used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading When such was the case, his habit of harping on grievances could become an exquisite torture, his propensity for persisting in the unwelcome the more he saw it resented a pure malignancy.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
a particular environment or surrounding influence
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
autocratnounUS /ˈɔːtəkræt/
a cruel and oppressive dictator
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
baitverbUS /beɪt/
harass with persistent criticism or carping
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
a nobleman (in various countries) of varying rank
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading When such was the case, his habit of harping on grievances could become an exquisite torture, his propensity for persisting in the unwelcome the more he saw it resented a pure malignancy.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
Bickerdike
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
borrowedverbUS /ˈbɑːroʊd/
past form of “borrow” — get temporarily
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
CalvinnounUS /ˈkælvən/
United States chemist noted for discovering the series of chemical reactions in photosynthesis (1911-)
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
an occurrence of something
From this reading When such was the case, his habit of harping on grievances could become an exquisite torture, his propensity for persisting in the unwelcome the more he saw it resented a pure malignancy.
cluenounUS /kluː/
a slight indication
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
intentionally conceived
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
carefully weighed
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
crabnounUS /kræb/
decapod having eyes on short stalks and a broad flattened carapace with a small abdomen folded under the thorax and pincers
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
detestableadjective
offensive to the mind
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
diagnosedverbUS /ˌdaɪəɡˈnoʊst/
past form of “diagnose” — determine or distinguish the nature of a problem or an illness through a diagnostic analysis
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
dignifiedadjectiveUS /ˈdɪɡnəfaɪd/
having or expressing dignity; especially formality or stateliness in bearing or appearance
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
of concern to or concerning the internal affairs of a nation
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
domineeringadjectiveUS /ˌdɑːməˈnɪrɪŋ/
tending to domineer
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
electricitynounUS /ɪˌlekˈtrɪsəti/
a physical phenomenon associated with stationary or moving electrons and protons
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
divisible by two
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
exactingadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzæktɪŋ/
having complicated nutritional requirements; especially growing only in special artificial cultures
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
exquisiteadjectiveUS /ˈekskwəzət/
intense or sharp
From this reading When such was the case, his habit of harping on grievances could become an exquisite torture, his propensity for persisting in the unwelcome the more he saw it resented a pure malignancy.
a social unit living together
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
fishermannounUS /ˈfɪʃərmæn/
someone whose occupation is catching fish
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
foenounUS /foʊ/
an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When such was the case, his habit of harping on grievances could become an exquisite torture, his propensity for persisting in the unwelcome the more he saw it resented a pure malignancy.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
grievancesnounUS /ˈɡriːvənsəz/
plural of “grievance” — a resentment strong enough to justify retaliation
From this reading When such was the case, his habit of harping on grievances could become an exquisite torture, his propensity for persisting in the unwelcome the more he saw it resented a pure malignancy.
an established custom
From this reading When such was the case, his habit of harping on grievances could become an exquisite torture, his propensity for persisting in the unwelcome the more he saw it resented a pure malignancy.
harpingverbUS /ˈhɑːrpɪŋ/
-ing form of “harp” — come back to
From this reading When such was the case, his habit of harping on grievances could become an exquisite torture, his propensity for persisting in the unwelcome the more he saw it resented a pure malignancy.
Havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
hereditaryadjectiveUS /hərˈedəteri/
occurring among members of a family usually by heredity
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
hermitnounUS /ˈhɜːrmət/
one retired from society for religious reasons
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
householdsnounUS /ˈhaʊshoʊldz/
plural of “household” — a social unit living together
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
inclinationnounUS /ˌɪnkləˈneɪʃən/
an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
jarverbUS /dʒɑːr/
be incompatible; be or come into conflict
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
malignancynounUS /məˈlɪɡnənsi/
(medicine) a malignant state; progressive and resistant to treatment and tending to cause death
From this reading When such was the case, his habit of harping on grievances could become an exquisite torture, his propensity for persisting in the unwelcome the more he saw it resented a pure malignancy.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading When such was the case, his habit of harping on grievances could become an exquisite torture, his propensity for persisting in the unwelcome the more he saw it resented a pure malignancy.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
MSnounUS /mɪz/
a chronic progressive nervous disorder involving loss of myelin sheath around certain nerve fibers
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
not any; not one
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
observingadjectiveUS /əbˈzɜːrvɪŋ/
quick to notice; showing quick and keen perception
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
obstinateadjectiveUS /ˈɑːbstənət/
tenaciously unwilling or marked by tenacious unwillingness to yield
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
obviousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːbviəs/
easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
many times at short intervals
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
originnounUS /ˈɔːrədʒən/
the place where something begins, where it springs into being
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
persistingadjectiveUS /pərˈsɪstɪŋ/
relentless and indefatigable in pursuit or as if in pursuit
From this reading When such was the case, his habit of harping on grievances could become an exquisite torture, his propensity for persisting in the unwelcome the more he saw it resented a pure malignancy.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
preynounUS /preɪ/
a person who is the aim of an attack (especially a victim of ridicule or exploitation) by some hostile person or influence
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
propensitynounUS /prəˈpensɪti/
an inclination to do something
From this reading When such was the case, his habit of harping on grievances could become an exquisite torture, his propensity for persisting in the unwelcome the more he saw it resented a pure malignancy.
free of extraneous elements of any kind
From this reading When such was the case, his habit of harping on grievances could become an exquisite torture, his propensity for persisting in the unwelcome the more he saw it resented a pure malignancy.
resentedverbUS /riˈzentɪd/
past form of “resent” — feel bitter or indignant about
From this reading When such was the case, his habit of harping on grievances could become an exquisite torture, his propensity for persisting in the unwelcome the more he saw it resented a pure malignancy.
move upward
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
savagerynounUS /ˈsævɪdʒeri/
the property of being untamed and ferocious
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
cut with a saw
From this reading When such was the case, his habit of harping on grievances could become an exquisite torture, his propensity for persisting in the unwelcome the more he saw it resented a pure malignancy.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
self-obliteration
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
shellnounUS /ʃel/
ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
and nothing more
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
term of address for a man
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
a male human offspring
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
of high or superior quality or performance
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
give something useful or necessary to
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
tactfuladjectiveUS /ˈtæktfəl/
having or showing a sense of what is fitting and considerate in dealing with others
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I AM INTERESTED IN THE BARON (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I seemed conscious somehow, at dinner on the night of our arrival, of a feeling of electricity in the domestic atmosphere.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
tortureverbUS /ˈtɔːrtʃər/
torment emotionally or mentally
From this reading When such was the case, his habit of harping on grievances could become an exquisite torture, his propensity for persisting in the unwelcome the more he saw it resented a pure malignancy.
unwelcomeadjectiveUS /ənˈwelkəm/
not welcome; not giving pleasure or received with pleasure
From this reading When such was the case, his habit of harping on grievances could become an exquisite torture, his propensity for persisting in the unwelcome the more he saw it resented a pure malignancy.
vibrationsnounUS /vaɪˈbreɪʃənz/
plural of “vibration” — the act of vibrating
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
vulgarlyadverb
in a smutty manner
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When such was the case, his habit of harping on grievances could become an exquisite torture, his propensity for persisting in the unwelcome the more he saw it resented a pure malignancy.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Sir Calvin himself, exacting and domineering, could never at the best of times be considered a tactful autocrat: a prey to his hereditary foe, he appeared often to go out of his way to be thought detestable.
well-regulated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
at the time that
From this reading When such was the case, his habit of harping on grievances could become an exquisite torture, his propensity for persisting in the unwelcome the more he saw it resented a pure malignancy.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Having no clue, such as the later course of events came to supply, to its origin, I diagnosed it, simply and vulgarly, as the vibrations from a family jar, of the sort to which even the most dignified and well-regulated households cannot always rise superior.
which person or people
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
in the company of; together with
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
wrenchesnounUS /ˈrentʃɪz/
plural of “wrench” — a sharp strain on muscles or ligaments
From this reading On this occasion, observing an obvious inclination in his son, my friend, to silence and self-obliteration, he took pleasure in drawing him out, with something of the savagery, I could not but think, of a fisherman who wrenches an obstinate hermit crab from its borrowed shell for bait.
