adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading To have taken the field openly against his rival would have been madness for he was not a man to be thwarted in his amours, any more than that stormy lover, Achilles.
AchillesnounUS /əˈkɪliz/
a mythical Greek hero of the Iliad
From this reading To have taken the field openly against his rival would have been madness for he was not a man to be thwarted in his amours, any more than that stormy lover, Achilles.
advancesnounUS /ədˈvænsəz/
plural of “advance” — a movement forward
From this reading Ichabod, therefore, made his advances in a quiet and gently-insinuating manner.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading His notable little wife, too, had enough to do to attend to her housekeeping and manage her poultry for, as she sagely observed, ducks and geese are foolish things and must be looked after, but girls can take care of themselves.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading To have taken the field openly against his rival would have been madness for he was not a man to be thwarted in his amours, any more than that stormy lover, Achilles.
amours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To have taken the field openly against his rival would have been madness for he was not a man to be thwarted in his amours, any more than that stormy lover, Achilles.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Balt Van Tassel was an easy, indulgent soul; he loved his daughter better even than his pipe, and, like a reasonable man and an excellent father, let her have her way in everything.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Ichabod, therefore, made his advances in a quiet and gently-insinuating manner.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading To have taken the field openly against his rival would have been madness for he was not a man to be thwarted in his amours, any more than that stormy lover, Achilles.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading Under cover of his character of singing-master, he made frequent visits at the farm-house; not that he had anything to apprehend from the meddlesome interference of parents, which is so often a stumbling-block in the path of lovers.
apprehendverbUS /ˌæprɪˈhend/
get the meaning of something
From this reading Under cover of his character of singing-master, he made frequent visits at the farm-house; not that he had anything to apprehend from the meddlesome interference of parents, which is so often a stumbling-block in the path of lovers.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His notable little wife, too, had enough to do to attend to her housekeeping and manage her poultry for, as she sagely observed, ducks and geese are foolish things and must be looked after, but girls can take care of themselves.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His notable little wife, too, had enough to do to attend to her housekeeping and manage her poultry for, as she sagely observed, ducks and geese are foolish things and must be looked after, but girls can take care of themselves.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Under cover of his character of singing-master, he made frequent visits at the farm-house; not that he had anything to apprehend from the meddlesome interference of parents, which is so often a stumbling-block in the path of lovers.
attendverbUS /əˈtend/
be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.
From this reading His notable little wife, too, had enough to do to attend to her housekeeping and manage her poultry for, as she sagely observed, ducks and geese are foolish things and must be looked after, but girls can take care of themselves.
Balt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Balt Van Tassel was an easy, indulgent soul; he loved his daughter better even than his pipe, and, like a reasonable man and an excellent father, let her have her way in everything.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To have taken the field openly against his rival would have been madness for he was not a man to be thwarted in his amours, any more than that stormy lover, Achilles.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading To have taken the field openly against his rival would have been madness for he was not a man to be thwarted in his amours, any more than that stormy lover, Achilles.
betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading Balt Van Tassel was an easy, indulgent soul; he loved his daughter better even than his pipe, and, like a reasonable man and an excellent father, let her have her way in everything.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His notable little wife, too, had enough to do to attend to her housekeeping and manage her poultry for, as she sagely observed, ducks and geese are foolish things and must be looked after, but girls can take care of themselves.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading His notable little wife, too, had enough to do to attend to her housekeeping and manage her poultry for, as she sagely observed, ducks and geese are foolish things and must be looked after, but girls can take care of themselves.
carenounUS /ker/
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading His notable little wife, too, had enough to do to attend to her housekeeping and manage her poultry for, as she sagely observed, ducks and geese are foolish things and must be looked after, but girls can take care of themselves.
characternounUS /ˈkerɪktər/
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading Under cover of his character of singing-master, he made frequent visits at the farm-house; not that he had anything to apprehend from the meddlesome interference of parents, which is so often a stumbling-block in the path of lovers.
coververbUS /ˈkʌvər/
provide with a covering or cause to be covered
From this reading Under cover of his character of singing-master, he made frequent visits at the farm-house; not that he had anything to apprehend from the meddlesome interference of parents, which is so often a stumbling-block in the path of lovers.
daughternounUS /ˈdɔːtər/
a female human offspring
From this reading Balt Van Tassel was an easy, indulgent soul; he loved his daughter better even than his pipe, and, like a reasonable man and an excellent father, let her have her way in everything.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading His notable little wife, too, had enough to do to attend to her housekeeping and manage her poultry for, as she sagely observed, ducks and geese are foolish things and must be looked after, but girls can take care of themselves.
ducksnounUS /dʌks/
plural of “duck” — small wild or domesticated web-footed broad-billed swimming bird usually having a depressed body and short legs
From this reading His notable little wife, too, had enough to do to attend to her housekeeping and manage her poultry for, as she sagely observed, ducks and geese are foolish things and must be looked after, but girls can take care of themselves.
easyadjectiveUS /ˈiːzi/
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading Balt Van Tassel was an easy, indulgent soul; he loved his daughter better even than his pipe, and, like a reasonable man and an excellent father, let her have her way in everything.
enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading His notable little wife, too, had enough to do to attend to her housekeeping and manage her poultry for, as she sagely observed, ducks and geese are foolish things and must be looked after, but girls can take care of themselves.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading Balt Van Tassel was an easy, indulgent soul; he loved his daughter better even than his pipe, and, like a reasonable man and an excellent father, let her have her way in everything.
everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Balt Van Tassel was an easy, indulgent soul; he loved his daughter better even than his pipe, and, like a reasonable man and an excellent father, let her have her way in everything.
excellentadjectiveUS /ˈeksələnt/
very good; of the highest quality
From this reading Balt Van Tassel was an easy, indulgent soul; he loved his daughter better even than his pipe, and, like a reasonable man and an excellent father, let her have her way in everything.
farm-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under cover of his character of singing-master, he made frequent visits at the farm-house; not that he had anything to apprehend from the meddlesome interference of parents, which is so often a stumbling-block in the path of lovers.
fathernounUS /ˈfɑːðər/
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Balt Van Tassel was an easy, indulgent soul; he loved his daughter better even than his pipe, and, like a reasonable man and an excellent father, let her have her way in everything.
fieldnounUS /fiːld/
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading To have taken the field openly against his rival would have been madness for he was not a man to be thwarted in his amours, any more than that stormy lover, Achilles.
foolishadjectiveUS /ˈfuːlɪʃ/
devoid of good sense or judgment
From this reading His notable little wife, too, had enough to do to attend to her housekeeping and manage her poultry for, as she sagely observed, ducks and geese are foolish things and must be looked after, but girls can take care of themselves.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading To have taken the field openly against his rival would have been madness for he was not a man to be thwarted in his amours, any more than that stormy lover, Achilles.
frequentverbUS /ˈfriːkwənt/
do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of
From this reading Under cover of his character of singing-master, he made frequent visits at the farm-house; not that he had anything to apprehend from the meddlesome interference of parents, which is so often a stumbling-block in the path of lovers.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Under cover of his character of singing-master, he made frequent visits at the farm-house; not that he had anything to apprehend from the meddlesome interference of parents, which is so often a stumbling-block in the path of lovers.
geesenounUS /ɡiːs/
plural of “goose” — web-footed long-necked typically gregarious migratory aquatic birds usually larger and less aquatic than ducks
From this reading His notable little wife, too, had enough to do to attend to her housekeeping and manage her poultry for, as she sagely observed, ducks and geese are foolish things and must be looked after, but girls can take care of themselves.
gently-insinuating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ichabod, therefore, made his advances in a quiet and gently-insinuating manner.
girlsnounUS /ɡɜːrlz/
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading His notable little wife, too, had enough to do to attend to her housekeeping and manage her poultry for, as she sagely observed, ducks and geese are foolish things and must be looked after, but girls can take care of themselves.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Under cover of his character of singing-master, he made frequent visits at the farm-house; not that he had anything to apprehend from the meddlesome interference of parents, which is so often a stumbling-block in the path of lovers.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading To have taken the field openly against his rival would have been madness for he was not a man to be thwarted in his amours, any more than that stormy lover, Achilles.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To have taken the field openly against his rival would have been madness for he was not a man to be thwarted in his amours, any more than that stormy lover, Achilles.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Balt Van Tassel was an easy, indulgent soul; he loved his daughter better even than his pipe, and, like a reasonable man and an excellent father, let her have her way in everything.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading To have taken the field openly against his rival would have been madness for he was not a man to be thwarted in his amours, any more than that stormy lover, Achilles.
housekeepingnounUS /ˈhaʊskiːpɪŋ/
the work of cleaning and running a house
From this reading His notable little wife, too, had enough to do to attend to her housekeeping and manage her poultry for, as she sagely observed, ducks and geese are foolish things and must be looked after, but girls can take care of themselves.
Ichabod
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ichabod, therefore, made his advances in a quiet and gently-insinuating manner.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading To have taken the field openly against his rival would have been madness for he was not a man to be thwarted in his amours, any more than that stormy lover, Achilles.
indulgentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdʌldʒənt/
characterized by or given to yielding to the wishes of someone
From this reading Balt Van Tassel was an easy, indulgent soul; he loved his daughter better even than his pipe, and, like a reasonable man and an excellent father, let her have her way in everything.
interferencenounUS /ˌɪntərˈfɪrəns/
a policy of intervening in the affairs of other countries
From this reading Under cover of his character of singing-master, he made frequent visits at the farm-house; not that he had anything to apprehend from the meddlesome interference of parents, which is so often a stumbling-block in the path of lovers.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Under cover of his character of singing-master, he made frequent visits at the farm-house; not that he had anything to apprehend from the meddlesome interference of parents, which is so often a stumbling-block in the path of lovers.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Balt Van Tassel was an easy, indulgent soul; he loved his daughter better even than his pipe, and, like a reasonable man and an excellent father, let her have her way in everything.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Balt Van Tassel was an easy, indulgent soul; he loved his daughter better even than his pipe, and, like a reasonable man and an excellent father, let her have her way in everything.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading His notable little wife, too, had enough to do to attend to her housekeeping and manage her poultry for, as she sagely observed, ducks and geese are foolish things and must be looked after, but girls can take care of themselves.
lookedverbUS /lʊkt/
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading His notable little wife, too, had enough to do to attend to her housekeeping and manage her poultry for, as she sagely observed, ducks and geese are foolish things and must be looked after, but girls can take care of themselves.
lovedadjectiveUS /lʌvd/
held dear
From this reading Balt Van Tassel was an easy, indulgent soul; he loved his daughter better even than his pipe, and, like a reasonable man and an excellent father, let her have her way in everything.
lovernounUS /ˈlʌvər/
a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
From this reading To have taken the field openly against his rival would have been madness for he was not a man to be thwarted in his amours, any more than that stormy lover, Achilles.
loversnounUS /ˈlʌvərz/
plural of “lover” — a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
From this reading Under cover of his character of singing-master, he made frequent visits at the farm-house; not that he had anything to apprehend from the meddlesome interference of parents, which is so often a stumbling-block in the path of lovers.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Ichabod, therefore, made his advances in a quiet and gently-insinuating manner.
madnessnounUS /ˈmædnəs/
obsolete terms for legal insanity
From this reading To have taken the field openly against his rival would have been madness for he was not a man to be thwarted in his amours, any more than that stormy lover, Achilles.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading To have taken the field openly against his rival would have been madness for he was not a man to be thwarted in his amours, any more than that stormy lover, Achilles.
manageverbUS /ˈmænədʒ/
be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading His notable little wife, too, had enough to do to attend to her housekeeping and manage her poultry for, as she sagely observed, ducks and geese are foolish things and must be looked after, but girls can take care of themselves.
mannernounUS /ˈmænər/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Ichabod, therefore, made his advances in a quiet and gently-insinuating manner.
meddlesomeadjectiveUS /ˈmedəlsəm/
intrusive in a meddling or offensive manner
From this reading Under cover of his character of singing-master, he made frequent visits at the farm-house; not that he had anything to apprehend from the meddlesome interference of parents, which is so often a stumbling-block in the path of lovers.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading To have taken the field openly against his rival would have been madness for he was not a man to be thwarted in his amours, any more than that stormy lover, Achilles.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading His notable little wife, too, had enough to do to attend to her housekeeping and manage her poultry for, as she sagely observed, ducks and geese are foolish things and must be looked after, but girls can take care of themselves.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading To have taken the field openly against his rival would have been madness for he was not a man to be thwarted in his amours, any more than that stormy lover, Achilles.
notableadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəbəl/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading His notable little wife, too, had enough to do to attend to her housekeeping and manage her poultry for, as she sagely observed, ducks and geese are foolish things and must be looked after, but girls can take care of themselves.
observedadjectiveUS /əbˈzɜːrvd/
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading His notable little wife, too, had enough to do to attend to her housekeeping and manage her poultry for, as she sagely observed, ducks and geese are foolish things and must be looked after, but girls can take care of themselves.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Under cover of his character of singing-master, he made frequent visits at the farm-house; not that he had anything to apprehend from the meddlesome interference of parents, which is so often a stumbling-block in the path of lovers.
oftenadverbUS /ˈɔːfən/
many times at short intervals
From this reading Under cover of his character of singing-master, he made frequent visits at the farm-house; not that he had anything to apprehend from the meddlesome interference of parents, which is so often a stumbling-block in the path of lovers.
openlyadverbUS /ˈoʊpənli/
in an open way
From this reading To have taken the field openly against his rival would have been madness for he was not a man to be thwarted in his amours, any more than that stormy lover, Achilles.
parentsnounUS /ˈperənts/
plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
From this reading Under cover of his character of singing-master, he made frequent visits at the farm-house; not that he had anything to apprehend from the meddlesome interference of parents, which is so often a stumbling-block in the path of lovers.
pathnounUS /pæθ/
a course of conduct
From this reading Under cover of his character of singing-master, he made frequent visits at the farm-house; not that he had anything to apprehend from the meddlesome interference of parents, which is so often a stumbling-block in the path of lovers.
pipenounUS /paɪp/
a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
From this reading Balt Van Tassel was an easy, indulgent soul; he loved his daughter better even than his pipe, and, like a reasonable man and an excellent father, let her have her way in everything.
poultrynounUS /ˈpoʊltri/
a domesticated gallinaceous bird thought to be descended from the red jungle fowl
From this reading His notable little wife, too, had enough to do to attend to her housekeeping and manage her poultry for, as she sagely observed, ducks and geese are foolish things and must be looked after, but girls can take care of themselves.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading Ichabod, therefore, made his advances in a quiet and gently-insinuating manner.
reasonableadjectiveUS /ˈriːzənəbəl/
showing reason or sound judgment
From this reading Balt Van Tassel was an easy, indulgent soul; he loved his daughter better even than his pipe, and, like a reasonable man and an excellent father, let her have her way in everything.
rivalverbUS /ˈraɪvəl/
be equal to in quality or ability
From this reading To have taken the field openly against his rival would have been madness for he was not a man to be thwarted in his amours, any more than that stormy lover, Achilles.
sagelyadverb
in a wise manner
From this reading His notable little wife, too, had enough to do to attend to her housekeeping and manage her poultry for, as she sagely observed, ducks and geese are foolish things and must be looked after, but girls can take care of themselves.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His notable little wife, too, had enough to do to attend to her housekeeping and manage her poultry for, as she sagely observed, ducks and geese are foolish things and must be looked after, but girls can take care of themselves.
singing-master
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under cover of his character of singing-master, he made frequent visits at the farm-house; not that he had anything to apprehend from the meddlesome interference of parents, which is so often a stumbling-block in the path of lovers.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Under cover of his character of singing-master, he made frequent visits at the farm-house; not that he had anything to apprehend from the meddlesome interference of parents, which is so often a stumbling-block in the path of lovers.
soulnounUS /soʊl/
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading Balt Van Tassel was an easy, indulgent soul; he loved his daughter better even than his pipe, and, like a reasonable man and an excellent father, let her have her way in everything.
stormyadjectiveUS /ˈstɔːrmi/
(especially of weather) affected or characterized by storms or commotion
From this reading To have taken the field openly against his rival would have been madness for he was not a man to be thwarted in his amours, any more than that stormy lover, Achilles.
stumbling-block
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under cover of his character of singing-master, he made frequent visits at the farm-house; not that he had anything to apprehend from the meddlesome interference of parents, which is so often a stumbling-block in the path of lovers.
takeverbUS /teɪk/
carry out
From this reading His notable little wife, too, had enough to do to attend to her housekeeping and manage her poultry for, as she sagely observed, ducks and geese are foolish things and must be looked after, but girls can take care of themselves.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading To have taken the field openly against his rival would have been madness for he was not a man to be thwarted in his amours, any more than that stormy lover, Achilles.
TasselnounUS /ˈtæsəl/
adornment consisting of a bunch of cords fastened at one end
From this reading Balt Van Tassel was an easy, indulgent soul; he loved his daughter better even than his pipe, and, like a reasonable man and an excellent father, let her have her way in everything.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading To have taken the field openly against his rival would have been madness for he was not a man to be thwarted in his amours, any more than that stormy lover, Achilles.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading To have taken the field openly against his rival would have been madness for he was not a man to be thwarted in his amours, any more than that stormy lover, Achilles.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading To have taken the field openly against his rival would have been madness for he was not a man to be thwarted in his amours, any more than that stormy lover, Achilles.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading His notable little wife, too, had enough to do to attend to her housekeeping and manage her poultry for, as she sagely observed, ducks and geese are foolish things and must be looked after, but girls can take care of themselves.
thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading Ichabod, therefore, made his advances in a quiet and gently-insinuating manner.
thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading His notable little wife, too, had enough to do to attend to her housekeeping and manage her poultry for, as she sagely observed, ducks and geese are foolish things and must be looked after, but girls can take care of themselves.
thwartedadjectiveUS /ˈθwɔːrtɪd/
disappointingly unsuccessful
From this reading To have taken the field openly against his rival would have been madness for he was not a man to be thwarted in his amours, any more than that stormy lover, Achilles.
ToparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To have taken the field openly against his rival would have been madness for he was not a man to be thwarted in his amours, any more than that stormy lover, Achilles.
tooadverbUS /tuː/
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading His notable little wife, too, had enough to do to attend to her housekeeping and manage her poultry for, as she sagely observed, ducks and geese are foolish things and must be looked after, but girls can take care of themselves.
UnderprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Under cover of his character of singing-master, he made frequent visits at the farm-house; not that he had anything to apprehend from the meddlesome interference of parents, which is so often a stumbling-block in the path of lovers.
VannounUS /væn/
any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)
From this reading Balt Van Tassel was an easy, indulgent soul; he loved his daughter better even than his pipe, and, like a reasonable man and an excellent father, let her have her way in everything.
visitsnounUS /ˈvɪzɪts/
plural of “visit” — the act of going to see some person or place or thing for a short time
From this reading Under cover of his character of singing-master, he made frequent visits at the farm-house; not that he had anything to apprehend from the meddlesome interference of parents, which is so often a stumbling-block in the path of lovers.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To have taken the field openly against his rival would have been madness for he was not a man to be thwarted in his amours, any more than that stormy lover, Achilles.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Balt Van Tassel was an easy, indulgent soul; he loved his daughter better even than his pipe, and, like a reasonable man and an excellent father, let her have her way in everything.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Under cover of his character of singing-master, he made frequent visits at the farm-house; not that he had anything to apprehend from the meddlesome interference of parents, which is so often a stumbling-block in the path of lovers.
wifenounUS /waɪf/
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading His notable little wife, too, had enough to do to attend to her housekeeping and manage her poultry for, as she sagely observed, ducks and geese are foolish things and must be looked after, but girls can take care of themselves.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading To have taken the field openly against his rival would have been madness for he was not a man to be thwarted in his amours, any more than that stormy lover, Achilles.
