used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading If this were not the case, then most books were false, and most sketches of contemporary life founded on a mistake.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
angelsnounUS /ˈeɪndʒəlz/
plural of “angel” — spiritual being attendant upon God
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
balkverbUS /bɔːk/
refuse to comply
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Ben Renton was not more given to novels than most men, but if there is one fact to be learned from the best studies of the best humorists, is it not this?
beingsnounUS /ˈbiːɪŋz/
plural of “being” — the state or fact of existing
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
a mountain or tall hill
From this reading Ben Renton was not more given to novels than most men, but if there is one fact to be learned from the best studies of the best humorists, is it not this?
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Ben Renton was not more given to novels than most men, but if there is one fact to be learned from the best studies of the best humorists, is it not this?
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading If this were not the case, then most books were false, and most sketches of contemporary life founded on a mistake.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Ben Renton was not more given to novels than most men, but if there is one fact to be learned from the best studies of the best humorists, is it not this?
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
calculatingadjectiveUS /ˈkælkjəleɪtɪŋ/
acting with a specific goal
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
an occurrence of something
From this reading If this were not the case, then most books were false, and most sketches of contemporary life founded on a mistake.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading And there was much comfort in the thought.
contemporaryadjectiveUS /kənˈtempəreri/
characteristic of the present
From this reading If this were not the case, then most books were false, and most sketches of contemporary life founded on a mistake.
plural of “creature” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
deceiveverbUS /dɪˈsiːv/
be false to; be dishonest with
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
divisible by two
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading Ben Renton was not more given to novels than most men, but if there is one fact to be learned from the best studies of the best humorists, is it not this?
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality
From this reading If this were not the case, then most books were false, and most sketches of contemporary life founded on a mistake.
foundedverbUS /ˈfaʊndɪd/
past form of “found” — set up or found
From this reading If this were not the case, then most books were false, and most sketches of contemporary life founded on a mistake.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Ben Renton was not more given to novels than most men, but if there is one fact to be learned from the best studies of the best humorists, is it not this?
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Ben Renton was not more given to novels than most men, but if there is one fact to be learned from the best studies of the best humorists, is it not this?
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
humoristsnounUS /ˈhjuːmərɪsts/
plural of “humorist” — someone who acts speaks or writes in an amusing way
From this reading Ben Renton was not more given to novels than most men, but if there is one fact to be learned from the best studies of the best humorists, is it not this?
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If this were not the case, then most books were false, and most sketches of contemporary life founded on a mistake.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
free from evil or guilt
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading THE LAST INTERVIEW.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Ben Renton was not more given to novels than most men, but if there is one fact to be learned from the best studies of the best humorists, is it not this?
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
and nothing more
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
immediately past
From this reading THE LAST INTERVIEW.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading Ben Renton was not more given to novels than most men, but if there is one fact to be learned from the best studies of the best humorists, is it not this?
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading If this were not the case, then most books were false, and most sketches of contemporary life founded on a mistake.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
the force of workers available
From this reading Ben Renton was not more given to novels than most men, but if there is one fact to be learned from the best studies of the best humorists, is it not this?
merchandisingnounUS /ˈmɜːrtʃəndaɪzɪŋ/
the exchange of goods for an agreed sum of money
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading If this were not the case, then most books were false, and most sketches of contemporary life founded on a mistake.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Ben Renton was not more given to novels than most men, but if there is one fact to be learned from the best studies of the best humorists, is it not this?
used to form the superlative
From this reading If this were not the case, then most books were false, and most sketches of contemporary life founded on a mistake.
MothersnounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
plural of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading And there was much comfort in the thought.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
novelsnounUS /ˈnɑːvəlz/
plural of “novel” — an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story
From this reading Ben Renton was not more given to novels than most men, but if there is one fact to be learned from the best studies of the best humorists, is it not this?
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading If this were not the case, then most books were false, and most sketches of contemporary life founded on a mistake.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Ben Renton was not more given to novels than most men, but if there is one fact to be learned from the best studies of the best humorists, is it not this?
Renton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ben Renton was not more given to novels than most men, but if there is one fact to be learned from the best studies of the best humorists, is it not this?
a particular situation
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
sketchesnounUS /ˈsketʃəz/
plural of “sketch” — preliminary drawing for later elaboration
From this reading If this were not the case, then most books were false, and most sketches of contemporary life founded on a mistake.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
sordidadjectiveUS /ˈsɔːrdəd/
morally degraded
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
studiesnounUS /ˈstʌdiz/
plural of “study” — a detailed critical inspection
From this reading Ben Renton was not more given to novels than most men, but if there is one fact to be learned from the best studies of the best humorists, is it not this?
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Ben Renton was not more given to novels than most men, but if there is one fact to be learned from the best studies of the best humorists, is it not this?
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE LAST INTERVIEW.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading If this were not the case, then most books were false, and most sketches of contemporary life founded on a mistake.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Ben Renton was not more given to novels than most men, but if there is one fact to be learned from the best studies of the best humorists, is it not this?
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading If this were not the case, then most books were false, and most sketches of contemporary life founded on a mistake.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading And there was much comfort in the thought.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
unlooseverb
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
virtuousadjectiveUS /ˈvɜːrtʃuːəs/
morally excellent
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
which person or people
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.
From this reading Mothers were like that,--calculating, merchandising creatures, not worthy to unloose the shoes of the fair and innocent angels who, by some strange chance, were in their hands,--sordid beings whom it was just, and even virtuous, to balk and deceive.
