used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading To know?--this was easily said, but I, who was so eager, nervous, and excitable, so little able to restrain my quickly-varying emotions, would never be able to extort his secret from so resolute a man, one so completely master of himself as my stepfather.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading To know?--this was easily said, but I, who was so eager, nervous, and excitable, so little able to restrain my quickly-varying emotions, would never be able to extort his secret from so resolute a man, one so completely master of himself as my stepfather.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading I was like a novice in arms who was about to fight a duel with a very skilful adversary; he desires to defend himself and to be victorious, but he is doubtful of his own coolness.
adversarynounUS /ˈædvərseri/
someone who offers opposition
From this reading I was like a novice in arms who was about to fight a duel with a very skilful adversary; he desires to defend himself and to be victorious, but he is doubtful of his own coolness.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading To know?--this was easily said, but I, who was so eager, nervous, and excitable, so little able to restrain my quickly-varying emotions, would never be able to extort his secret from so resolute a man, one so completely master of himself as my stepfather.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading I was like a novice in arms who was about to fight a duel with a very skilful adversary; he desires to defend himself and to be victorious, but he is doubtful of his own coolness.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I was suffering tortures of irresolution, mingled with incoherent projects no sooner formed than they were rejected as impracticable.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To know?--this was easily said, but I, who was so eager, nervous, and excitable, so little able to restrain my quickly-varying emotions, would never be able to extort his secret from so resolute a man, one so completely master of himself as my stepfather.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading To know?--this was easily said, but I, who was so eager, nervous, and excitable, so little able to restrain my quickly-varying emotions, would never be able to extort his secret from so resolute a man, one so completely master of himself as my stepfather.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading To know?--this was easily said, but I, who was so eager, nervous, and excitable, so little able to restrain my quickly-varying emotions, would never be able to extort his secret from so resolute a man, one so completely master of himself as my stepfather.
an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation
From this reading My consciousness of his strength and my weakness made me dread his presence as much as I desired it.
coolnessnounUS /ˈkuːlnəs/
calm and unruffled self-assurance
From this reading I was like a novice in arms who was about to fight a duel with a very skilful adversary; he desires to defend himself and to be victorious, but he is doubtful of his own coolness.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Three days passed.
defendverbUS /dɪˈfend/
argue or speak in defense of
From this reading I was like a novice in arms who was about to fight a duel with a very skilful adversary; he desires to defend himself and to be victorious, but he is doubtful of his own coolness.
wanted intensely
From this reading My consciousness of his strength and my weakness made me dread his presence as much as I desired it.
desiresnounUS /dɪˈzaɪərz/
plural of “desire” — the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading I was like a novice in arms who was about to fight a duel with a very skilful adversary; he desires to defend himself and to be victorious, but he is doubtful of his own coolness.
doubtfuladjectiveUS /ˈdaʊtfəl/
open to doubt or suspicion
From this reading I was like a novice in arms who was about to fight a duel with a very skilful adversary; he desires to defend himself and to be victorious, but he is doubtful of his own coolness.
fearful expectation or anticipation
From this reading My consciousness of his strength and my weakness made me dread his presence as much as I desired it.
duelnounUS /ˈduːəl/
a prearranged fight with deadly weapons by two people (accompanied by seconds) in order to settle a quarrel over a point of honor
From this reading I was like a novice in arms who was about to fight a duel with a very skilful adversary; he desires to defend himself and to be victorious, but he is doubtful of his own coolness.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading To know?--this was easily said, but I, who was so eager, nervous, and excitable, so little able to restrain my quickly-varying emotions, would never be able to extort his secret from so resolute a man, one so completely master of himself as my stepfather.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading To know?--this was easily said, but I, who was so eager, nervous, and excitable, so little able to restrain my quickly-varying emotions, would never be able to extort his secret from so resolute a man, one so completely master of himself as my stepfather.
emotionsnounUS /ɪˈmoʊʃənz/
plural of “emotion” — any strong feeling
From this reading To know?--this was easily said, but I, who was so eager, nervous, and excitable, so little able to restrain my quickly-varying emotions, would never be able to extort his secret from so resolute a man, one so completely master of himself as my stepfather.
excitableadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtəbəl/
easily excited
From this reading To know?--this was easily said, but I, who was so eager, nervous, and excitable, so little able to restrain my quickly-varying emotions, would never be able to extort his secret from so resolute a man, one so completely master of himself as my stepfather.
extortverbUS /ekˈstɔːrt/
obtain through intimidation
From this reading To know?--this was easily said, but I, who was so eager, nervous, and excitable, so little able to restrain my quickly-varying emotions, would never be able to extort his secret from so resolute a man, one so completely master of himself as my stepfather.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading I was like a novice in arms who was about to fight a duel with a very skilful adversary; he desires to defend himself and to be victorious, but he is doubtful of his own coolness.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading I was suffering tortures of irresolution, mingled with incoherent projects no sooner formed than they were rejected as impracticable.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading To know?--this was easily said, but I, who was so eager, nervous, and excitable, so little able to restrain my quickly-varying emotions, would never be able to extort his secret from so resolute a man, one so completely master of himself as my stepfather.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I was like a novice in arms who was about to fight a duel with a very skilful adversary; he desires to defend himself and to be victorious, but he is doubtful of his own coolness.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading To know?--this was easily said, but I, who was so eager, nervous, and excitable, so little able to restrain my quickly-varying emotions, would never be able to extort his secret from so resolute a man, one so completely master of himself as my stepfather.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading To know?--this was easily said, but I, who was so eager, nervous, and excitable, so little able to restrain my quickly-varying emotions, would never be able to extort his secret from so resolute a man, one so completely master of himself as my stepfather.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I was suffering tortures of irresolution, mingled with incoherent projects no sooner formed than they were rejected as impracticable.
impracticableadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpræktɪkəbəl/
not capable of being carried out or put into practice
From this reading I was suffering tortures of irresolution, mingled with incoherent projects no sooner formed than they were rejected as impracticable.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I was like a novice in arms who was about to fight a duel with a very skilful adversary; he desires to defend himself and to be victorious, but he is doubtful of his own coolness.
incoherentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnkoʊˈhɪrənt/
without logical or meaningful connection
From this reading I was suffering tortures of irresolution, mingled with incoherent projects no sooner formed than they were rejected as impracticable.
irresolutionnoun
doubt concerning two or more possible alternatives or courses of action
From this reading I was suffering tortures of irresolution, mingled with incoherent projects no sooner formed than they were rejected as impracticable.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I was like a novice in arms who was about to fight a duel with a very skilful adversary; he desires to defend himself and to be victorious, but he is doubtful of his own coolness.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading My consciousness of his strength and my weakness made me dread his presence as much as I desired it.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading To know?--this was easily said, but I, who was so eager, nervous, and excitable, so little able to restrain my quickly-varying emotions, would never be able to extort his secret from so resolute a man, one so completely master of himself as my stepfather.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading I was like a novice in arms who was about to fight a duel with a very skilful adversary; he desires to defend himself and to be victorious, but he is doubtful of his own coolness.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading To know?--this was easily said, but I, who was so eager, nervous, and excitable, so little able to restrain my quickly-varying emotions, would never be able to extort his secret from so resolute a man, one so completely master of himself as my stepfather.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading My consciousness of his strength and my weakness made me dread his presence as much as I desired it.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading To know?--this was easily said, but I, who was so eager, nervous, and excitable, so little able to restrain my quickly-varying emotions, would never be able to extort his secret from so resolute a man, one so completely master of himself as my stepfather.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading To know?--this was easily said, but I, who was so eager, nervous, and excitable, so little able to restrain my quickly-varying emotions, would never be able to extort his secret from so resolute a man, one so completely master of himself as my stepfather.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading My consciousness of his strength and my weakness made me dread his presence as much as I desired it.
past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else
From this reading I was suffering tortures of irresolution, mingled with incoherent projects no sooner formed than they were rejected as impracticable.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading My consciousness of his strength and my weakness made me dread his presence as much as I desired it.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading To know?--this was easily said, but I, who was so eager, nervous, and excitable, so little able to restrain my quickly-varying emotions, would never be able to extort his secret from so resolute a man, one so completely master of himself as my stepfather.
easily agitated
From this reading To know?--this was easily said, but I, who was so eager, nervous, and excitable, so little able to restrain my quickly-varying emotions, would never be able to extort his secret from so resolute a man, one so completely master of himself as my stepfather.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading To know?--this was easily said, but I, who was so eager, nervous, and excitable, so little able to restrain my quickly-varying emotions, would never be able to extort his secret from so resolute a man, one so completely master of himself as my stepfather.
not any; not one
From this reading I was suffering tortures of irresolution, mingled with incoherent projects no sooner formed than they were rejected as impracticable.
novicenounUS /ˈnɑːvəs/
someone who has entered a religious order but has not taken final vows
From this reading I was like a novice in arms who was about to fight a duel with a very skilful adversary; he desires to defend himself and to be victorious, but he is doubtful of his own coolness.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I was suffering tortures of irresolution, mingled with incoherent projects no sooner formed than they were rejected as impracticable.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading To know?--this was easily said, but I, who was so eager, nervous, and excitable, so little able to restrain my quickly-varying emotions, would never be able to extort his secret from so resolute a man, one so completely master of himself as my stepfather.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading I was like a novice in arms who was about to fight a duel with a very skilful adversary; he desires to defend himself and to be victorious, but he is doubtful of his own coolness.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Three days passed.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading My consciousness of his strength and my weakness made me dread his presence as much as I desired it.
projectsnounUS /ˈprɑːdʒekts/
plural of “project” — any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading I was suffering tortures of irresolution, mingled with incoherent projects no sooner formed than they were rejected as impracticable.
quickly-varying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To know?--this was easily said, but I, who was so eager, nervous, and excitable, so little able to restrain my quickly-varying emotions, would never be able to extort his secret from so resolute a man, one so completely master of himself as my stepfather.
rejectedadjectiveUS /rɪˈdʒektɪd/
rebuffed (by a lover) without warning
From this reading I was suffering tortures of irresolution, mingled with incoherent projects no sooner formed than they were rejected as impracticable.
resoluteadjectiveUS /ˈrezəluːt/
firm in purpose or belief; characterized by firmness and determination
From this reading To know?--this was easily said, but I, who was so eager, nervous, and excitable, so little able to restrain my quickly-varying emotions, would never be able to extort his secret from so resolute a man, one so completely master of himself as my stepfather.
restrainverbUS /riˈstreɪn/
to close within bounds, or otherwise limit or deprive of free movement
From this reading To know?--this was easily said, but I, who was so eager, nervous, and excitable, so little able to restrain my quickly-varying emotions, would never be able to extort his secret from so resolute a man, one so completely master of himself as my stepfather.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading To know?--this was easily said, but I, who was so eager, nervous, and excitable, so little able to restrain my quickly-varying emotions, would never be able to extort his secret from so resolute a man, one so completely master of himself as my stepfather.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading To know?--this was easily said, but I, who was so eager, nervous, and excitable, so little able to restrain my quickly-varying emotions, would never be able to extort his secret from so resolute a man, one so completely master of himself as my stepfather.
skilfuladjective
having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
From this reading I was like a novice in arms who was about to fight a duel with a very skilful adversary; he desires to defend himself and to be victorious, but he is doubtful of his own coolness.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading To know?--this was easily said, but I, who was so eager, nervous, and excitable, so little able to restrain my quickly-varying emotions, would never be able to extort his secret from so resolute a man, one so completely master of himself as my stepfather.
comparatives of “soon” or “early”
From this reading I was suffering tortures of irresolution, mingled with incoherent projects no sooner formed than they were rejected as impracticable.
stepfathernounUS /ˈstepfɑːðər/
the husband of your mother by a subsequent marriage
From this reading To know?--this was easily said, but I, who was so eager, nervous, and excitable, so little able to restrain my quickly-varying emotions, would never be able to extort his secret from so resolute a man, one so completely master of himself as my stepfather.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading My consciousness of his strength and my weakness made me dread his presence as much as I desired it.
a state of acute pain
From this reading I was suffering tortures of irresolution, mingled with incoherent projects no sooner formed than they were rejected as impracticable.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading I was suffering tortures of irresolution, mingled with incoherent projects no sooner formed than they were rejected as impracticable.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I was suffering tortures of irresolution, mingled with incoherent projects no sooner formed than they were rejected as impracticable.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading To know?--this was easily said, but I, who was so eager, nervous, and excitable, so little able to restrain my quickly-varying emotions, would never be able to extort his secret from so resolute a man, one so completely master of himself as my stepfather.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Three days passed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To know?--this was easily said, but I, who was so eager, nervous, and excitable, so little able to restrain my quickly-varying emotions, would never be able to extort his secret from so resolute a man, one so completely master of himself as my stepfather.
torturesnounUS /ˈtɔːrtʃərz/
plural of “torture” — extreme mental distress
From this reading I was suffering tortures of irresolution, mingled with incoherent projects no sooner formed than they were rejected as impracticable.
precisely as stated
From this reading I was like a novice in arms who was about to fight a duel with a very skilful adversary; he desires to defend himself and to be victorious, but he is doubtful of his own coolness.
victoriousadjectiveUS /vɪkˈtɔːriəs/
having won
From this reading I was like a novice in arms who was about to fight a duel with a very skilful adversary; he desires to defend himself and to be victorious, but he is doubtful of his own coolness.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I was suffering tortures of irresolution, mingled with incoherent projects no sooner formed than they were rejected as impracticable.
a flaw or weak point
From this reading My consciousness of his strength and my weakness made me dread his presence as much as I desired it.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I was suffering tortures of irresolution, mingled with incoherent projects no sooner formed than they were rejected as impracticable.
which person or people
From this reading To know?--this was easily said, but I, who was so eager, nervous, and excitable, so little able to restrain my quickly-varying emotions, would never be able to extort his secret from so resolute a man, one so completely master of himself as my stepfather.
in the company of; together with
From this reading I was suffering tortures of irresolution, mingled with incoherent projects no sooner formed than they were rejected as impracticable.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading To know?--this was easily said, but I, who was so eager, nervous, and excitable, so little able to restrain my quickly-varying emotions, would never be able to extort his secret from so resolute a man, one so completely master of himself as my stepfather.
