasure) by return, and lay awake half the night with joyous anticipation.
Maurice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A woman has no more formidable rival than her idea in the head of an imaginative young man, and Maurice Durant had been rash enough to fall in love with Miss Tancred before sight.
MidlandsnounUS /ˈmɪdlændz/
plural of “midland” — a town in west central Texas
From this reading He was in the train steaming into the Midlands before he realized that he knew nothing of his host beyond a vague family tradition.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading A woman has no more formidable rival than her idea in the head of an imaginative young man, and Maurice Durant had been rash enough to fall in love with Miss Tancred before sight.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading A woman has no more formidable rival than her idea in the head of an imaginative young man, and Maurice Durant had been rash enough to fall in love with Miss Tancred before sight.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading When the Colonel asked him down to Coton Manor for a fortnight, he accepted the invitation (with much pleasure) by return, and lay awake half the night with joyous anticipation.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading When the Colonel asked him down to Coton Manor for a fortnight, he accepted the invitation (with much pleasure) by return, and lay awake half the night with joyous anticipation.
not any; not one
From this reading A woman has no more formidable rival than her idea in the head of an imaginative young man, and Maurice Durant had been rash enough to fall in love with Miss Tancred before sight.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading He was in the train steaming into the Midlands before he realized that he knew nothing of his host beyond a vague family tradition.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A woman has no more formidable rival than her idea in the head of an imaginative young man, and Maurice Durant had been rash enough to fall in love with Miss Tancred before sight.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading When the Colonel asked him down to Coton Manor for a fortnight, he accepted the invitation (with much pleasure) by return, and lay awake half the night with joyous anticipation.
rashnounUS /ræʃ/
any red eruption of the skin
From this reading A woman has no more formidable rival than her idea in the head of an imaginative young man, and Maurice Durant had been rash enough to fall in love with Miss Tancred before sight.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading He was in the train steaming into the Midlands before he realized that he knew nothing of his host beyond a vague family tradition.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading When the Colonel asked him down to Coton Manor for a fortnight, he accepted the invitation (with much pleasure) by return, and lay awake half the night with joyous anticipation.
rivalverbUS /ˈraɪvəl/
be equal to in quality or ability
From this reading A woman has no more formidable rival than her idea in the head of an imaginative young man, and Maurice Durant had been rash enough to fall in love with Miss Tancred before sight.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading A woman has no more formidable rival than her idea in the head of an imaginative young man, and Maurice Durant had been rash enough to fall in love with Miss Tancred before sight.
steamingadjectiveUS /ˈstiːmɪŋ/
filled with steam or emitting moisture in the form of vapor or mist
From this reading He was in the train steaming into the Midlands before he realized that he knew nothing of his host beyond a vague family tradition.
Tancrednoun
Norman leader in the First Crusade who played an important role in the capture of Jerusalem (1078-1112)
From this reading A woman has no more formidable rival than her idea in the head of an imaginative young man, and Maurice Durant had been rash enough to fall in love with Miss Tancred before sight.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading INLAND I Unspeakable, unlikable, worse than all, unsketchable.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was in the train steaming into the Midlands before he realized that he knew nothing of his host beyond a vague family tradition.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A woman has no more formidable rival than her idea in the head of an imaginative young man, and Maurice Durant had been rash enough to fall in love with Miss Tancred before sight.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A woman has no more formidable rival than her idea in the head of an imaginative young man, and Maurice Durant had been rash enough to fall in love with Miss Tancred before sight.
traditionnounUS /trəˈdɪʃən/
an inherited pattern of thought or action
From this reading He was in the train steaming into the Midlands before he realized that he knew nothing of his host beyond a vague family tradition.
create by training and teaching
From this reading He was in the train steaming into the Midlands before he realized that he knew nothing of his host beyond a vague family tradition.
unlikableadjective
(of characters in literature or drama) tending to evoke antipathetic feelings
From this reading INLAND I Unspeakable, unlikable, worse than all, unsketchable.
unsketchable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading INLAND I Unspeakable, unlikable, worse than all, unsketchable.
UnspeakableadjectiveUS /ənˈspiːkəbəl/
defying expression or description
From this reading INLAND I Unspeakable, unlikable, worse than all, unsketchable.
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading He was in the train steaming into the Midlands before he realized that he knew nothing of his host beyond a vague family tradition.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was rash in everything.
at the time that
From this reading When the Colonel asked him down to Coton Manor for a fortnight, he accepted the invitation (with much pleasure) by return, and lay awake half the night with joyous anticipation.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A woman has no more formidable rival than her idea in the head of an imaginative young man, and Maurice Durant had been rash enough to fall in love with Miss Tancred before sight.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading A woman has no more formidable rival than her idea in the head of an imaginative young man, and Maurice Durant had been rash enough to fall in love with Miss Tancred before sight.
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading INLAND I Unspeakable, unlikable, worse than all, unsketchable.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading A woman has no more formidable rival than her idea in the head of an imaginative young man, and Maurice Durant had been rash enough to fall in love with Miss Tancred before sight.
