used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
addressingverbUS /əˈdresɪŋ/
-ing form of “address” — speak to
From this reading You could have found no fault with his appearance, and to look at his candid countenance was to trust him; but yet he had not the _je ne sais quoi_, and Violet knew that, conventionally speaking, she was addressing one who was “not a gentleman” this fact gave her a degree of freedom in calling him which she would scarcely have felt with a stranger of her own class.
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading You could have found no fault with his appearance, and to look at his candid countenance was to trust him; but yet he had not the _je ne sais quoi_, and Violet knew that, conventionally speaking, she was addressing one who was “not a gentleman” this fact gave her a degree of freedom in calling him which she would scarcely have felt with a stranger of her own class.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading You could have found no fault with his appearance, and to look at his candid countenance was to trust him; but yet he had not the _je ne sais quoi_, and Violet knew that, conventionally speaking, she was addressing one who was “not a gentleman” this fact gave her a degree of freedom in calling him which she would scarcely have felt with a stranger of her own class.
have
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
beingsnounUS /ˈbiːɪŋz/
plural of “being” — the state or fact of existing
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
the time when something begins (especially life)
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
confined by bonds
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading You could have found no fault with his appearance, and to look at his candid countenance was to trust him; but yet he had not the _je ne sais quoi_, and Violet knew that, conventionally speaking, she was addressing one who was “not a gentleman” this fact gave her a degree of freedom in calling him which she would scarcely have felt with a stranger of her own class.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
candidadjectiveUS /ˈkændəd/
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading You could have found no fault with his appearance, and to look at his candid countenance was to trust him; but yet he had not the _je ne sais quoi_, and Violet knew that, conventionally speaking, she was addressing one who was “not a gentleman” this fact gave her a degree of freedom in calling him which she would scarcely have felt with a stranger of her own class.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading You could have found no fault with his appearance, and to look at his candid countenance was to trust him; but yet he had not the _je ne sais quoi_, and Violet knew that, conventionally speaking, she was addressing one who was “not a gentleman” this fact gave her a degree of freedom in calling him which she would scarcely have felt with a stranger of her own class.
clothing in general
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
conventionallyadverbUS /kənˈvenʃənəli/
in a conventional manner
From this reading You could have found no fault with his appearance, and to look at his candid countenance was to trust him; but yet he had not the _je ne sais quoi_, and Violet knew that, conventionally speaking, she was addressing one who was “not a gentleman” this fact gave her a degree of freedom in calling him which she would scarcely have felt with a stranger of her own class.
copiedverbUS /ˈkɑːpid/
inflected form of “copy” — copy down as is
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading You could have found no fault with his appearance, and to look at his candid countenance was to trust him; but yet he had not the _je ne sais quoi_, and Violet knew that, conventionally speaking, she was addressing one who was “not a gentleman” this fact gave her a degree of freedom in calling him which she would scarcely have felt with a stranger of her own class.
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading You could have found no fault with his appearance, and to look at his candid countenance was to trust him; but yet he had not the _je ne sais quoi_, and Violet knew that, conventionally speaking, she was addressing one who was “not a gentleman” this fact gave her a degree of freedom in calling him which she would scarcely have felt with a stranger of her own class.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
someone who is a detective
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
put on clothes
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
essencenounUS /ˈesəns/
the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
divisible by two
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
exteriornounUS /ɪkˈstɪriər/
the region that is outside of something
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading You could have found no fault with his appearance, and to look at his candid countenance was to trust him; but yet he had not the _je ne sais quoi_, and Violet knew that, conventionally speaking, she was addressing one who was “not a gentleman” this fact gave her a degree of freedom in calling him which she would scarcely have felt with a stranger of her own class.
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading You could have found no fault with his appearance, and to look at his candid countenance was to trust him; but yet he had not the _je ne sais quoi_, and Violet knew that, conventionally speaking, she was addressing one who was “not a gentleman” this fact gave her a degree of freedom in calling him which she would scarcely have felt with a stranger of her own class.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading You could have found no fault with his appearance, and to look at his candid countenance was to trust him; but yet he had not the _je ne sais quoi_, and Violet knew that, conventionally speaking, she was addressing one who was “not a gentleman” this fact gave her a degree of freedom in calling him which she would scarcely have felt with a stranger of her own class.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
set up or found
From this reading You could have found no fault with his appearance, and to look at his candid countenance was to trust him; but yet he had not the _je ne sais quoi_, and Violet knew that, conventionally speaking, she was addressing one who was “not a gentleman” this fact gave her a degree of freedom in calling him which she would scarcely have felt with a stranger of her own class.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints
From this reading You could have found no fault with his appearance, and to look at his candid countenance was to trust him; but yet he had not the _je ne sais quoi_, and Violet knew that, conventionally speaking, she was addressing one who was “not a gentleman” this fact gave her a degree of freedom in calling him which she would scarcely have felt with a stranger of her own class.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading You could have found no fault with his appearance, and to look at his candid countenance was to trust him; but yet he had not the _je ne sais quoi_, and Violet knew that, conventionally speaking, she was addressing one who was “not a gentleman” this fact gave her a degree of freedom in calling him which she would scarcely have felt with a stranger of her own class.
a man of refinement
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
plural of “give” — the elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading You could have found no fault with his appearance, and to look at his candid countenance was to trust him; but yet he had not the _je ne sais quoi_, and Violet knew that, conventionally speaking, she was addressing one who was “not a gentleman” this fact gave her a degree of freedom in calling him which she would scarcely have felt with a stranger of her own class.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was some years since she had seen him, but she remembered him.
je
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading You could have found no fault with his appearance, and to look at his candid countenance was to trust him; but yet he had not the _je ne sais quoi_, and Violet knew that, conventionally speaking, she was addressing one who was “not a gentleman” this fact gave her a degree of freedom in calling him which she would scarcely have felt with a stranger of her own class.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading You could have found no fault with his appearance, and to look at his candid countenance was to trust him; but yet he had not the _je ne sais quoi_, and Violet knew that, conventionally speaking, she was addressing one who was “not a gentleman” this fact gave her a degree of freedom in calling him which she would scarcely have felt with a stranger of her own class.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
plural of “make” — a recognizable kind
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
social deportment
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
come together
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But more than that, Violet had recognised Dick.
of an obscure nature
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
nenounUS /niː/
a colorless odorless gaseous element that give a red glow in a vacuum tube; one of the six inert gasses; occurs in the air in small amounts
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
not any; not one
From this reading You could have found no fault with his appearance, and to look at his candid countenance was to trust him; but yet he had not the _je ne sais quoi_, and Violet knew that, conventionally speaking, she was addressing one who was “not a gentleman” this fact gave her a degree of freedom in calling him which she would scarcely have felt with a stranger of her own class.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
under a moral obligation to do something
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading You could have found no fault with his appearance, and to look at his candid countenance was to trust him; but yet he had not the _je ne sais quoi_, and Violet knew that, conventionally speaking, she was addressing one who was “not a gentleman” this fact gave her a degree of freedom in calling him which she would scarcely have felt with a stranger of her own class.
perfectionnounUS /pərˈfekʃən/
the state of being without a flaw or defect
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
politenessnounUS /pəˈlaɪtnəs/
a courteous manner that respects accepted social usage
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
pretensionnounUS /priˈtenʃən/
a false or unsupportable quality
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
quoi
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
recognisedadjectiveUS /ˈrekəɡnaɪzd/
provided with a secure reputation
From this reading But more than that, Violet had recognised Dick.
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading It was some years since she had seen him, but she remembered him.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
sais
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
only a very short time before
From this reading You could have found no fault with his appearance, and to look at his candid countenance was to trust him; but yet he had not the _je ne sais quoi_, and Violet knew that, conventionally speaking, she was addressing one who was “not a gentleman” this fact gave her a degree of freedom in calling him which she would scarcely have felt with a stranger of her own class.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading It was some years since she had seen him, but she remembered him.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading It was some years since she had seen him, but she remembered him.
relating to human society and its members
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading It was some years since she had seen him, but she remembered him.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading You could have found no fault with his appearance, and to look at his candid countenance was to trust him; but yet he had not the _je ne sais quoi_, and Violet knew that, conventionally speaking, she was addressing one who was “not a gentleman” this fact gave her a degree of freedom in calling him which she would scarcely have felt with a stranger of her own class.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading You could have found no fault with his appearance, and to look at his candid countenance was to trust him; but yet he had not the _je ne sais quoi_, and Violet knew that, conventionally speaking, she was addressing one who was “not a gentleman” this fact gave her a degree of freedom in calling him which she would scarcely have felt with a stranger of her own class.
superioritynounUS /ˌsuːpɪriˈɔːrɪti/
the quality of being superior
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But more than that, Violet had recognised Dick.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading You could have found no fault with his appearance, and to look at his candid countenance was to trust him; but yet he had not the _je ne sais quoi_, and Violet knew that, conventionally speaking, she was addressing one who was “not a gentleman” this fact gave her a degree of freedom in calling him which she would scarcely have felt with a stranger of her own class.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
timidadjectiveUS /ˈtɪmɪd/
showing fear and lack of confidence
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
something (as property) held by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary)
From this reading You could have found no fault with his appearance, and to look at his candid countenance was to trust him; but yet he had not the _je ne sais quoi_, and Violet knew that, conventionally speaking, she was addressing one who was “not a gentleman” this fact gave her a degree of freedom in calling him which she would scarcely have felt with a stranger of her own class.
unobtrusiveadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəbˈtruːsɪv/
not obtrusive or undesirably noticeable
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
Valentine'snounUS /ˈvæləntaɪnz/
possessive form of “valentine” — a sweetheart chosen to receive a greeting on Saint Valentine's Day
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
VioletnounUS /ˈvaɪəlɪt/
any of numerous low-growing violas with small flowers
From this reading You could have found no fault with his appearance, and to look at his candid countenance was to trust him; but yet he had not the _je ne sais quoi_, and Violet knew that, conventionally speaking, she was addressing one who was “not a gentleman” this fact gave her a degree of freedom in calling him which she would scarcely have felt with a stranger of her own class.
vulgaradjectiveUS /ˈvʌlɡər/
lacking refinement or cultivation or taste
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading He was not vulgar in any respect, being perfectly free from every kind of pretension, and with all the essence of fine manners--that politeness of the heart which neither birth nor education by themselves can give; but though, as I have said, his dress was to a certain degree copied from Valentine’s--who possessed the _je ne sais quoi_ in perfection--and was quite well made and unobtrusive, yet I am obliged to allow that Dick had not that mysterious something which makes a gentleman.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
which person or people
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
workman'snounUS /ˈwɜːrkmənz/
possessive form of “workman” — an employee who performs manual or industrial labor
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading You could have found no fault with his appearance, and to look at his candid countenance was to trust him; but yet he had not the _je ne sais quoi_, and Violet knew that, conventionally speaking, she was addressing one who was “not a gentleman” this fact gave her a degree of freedom in calling him which she would scarcely have felt with a stranger of her own class.
a late time of life
From this reading It was some years since she had seen him, but she remembered him.
but in spite of that
From this reading She advanced a step to meet him, timid, yet with that confidence which social superiority gives: for Dick, I am bound to confess, though I love him, was not one of those wonderful beings who bear the exterior of a fine gentleman even in a workman’s clothes.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading You could have found no fault with his appearance, and to look at his candid countenance was to trust him; but yet he had not the _je ne sais quoi_, and Violet knew that, conventionally speaking, she was addressing one who was “not a gentleman” this fact gave her a degree of freedom in calling him which she would scarcely have felt with a stranger of her own class.
