1919
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the chief reason for inscribing this book to you is my desire to record, however inadequately, what pleasure and pride, dear Fay, your charm, your talents, your beauty, and success have given to_ _Compton Mackenzie._ _Capri_, August 4, 1919.
4
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the chief reason for inscribing this book to you is my desire to record, however inadequately, what pleasure and pride, dear Fay, your charm, your talents, your beauty, and success have given to_ _Compton Mackenzie._ _Capri_, August 4, 1919.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading One day, if Mr. Matheson Lang will allow me to use my own title--at present he is using it for a play that he and somebody else have adapted from an Italian original--you may act the part of Jenny Pearl; but that is as near as you will ever get to her creation.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading Then lately a young gentleman wrote to ask me if I would inform him whether the generally accepted theory that you had written the first two chapters of_ Sinister Street _had any existence in fact.
accusationnounUS /ˌækjəˈzeɪʃən/
a formal charge of wrongdoing brought against a person; the act of imputing blame or guilt
From this reading Unless somehow or other I safeguard you publicly, you are liable to be accused by gossip of having written it, an accusation that both you and I might be justified in resenting.
accusednounUS /əˈkjuːzd/
a defendant in a criminal proceeding
From this reading Unless somehow or other I safeguard you publicly, you are liable to be accused by gossip of having written it, an accusation that both you and I might be justified in resenting.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading One day, if Mr. Matheson Lang will allow me to use my own title--at present he is using it for a play that he and somebody else have adapted from an Italian original--you may act the part of Jenny Pearl; but that is as near as you will ever get to her creation.
adaptedadjectiveUS /əˈdæptɪd/
changed in order to improve or made more fit for a particular purpose
From this reading One day, if Mr. Matheson Lang will allow me to use my own title--at present he is using it for a play that he and somebody else have adapted from an Italian original--you may act the part of Jenny Pearl; but that is as near as you will ever get to her creation.
how long something has existed
From this reading Many people suppose that you wrote an earlier novel of mine called_ Carnival, _which, were it true, would make you out to be considerably older than you are, since I take it that even your precocity, though it did run to marriage at the age of seventeen (or was it sixteen?), would hardly have allowed you to write_ Carnival _at the same age.
make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading One day, if Mr. Matheson Lang will allow me to use my own title--at present he is using it for a play that he and somebody else have adapted from an Italian original--you may act the part of Jenny Pearl; but that is as near as you will ever get to her creation.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading Many people suppose that you wrote an earlier novel of mine called_ Carnival, _which, were it true, would make you out to be considerably older than you are, since I take it that even your precocity, though it did run to marriage at the age of seventeen (or was it sixteen?), would hardly have allowed you to write_ Carnival _at the same age.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading _My dear Fay._ _For several reasons I am anxious to inscribe this book to you.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Unless somehow or other I safeguard you publicly, you are liable to be accused by gossip of having written it, an accusation that both you and I might be justified in resenting.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Unless somehow or other I safeguard you publicly, you are liable to be accused by gossip of having written it, an accusation that both you and I might be justified in resenting.
eagerly desirous
From this reading _My dear Fay._ _For several reasons I am anxious to inscribe this book to you.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Then lately a young gentleman wrote to ask me if I would inform him whether the generally accepted theory that you had written the first two chapters of_ Sinister Street _had any existence in fact.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Unless somehow or other I safeguard you publicly, you are liable to be accused by gossip of having written it, an accusation that both you and I might be justified in resenting.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading One day, if Mr. Matheson Lang will allow me to use my own title--at present he is using it for a play that he and somebody else have adapted from an Italian original--you may act the part of Jenny Pearl; but that is as near as you will ever get to her creation.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Then lately a young gentleman wrote to ask me if I would inform him whether the generally accepted theory that you had written the first two chapters of_ Sinister Street _had any existence in fact.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Many people suppose that you wrote an earlier novel of mine called_ Carnival, _which, were it true, would make you out to be considerably older than you are, since I take it that even your precocity, though it did run to marriage at the age of seventeen (or was it sixteen?), would hardly have allowed you to write_ Carnival _at the same age.
the month following July and preceding September
From this reading But the chief reason for inscribing this book to you is my desire to record, however inadequately, what pleasure and pride, dear Fay, your charm, your talents, your beauty, and success have given to_ _Compton Mackenzie._ _Capri_, August 4, 1919.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Unless somehow or other I safeguard you publicly, you are liable to be accused by gossip of having written it, an accusation that both you and I might be justified in resenting.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading But the chief reason for inscribing this book to you is my desire to record, however inadequately, what pleasure and pride, dear Fay, your charm, your talents, your beauty, and success have given to_ _Compton Mackenzie._ _Capri_, August 4, 1919.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading _Equally I should not like gossip to pretend that the heroine if not drawn by you was certainly drawn from you; and though any friend of yours or mine would laugh at such a suggestion, it is just as well to kill the cacklers before they lay their eggs.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading _My dear Fay._ _For several reasons I am anxious to inscribe this book to you.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Unless somehow or other I safeguard you publicly, you are liable to be accused by gossip of having written it, an accusation that both you and I might be justified in resenting.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading One day, if Mr. Matheson Lang will allow me to use my own title--at present he is using it for a play that he and somebody else have adapted from an Italian original--you may act the part of Jenny Pearl; but that is as near as you will ever get to her creation.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Unless somehow or other I safeguard you publicly, you are liable to be accused by gossip of having written it, an accusation that both you and I might be justified in resenting.
cacklers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Equally I should not like gossip to pretend that the heroine if not drawn by you was certainly drawn from you; and though any friend of yours or mine would laugh at such a suggestion, it is just as well to kill the cacklers before they lay their eggs.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Many people suppose that you wrote an earlier novel of mine called_ Carnival, _which, were it true, would make you out to be considerably older than you are, since I take it that even your precocity, though it did run to marriage at the age of seventeen (or was it sixteen?), would hardly have allowed you to write_ Carnival _at the same age.
CaprinounUS /ˈkæpri/
an island (part of Campania) in the Bay of Naples in southern Italy; a tourist attraction noted for beautiful scenery
From this reading But the chief reason for inscribing this book to you is my desire to record, however inadequately, what pleasure and pride, dear Fay, your charm, your talents, your beauty, and success have given to_ _Compton Mackenzie._ _Capri_, August 4, 1919.
CarnivalnounUS /ˈkɑːrnəvəl/
a festival marked by merrymaking and processions
From this reading Many people suppose that you wrote an earlier novel of mine called_ Carnival, _which, were it true, would make you out to be considerably older than you are, since I take it that even your precocity, though it did run to marriage at the age of seventeen (or was it sixteen?), would hardly have allowed you to write_ Carnival _at the same age.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading _Equally I should not like gossip to pretend that the heroine if not drawn by you was certainly drawn from you; and though any friend of yours or mine would laugh at such a suggestion, it is just as well to kill the cacklers before they lay their eggs.
chaptersnounUS /ˈtʃæptərz/
plural of “chapter” — a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
From this reading Then lately a young gentleman wrote to ask me if I would inform him whether the generally accepted theory that you had written the first two chapters of_ Sinister Street _had any existence in fact.
attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates
From this reading But the chief reason for inscribing this book to you is my desire to record, however inadequately, what pleasure and pride, dear Fay, your charm, your talents, your beauty, and success have given to_ _Compton Mackenzie._ _Capri_, August 4, 1919.
a person who is in charge
From this reading But the chief reason for inscribing this book to you is my desire to record, however inadequately, what pleasure and pride, dear Fay, your charm, your talents, your beauty, and success have given to_ _Compton Mackenzie._ _Capri_, August 4, 1919.
ComptonnounUS /ˈkɑːmptən/
United States physicist noted for research on x-rays and gamma rays and nuclear energy
From this reading But the chief reason for inscribing this book to you is my desire to record, however inadequately, what pleasure and pride, dear Fay, your charm, your talents, your beauty, and success have given to_ _Compton Mackenzie._ _Capri_, August 4, 1919.
considerablyadverbUS /kənˈsɪdərəbli/
to a great extent or degree
From this reading Many people suppose that you wrote an earlier novel of mine called_ Carnival, _which, were it true, would make you out to be considerably older than you are, since I take it that even your precocity, though it did run to marriage at the age of seventeen (or was it sixteen?), would hardly have allowed you to write_ Carnival _at the same age.
creationnounUS /kriˈeɪʃən/
the human act of creating
From this reading One day, if Mr. Matheson Lang will allow me to use my own title--at present he is using it for a play that he and somebody else have adapted from an Italian original--you may act the part of Jenny Pearl; but that is as near as you will ever get to her creation.
creditedadjectiveUS /ˈkredətəd/
(usually followed by “to”) given credit for
From this reading So you see, I do not exaggerate when I say that you are liable to be credited with_ The Vanity Girl.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading One day, if Mr. Matheson Lang will allow me to use my own title--at present he is using it for a play that he and somebody else have adapted from an Italian original--you may act the part of Jenny Pearl; but that is as near as you will ever get to her creation.
dearly loved
From this reading _My dear Fay._ _For several reasons I am anxious to inscribe this book to you.
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading But the chief reason for inscribing this book to you is my desire to record, however inadequately, what pleasure and pride, dear Fay, your charm, your talents, your beauty, and success have given to_ _Compton Mackenzie._ _Capri_, August 4, 1919.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Many people suppose that you wrote an earlier novel of mine called_ Carnival, _which, were it true, would make you out to be considerably older than you are, since I take it that even your precocity, though it did run to marriage at the age of seventeen (or was it sixteen?), would hardly have allowed you to write_ Carnival _at the same age.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading So you see, I do not exaggerate when I say that you are liable to be credited with_ The Vanity Girl.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading _Equally I should not like gossip to pretend that the heroine if not drawn by you was certainly drawn from you; and though any friend of yours or mine would laugh at such a suggestion, it is just as well to kill the cacklers before they lay their eggs.
earlier in time; previously
From this reading Many people suppose that you wrote an earlier novel of mine called_ Carnival, _which, were it true, would make you out to be considerably older than you are, since I take it that even your precocity, though it did run to marriage at the age of seventeen (or was it sixteen?), would hardly have allowed you to write_ Carnival _at the same age.
oval reproductive body of a fowl (especially a hen) used as food
From this reading _Equally I should not like gossip to pretend that the heroine if not drawn by you was certainly drawn from you; and though any friend of yours or mine would laugh at such a suggestion, it is just as well to kill the cacklers before they lay their eggs.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One day, if Mr. Matheson Lang will allow me to use my own title--at present he is using it for a play that he and somebody else have adapted from an Italian original--you may act the part of Jenny Pearl; but that is as near as you will ever get to her creation.
to the same degree (often followed by “as”)
From this reading _Equally I should not like gossip to pretend that the heroine if not drawn by you was certainly drawn from you; and though any friend of yours or mine would laugh at such a suggestion, it is just as well to kill the cacklers before they lay their eggs.
divisible by two
From this reading Many people suppose that you wrote an earlier novel of mine called_ Carnival, _which, were it true, would make you out to be considerably older than you are, since I take it that even your precocity, though it did run to marriage at the age of seventeen (or was it sixteen?), would hardly have allowed you to write_ Carnival _at the same age.
at any time
From this reading One day, if Mr. Matheson Lang will allow me to use my own title--at present he is using it for a play that he and somebody else have adapted from an Italian original--you may act the part of Jenny Pearl; but that is as near as you will ever get to her creation.
exaggerateverbUS /ɪɡˈzædʒəreɪt/
to enlarge beyond bounds or the truth
From this reading So you see, I do not exaggerate when I say that you are liable to be credited with_ The Vanity Girl.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading Then lately a young gentleman wrote to ask me if I would inform him whether the generally accepted theory that you had written the first two chapters of_ Sinister Street _had any existence in fact.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading Then lately a young gentleman wrote to ask me if I would inform him whether the generally accepted theory that you had written the first two chapters of_ Sinister Street _had any existence in fact.
FaynounUS /feɪ/
a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers
From this reading _My dear Fay._ _For several reasons I am anxious to inscribe this book to you.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Then lately a young gentleman wrote to ask me if I would inform him whether the generally accepted theory that you had written the first two chapters of_ Sinister Street _had any existence in fact.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading _My dear Fay._ _For several reasons I am anxious to inscribe this book to you.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading _Equally I should not like gossip to pretend that the heroine if not drawn by you was certainly drawn from you; and though any friend of yours or mine would laugh at such a suggestion, it is just as well to kill the cacklers before they lay their eggs.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading One day, if Mr. Matheson Lang will allow me to use my own title--at present he is using it for a play that he and somebody else have adapted from an Italian original--you may act the part of Jenny Pearl; but that is as near as you will ever get to her creation.
usually; as a rule
From this reading Then lately a young gentleman wrote to ask me if I would inform him whether the generally accepted theory that you had written the first two chapters of_ Sinister Street _had any existence in fact.
a man of refinement
From this reading Then lately a young gentleman wrote to ask me if I would inform him whether the generally accepted theory that you had written the first two chapters of_ Sinister Street _had any existence in fact.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading One day, if Mr. Matheson Lang will allow me to use my own title--at present he is using it for a play that he and somebody else have adapted from an Italian original--you may act the part of Jenny Pearl; but that is as near as you will ever get to her creation.
a young female
From this reading So you see, I do not exaggerate when I say that you are liable to be credited with_ The Vanity Girl.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading But the chief reason for inscribing this book to you is my desire to record, however inadequately, what pleasure and pride, dear Fay, your charm, your talents, your beauty, and success have given to_ _Compton Mackenzie._ _Capri_, August 4, 1919.
gossipnounUS /ˈɡɑːsəp/
light informal conversation for social occasions
From this reading Unless somehow or other I safeguard you publicly, you are liable to be accused by gossip of having written it, an accusation that both you and I might be justified in resenting.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Then lately a young gentleman wrote to ask me if I would inform him whether the generally accepted theory that you had written the first two chapters of_ Sinister Street _had any existence in fact.
only a very short time before
From this reading Many people suppose that you wrote an earlier novel of mine called_ Carnival, _which, were it true, would make you out to be considerably older than you are, since I take it that even your precocity, though it did run to marriage at the age of seventeen (or was it sixteen?), would hardly have allowed you to write_ Carnival _at the same age.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Many people suppose that you wrote an earlier novel of mine called_ Carnival, _which, were it true, would make you out to be considerably older than you are, since I take it that even your precocity, though it did run to marriage at the age of seventeen (or was it sixteen?), would hardly have allowed you to write_ Carnival _at the same age.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Unless somehow or other I safeguard you publicly, you are liable to be accused by gossip of having written it, an accusation that both you and I might be justified in resenting.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading One day, if Mr. Matheson Lang will allow me to use my own title--at present he is using it for a play that he and somebody else have adapted from an Italian original--you may act the part of Jenny Pearl; but that is as near as you will ever get to her creation.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading One day, if Mr. Matheson Lang will allow me to use my own title--at present he is using it for a play that he and somebody else have adapted from an Italian original--you may act the part of Jenny Pearl; but that is as near as you will ever get to her creation.
heroinenounUS /ˈheroʊən/
the main good female character in a work of fiction
From this reading _Equally I should not like gossip to pretend that the heroine if not drawn by you was certainly drawn from you; and though any friend of yours or mine would laugh at such a suggestion, it is just as well to kill the cacklers before they lay their eggs.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Then lately a young gentleman wrote to ask me if I would inform him whether the generally accepted theory that you had written the first two chapters of_ Sinister Street _had any existence in fact.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading But the chief reason for inscribing this book to you is my desire to record, however inadequately, what pleasure and pride, dear Fay, your charm, your talents, your beauty, and success have given to_ _Compton Mackenzie._ _Capri_, August 4, 1919.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading _My dear Fay._ _For several reasons I am anxious to inscribe this book to you.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading One day, if Mr. Matheson Lang will allow me to use my own title--at present he is using it for a play that he and somebody else have adapted from an Italian original--you may act the part of Jenny Pearl; but that is as near as you will ever get to her creation.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Unless somehow or other I safeguard you publicly, you are liable to be accused by gossip of having written it, an accusation that both you and I might be justified in resenting.
inadequatelyadverbUS /ˌɪˈnædəkwətli/
in an inadequate manner or to an inadequate degree
From this reading But the chief reason for inscribing this book to you is my desire to record, however inadequately, what pleasure and pride, dear Fay, your charm, your talents, your beauty, and success have given to_ _Compton Mackenzie._ _Capri_, August 4, 1919.
informverbUS /ˌɪnˈfɔːrm/
impart knowledge of some fact, state of affairs, or event to
From this reading Then lately a young gentleman wrote to ask me if I would inform him whether the generally accepted theory that you had written the first two chapters of_ Sinister Street _had any existence in fact.
inscribeverbUS /ˌɪnˈskraɪb/
carve, cut, or etch into a material or surface
From this reading _My dear Fay._ _For several reasons I am anxious to inscribe this book to you.
inscribingverbUS /ˌɪnˈskraɪbɪŋ/
-ing form of “inscribe” — carve, cut, or etch into a material or surface
From this reading But the chief reason for inscribing this book to you is my desire to record, however inadequately, what pleasure and pride, dear Fay, your charm, your talents, your beauty, and success have given to_ _Compton Mackenzie._ _Capri_, August 4, 1919.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One day, if Mr. Matheson Lang will allow me to use my own title--at present he is using it for a play that he and somebody else have adapted from an Italian original--you may act the part of Jenny Pearl; but that is as near as you will ever get to her creation.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Unless somehow or other I safeguard you publicly, you are liable to be accused by gossip of having written it, an accusation that both you and I might be justified in resenting.
a native or inhabitant of Italy
From this reading One day, if Mr. Matheson Lang will allow me to use my own title--at present he is using it for a play that he and somebody else have adapted from an Italian original--you may act the part of Jenny Pearl; but that is as near as you will ever get to her creation.
JennynounUS /ˈdʒeni/
United States architect who designed the first skyscraper in which a metal skeleton was used (1832-1907)
From this reading One day, if Mr. Matheson Lang will allow me to use my own title--at present he is using it for a play that he and somebody else have adapted from an Italian original--you may act the part of Jenny Pearl; but that is as near as you will ever get to her creation.
and nothing more
From this reading _Equally I should not like gossip to pretend that the heroine if not drawn by you was certainly drawn from you; and though any friend of yours or mine would laugh at such a suggestion, it is just as well to kill the cacklers before they lay their eggs.
justifiedadjectiveUS /ˈdʒʌstəfaɪd/
having words so spaced that lines have straight even margins
From this reading Unless somehow or other I safeguard you publicly, you are liable to be accused by gossip of having written it, an accusation that both you and I might be justified in resenting.
cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading _Equally I should not like gossip to pretend that the heroine if not drawn by you was certainly drawn from you; and though any friend of yours or mine would laugh at such a suggestion, it is just as well to kill the cacklers before they lay their eggs.
Lang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One day, if Mr. Matheson Lang will allow me to use my own title--at present he is using it for a play that he and somebody else have adapted from an Italian original--you may act the part of Jenny Pearl; but that is as near as you will ever get to her creation.
in the recent past
From this reading Then lately a young gentleman wrote to ask me if I would inform him whether the generally accepted theory that you had written the first two chapters of_ Sinister Street _had any existence in fact.
the sound of laughing
From this reading _Equally I should not like gossip to pretend that the heroine if not drawn by you was certainly drawn from you; and though any friend of yours or mine would laugh at such a suggestion, it is just as well to kill the cacklers before they lay their eggs.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading _Equally I should not like gossip to pretend that the heroine if not drawn by you was certainly drawn from you; and though any friend of yours or mine would laugh at such a suggestion, it is just as well to kill the cacklers before they lay their eggs.
liableadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪəbəl/
at risk of or subject to experiencing something usually unpleasant
From this reading Unless somehow or other I safeguard you publicly, you are liable to be accused by gossip of having written it, an accusation that both you and I might be justified in resenting.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading _Equally I should not like gossip to pretend that the heroine if not drawn by you was certainly drawn from you; and though any friend of yours or mine would laugh at such a suggestion, it is just as well to kill the cacklers before they lay their eggs.
MackenzienounUS /məˈkenzi/
Canadian explorer (born in England) who explored the Mackenzie River and who was first to cross North America by land north of Mexico (1764-1820)
From this reading But the chief reason for inscribing this book to you is my desire to record, however inadequately, what pleasure and pride, dear Fay, your charm, your talents, your beauty, and success have given to_ _Compton Mackenzie._ _Capri_, August 4, 1919.
engage in
From this reading Many people suppose that you wrote an earlier novel of mine called_ Carnival, _which, were it true, would make you out to be considerably older than you are, since I take it that even your precocity, though it did run to marriage at the age of seventeen (or was it sixteen?), would hardly have allowed you to write_ Carnival _at the same age.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Many people suppose that you wrote an earlier novel of mine called_ Carnival, _which, were it true, would make you out to be considerably older than you are, since I take it that even your precocity, though it did run to marriage at the age of seventeen (or was it sixteen?), would hardly have allowed you to write_ Carnival _at the same age.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading Many people suppose that you wrote an earlier novel of mine called_ Carnival, _which, were it true, would make you out to be considerably older than you are, since I take it that even your precocity, though it did run to marriage at the age of seventeen (or was it sixteen?), would hardly have allowed you to write_ Carnival _at the same age.
Matheson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One day, if Mr. Matheson Lang will allow me to use my own title--at present he is using it for a play that he and somebody else have adapted from an Italian original--you may act the part of Jenny Pearl; but that is as near as you will ever get to her creation.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading One day, if Mr. Matheson Lang will allow me to use my own title--at present he is using it for a play that he and somebody else have adapted from an Italian original--you may act the part of Jenny Pearl; but that is as near as you will ever get to her creation.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading One day, if Mr. Matheson Lang will allow me to use my own title--at present he is using it for a play that he and somebody else have adapted from an Italian original--you may act the part of Jenny Pearl; but that is as near as you will ever get to her creation.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Unless somehow or other I safeguard you publicly, you are liable to be accused by gossip of having written it, an accusation that both you and I might be justified in resenting.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Many people suppose that you wrote an earlier novel of mine called_ Carnival, _which, were it true, would make you out to be considerably older than you are, since I take it that even your precocity, though it did run to marriage at the age of seventeen (or was it sixteen?), would hardly have allowed you to write_ Carnival _at the same age.
a form of address for a man
From this reading One day, if Mr. Matheson Lang will allow me to use my own title--at present he is using it for a play that he and somebody else have adapted from an Italian original--you may act the part of Jenny Pearl; but that is as near as you will ever get to her creation.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading _My dear Fay._ _For several reasons I am anxious to inscribe this book to you.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading One day, if Mr. Matheson Lang will allow me to use my own title--at present he is using it for a play that he and somebody else have adapted from an Italian original--you may act the part of Jenny Pearl; but that is as near as you will ever get to her creation.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading So you see, I do not exaggerate when I say that you are liable to be credited with_ The Vanity Girl.
an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story
From this reading Many people suppose that you wrote an earlier novel of mine called_ Carnival, _which, were it true, would make you out to be considerably older than you are, since I take it that even your precocity, though it did run to marriage at the age of seventeen (or was it sixteen?), would hardly have allowed you to write_ Carnival _at the same age.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Unless somehow or other I safeguard you publicly, you are liable to be accused by gossip of having written it, an accusation that both you and I might be justified in resenting.
olderadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldər/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading Many people suppose that you wrote an earlier novel of mine called_ Carnival, _which, were it true, would make you out to be considerably older than you are, since I take it that even your precocity, though it did run to marriage at the age of seventeen (or was it sixteen?), would hardly have allowed you to write_ Carnival _at the same age.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One day, if Mr. Matheson Lang will allow me to use my own title--at present he is using it for a play that he and somebody else have adapted from an Italian original--you may act the part of Jenny Pearl; but that is as near as you will ever get to her creation.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Unless somehow or other I safeguard you publicly, you are liable to be accused by gossip of having written it, an accusation that both you and I might be justified in resenting.
preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed
From this reading One day, if Mr. Matheson Lang will allow me to use my own title--at present he is using it for a play that he and somebody else have adapted from an Italian original--you may act the part of Jenny Pearl; but that is as near as you will ever get to her creation.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Unless somehow or other I safeguard you publicly, you are liable to be accused by gossip of having written it, an accusation that both you and I might be justified in resenting.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Many people suppose that you wrote an earlier novel of mine called_ Carnival, _which, were it true, would make you out to be considerably older than you are, since I take it that even your precocity, though it did run to marriage at the age of seventeen (or was it sixteen?), would hardly have allowed you to write_ Carnival _at the same age.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading One day, if Mr. Matheson Lang will allow me to use my own title--at present he is using it for a play that he and somebody else have adapted from an Italian original--you may act the part of Jenny Pearl; but that is as near as you will ever get to her creation.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading One day, if Mr. Matheson Lang will allow me to use my own title--at present he is using it for a play that he and somebody else have adapted from an Italian original--you may act the part of Jenny Pearl; but that is as near as you will ever get to her creation.
PearlnounUS /pɜːrl/
a smooth lustrous round structure inside the shell of a clam or oyster; much valued as a jewel
From this reading One day, if Mr. Matheson Lang will allow me to use my own title--at present he is using it for a play that he and somebody else have adapted from an Italian original--you may act the part of Jenny Pearl; but that is as near as you will ever get to her creation.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Many people suppose that you wrote an earlier novel of mine called_ Carnival, _which, were it true, would make you out to be considerably older than you are, since I take it that even your precocity, though it did run to marriage at the age of seventeen (or was it sixteen?), would hardly have allowed you to write_ Carnival _at the same age.
participate in games or sport
From this reading One day, if Mr. Matheson Lang will allow me to use my own title--at present he is using it for a play that he and somebody else have adapted from an Italian original--you may act the part of Jenny Pearl; but that is as near as you will ever get to her creation.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading But the chief reason for inscribing this book to you is my desire to record, however inadequately, what pleasure and pride, dear Fay, your charm, your talents, your beauty, and success have given to_ _Compton Mackenzie._ _Capri_, August 4, 1919.
precocitynoun
intelligence achieved far ahead of normal developmental schedules
From this reading Many people suppose that you wrote an earlier novel of mine called_ Carnival, _which, were it true, would make you out to be considerably older than you are, since I take it that even your precocity, though it did run to marriage at the age of seventeen (or was it sixteen?), would hardly have allowed you to write_ Carnival _at the same age.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading One day, if Mr. Matheson Lang will allow me to use my own title--at present he is using it for a play that he and somebody else have adapted from an Italian original--you may act the part of Jenny Pearl; but that is as near as you will ever get to her creation.
pretendverbUS /priˈtend/
make believe with the intent to deceive
From this reading _Equally I should not like gossip to pretend that the heroine if not drawn by you was certainly drawn from you; and though any friend of yours or mine would laugh at such a suggestion, it is just as well to kill the cacklers before they lay their eggs.
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading But the chief reason for inscribing this book to you is my desire to record, however inadequately, what pleasure and pride, dear Fay, your charm, your talents, your beauty, and success have given to_ _Compton Mackenzie._ _Capri_, August 4, 1919.
publiclyadverbUS /ˈpʌblɪkli/
in a manner accessible to or observable by the public; openly
From this reading Unless somehow or other I safeguard you publicly, you are liable to be accused by gossip of having written it, an accusation that both you and I might be justified in resenting.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading But the chief reason for inscribing this book to you is my desire to record, however inadequately, what pleasure and pride, dear Fay, your charm, your talents, your beauty, and success have given to_ _Compton Mackenzie._ _Capri_, August 4, 1919.
plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading _My dear Fay._ _For several reasons I am anxious to inscribe this book to you.
anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events
From this reading But the chief reason for inscribing this book to you is my desire to record, however inadequately, what pleasure and pride, dear Fay, your charm, your talents, your beauty, and success have given to_ _Compton Mackenzie._ _Capri_, August 4, 1919.
resentingverbUS /rɪˈzentɪŋ/
-ing form of “resent” — feel bitter or indignant about
From this reading Unless somehow or other I safeguard you publicly, you are liable to be accused by gossip of having written it, an accusation that both you and I might be justified in resenting.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Many people suppose that you wrote an earlier novel of mine called_ Carnival, _which, were it true, would make you out to be considerably older than you are, since I take it that even your precocity, though it did run to marriage at the age of seventeen (or was it sixteen?), would hardly have allowed you to write_ Carnival _at the same age.
safeguardnounUS /ˈseɪfɡɑːrd/
a precautionary measure warding off impending danger or damage or injury etc.
From this reading Unless somehow or other I safeguard you publicly, you are liable to be accused by gossip of having written it, an accusation that both you and I might be justified in resenting.
Identical; not different.
From this reading Many people suppose that you wrote an earlier novel of mine called_ Carnival, _which, were it true, would make you out to be considerably older than you are, since I take it that even your precocity, though it did run to marriage at the age of seventeen (or was it sixteen?), would hardly have allowed you to write_ Carnival _at the same age.
express in words
From this reading So you see, I do not exaggerate when I say that you are liable to be credited with_ The Vanity Girl.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading So you see, I do not exaggerate when I say that you are liable to be credited with_ The Vanity Girl.
seventeenadjectiveUS /ˈsevənˈtiːn/
being one more than sixteen
From this reading Many people suppose that you wrote an earlier novel of mine called_ Carnival, _which, were it true, would make you out to be considerably older than you are, since I take it that even your precocity, though it did run to marriage at the age of seventeen (or was it sixteen?), would hardly have allowed you to write_ Carnival _at the same age.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading _My dear Fay._ _For several reasons I am anxious to inscribe this book to you.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading _Equally I should not like gossip to pretend that the heroine if not drawn by you was certainly drawn from you; and though any friend of yours or mine would laugh at such a suggestion, it is just as well to kill the cacklers before they lay their eggs.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Many people suppose that you wrote an earlier novel of mine called_ Carnival, _which, were it true, would make you out to be considerably older than you are, since I take it that even your precocity, though it did run to marriage at the age of seventeen (or was it sixteen?), would hardly have allowed you to write_ Carnival _at the same age.
SinisteradjectiveUS /ˈsɪnɪstər/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading Then lately a young gentleman wrote to ask me if I would inform him whether the generally accepted theory that you had written the first two chapters of_ Sinister Street _had any existence in fact.
sixteenadjectiveUS /sɪkˈstiːn/
being one more than fifteen
From this reading Many people suppose that you wrote an earlier novel of mine called_ Carnival, _which, were it true, would make you out to be considerably older than you are, since I take it that even your precocity, though it did run to marriage at the age of seventeen (or was it sixteen?), would hardly have allowed you to write_ Carnival _at the same age.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So you see, I do not exaggerate when I say that you are liable to be credited with_ The Vanity Girl.
a person, without saying who
From this reading One day, if Mr. Matheson Lang will allow me to use my own title--at present he is using it for a play that he and somebody else have adapted from an Italian original--you may act the part of Jenny Pearl; but that is as near as you will ever get to her creation.
in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means
From this reading Unless somehow or other I safeguard you publicly, you are liable to be accused by gossip of having written it, an accusation that both you and I might be justified in resenting.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Then lately a young gentleman wrote to ask me if I would inform him whether the generally accepted theory that you had written the first two chapters of_ Sinister Street _had any existence in fact.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading But the chief reason for inscribing this book to you is my desire to record, however inadequately, what pleasure and pride, dear Fay, your charm, your talents, your beauty, and success have given to_ _Compton Mackenzie._ _Capri_, August 4, 1919.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading _Equally I should not like gossip to pretend that the heroine if not drawn by you was certainly drawn from you; and though any friend of yours or mine would laugh at such a suggestion, it is just as well to kill the cacklers before they lay their eggs.
an idea that is suggested
From this reading _Equally I should not like gossip to pretend that the heroine if not drawn by you was certainly drawn from you; and though any friend of yours or mine would laugh at such a suggestion, it is just as well to kill the cacklers before they lay their eggs.
express a supposition
From this reading Many people suppose that you wrote an earlier novel of mine called_ Carnival, _which, were it true, would make you out to be considerably older than you are, since I take it that even your precocity, though it did run to marriage at the age of seventeen (or was it sixteen?), would hardly have allowed you to write_ Carnival _at the same age.
carry out
From this reading Many people suppose that you wrote an earlier novel of mine called_ Carnival, _which, were it true, would make you out to be considerably older than you are, since I take it that even your precocity, though it did run to marriage at the age of seventeen (or was it sixteen?), would hardly have allowed you to write_ Carnival _at the same age.
talentsnounUS /ˈtælənts/
plural of “talent” — natural abilities or qualities
From this reading But the chief reason for inscribing this book to you is my desire to record, however inadequately, what pleasure and pride, dear Fay, your charm, your talents, your beauty, and success have given to_ _Compton Mackenzie._ _Capri_, August 4, 1919.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Many people suppose that you wrote an earlier novel of mine called_ Carnival, _which, were it true, would make you out to be considerably older than you are, since I take it that even your precocity, though it did run to marriage at the age of seventeen (or was it sixteen?), would hardly have allowed you to write_ Carnival _at the same age.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Unless somehow or other I safeguard you publicly, you are liable to be accused by gossip of having written it, an accusation that both you and I might be justified in resenting.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Many people suppose that you wrote an earlier novel of mine called_ Carnival, _which, were it true, would make you out to be considerably older than you are, since I take it that even your precocity, though it did run to marriage at the age of seventeen (or was it sixteen?), would hardly have allowed you to write_ Carnival _at the same age.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading _Equally I should not like gossip to pretend that the heroine if not drawn by you was certainly drawn from you; and though any friend of yours or mine would laugh at such a suggestion, it is just as well to kill the cacklers before they lay their eggs.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then lately a young gentleman wrote to ask me if I would inform him whether the generally accepted theory that you had written the first two chapters of_ Sinister Street _had any existence in fact.
a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena
From this reading Then lately a young gentleman wrote to ask me if I would inform him whether the generally accepted theory that you had written the first two chapters of_ Sinister Street _had any existence in fact.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading _Equally I should not like gossip to pretend that the heroine if not drawn by you was certainly drawn from you; and though any friend of yours or mine would laugh at such a suggestion, it is just as well to kill the cacklers before they lay their eggs.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading _My dear Fay._ _For several reasons I am anxious to inscribe this book to you.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Many people suppose that you wrote an earlier novel of mine called_ Carnival, _which, were it true, would make you out to be considerably older than you are, since I take it that even your precocity, though it did run to marriage at the age of seventeen (or was it sixteen?), would hardly have allowed you to write_ Carnival _at the same age.
a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with
From this reading One day, if Mr. Matheson Lang will allow me to use my own title--at present he is using it for a play that he and somebody else have adapted from an Italian original--you may act the part of Jenny Pearl; but that is as near as you will ever get to her creation.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _My dear Fay._ _For several reasons I am anxious to inscribe this book to you.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading Many people suppose that you wrote an earlier novel of mine called_ Carnival, _which, were it true, would make you out to be considerably older than you are, since I take it that even your precocity, though it did run to marriage at the age of seventeen (or was it sixteen?), would hardly have allowed you to write_ Carnival _at the same age.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Then lately a young gentleman wrote to ask me if I would inform him whether the generally accepted theory that you had written the first two chapters of_ Sinister Street _had any existence in fact.
except if; if not
From this reading Unless somehow or other I safeguard you publicly, you are liable to be accused by gossip of having written it, an accusation that both you and I might be justified in resenting.
the act of using
From this reading One day, if Mr. Matheson Lang will allow me to use my own title--at present he is using it for a play that he and somebody else have adapted from an Italian original--you may act the part of Jenny Pearl; but that is as near as you will ever get to her creation.
an act that exploits or victimizes someone (treats them unfairly)
From this reading One day, if Mr. Matheson Lang will allow me to use my own title--at present he is using it for a play that he and somebody else have adapted from an Italian original--you may act the part of Jenny Pearl; but that is as near as you will ever get to her creation.
VanitynounUS /ˈvænəti/
feelings of excessive pride
From this reading So you see, I do not exaggerate when I say that you are liable to be credited with_ The Vanity Girl.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Many people suppose that you wrote an earlier novel of mine called_ Carnival, _which, were it true, would make you out to be considerably older than you are, since I take it that even your precocity, though it did run to marriage at the age of seventeen (or was it sixteen?), would hardly have allowed you to write_ Carnival _at the same age.
(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 _Equally I should not like gossip to pretend that the heroine if not drawn by you was certainly drawn from you; and though any friend of yours or mine would laugh at such a suggestion, it is just as well to kill the cacklers before they lay their eggs.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Many people suppose that you wrote an earlier novel of mine called_ Carnival, _which, were it true, would make you out to be considerably older than you are, since I take it that even your precocity, though it did run to marriage at the age of seventeen (or was it sixteen?), would hardly have allowed you to write_ Carnival _at the same age.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But the chief reason for inscribing this book to you is my desire to record, however inadequately, what pleasure and pride, dear Fay, your charm, your talents, your beauty, and success have given to_ _Compton Mackenzie._ _Capri_, August 4, 1919.
at the time that
From this reading So you see, I do not exaggerate when I say that you are liable to be credited with_ The Vanity Girl.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Then lately a young gentleman wrote to ask me if I would inform him whether the generally accepted theory that you had written the first two chapters of_ Sinister Street _had any existence in fact.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Many people suppose that you wrote an earlier novel of mine called_ Carnival, _which, were it true, would make you out to be considerably older than you are, since I take it that even your precocity, though it did run to marriage at the age of seventeen (or was it sixteen?), would hardly have allowed you to write_ Carnival _at the same age.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading One day, if Mr. Matheson Lang will allow me to use my own title--at present he is using it for a play that he and somebody else have adapted from an Italian original--you may act the part of Jenny Pearl; but that is as near as you will ever get to her creation.
in the company of; together with
From this reading So you see, I do not exaggerate when I say that you are liable to be credited with_ The Vanity Girl.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Many people suppose that you wrote an earlier novel of mine called_ Carnival, _which, were it true, would make you out to be considerably older than you are, since I take it that even your precocity, though it did run to marriage at the age of seventeen (or was it sixteen?), would hardly have allowed you to write_ Carnival _at the same age.
produce a literary work
From this reading Many people suppose that you wrote an earlier novel of mine called_ Carnival, _which, were it true, would make you out to be considerably older than you are, since I take it that even your precocity, though it did run to marriage at the age of seventeen (or was it sixteen?), would hardly have allowed you to write_ Carnival _at the same age.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading Unless somehow or other I safeguard you publicly, you are liable to be accused by gossip of having written it, an accusation that both you and I might be justified in resenting.
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading Many people suppose that you wrote an earlier novel of mine called_ Carnival, _which, were it true, would make you out to be considerably older than you are, since I take it that even your precocity, though it did run to marriage at the age of seventeen (or was it sixteen?), would hardly have allowed you to write_ Carnival _at the same age.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading _My dear Fay._ _For several reasons I am anxious to inscribe this book to you.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Then lately a young gentleman wrote to ask me if I would inform him whether the generally accepted theory that you had written the first two chapters of_ Sinister Street _had any existence in fact.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Many people suppose that you wrote an earlier novel of mine called_ Carnival, _which, were it true, would make you out to be considerably older than you are, since I take it that even your precocity, though it did run to marriage at the age of seventeen (or was it sixteen?), would hardly have allowed you to write_ Carnival _at the same age.
the one or ones belonging to the person spoken to
From this reading _Equally I should not like gossip to pretend that the heroine if not drawn by you was certainly drawn from you; and though any friend of yours or mine would laugh at such a suggestion, it is just as well to kill the cacklers before they lay their eggs.
