used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was easiness which had induced him to condone a baseness in his nephew which he would have been the first to condemn in a stranger.
abusedadjectiveUS /əˈbjuːzd/
used improperly or excessively especially drugs
From this reading And again it was easiness which had beguiled him into standing idle while the brother's influence was creeping like strangling ivy over the girl's generous nature; while her best instincts were being withered by ridicule, her generosity abused by meanness, and her sense of right blunted by such acts of lawlessness as the seizure of the smuggling vessel.
actsnounUS /ækts/
a New Testament book describing the development of the early church from Christ's Ascension to Paul's sojourn at Rome
From this reading And again it was easiness which had beguiled him into standing idle while the brother's influence was creeping like strangling ivy over the girl's generous nature; while her best instincts were being withered by ridicule, her generosity abused by meanness, and her sense of right blunted by such acts of lawlessness as the seizure of the smuggling vessel.
AFTER-DINNER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN AFTER-DINNER GAME Easiness, the failing of the old-world Irishman, had been Uncle Ulick's bane through life.
anew
From this reading And again it was easiness which had beguiled him into standing idle while the brother's influence was creeping like strangling ivy over the girl's generous nature; while her best instincts were being withered by ridicule, her generosity abused by meanness, and her sense of right blunted by such acts of lawlessness as the seizure of the smuggling vessel.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN AFTER-DINNER GAME Easiness, the failing of the old-world Irishman, had been Uncle Ulick's bane through life.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And again it was easiness which had beguiled him into standing idle while the brother's influence was creeping like strangling ivy over the girl's generous nature; while her best instincts were being withered by ridicule, her generosity abused by meanness, and her sense of right blunted by such acts of lawlessness as the seizure of the smuggling vessel.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading And again it was easiness which had beguiled him into standing idle while the brother's influence was creeping like strangling ivy over the girl's generous nature; while her best instincts were being withered by ridicule, her generosity abused by meanness, and her sense of right blunted by such acts of lawlessness as the seizure of the smuggling vessel.
Asgill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He saw the blighting shadow of Asgill begin to darken the scene.
banenounUS /beɪn/
something causing misery or death
From this reading AN AFTER-DINNER GAME Easiness, the failing of the old-world Irishman, had been Uncle Ulick's bane through life.
basenessnoun
unworthiness by virtue of lacking higher values
From this reading It was easiness which had induced him to condone a baseness in his nephew which he would have been the first to condemn in a stranger.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading AN AFTER-DINNER GAME Easiness, the failing of the old-world Irishman, had been Uncle Ulick's bane through life.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading He saw the blighting shadow of Asgill begin to darken the scene.
beguiledadjectiveUS /bɪˈɡaɪld/
filled with wonder and delight
From this reading And again it was easiness which had beguiled him into standing idle while the brother's influence was creeping like strangling ivy over the girl's generous nature; while her best instincts were being withered by ridicule, her generosity abused by meanness, and her sense of right blunted by such acts of lawlessness as the seizure of the smuggling vessel.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading And again it was easiness which had beguiled him into standing idle while the brother's influence was creeping like strangling ivy over the girl's generous nature; while her best instincts were being withered by ridicule, her generosity abused by meanness, and her sense of right blunted by such acts of lawlessness as the seizure of the smuggling vessel.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading And again it was easiness which had beguiled him into standing idle while the brother's influence was creeping like strangling ivy over the girl's generous nature; while her best instincts were being withered by ridicule, her generosity abused by meanness, and her sense of right blunted by such acts of lawlessness as the seizure of the smuggling vessel.
blighting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He saw the blighting shadow of Asgill begin to darken the scene.
bluntedadjectiveUS /ˈblʌntəd/
made dull or blunt
From this reading And again it was easiness which had beguiled him into standing idle while the brother's influence was creeping like strangling ivy over the girl's generous nature; while her best instincts were being withered by ridicule, her generosity abused by meanness, and her sense of right blunted by such acts of lawlessness as the seizure of the smuggling vessel.
brother'snounUS /ˈbrʌðərz/
possessive form of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading And again it was easiness which had beguiled him into standing idle while the brother's influence was creeping like strangling ivy over the girl's generous nature; while her best instincts were being withered by ridicule, her generosity abused by meanness, and her sense of right blunted by such acts of lawlessness as the seizure of the smuggling vessel.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading And again it was easiness which had beguiled him into standing idle while the brother's influence was creeping like strangling ivy over the girl's generous nature; while her best instincts were being withered by ridicule, her generosity abused by meanness, and her sense of right blunted by such acts of lawlessness as the seizure of the smuggling vessel.
condemnverbUS /kənˈdem/
express strong disapproval of
From this reading It was easiness which had induced him to condone a baseness in his nephew which he would have been the first to condemn in a stranger.
condoneverbUS /kənˈdoʊn/
excuse, overlook, or make allowances for; be lenient with
From this reading It was easiness which had induced him to condone a baseness in his nephew which he would have been the first to condemn in a stranger.
creepingnounUS /ˈkriːpɪŋ/
a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
From this reading And again it was easiness which had beguiled him into standing idle while the brother's influence was creeping like strangling ivy over the girl's generous nature; while her best instincts were being withered by ridicule, her generosity abused by meanness, and her sense of right blunted by such acts of lawlessness as the seizure of the smuggling vessel.
darkenverbUS /ˈdɑːrkən/
become dark or darker
From this reading He saw the blighting shadow of Asgill begin to darken the scene.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He feared, if he did not know, that things were going ill.
Easinessnoun
a feeling of refreshing tranquility and an absence of tension or worry
From this reading AN AFTER-DINNER GAME Easiness, the failing of the old-world Irishman, had been Uncle Ulick's bane through life.
failingnounUS /ˈfeɪlɪŋ/
a flaw or weak point
From this reading AN AFTER-DINNER GAME Easiness, the failing of the old-world Irishman, had been Uncle Ulick's bane through life.
past form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading He feared, if he did not know, that things were going ill.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It was easiness which had induced him to condone a baseness in his nephew which he would have been the first to condemn in a stranger.
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading AN AFTER-DINNER GAME Easiness, the failing of the old-world Irishman, had been Uncle Ulick's bane through life.
generositynounUS /ˌdʒenərˈɑːsəti/
the trait of being willing to give your money or time
From this reading And again it was easiness which had beguiled him into standing idle while the brother's influence was creeping like strangling ivy over the girl's generous nature; while her best instincts were being withered by ridicule, her generosity abused by meanness, and her sense of right blunted by such acts of lawlessness as the seizure of the smuggling vessel.
willing to give and share unstintingly
From this reading And again it was easiness which had beguiled him into standing idle while the brother's influence was creeping like strangling ivy over the girl's generous nature; while her best instincts were being withered by ridicule, her generosity abused by meanness, and her sense of right blunted by such acts of lawlessness as the seizure of the smuggling vessel.
girl'snounUS /ɡɜːrlz/
possessive form of “girl” — a young female
From this reading And again it was easiness which had beguiled him into standing idle while the brother's influence was creeping like strangling ivy over the girl's generous nature; while her best instincts were being withered by ridicule, her generosity abused by meanness, and her sense of right blunted by such acts of lawlessness as the seizure of the smuggling vessel.
the act of departing
From this reading He feared, if he did not know, that things were going ill.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading AN AFTER-DINNER GAME Easiness, the failing of the old-world Irishman, had been Uncle Ulick's bane through life.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It was easiness which had induced him to condone a baseness in his nephew which he would have been the first to condemn in a stranger.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was easiness which had induced him to condone a baseness in his nephew which he would have been the first to condemn in a stranger.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading And again it was easiness which had beguiled him into standing idle while the brother's influence was creeping like strangling ivy over the girl's generous nature; while her best instincts were being withered by ridicule, her generosity abused by meanness, and her sense of right blunted by such acts of lawlessness as the seizure of the smuggling vessel.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was easiness which had induced him to condone a baseness in his nephew which he would have been the first to condemn in a stranger.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was easiness which had induced him to condone a baseness in his nephew which he would have been the first to condemn in a stranger.
not in action or at work
From this reading And again it was easiness which had beguiled him into standing idle while the brother's influence was creeping like strangling ivy over the girl's generous nature; while her best instincts were being withered by ridicule, her generosity abused by meanness, and her sense of right blunted by such acts of lawlessness as the seizure of the smuggling vessel.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He feared, if he did not know, that things were going ill.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading He feared, if he did not know, that things were going ill.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was easiness which had induced him to condone a baseness in his nephew which he would have been the first to condemn in a stranger.
inducedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈduːst/
brought about or caused; not spontaneous
From this reading It was easiness which had induced him to condone a baseness in his nephew which he would have been the first to condemn in a stranger.
a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc
From this reading And again it was easiness which had beguiled him into standing idle while the brother's influence was creeping like strangling ivy over the girl's generous nature; while her best instincts were being withered by ridicule, her generosity abused by meanness, and her sense of right blunted by such acts of lawlessness as the seizure of the smuggling vessel.
instinctsnounUS /ˈɪnstɪŋkts/
plural of “instinct” — inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading And again it was easiness which had beguiled him into standing idle while the brother's influence was creeping like strangling ivy over the girl's generous nature; while her best instincts were being withered by ridicule, her generosity abused by meanness, and her sense of right blunted by such acts of lawlessness as the seizure of the smuggling vessel.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading And again it was easiness which had beguiled him into standing idle while the brother's influence was creeping like strangling ivy over the girl's generous nature; while her best instincts were being withered by ridicule, her generosity abused by meanness, and her sense of right blunted by such acts of lawlessness as the seizure of the smuggling vessel.
IrishmannounUS /ˈaɪrɪʃmən/
a man who is a native or inhabitant of Ireland
From this reading AN AFTER-DINNER GAME Easiness, the failing of the old-world Irishman, had been Uncle Ulick's bane through life.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was easiness which had induced him to condone a baseness in his nephew which he would have been the first to condemn in a stranger.
ivynounUS /ˈaɪvi/
Old World vine with lobed evergreen leaves and black berrylike fruits
From this reading And again it was easiness which had beguiled him into standing idle while the brother's influence was creeping like strangling ivy over the girl's generous nature; while her best instincts were being withered by ridicule, her generosity abused by meanness, and her sense of right blunted by such acts of lawlessness as the seizure of the smuggling vessel.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He feared, if he did not know, that things were going ill.
lawlessnessnounUS /ˈlɔːləsnəs/
a state of lawlessness and disorder (usually resulting from a failure of government)
From this reading And again it was easiness which had beguiled him into standing idle while the brother's influence was creeping like strangling ivy over the girl's generous nature; while her best instincts were being withered by ridicule, her generosity abused by meanness, and her sense of right blunted by such acts of lawlessness as the seizure of the smuggling vessel.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading AN AFTER-DINNER GAME Easiness, the failing of the old-world Irishman, had been Uncle Ulick's bane through life.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading And again it was easiness which had beguiled him into standing idle while the brother's influence was creeping like strangling ivy over the girl's generous nature; while her best instincts were being withered by ridicule, her generosity abused by meanness, and her sense of right blunted by such acts of lawlessness as the seizure of the smuggling vessel.
meannessnounUS /ˈmiːnnəs/
the quality of being deliberately mean
From this reading And again it was easiness which had beguiled him into standing idle while the brother's influence was creeping like strangling ivy over the girl's generous nature; while her best instincts were being withered by ridicule, her generosity abused by meanness, and her sense of right blunted by such acts of lawlessness as the seizure of the smuggling vessel.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading And again it was easiness which had beguiled him into standing idle while the brother's influence was creeping like strangling ivy over the girl's generous nature; while her best instincts were being withered by ridicule, her generosity abused by meanness, and her sense of right blunted by such acts of lawlessness as the seizure of the smuggling vessel.
a son of your brother or sister
From this reading It was easiness which had induced him to condone a baseness in his nephew which he would have been the first to condemn in a stranger.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He feared, if he did not know, that things were going ill.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AN AFTER-DINNER GAME Easiness, the failing of the old-world Irishman, had been Uncle Ulick's bane through life.
old-worldadjective
characteristic of former times especially in Europe
From this reading AN AFTER-DINNER GAME Easiness, the failing of the old-world Irishman, had been Uncle Ulick's bane through life.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading And again it was easiness which had beguiled him into standing idle while the brother's influence was creeping like strangling ivy over the girl's generous nature; while her best instincts were being withered by ridicule, her generosity abused by meanness, and her sense of right blunted by such acts of lawlessness as the seizure of the smuggling vessel.
ridiculenounUS /ˈrɪdəkjuːl/
language or behavior intended to mock or humiliate
From this reading And again it was easiness which had beguiled him into standing idle while the brother's influence was creeping like strangling ivy over the girl's generous nature; while her best instincts were being withered by ridicule, her generosity abused by meanness, and her sense of right blunted by such acts of lawlessness as the seizure of the smuggling vessel.
precisely, exactly
From this reading And again it was easiness which had beguiled him into standing idle while the brother's influence was creeping like strangling ivy over the girl's generous nature; while her best instincts were being withered by ridicule, her generosity abused by meanness, and her sense of right blunted by such acts of lawlessness as the seizure of the smuggling vessel.
cut with a saw
From this reading He saw the blighting shadow of Asgill begin to darken the scene.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading He saw the blighting shadow of Asgill begin to darken the scene.
seizurenounUS /ˈsiːʒər/
a sudden occurrence (or recurrence) of a disease
From this reading And again it was easiness which had beguiled him into standing idle while the brother's influence was creeping like strangling ivy over the girl's generous nature; while her best instincts were being withered by ridicule, her generosity abused by meanness, and her sense of right blunted by such acts of lawlessness as the seizure of the smuggling vessel.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading And again it was easiness which had beguiled him into standing idle while the brother's influence was creeping like strangling ivy over the girl's generous nature; while her best instincts were being withered by ridicule, her generosity abused by meanness, and her sense of right blunted by such acts of lawlessness as the seizure of the smuggling vessel.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading He saw the blighting shadow of Asgill begin to darken the scene.
smugglingnounUS /ˈsmʌɡlɪŋ/
secretly importing prohibited goods or goods on which duty is due
From this reading And again it was easiness which had beguiled him into standing idle while the brother's influence was creeping like strangling ivy over the girl's generous nature; while her best instincts were being withered by ridicule, her generosity abused by meanness, and her sense of right blunted by such acts of lawlessness as the seizure of the smuggling vessel.
having a supporting base
From this reading And again it was easiness which had beguiled him into standing idle while the brother's influence was creeping like strangling ivy over the girl's generous nature; while her best instincts were being withered by ridicule, her generosity abused by meanness, and her sense of right blunted by such acts of lawlessness as the seizure of the smuggling vessel.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading It was easiness which had induced him to condone a baseness in his nephew which he would have been the first to condemn in a stranger.
stranglingnounUS /ˈstræŋɡəlɪŋ/
the act of suffocating (someone) by constricting the windpipe
From this reading And again it was easiness which had beguiled him into standing idle while the brother's influence was creeping like strangling ivy over the girl's generous nature; while her best instincts were being withered by ridicule, her generosity abused by meanness, and her sense of right blunted by such acts of lawlessness as the seizure of the smuggling vessel.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading And again it was easiness which had beguiled him into standing idle while the brother's influence was creeping like strangling ivy over the girl's generous nature; while her best instincts were being withered by ridicule, her generosity abused by meanness, and her sense of right blunted by such acts of lawlessness as the seizure of the smuggling vessel.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He feared, if he did not know, that things were going ill.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN AFTER-DINNER GAME Easiness, the failing of the old-world Irishman, had been Uncle Ulick's bane through life.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading He feared, if he did not know, that things were going ill.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading AN AFTER-DINNER GAME Easiness, the failing of the old-world Irishman, had been Uncle Ulick's bane through life.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was easiness which had induced him to condone a baseness in his nephew which he would have been the first to condemn in a stranger.
Ulick's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN AFTER-DINNER GAME Easiness, the failing of the old-world Irishman, had been Uncle Ulick's bane through life.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading AN AFTER-DINNER GAME Easiness, the failing of the old-world Irishman, had been Uncle Ulick's bane through life.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading And again it was easiness which had beguiled him into standing idle while the brother's influence was creeping like strangling ivy over the girl's generous nature; while her best instincts were being withered by ridicule, her generosity abused by meanness, and her sense of right blunted by such acts of lawlessness as the seizure of the smuggling vessel.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was easiness which had induced him to condone a baseness in his nephew which he would have been the first to condemn in a stranger.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading And again it was easiness which had beguiled him into standing idle while the brother's influence was creeping like strangling ivy over the girl's generous nature; while her best instincts were being withered by ridicule, her generosity abused by meanness, and her sense of right blunted by such acts of lawlessness as the seizure of the smuggling vessel.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was easiness which had induced him to condone a baseness in his nephew which he would have been the first to condemn in a stranger.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading And again it was easiness which had beguiled him into standing idle while the brother's influence was creeping like strangling ivy over the girl's generous nature; while her best instincts were being withered by ridicule, her generosity abused by meanness, and her sense of right blunted by such acts of lawlessness as the seizure of the smuggling vessel.
witheredadjectiveUS /ˈwɪðərd/
lean and wrinkled by shrinkage as from age or illness
From this reading And again it was easiness which had beguiled him into standing idle while the brother's influence was creeping like strangling ivy over the girl's generous nature; while her best instincts were being withered by ridicule, her generosity abused by meanness, and her sense of right blunted by such acts of lawlessness as the seizure of the smuggling vessel.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It was easiness which had induced him to condone a baseness in his nephew which he would have been the first to condemn in a stranger.
