used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Ernest did not sleep well that night: the scene of the evening haunted his dreams, and he awoke with a sense of oppression that impartially follows on the heels of misfortune, folly, and lobster-salad.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Ernest was a very inexperienced youth, but, inexperienced as he was, he could not but recognise that he had let himself in for an awkward business.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Ernest did not sleep well that night: the scene of the evening haunted his dreams, and he awoke with a sense of oppression that impartially follows on the heels of misfortune, folly, and lobster-salad.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Ernest was a very inexperienced youth, but, inexperienced as he was, he could not but recognise that he had let himself in for an awkward business.
awkwardadjectiveUS /ˈɑːkwərd/
causing inconvenience
From this reading Ernest was a very inexperienced youth, but, inexperienced as he was, he could not but recognise that he had let himself in for an awkward business.
inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping
From this reading Ernest did not sleep well that night: the scene of the evening haunted his dreams, and he awoke with a sense of oppression that impartially follows on the heels of misfortune, folly, and lobster-salad.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Nor did the broad light of the summer day disperse his sorrows; indeed, it only served to define them more clearly.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading Ernest was a very inexperienced youth, but, inexperienced as he was, he could not but recognise that he had let himself in for an awkward business.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Ernest was a very inexperienced youth, but, inexperienced as he was, he could not but recognise that he had let himself in for an awkward business.
Ceswick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not in the smallest degree in love with Florence Ceswick; indeed, his predominant feeling towards her was one of fear.
without doubt or question
From this reading Nor did the broad light of the summer day disperse his sorrows; indeed, it only served to define them more clearly.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Ernest was a very inexperienced youth, but, inexperienced as he was, he could not but recognise that he had let himself in for an awkward business.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Nor did the broad light of the summer day disperse his sorrows; indeed, it only served to define them more clearly.
defineverbUS /dɪˈfaɪn/
determine the essential quality of
From this reading Nor did the broad light of the summer day disperse his sorrows; indeed, it only served to define them more clearly.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading He was not in the smallest degree in love with Florence Ceswick; indeed, his predominant feeling towards her was one of fear.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Ernest did not sleep well that night: the scene of the evening haunted his dreams, and he awoke with a sense of oppression that impartially follows on the heels of misfortune, folly, and lobster-salad.
disperseverbUS /dɪˈspɜːrs/
distribute loosely
From this reading Nor did the broad light of the summer day disperse his sorrows; indeed, it only served to define them more clearly.
plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep
From this reading Ernest did not sleep well that night: the scene of the evening haunted his dreams, and he awoke with a sense of oppression that impartially follows on the heels of misfortune, folly, and lobster-salad.
characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions
From this reading She was, as he had said, so terribly in earnest.
Ernest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ernest did not sleep well that night: the scene of the evening haunted his dreams, and he awoke with a sense of oppression that impartially follows on the heels of misfortune, folly, and lobster-salad.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Ernest did not sleep well that night: the scene of the evening haunted his dreams, and he awoke with a sense of oppression that impartially follows on the heels of misfortune, folly, and lobster-salad.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading He was not in the smallest degree in love with Florence Ceswick; indeed, his predominant feeling towards her was one of fear.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading He was not in the smallest degree in love with Florence Ceswick; indeed, his predominant feeling towards her was one of fear.
FlorencenounUS /ˈflɔːrəns/
a city in central Italy on the Arno; provincial capital of Tuscany; center of the Italian Renaissance from 14th to 16th centuries
From this reading He was not in the smallest degree in love with Florence Ceswick; indeed, his predominant feeling towards her was one of fear.
third-person singular of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Ernest did not sleep well that night: the scene of the evening haunted his dreams, and he awoke with a sense of oppression that impartially follows on the heels of misfortune, folly, and lobster-salad.
the trait of acting stupidly or rashly
From this reading Ernest did not sleep well that night: the scene of the evening haunted his dreams, and he awoke with a sense of oppression that impartially follows on the heels of misfortune, folly, and lobster-salad.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Ernest was a very inexperienced youth, but, inexperienced as he was, he could not but recognise that he had let himself in for an awkward business.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Ernest was a very inexperienced youth, but, inexperienced as he was, he could not but recognise that he had let himself in for an awkward business.
hauntedadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːntɪd/
having or showing excessive or compulsive concern with something
From this reading Ernest did not sleep well that night: the scene of the evening haunted his dreams, and he awoke with a sense of oppression that impartially follows on the heels of misfortune, folly, and lobster-salad.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Ernest did not sleep well that night: the scene of the evening haunted his dreams, and he awoke with a sense of oppression that impartially follows on the heels of misfortune, folly, and lobster-salad.
plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
From this reading Ernest did not sleep well that night: the scene of the evening haunted his dreams, and he awoke with a sense of oppression that impartially follows on the heels of misfortune, folly, and lobster-salad.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He was not in the smallest degree in love with Florence Ceswick; indeed, his predominant feeling towards her was one of fear.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Ernest was a very inexperienced youth, but, inexperienced as he was, he could not but recognise that he had let himself in for an awkward business.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Ernest did not sleep well that night: the scene of the evening haunted his dreams, and he awoke with a sense of oppression that impartially follows on the heels of misfortune, folly, and lobster-salad.
impartiallyadverbUS /ˌɪmˈpɑːrʃəli/
in an impartial manner
From this reading Ernest did not sleep well that night: the scene of the evening haunted his dreams, and he awoke with a sense of oppression that impartially follows on the heels of misfortune, folly, and lobster-salad.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Ernest was a very inexperienced youth, but, inexperienced as he was, he could not but recognise that he had let himself in for an awkward business.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Nor did the broad light of the summer day disperse his sorrows; indeed, it only served to define them more clearly.
inexperiencedadjectiveUS /ɪnɪkˈspɪriənst/
lacking practical experience or training
From this reading Ernest was a very inexperienced youth, but, inexperienced as he was, he could not but recognise that he had let himself in for an awkward business.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Nor did the broad light of the summer day disperse his sorrows; indeed, it only served to define them more clearly.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Ernest was a very inexperienced youth, but, inexperienced as he was, he could not but recognise that he had let himself in for an awkward business.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Nor did the broad light of the summer day disperse his sorrows; indeed, it only served to define them more clearly.
lobster-salad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ernest did not sleep well that night: the scene of the evening haunted his dreams, and he awoke with a sense of oppression that impartially follows on the heels of misfortune, folly, and lobster-salad.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading He was not in the smallest degree in love with Florence Ceswick; indeed, his predominant feeling towards her was one of fear.
misfortunenounUS /mɪˈsfɔːrtʃən/
unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event
From this reading Ernest did not sleep well that night: the scene of the evening haunted his dreams, and he awoke with a sense of oppression that impartially follows on the heels of misfortune, folly, and lobster-salad.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Nor did the broad light of the summer day disperse his sorrows; indeed, it only served to define them more clearly.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Ernest did not sleep well that night: the scene of the evening haunted his dreams, and he awoke with a sense of oppression that impartially follows on the heels of misfortune, folly, and lobster-salad.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Nor did the broad light of the summer day disperse his sorrows; indeed, it only served to define them more clearly.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Ernest did not sleep well that night: the scene of the evening haunted his dreams, and he awoke with a sense of oppression that impartially follows on the heels of misfortune, folly, and lobster-salad.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Ernest did not sleep well that night: the scene of the evening haunted his dreams, and he awoke with a sense of oppression that impartially follows on the heels of misfortune, folly, and lobster-salad.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Ernest did not sleep well that night: the scene of the evening haunted his dreams, and he awoke with a sense of oppression that impartially follows on the heels of misfortune, folly, and lobster-salad.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He was not in the smallest degree in love with Florence Ceswick; indeed, his predominant feeling towards her was one of fear.
and nothing more
From this reading Nor did the broad light of the summer day disperse his sorrows; indeed, it only served to define them more clearly.
oppressionnounUS /əˈpreʃən/
the act of subjugating by cruelty
From this reading Ernest did not sleep well that night: the scene of the evening haunted his dreams, and he awoke with a sense of oppression that impartially follows on the heels of misfortune, folly, and lobster-salad.
predominantadjectiveUS /prɪˈdɑːmənənt/
most frequent or common
From this reading He was not in the smallest degree in love with Florence Ceswick; indeed, his predominant feeling towards her was one of fear.
recogniseverbUS /ˈrekəɡnaɪz/
show approval or appreciation of
From this reading Ernest was a very inexperienced youth, but, inexperienced as he was, he could not but recognise that he had let himself in for an awkward business.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading She was, as he had said, so terribly in earnest.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading Ernest did not sleep well that night: the scene of the evening haunted his dreams, and he awoke with a sense of oppression that impartially follows on the heels of misfortune, folly, and lobster-salad.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading Ernest did not sleep well that night: the scene of the evening haunted his dreams, and he awoke with a sense of oppression that impartially follows on the heels of misfortune, folly, and lobster-salad.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading Nor did the broad light of the summer day disperse his sorrows; indeed, it only served to define them more clearly.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was, as he had said, so terribly in earnest.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading Ernest did not sleep well that night: the scene of the evening haunted his dreams, and he awoke with a sense of oppression that impartially follows on the heels of misfortune, folly, and lobster-salad.
smallestadjectiveUS /ˈsmɔːləst/
superlative of “small” — limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He was not in the smallest degree in love with Florence Ceswick; indeed, his predominant feeling towards her was one of fear.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She was, as he had said, so terribly in earnest.
sorrowsnounUS /ˈsɑːroʊz/
plural of “sorrow” — an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement
From this reading Nor did the broad light of the summer day disperse his sorrows; indeed, it only served to define them more clearly.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading Nor did the broad light of the summer day disperse his sorrows; indeed, it only served to define them more clearly.
terriblyadverbUS /ˈterəbli/
used as intensifiers
From this reading She was, as he had said, so terribly in earnest.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Ernest did not sleep well that night: the scene of the evening haunted his dreams, and he awoke with a sense of oppression that impartially follows on the heels of misfortune, folly, and lobster-salad.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Ernest did not sleep well that night: the scene of the evening haunted his dreams, and he awoke with a sense of oppression that impartially follows on the heels of misfortune, folly, and lobster-salad.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Nor did the broad light of the summer day disperse his sorrows; indeed, it only served to define them more clearly.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Nor did the broad light of the summer day disperse his sorrows; indeed, it only served to define them more clearly.
in the direction of
From this reading He was not in the smallest degree in love with Florence Ceswick; indeed, his predominant feeling towards her was one of fear.
precisely as stated
From this reading Ernest was a very inexperienced youth, but, inexperienced as he was, he could not but recognise that he had let himself in for an awkward business.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Ernest was a very inexperienced youth, but, inexperienced as he was, he could not but recognise that he had let himself in for an awkward business.
(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 Ernest did not sleep well that night: the scene of the evening haunted his dreams, and he awoke with a sense of oppression that impartially follows on the heels of misfortune, folly, and lobster-salad.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Ernest did not sleep well that night: the scene of the evening haunted his dreams, and he awoke with a sense of oppression that impartially follows on the heels of misfortune, folly, and lobster-salad.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading Ernest was a very inexperienced youth, but, inexperienced as he was, he could not but recognise that he had let himself in for an awkward business.
