used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In some things he appeared to be of the most unshaken firmness; in others he was wayward, capricious, and discovered the weakness of a child.
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading Although in the former part of his life, more particularly, he would not unfrequently confine himself for days together, in his chamber, and not suffer himself to be intruded upon by his most intimate acquaintance, he hardly ever could resist the allurements of social converse, or the late and irregular hours to which they occasionally lead.
allurements
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although in the former part of his life, more particularly, he would not unfrequently confine himself for days together, in his chamber, and not suffer himself to be intruded upon by his most intimate acquaintance, he hardly ever could resist the allurements of social converse, or the late and irregular hours to which they occasionally lead.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Although in the former part of his life, more particularly, he would not unfrequently confine himself for days together, in his chamber, and not suffer himself to be intruded upon by his most intimate acquaintance, he hardly ever could resist the allurements of social converse, or the late and irregular hours to which they occasionally lead.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His character will now be given, as it impressed the judgment of one who studied it much, and knew it well; but the undertaking is somewhat arduous.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading In some things he appeared to be of the most unshaken firmness; in others he was wayward, capricious, and discovered the weakness of a child.
arduousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːrdʒuːəs/
characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
From this reading His character will now be given, as it impressed the judgment of one who studied it much, and knew it well; but the undertaking is somewhat arduous.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His character will now be given, as it impressed the judgment of one who studied it much, and knew it well; but the undertaking is somewhat arduous.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading His character will now be given, as it impressed the judgment of one who studied it much, and knew it well; but the undertaking is somewhat arduous.
blendedadjectiveUS /ˈblendɪd/
combined or mixed together so that the constituent parts are indistinguishable
From this reading There were blended in him very opposite qualities.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His character will now be given, as it impressed the judgment of one who studied it much, and knew it well; but the undertaking is somewhat arduous.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Although in the former part of his life, more particularly, he would not unfrequently confine himself for days together, in his chamber, and not suffer himself to be intruded upon by his most intimate acquaintance, he hardly ever could resist the allurements of social converse, or the late and irregular hours to which they occasionally lead.
capriciousadjectiveUS /kəˈprɪʃəs/
changeable
From this reading In some things he appeared to be of the most unshaken firmness; in others he was wayward, capricious, and discovered the weakness of a child.
a natural or artificial enclosed space
From this reading Although in the former part of his life, more particularly, he would not unfrequently confine himself for days together, in his chamber, and not suffer himself to be intruded upon by his most intimate acquaintance, he hardly ever could resist the allurements of social converse, or the late and irregular hours to which they occasionally lead.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading PORSON’S CHARACTER.
a young person of either sex
From this reading In some things he appeared to be of the most unshaken firmness; in others he was wayward, capricious, and discovered the weakness of a child.
confineverbUS /kənˈfaɪn/
place limits on (extent or amount or access)
From this reading Although in the former part of his life, more particularly, he would not unfrequently confine himself for days together, in his chamber, and not suffer himself to be intruded upon by his most intimate acquaintance, he hardly ever could resist the allurements of social converse, or the late and irregular hours to which they occasionally lead.
converseverbUS /ˈkɑːnvərs/
carry on a conversation
From this reading Although in the former part of his life, more particularly, he would not unfrequently confine himself for days together, in his chamber, and not suffer himself to be intruded upon by his most intimate acquaintance, he hardly ever could resist the allurements of social converse, or the late and irregular hours to which they occasionally lead.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Although in the former part of his life, more particularly, he would not unfrequently confine himself for days together, in his chamber, and not suffer himself to be intruded upon by his most intimate acquaintance, he hardly ever could resist the allurements of social converse, or the late and irregular hours to which they occasionally lead.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Although in the former part of his life, more particularly, he would not unfrequently confine himself for days together, in his chamber, and not suffer himself to be intruded upon by his most intimate acquaintance, he hardly ever could resist the allurements of social converse, or the late and irregular hours to which they occasionally lead.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading In some things he appeared to be of the most unshaken firmness; in others he was wayward, capricious, and discovered the weakness of a child.
at any time
From this reading Although in the former part of his life, more particularly, he would not unfrequently confine himself for days together, in his chamber, and not suffer himself to be intruded upon by his most intimate acquaintance, he hardly ever could resist the allurements of social converse, or the late and irregular hours to which they occasionally lead.
firmnessnounUS /ˈfɜːrmnəs/
the muscle tone of healthy tissue
From this reading In some things he appeared to be of the most unshaken firmness; in others he was wayward, capricious, and discovered the weakness of a child.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Although in the former part of his life, more particularly, he would not unfrequently confine himself for days together, in his chamber, and not suffer himself to be intruded upon by his most intimate acquaintance, he hardly ever could resist the allurements of social converse, or the late and irregular hours to which they occasionally lead.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading Although in the former part of his life, more particularly, he would not unfrequently confine himself for days together, in his chamber, and not suffer himself to be intruded upon by his most intimate acquaintance, he hardly ever could resist the allurements of social converse, or the late and irregular hours to which they occasionally lead.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading His character will now be given, as it impressed the judgment of one who studied it much, and knew it well; but the undertaking is somewhat arduous.
only a very short time before
From this reading Although in the former part of his life, more particularly, he would not unfrequently confine himself for days together, in his chamber, and not suffer himself to be intruded upon by his most intimate acquaintance, he hardly ever could resist the allurements of social converse, or the late and irregular hours to which they occasionally lead.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In some things he appeared to be of the most unshaken firmness; in others he was wayward, capricious, and discovered the weakness of a child.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There were blended in him very opposite qualities.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Although in the former part of his life, more particularly, he would not unfrequently confine himself for days together, in his chamber, and not suffer himself to be intruded upon by his most intimate acquaintance, he hardly ever could resist the allurements of social converse, or the late and irregular hours to which they occasionally lead.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His character will now be given, as it impressed the judgment of one who studied it much, and knew it well; but the undertaking is somewhat arduous.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Although in the former part of his life, more particularly, he would not unfrequently confine himself for days together, in his chamber, and not suffer himself to be intruded upon by his most intimate acquaintance, he hardly ever could resist the allurements of social converse, or the late and irregular hours to which they occasionally lead.
deeply or markedly affected or influenced
From this reading His character will now be given, as it impressed the judgment of one who studied it much, and knew it well; but the undertaking is somewhat arduous.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There were blended in him very opposite qualities.
intimateadjectiveUS /ˈɪntəmət/
marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity
From this reading Although in the former part of his life, more particularly, he would not unfrequently confine himself for days together, in his chamber, and not suffer himself to be intruded upon by his most intimate acquaintance, he hardly ever could resist the allurements of social converse, or the late and irregular hours to which they occasionally lead.
intrudedverbUS /ˌɪnˈtruːdəd/
past form of “intrude” — enter uninvited
From this reading Although in the former part of his life, more particularly, he would not unfrequently confine himself for days together, in his chamber, and not suffer himself to be intruded upon by his most intimate acquaintance, he hardly ever could resist the allurements of social converse, or the late and irregular hours to which they occasionally lead.
irregularadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈreɡjələr/
contrary to rule or accepted order or general practice
From this reading Although in the former part of his life, more particularly, he would not unfrequently confine himself for days together, in his chamber, and not suffer himself to be intruded upon by his most intimate acquaintance, he hardly ever could resist the allurements of social converse, or the late and irregular hours to which they occasionally lead.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His character will now be given, as it impressed the judgment of one who studied it much, and knew it well; but the undertaking is somewhat arduous.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading His character will now be given, as it impressed the judgment of one who studied it much, and knew it well; but the undertaking is somewhat arduous.
an opinion formed by judging something
From this reading His character will now be given, as it impressed the judgment of one who studied it much, and knew it well; but the undertaking is somewhat arduous.
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 His character will now be given, as it impressed the judgment of one who studied it much, and knew it well; but the undertaking is somewhat arduous.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading Although in the former part of his life, more particularly, he would not unfrequently confine himself for days together, in his chamber, and not suffer himself to be intruded upon by his most intimate acquaintance, he hardly ever could resist the allurements of social converse, or the late and irregular hours to which they occasionally lead.
take somebody somewhere
From this reading Although in the former part of his life, more particularly, he would not unfrequently confine himself for days together, in his chamber, and not suffer himself to be intruded upon by his most intimate acquaintance, he hardly ever could resist the allurements of social converse, or the late and irregular hours to which they occasionally lead.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Although in the former part of his life, more particularly, he would not unfrequently confine himself for days together, in his chamber, and not suffer himself to be intruded upon by his most intimate acquaintance, he hardly ever could resist the allurements of social converse, or the late and irregular hours to which they occasionally lead.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Although in the former part of his life, more particularly, he would not unfrequently confine himself for days together, in his chamber, and not suffer himself to be intruded upon by his most intimate acquaintance, he hardly ever could resist the allurements of social converse, or the late and irregular hours to which they occasionally lead.
used to form the superlative
From this reading In some things he appeared to be of the most unshaken firmness; in others he was wayward, capricious, and discovered the weakness of a child.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading His character will now be given, as it impressed the judgment of one who studied it much, and knew it well; but the undertaking is somewhat arduous.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Although in the former part of his life, more particularly, he would not unfrequently confine himself for days together, in his chamber, and not suffer himself to be intruded upon by his most intimate acquaintance, he hardly ever could resist the allurements of social converse, or the late and irregular hours to which they occasionally lead.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading His character will now be given, as it impressed the judgment of one who studied it much, and knew it well; but the undertaking is somewhat arduous.
sporadically and infrequently
From this reading Although in the former part of his life, more particularly, he would not unfrequently confine himself for days together, in his chamber, and not suffer himself to be intruded upon by his most intimate acquaintance, he hardly ever could resist the allurements of social converse, or the late and irregular hours to which they occasionally lead.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His character will now be given, as it impressed the judgment of one who studied it much, and knew it well; but the undertaking is somewhat arduous.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading His character will now be given, as it impressed the judgment of one who studied it much, and knew it well; but the undertaking is somewhat arduous.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading There were blended in him very opposite qualities.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Although in the former part of his life, more particularly, he would not unfrequently confine himself for days together, in his chamber, and not suffer himself to be intruded upon by his most intimate acquaintance, he hardly ever could resist the allurements of social converse, or the late and irregular hours to which they occasionally lead.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In some things he appeared to be of the most unshaken firmness; in others he was wayward, capricious, and discovered the weakness of a child.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Although in the former part of his life, more particularly, he would not unfrequently confine himself for days together, in his chamber, and not suffer himself to be intruded upon by his most intimate acquaintance, he hardly ever could resist the allurements of social converse, or the late and irregular hours to which they occasionally lead.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading Although in the former part of his life, more particularly, he would not unfrequently confine himself for days together, in his chamber, and not suffer himself to be intruded upon by his most intimate acquaintance, he hardly ever could resist the allurements of social converse, or the late and irregular hours to which they occasionally lead.
PORSON'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PORSON’S CHARACTER.
plural of “quality” — an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading There were blended in him very opposite qualities.
resistverbUS /rɪˈzɪst/
elude, especially in a baffling way
From this reading Although in the former part of his life, more particularly, he would not unfrequently confine himself for days together, in his chamber, and not suffer himself to be intruded upon by his most intimate acquaintance, he hardly ever could resist the allurements of social converse, or the late and irregular hours to which they occasionally lead.
relating to human society and its members
From this reading Although in the former part of his life, more particularly, he would not unfrequently confine himself for days together, in his chamber, and not suffer himself to be intruded upon by his most intimate acquaintance, he hardly ever could resist the allurements of social converse, or the late and irregular hours to which they occasionally lead.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading In some things he appeared to be of the most unshaken firmness; in others he was wayward, capricious, and discovered the weakness of a child.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading His character will now be given, as it impressed the judgment of one who studied it much, and knew it well; but the undertaking is somewhat arduous.
produced or marked by conscious design or premeditation
From this reading His character will now be given, as it impressed the judgment of one who studied it much, and knew it well; but the undertaking is somewhat arduous.
undergo or be subjected to
From this reading Although in the former part of his life, more particularly, he would not unfrequently confine himself for days together, in his chamber, and not suffer himself to be intruded upon by his most intimate acquaintance, he hardly ever could resist the allurements of social converse, or the late and irregular hours to which they occasionally lead.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading His character will now be given, as it impressed the judgment of one who studied it much, and knew it well; but the undertaking is somewhat arduous.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were blended in him very opposite qualities.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Although in the former part of his life, more particularly, he would not unfrequently confine himself for days together, in his chamber, and not suffer himself to be intruded upon by his most intimate acquaintance, he hardly ever could resist the allurements of social converse, or the late and irregular hours to which they occasionally lead.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading In some things he appeared to be of the most unshaken firmness; in others he was wayward, capricious, and discovered the weakness of a child.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In some things he appeared to be of the most unshaken firmness; in others he was wayward, capricious, and discovered the weakness of a child.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading Although in the former part of his life, more particularly, he would not unfrequently confine himself for days together, in his chamber, and not suffer himself to be intruded upon by his most intimate acquaintance, he hardly ever could resist the allurements of social converse, or the late and irregular hours to which they occasionally lead.
undertakingnounUS /ˈʌndərteɪkɪŋ/
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading His character will now be given, as it impressed the judgment of one who studied it much, and knew it well; but the undertaking is somewhat arduous.
unfrequently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although in the former part of his life, more particularly, he would not unfrequently confine himself for days together, in his chamber, and not suffer himself to be intruded upon by his most intimate acquaintance, he hardly ever could resist the allurements of social converse, or the late and irregular hours to which they occasionally lead.
unshakenadjectiveUS /ənˈʃeɪkən/
unshaken in purpose
From this reading In some things he appeared to be of the most unshaken firmness; in others he was wayward, capricious, and discovered the weakness of a child.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Although in the former part of his life, more particularly, he would not unfrequently confine himself for days together, in his chamber, and not suffer himself to be intruded upon by his most intimate acquaintance, he hardly ever could resist the allurements of social converse, or the late and irregular hours to which they occasionally lead.
precisely as stated
From this reading There were blended in him very opposite qualities.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In some things he appeared to be of the most unshaken firmness; in others he was wayward, capricious, and discovered the weakness of a child.
waywardadjectiveUS /ˈweɪwərd/
resistant to guidance or discipline
From this reading In some things he appeared to be of the most unshaken firmness; in others he was wayward, capricious, and discovered the weakness of a child.
a flaw or weak point
From this reading In some things he appeared to be of the most unshaken firmness; in others he was wayward, capricious, and discovered the weakness of a child.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading His character will now be given, as it impressed the judgment of one who studied it much, and knew it well; but the undertaking is somewhat arduous.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were blended in him very opposite qualities.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Although in the former part of his life, more particularly, he would not unfrequently confine himself for days together, in his chamber, and not suffer himself to be intruded upon by his most intimate acquaintance, he hardly ever could resist the allurements of social converse, or the late and irregular hours to which they occasionally lead.
which person or people
From this reading His character will now be given, as it impressed the judgment of one who studied it much, and knew it well; but the undertaking is somewhat arduous.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading His character will now be given, as it impressed the judgment of one who studied it much, and knew it well; but the undertaking is somewhat arduous.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Although in the former part of his life, more particularly, he would not unfrequently confine himself for days together, in his chamber, and not suffer himself to be intruded upon by his most intimate acquaintance, he hardly ever could resist the allurements of social converse, or the late and irregular hours to which they occasionally lead.
